Welcome home to UAlbany!
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) helps international students and scholars achieve their educational goals and make the most of their time at the University at Albany.
We provide resources and information to new and current international students and visiting scholars.
Here you'll find information on immigration, life in Albany and in the United States, administrative and academic requirements, employment, housing, insurance and more, plus timely announcements to help you call the University at Albany "home."
About ISSS
about
Our Mission, Vision & Goals
Our Mission, Vision & Goals
Our Mission
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides services to international students and scholars, including advising on immigration, personal, cultural and social matters.
We offer cultural and social opportunities to help international students and scholars integrate into the UAlbany community.
ISSS is committed to enhancing the academic, social and personal interactions of international students and scholars at UAlbany.
Our Vision & Goals
ISSS strives toward providing excellent services and programs that facilitate international student and scholar success. Our three main goals are:
- Full immigration compliance and maintenance of status of all international students and scholars, including promoting a basic understanding of related policies and procedures to faculty, staff and other students
- Holistic, development-focused support, outreach and advising with a compassionate compliance focus to all international students and scholars
- Opportunities for all international students and scholars to integrate into and connect with the UAlbany campus and greater community
Our Role at UAlbany
Our Role at UAlbany
ISSS' main goal is supporting immigration compliance and maintenance of status for international students and scholars.
We define "international student and scholar" as any student or visiting scholar who is on a F, J, or other temporary visa while affiliated with the University.
ISSS staff fulfill two main functions at UAlbany: forward-facing services and back-end support.
Forward-facing services
Forward-facing services, such as student advising, constitute about 25% of our office’s duties and responsibilities.
We employ a generalist email and walk-in advising system for students, meaning all ISSS staff are trained to advise students. Visiting scholars have specific staff assigned to address their needs.
- Our forward-facing services and programs include:
- Advising international students and scholars on maintaining F-1 or J-1 status
- Providing online and in-person orientation for new international students and scholars
- Presenting educational workshops and other related sessions or activities throughout the year, including collaborations with immigration attorneys, the University Libraries’ academic integrity program, Project ACCESS and Career & Professional Development
- Hosting an International Celebration each semester for graduating and departing international students and scholars
Back-end support
Back-end, or behind-the-scenes, support makes up the other 75% of our office’s duties and responsibilities. This work involves duties and responsibilities such as:
- Processing and adjudicating document requests from students and scholars through the AccessISSS portal
- Maintaining F-1 and J-1 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records
- Reporting new and updated mandatory information to SEVIS
- Researching, assessing, interpreting and formulating immigration-related policies, procedures and protocols that help international students and scholars maintain status
- Communicating with international students and scholars via SEVIS alerts, newsletters and a comprehensive website
- Organizing activities, events and forums not only for international students and scholars but also for, and often in collaboration with, other UAlbany faculty and staff, student organizations and other partners, such as the iCEP Academy, to build better understanding of international student needs and cultural differences among faculty and staff
Referrals to other campus resources
ISSS staff advise students and scholars on topics that range from travel and employment to cultural and personal, within limited areas of expertise.
When appropriate, students and scholars are referred to other campus units for expert assistance, as many U.S. universities are decentralized with dedicated services and programs, especially large Research 1 (R1) institutions.
- Career and employment planning: ISSS refers students and scholars to Career & Professional Development and, if appropriate, resources within their academic department, school and/or college. Note: These units offer career coaching and job search resources, but they do not offer job placement services.
- Academic program planning and course advising: ISSS refers students to Academic Advising and/or their academic department.
- Funding (scholars, loan assistance, etc.): ISSS refers students to Undergraduate Admissions, the Graduate School and/or Student Accounts.
- Tax advice and services: ISSS contracts with a tax services platform and refers students and scholars to tax professionals when appropriate.
- Legal advice and services: ISSS refers students and scholars to law firms that specialize in immigration matters or other areas as needed.
Newsletters & Reports
Newsletters & Reports
Monthly Newsletters
- March 2026 ISSS Newsletter
- February 2026 ISSS Newsletter
- January 2026 ISSS Newsletter
- December 2025 ISSS Newsletter
- November 2025 ISSS Newsletter
- October 2025 ISSS Newsletter
- September 2025 ISSS Newsletter
- August 2025 ISSS Newsletter
Annual Reports
The University at Albany is committed to providing a top-tier educational experience for all international students, as well as engaging research and/or teaching experiences for all international visiting scholars.
Review our annual International Student and Scholar Profile Reports to learn more about UAlbany's international students and scholars.
Help an international student or scholar succeed
Help an international student or scholar succeed
International students and scholars fund their studies and research at UAlbany with grants, scholarships and assistantships, or with their own money and financial support from their families.
In a few cases, however, through no fault of their own, excellent international students and scholars who are part-way through their programs at UAlbany find themselves unable to graduate or complete their research without additional financial support.
These funds are intended to provide emergency help in moments of crisis. Examples of crises include a sudden illness not covered by insurance; the death of a child, parent or financial sponsor; and an economic collapse, natural disaster or coup d’etat in their home country.
Choose the most convenient method for making your donation:
- Give online: It's safe, secure and convenient.
- Give by mail: Please make checks payable to The University at Albany Foundation and mail to: The University at Albany Foundation, UAB 226, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222.
- Give by phone: Call 800-577-7869.
General Resources
Student Employment, Internships & Volunteering: Explore opportunities to work, intern and volunteer for ISSS.
Events: Explore upcoming campus events related to international education.
Resources for International Students & Scholars
Forms: Find the form you need and submit it using the AccessISSS portal.
Life at UAlbany & in the U.S.: Plan your travel to UAlbany and secure your housing. Access campus resources, safety information, cultural resources and other helpful guidance.
International Insurance: Enroll in the University’s health insurance plan, which is mandatory for all international students and scholars.
F-2 & J-2 Dependents: Bring your spouse and/or children with you to the U.S..
U.S. Income Tax: Fulfill annual federal and state tax filing requirements.
Travel Guidance: Plan to travel internationally or in the U.S. as an international student or scholar.
Immigration Policy Updates: Stay informed on the latest federal policy changes related to student visas.
Additional Resources for International Students
New Student Checklist: Complete pre-arrival tasks and post-arrival reporting. Register for International Student Orientation.
Obtain & Maintain Student Status: Apply for a student visa. Register for classes. Maintain your student status.
OPT, CPT & Academic Training: Participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT), Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or J-1 Academic Training.
Undergraduate Academic Support: Meet with your international academic advisor.
International Student Employment: Review general guidance on working, interning and volunteering on and off campus. Access career resources.
Additional Information for International Scholars
Visiting Scholar Program: Participate in professional and culture exchange at UAlbany as a J-1 Exchange Visitor.
guidance-forms
Meet Our Team
ISSS’ staff bring nearly five decades of experience to the job of helping international students forge a path to success through higher education. They're here to help you realize your dreams by earning a degree from UAlbany.
Our graduate assistants, campus liaisons and the International Student Advisory Council (ISAC) also play an important role in international student and scholar success.
team
Professional Staff
Associate Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Graduate Assistants
Rumbidzai Nyanzira
Master’s Student, Geographic Information Science
Home country: Zimbabwe
[email protected]
Chinmai Sagiri
Master’s Student, Data Science
Home country: India
[email protected]
Liaisons & Advisors
ISSS Campus Liaisons (ICLs)
ISSS Campus Liaisons (ICLs)
ISSS Campus Liaisons help promote effective communication between ISSS and their academic departments, schools and/or colleges.
Rita Biswas, Associate Professor of Finance, Massry School of Business
Victoria J. Brock, Vice Dean, College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering
Joanna Dreby, Professor, Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences
Angel Ford, Assistant Professor, Department of Information Science and Technology, College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
Sheena Loughlin, Senior Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, Massry School of Business
Caitlin Reid, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, College of Integrated Health Sciences
Christy Smith, Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, Partnerships and Accreditation and Executive Director of Student Success, School of Education
Sheri Stevens, Director of Community and Public Service Program in the School of Social Welfare
Dyana Warnock, Director of Community & Public Service Program, School of Social Welfare
International Student Advisory Council (ISAC)
International Student Advisory Council (ISAC)
The International Student Advisory Council helps ISSS improve services and programs for international students at UAlbany.
Akhenaton Lazarre, ISAC President
Undergraduate Student, Political Science
Home country: Haiti
Avril Ruiz-Tagle
Undergraduate Student, Economics
Home country: Chile
Chinmai Sagiri
Master’s Student, Data Science
Home country: India
Jaishree Kappagantu Venkata Krishna
Undergraduate Student, Biology
Home country: India
Maamoor Ahmed
Master’s Student, Public Affairs
Home country: India
Prajeeta Vaidya, Student Association Representative
Undergraduate Student, Political Science
Home country: Nepal
Rumbidzai Nyanzira
Master’s Student, Geographic Information Science
Home country: Zimbabwe
Yingru Zhao
Doctoral Student, Curriculum and Instruction
Home country: China
Michael Elliott, ISAC Advisor
Director, ISSS