International Student and Scholar Services

Contributing to Comprehensive Internationalization

Crisis Management

Office Administration

Orientation, Retention, and Student Services Programming

Student and Scholar Advising

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

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 is the Student Advising Manager for the International Student and Scholar Services Office at the University of Maryland, College Park. In her role as student advising manager, she oversees the team providing advising services to F-1 and J-1 international students, including those on

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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, 2025 - December 31, 2026 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

The State of Play in Washington and Why the U.S. Needs a National IE Strategy

This Town Hall examined the latest legislative and regulatory policy updates affecting the field with a special focus on why the U.S. needs a national strategy for international education. NAFSA leaders with expertise in public policy, regulatory practice, and advocacy shared a “behind-the-scenes”

Immigration-Related Initiatives in Artificial Intelligence Executive Order

On October 30, 2023 President Biden signed Executive Order 14110, titled Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is abbreviated throughout the executive order as "AI." Read Executive Order 14110 on the White House website Executive Order

USCIS Policy Manual Content on J-1 Exchange Visitors

USCIS has updated its USCIS Policy Manual with some helpful content on how the agency determines whether an applicant for change of status or adjustment of status has met the INA 212(e) foreign residence requirement. The updates confirm standard USCIS practices and review J-1 basics. For example