International Student and Scholar Services

Contributing to Comprehensive Internationalization

Crisis Management

Office Administration

Orientation, Retention, and Student Services Programming

Student and Scholar Advising

SSA Guidance Incorporating DHS and DOS Policy on Electronic Signing and Transmission of Forms I-20 and DS-2019

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated its Program Operations Manual System (POMS) to recognize DHS and DOS policies that allow DSOs and ROs to digitally sign and electronically transmit Forms I-20 and DS-2019. However, SSA has not updated its policies requiring letters supporting F-1

The Department of Commerce Presents the Market Diversification Tool for International Education

The Department of Commerce presented a live virtual demonstration of a powerful new data dashboard, the Market Diversification Tool for International Education. This interactive dashboard brings together six sector-specific datasets to help international education professionals identify and compare

Sarah Habtemariam

Sarah Habtemariam is an International Student Counselor and Designated School Official (DSO) at Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma. She is a driven, passionate, and outgoing international education professional. She is an Eritrean and African American with Native American roots. Sarah grew up in a

Brianne Faber

Brianne Faber is the Assistant Director at the University of Texas at Arlington. She received her Bachelor's in English Literature from the University of North Texas, and a Master's in Education with a concentration in Adult Development and Curriculum from Strayer University. Brianne is a member of

Aaron Mendez

Aaron Mendez is the International Student Advising Manager at Arizona State University, where he leads advising efforts that support international students in maintaining their immigration status while navigating academic, cultural, and institutional systems throughout their time at the university

USCIS Policy Manual Guidance on F and M Students

November 26, 2024

On November 26, 2024, USCIS updated the USCIS Policy Manual section on F-1 Absences from the United States with a “technical correction” that removed a troublesome study abroad paragraph that appeared in the August 27, 2024 revision to the Policy Manual, replacing it with: “For information about

Katrina Knudsen

Katrina Knudsen serves as the Director for the Office of International Students and Scholars within the Center for Global Engagement at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Katrina has been working in higher education for over 20 years and specifically in the field of International Student

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NAFSA's Resident Immigration Expert Talks Shop: Q&A, Part I

December 4, 2023

David Fosnocht, NAFSA’s immigration regulation expert and director of immigration practice resources, sits down with the NAFSA blog team to talk about the NAFSA immigration resource suite. Read on to learn how you can elevate your expertise as an immigration adviser with our toolkit of practice

SEVP Guidance: Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students

On November 6, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students, a fact sheet and FAQ that interprets and applies F-1 regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(14) regarding the effect of a DOL-certified strike on students on optional practical

Academy Coaches Positions

Position: Academy Coach Term Dates: August 1, 2026 - December 31, 2027 The Academy for International Education is a year-long professional development program designed to provide newcomers with an introduction to the field of international education and those more experienced with an opportunity to