Our Team
Director of International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Center for International Education and Global Strategy
As Director of ISSS (International Student and Scholar Services), Michael Elliott brings almost 30 years of experience in the field of international education. His areas of interest and research include international student and scholar success, leadership development, and strengths-based education.
Michael earned his PhD in leadership studies and his master’s degrees in both international studies and education. He is also a lecturer in the departments of Educational Policy and Leadership, Globalization Studies, and Undergraduate Studies. Michael presents at NAFSA conferences, co-authored "From Departing to Achieving: Keys to Success for International Students in U.S. Colleges and Universities," was a Fulbright Scholar-Administrator Japan award recipient, and taught high school biology/physics in Peace Corps Kenya.
Associate Director of International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Center for International Education and Global Strategy
Tara has been in the field of international education for 14 years. She earned her BA in Business from Life University in Marietta, Georgia. Tara earned her MA in Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Tara’s area of interest is campus internationalization.
Tara oversees new international student orientation and is responsible for our J-1 scholar community. She is a member of NAFSA and a graduate of the NAFSA Academy (Class 10). Tara is also a member of the Residency Appeals Committee. She serves as the Liaison for Community Standards and Academic Advising.
Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Center for International Education and Global Strategy
Kayla O’Donnell joined the University at Albany as an International Student Coordinator in August 2016 and transitioned to the Assistant Director role in 2023. Kayla earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Global Studies from Binghamton University, SUNY (2013) and a master’s degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago (2014). Prior to joining UAlbany, she worked in the Dean of Students Office and International Services office at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.
International Student and Scholar Coordinator
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Center for International Education and Global Strategy
Sihwa Choi joined the University at Albany as an Administrative Assistant at the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office in 2019. She transitioned to the Administrative Manager in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Environmental & Sustainable Engineering at the College of Nanotechnology, Sciences, and Engineering until joining ISSS. Sihwa earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication with a concentration in Interpersonal Communication from SUNY Geneseo, and a master’s degree in TESOL from the University at Albany. Prior to joining UAlbany, she worked in the Korea Central Daily, Inc. in New York, NY.
ISSS Mission, Vision, Goals and Roles
Our Mission
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 and Goals
Our Vision and Goals
ISSS strives toward providing excellent services and programs that facilitate international student and scholar success. Our three main goals are:
- Full immigration compliance/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/connect to the UAlbany campus and greater community
Our Role
Our Role
As outlined above in the Mission and Vision/Goals section, the main goal and charge of ISSS 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. This and other roles described on this page are divided into two main areas of ISSS staff functions:
Forward-facing services like advisement constitutes about 25% of ISSS duties and responsibilities. We employ a generalist email/walk-in advising system for students, meaning all ISSS staff are trained to advise students. Visiting scholars have specific staff assigned for their needs. Advisement topics range from travel and employment to cultural and personal, within limited topic 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 “R1” research institutions.
Back-end support – or behind the scenes - makes up the other 75% and involve duties and responsibilities such as processing/adjudicating document requests, maintaining F-1 and J-1 SEVIS records, reporting new and updated mandatory information to SEVIS, and researching, assessing, interpreting, and formulating immigration related policies, procedures and protocols that help international students and scholars maintain status.
What ISSS Offers:
Forward-Facing Services and Programs
- Advising international students and scholars on maintaining F-1/J-1 status. We advise through in-person walk-in services, email, appointments, and remotely
- Providing online and in-person orientation for new international students and scholars
- Presenting educational workshops and other related sessions/activities throughout the year, including collaborations with immigration attorneys, the Library Academic Integrity program, ProjectAccess and Career Services
- Hosting the International Celebration each semester for graduating and departing international students and scholars
Back-end or Behind-the-Scenes Services and Programs
- Processing and adjudicating document requests from students and scholars through AccessISSS (within 5-7 business days), including for arrival reporting, employment authorization, travel endorsements, reduced course load authorizations, SEVIS program extensions, change of status and other I-20/DS-2019 requests, dependent I-20s, status letters and departure forms
- Maintaining F-1 and J-1 SEVIS records in order meet compliance standards and support student/scholar status through Sunapsis, Peoplesoft and other platforms
- Reporting new and updated information to SEVIS on a per semester and event basis
- 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, which ISSS staff draft, publish and disseminate
- Planning and organizing numerous activities, events and forums, not only for international students and scholars, but also for (and often in collaboration with) other UAlbany faculty/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
What ISSS Doesn’t Offer but Refers Out to Other Appropriate Units:
- Career/Employment Planning (ISSS refers to Career and Professional Development or if appropriate academic department/school) – neither offers placement
- Academic Program Planning/Course Advisement (ISSS refers to Academic Advisement Services or academic department)
- Funding such as Scholarship and Loan Assistance (ISSS refers to Undergraduate Admissions, the Graduate School and/or Students Accounts in cases of logistical issues)
- Tax Advice or Services (ISSS contracts with Sprintax tax services platform and refers to CPAs when appropriate)
- Legal Advice or Services (ISSS refers to immigration or related law firms)
Our website has a comprehensive listing of policies, procedures, and other information pertaining to ISSS services. Our hope is that students, scholars, and other stakeholders may use this site as their primary source for information, answers, instructions, etc. to support international student and scholar success.
Other Team Members and Liaisons
Graduate Assistants
Graduate Assistants
Rumbidzai Nyanzira, Graduate Assistant
Rumbidzai Nyanzira is a Zimbabwean graduate student in Geographic Information Science and Cartography at the University at Albany. She holds a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and development from Great Zimbabwe University. She currently works as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of International Student and Scholar Services and serves as a member of the International Student Advisory Council Board. She previously served as a Teaching Assistant at the University at Albany.
Chinmai Sagiri, Graduate Assistant
Chinmai Sagiri is an international graduate student pursuing a master's degree in Data science at the University at Albany. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from KL University, India. Chinmai has developed expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, and real-time data analysis. She currently serves as a Graduate Assistant with International Student and Scholar Services and is an active member of the International Student Advisory Council Board.
ISSS Campus Liaisons (ICLs)
ISSS Campus Liaisons (ICLs)
ISSS Campus Liaisons from UAlbany Colleges and Schools help promote communication from our office and vice versa in support of international student success.
Members
- Rita Biswas, Associate Professor of Finance in Massry School of Business
- Victoria Brock, Vice Dean in the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering
- Joanna Dreby, Professor of Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences
- Angel Ford, Assistant Professor of Information Science and Technology in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity
- Sheena Loughlin, Director of Student Affairs in Rockefeller College
- Caitlin Reid, Assistant Dean in the College of Integrated Health Sciences: [email protected], 518-442-2521
- Christy Smith, Assistant Dean in the School of Education
- Sheri Stevens, Director of Community and Public Service Program in the School of Social Welfare
- Dyana Warnock, Director of Graduate Student Services in Rockefeller College
International Student Advisory Council (ISAC)
International Student Advisory Council (ISAC)
The International Student Advisory Council supports the enhancement of services and programs benefiting international students on the UAlbany campus.
2025-2026 Members
- Akhenaton Lazarre (Haiti) - B.S. Political Science and ISAC President
- Avril Ruiz-Tagle (Chile) - B.S. Economics
- Chinmai Sagiri (India) - M.S. in Data Science
- Jaishree Kappagantu Venkata Krishna (India) - B.S. Biology
- Maamoor Ahmed (India) - M.A. Public Affairs
- Prajeeta Vaidya (Nepal)- B.S. Political Science and Student Association (SA) Representative
- Rumbidzai Nyanzira (Zimbabwe) - M.S. Geographic Information Science
- Yingru Zhao (China) - Phd. Curriculum and Instruction
Support
Michael Elliott, Director of ISSS - Faculty/Staff Advisor