Professional Scope
As the Associate Director of International Student Life within OGEI, I support incoming international students by addressing cultural, personal, and financial challenges, while also liaising with the Dean of Student Life (DOSL) to assist students in crisis. I lead the student life team in welcoming, connecting, and advocating for international students throughout their academic journey at PSU.
My PSU career started in 1997. I have served as an Activities Coordinator, International Student Advisor, and Student Life Advisor, where I established the International Student Mentor Program. Since 2005, I have directed the student life advisor team, dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of PSU’s international student community.
How I Can Help
- Financial Need Support - Coordinate the Paula Harris International Student Aid Fund and international student hardship funding and help students connect with financial resources.
- Advocate for students to ensure they receive essential cultural, academic, and life support needed
- Support students in conflict situations involving roommates, faculty, or workplace environments
- Act as ISSS liaison to the CARE/Conduct team to support students in crisis
- Provide advising and guidance to the Organization of International Students
- Provide training to faculty/staff/students on supporting international students in the classroom
Global and Cultural Engagement
- Languages Spoken: English (birth language); Spanish (conversational)
- Global Experience: My professional background includes teaching on the Texas-Mexico border, participating in relief work in Turkey, and traveling throughout Western/Eastern Europe, the West Bank, Israel, Kenya, Uganda, and the Philippines.