News

Exciting ISSO Staff Updates and Why Do Americans Do That

Sep. 19, 2012


 ANNOUNCEMENT: EXCITING STAFF UPDATES AT THE ISSO


 
As all of us begin to settle into the Fall semester, and we see the transition from the summer to the autumn season, I want to be sure to share with you some wonderful staff updates at the ISSO. 

We are very excited to welcome Souad Nejjar as our new ISSO Department Coordinator, starting September 18.  Souad comes to Brandeis after most recently serving as a Technical Associate in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, overseeing laboratory management and coordination, including support to its faculty, researchers/postdocs, and students, as well as administrative duties.

Souad received a Master's degree in Higher Education at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, with a focus on international student services.  Souad is originally from Morocco.  Please join me in welcoming Souad to the ISSO team!
I am pleased to announce that Gillian Boulay has been promoted to the position of  International Student Advisor.  Gillian has been working at the ISSO since March 2009, first as our Department Coordinator and then as our SEVIS/PASS Administrator, gaining significant experience in all aspects of ISSO functions.  Gillian, in her new role, will serve as the primary advisor to our Undergraduate international students. 


With Gillian’s transition to her new position, we are very excited to announce that Emily Stewart has been promoted to SEVIS/PASS Administrator.  Emily has worked at the ISSO since October 2010 as our Department Coordinator, gaining experience in processing newly admitted student visa documents, SEVIS reporting, and record management -- preparing her well for her new role as the liaison with the various admissions offices on campus, with our newly admitted students, and with visa document processing and SEVIS reporting for all international students at Brandeis. 
 
Ruth Brigham, who is currently in her 12th year at the ISSO, has been promoted to Senior International Student Advisor and will continue to serve as the primary advisor to our international graduate students and liaison to the graduate schools.

Rounding out the ISSO staff is Kate Amaral, who just began her 6th year at the ISSO as our Assistant Director, will continue to provide advising and programming support to our international students and scholars, program sponsors (such as Fulbright), as well as coordination of our workshops and outreach on employment/internship/experiential learning issues.


While there are a number of changes, you can see you will be working with familiar faces at the ISSO, as well as the newest member of the ISSO team joining us this week.  I am confident that our new staffing lineup will continue to provide the most professional, effective and timely service and support to the entire community. 


If the ISSO can be of any assistance or support, please do not hesitate to contact any of us at the ISSO in person (Kutz Hall 215, top floor), by phone (781-736-3480), or via email (isso@brandeis.edu).
 
We wish you all the best for a wonderful Fall semester.

Best regards,
David Elwell
ISSO Director

UPCOMING ISSO EVENTS: Why Do Americans Do That?!?

Wednesday, September 19, 7pm

Location: International Lounge in Usdan Student Center

International  Students, you are cordially invited to join the ISSO for light refreshments, a discussion about American culture, and how to make the most of your time at Brandeis. Guest speakers include a panel of fellow international undergraduate and graduate students who will share their stories of experiencing American culture for the first time and discuss the challenges of adjusting to a new social and academic environment. You will have an
opportunity to ask questions and share your own experiences in a small group discussion. If you know in advance that you would like to come, please let us hear from you as it will be helpful in purchasing refreshments.  You can reply to this email. We hope you can join us!

WORKSHOPS: ISSO Employment Workshops

All Fall 2012 Employment Workshops will cover Curricular Practical Training (CPT, for F1 Visa holders) starting at 3pm, Optional Practical Training (OPT, for F1 Visa holders) from 3:30pm-4:30, and Academic Training (AT, for J1 Visa holders) starting at 4:30 until 5pm. All workshops will be in the conference room of Kutz 215, unless otherwise announced.


* TODAY* Wednesday, September 19
Friday, September 28
Wednesday, October 10
Thursday, October 18
Monday, October 22
Tuesday, October 30

Additionally, there will be a joint employment workshop held with the Hiatt Career Center:

JOB/INTERNSHIP TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR UNDERGRADUATES
Thursday, October 4th from 3-5pm
Location: Hiatt Career Center

If you are graduating this December or next May and want to look for a job/internship in the U.S., or if you want some preparation tips for finding an internship this summer, we invite you to join Ruth Brigham from the ISSO and Jane Pavese from the Hiatt Career Center for a joint workshop on OPT, CPT, and job searching tips. Ruth will provide information about OPT, CPT and the application process, and Jane will talk about job search strategies, online resources such as finding employers who have sponsored students in the past for H1B work visas, marketing yourself for the U.S. job market, and more! We hope you can join us!

ON CAMPUS EVENTS: "Navigating the American Classroom" by Graduate Student Services



Friday, September 14th (this Friday!) at 5pm
Room G-2 at the Heller School

This is a workshop about the different expectations in U.S. classrooms and share the challenges this presents to international students!  We'll talk about strategies to help you be successful.   Bring your thoughts, questions and experiences!

Spaces are limited so please reply to:  workshop@brandeis.edu to reserve a seat.