As Director of the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) at Wesleyan University, I serve as principal designated school official (PDSO) overseeing compliance to federal regulations and institutional policies for students studying in F-1 visa status. I maintain Wesleyans Form I-17 and file our institutions recertification application to SEVP every two years. I also serve as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for students studying at Wesleyan on J-1 visas. Beyond compliance support for my team and F-1 and J-1 visa status international students via advising, SEVIS updates, and document production services, I direct OISAs internationalization and engagement initiatives, including International Student Orientation (ISO), International Buddy Program (IBP), International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), Wesleyan International Speakers Program (WISP), Wesleyan Africans Thriving Together (WATT), International Education Week (IEW), and Power of Language Week, and oversee office communications, assessment, annual report writing, and the budget for our unit. I supervise two full-time professional staff members and four student employees and work closely with my OISA colleagues and members of the Student Affairs expanded leadership team on strategic planning to enhance our services and programs in support of Wesleyans amazing international student community.

I teach Business Communication Training classes part-time online for Japanese clients of Boston Japanese Trainers (BJT). The objective of BJTs classes is to equip learners with the essential skills to connect and communicate effectively across locations in Japan, the U.S., and around the world. BJTs tailored curriculum encompasses topics such as navigating global decision-making styles, leading and facilitating discussions, and managing people and projects in a second language. Classes are designed to be interactive, encouraging participants to ask questions and receive feedback from me as their trainer.

I teach English Language Learners (ELLs) part-time online as an instructor for The Language Academy of the Carolinas. I help ELLs improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing proficiency based on their level, goals, and interests. As much as possible, I incorporate intercultural learning into my class sessions with students.

During my tenure at UW-Madison International Student Services (ISS), the office was part of the Division of Student Affairs Identity and Inclusion theme and supported more than 7,000 international students from over 100 countries; ISS has since transitioned to the International Division. As Assistant Director of Student Transitions and Co-curricular Education and one of three members of the International Leadership Team (ILT), I supervised six full-time staff members and wore a variety of hats including: -Leading the development, implementation, and assessment of fall, spring, and summer International Student Orientation (ISO) and all transitional support programs-Managing the development, implementation, and assessment of ISS’ engagement and co-curricular education programs-Overseeing ISS communications related to ISO and transitions, engagement, co-curricular education, student storytelling, and aspects of compliance -Contributing to ISS’ personnel management and strategic planning via ILT-Leading daily advising meetings and supporting staff on complex immigration cases-Advising students with J-1 and F-1 visas and processing their requests via Terra Dotta, PeopleSoft, and SEVIS as a DSO/ARO-Processing withdrawal requests and working with academic deans on special cases related to international student enrollment and academic integrity-Representing ISS on the Student Affairs assessment and communicators committees and leading unit’s initiatives in these two areas-Planning and facilitating biweekly ISS staff conversations on social justice and student development-Collaborating with Mental Health Services to plan and facilitate a biweekly series focused on international student health and well-being (Self-Care Time with ISS & MHS)-Designing curriculum, facilitating, and assessing Practicing English And Cultural Exchange (PEACE), a biweekly English conversation and cultural exchange class for international and U.S students, scholars, and spouses

In the Fall 2020 Semester, I taught the international student section of The Wisconsin Experience Seminar (Counseling Psychology 125), a one-credit course for first-year undergraduate students. I supplemented the curriculum for the course with additional resources and discussion topics related to the international student experience and extra credit assignments for co-curricular engagement and reflection. More information about the course can be found here on the Office of Student Transition and Family Engagement website: https://newstudent.wisc.edu/programs/academic-engagement/

As an immigration advisor in the International Services office, I utilized the Code of Federal Regulations, state laws and Clemson institutional policies to advise students on a wide range of issues related to maintaining their F-1/J-1 student visa status. When I was not advising in person or via email, I processed various requests and forms using Sunapsis and the SEVIS database and produced new immigration documents (I-20s/DS-2019s) for students. My secondary responsibilities often competed with my primary role and fell into two areas which are some of my strengths and passions: programming and communications. As the member of our staff who oversaw these important areas, here are some of the things I regularly did and achieved at Clemson: -Established, created curriculum, and taught Learning English Across Frontiers (LEAF), a weekly English conversation and cultural exchange class for international and U.S. American students, scholars, and spouses -Managed IS programming initiatives and performed outreach to campus organizations and departments-Supervised six student workers to plan and implement communications, programs, and events-Created, edited, and developed structure and content for We Contain Multitudes, the International Services monthly newsletter-Served on the Clemson International Festival and Global Awareness Film & Discussion Series planning committees-Chaired the International Kids Zone Planning Committee for the 25th Annual Clemson International Festival-Designed and led a 60-minute session on cultural adjustment for international student orientations-Initiated and facilitated the Collaborative International Roundtable of Community Leaders Engaging (CIRCLE), a monthly forum for student organization leaders and campus and community partners to share updates on their respective groups, voice needs and concerns related to the international student and scholar body, and discuss opportunities to collaborate on future initiatives

As an instructor for Core Languages, I assessed English Language Learners’ (ELLs) proficiency levels, goals, and interests, and then designed original lessons tailored to these parameters. My lessons incorporated review and introduced grammar points, vocabulary, and colloquial/idiomatic usages. Additionally, I infused global themes and topics which enable intercultural dialogue and learning into my lesson plans and class materials.

For the practicum portion of my graduate program, I worked full-time at International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) in UC Santa Cruzs Division of Global Engagement. In my role, I worked closely with the International Programs Coordinator on orientation, engagement, and communications. My work included: -Created and implemented the Speaking of Culture and Found in Conversation English conversation and cultural exchange programs for international graduate student and scholar populations-Designed and facilitated intercultural competence trainings and workshops for various international and domestic student groups -Developed, coordinated, and evaluated international programs and events -Collaborated with ISSS colleagues and staff in other units to plan and facilitate orientations and campus-wide events such as International Student Welcome for first-year undergraduate students and International Education Week (IEW)-Designed and gave a Communication Tips & Strategies presentation for undergraduate and graduate international student orientations-Utilized web-based tools to create event flyers, PowerPoint presentations, and a global engagement infographic -Marketed and monitored programs and events via email, social media, and online registration forms-Planned and led holiday-themed English trivia nights for international students-Facilitated workshops and events for the International Mentorship Program-Participated in F-1 visa and international student advising staff trainings-Shadowed international student advisors during advising sessions-Co-taught a 90-minute class about cultural adjustment for CLNI90: Intercultural Understanding

I taught English as a foreign language for five years at Izumi City (Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) public schools. For my first two years, I was still affiliated with the JET Program. For my final three years, I was privately contracted by the Izumi City Board of Education. As an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), I taught at six elementary schools, four junior high schools, and one high school. I also supported the Board of Education with various internationalization efforts, similar to JETs Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) position. My work included: -Utilized Japanese fluency and intercultural communication to collaborate with teachers in planning and teaching English classes for Grades K-12-Planned and taught original lessons for Beginner and Advanced adult English conversation classes-Designed and facilitated an annual team teaching workshop for local educators-Created workshop materials and facilitated teacher trainings and discussions at monthly Izumi City English Committee sessions-Assessed local primary, junior high, and high school English curricula and instructors at teacher in-service sessions and made recommendations for improvements-Edited Let’s Enjoy English! (Izumi City primary school English textbook)-Designed and delivered presentations for the purpose of cultural exchange to various community groups-Coached junior high school students for the annual Izumi City English Speech Contest and and served as a contest judge-Taught poetry writing and created a poetry collection for Izumi City Commercial High School students -Served as a guide and interpreter for international students visiting Izumi from various Asian countries -Collaborated on various translation projects for city education and tourism offices-Designed and gave a one-hour presentation in Japanese about cultural and linguistic differences between the U.S. and Japan for the inaugural community meeting of the Izumi City Cultural Exchange Association

I taught English as a foreign language for three years in Sata (Minamiosumi Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan) public schools as part of the JET Program. As an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), I taught at six elementary schools and one junior high school. My work included:-Team taught English classes for elementary and junior high school students-Designed and implemented an English curriculum for six elementary schools-Planned and led an annual language and culture summer camp for students in grades 1-9-Initiated a pen pal project between local elementary schools and a California elementary school-Created a handbook of fun and innovative English activities with Japanese translation and presented at the 2009 Kagoshima JET Conference -Coached local elementary and junior high school soccer teams-Answered calls and took messages in Japanese at the Board of Education office

I worked in Best Buddies Internationals Los Angeles office where I managed the Citizens Program, an adult friendship program for people with intellectual disabilities. I also volunteered in the program and matched myself with a buddy. My work included: -Managed Best Buddies Internationals largest Citizens Program (150+ participants)-Matched adults with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with community volunteers-Developed marketing materials for volunteer recruitment-Organized and fundraised for program events -Conducted interviews and screened prospective participants-Monitored matches via regular phone and email correspondence and extensive report writing