• ISS Team
• Your Role
• Academic Policies

This presentation gives an overview of international student support for Academic Advisers

Presentation: International Student Support for Academic Advisors

Libby Jawish

Director of International Student & Scholar Services

• Advocates for international students at GVSU, with sponsoring agencies and partners and in the local community
• Primary immigration advisor to F-1 and J-1 students
• Leads the ISS team
• Advances services and establishes policy for international students at GVSU
• Oversees Visiting Scholars and Visiting Staff

Andres Ortiz-Estevez

Coordinator International Student Services 

• International student guidance and support
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Advocacy across campus for resources and support for international students
• Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 program
• Student engagement and events
• Advisor for the International Student Organization (Uniting Nations)

Holl Nguyen-Mills

Office Coordinator 

• Supports the International Student and Scholar Services Team with background work including booking rooms for events, ordering catering, and arranging meetings for the ISS team
• Arranges itinerary for GVSU’s International Visiting Scholars from our partner schools
• Serves as primary contact for our exchange partners who send students and faculty/staff to GVSU
• Serves as the Alternate Responsible Officer in SEVIS for J-1 students and scholars

Bill Muchero

Graduate Assistant International Student Services

Master's of  Science in Data Science & Analytics 

Studied abroad in:
Michigan, USA

Has traveled to:
South Africa, Zambia, Ethiopia

It is common for international students to work in tandem with their academic adviser and the advisers at the Padnos International Center. This support network ensures students have the information they need to succeed both academically but also to remain in compliance with immigration regulations.

Communication between the student and both sets of advisers provides the kind of robust support that students expect and appreciate from GVSU.

How do international students choose GVSU?

• International students have a lot to consider when selecting a university. What country they will study in, what program they will pursue. International students are admitted to GVSU either through the Admissions Office or through individual departments if they are a graduate student. The Padnos International Center does not admit students, review transcripts or issue the initial immigration documents. But once they are admitted, we support them throughout their time at GVSU and even after they graduate if they choose to stay in the U.S. and work on one of the post-graduation work authorizations afforded them by the U.S. government.

How long does an international student study at GVSU?

Depends! If they are on a J-1 visa then they are an exchange student, and will only be at GVSU for one semester or year. If they are on a F-1 visa we hope they will stay through their undergraduate or graduate program completion, but they may choose to transfer out to another U.S. institution. It's no secret we do lose students to warmer climates!

Did You Know?

• International F-1 students are only at eligible to work at GVSU unless they obtain additional immigration authorization from the Padnos International Center? See more info about work authorization here.
• Work authorization varies based on visa type, and differs if students are still in classes or graduating?
• International students are required to be enrolled full-time, which is 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduates in the Fall & Winter semesters.
• International students need to request a number of immigration processing throughout their time at GVSU. To view a list, check out our Request Center.
• International students are limited in how many online and hybrid classes they can take, these terms are issued by the federal government. For the latest info click here.

F-1 iStudents can be authorized for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for two reasons:

1.  Students who are in the final semester of their program and have less than a full-time course load remaining need to be authorized with Immigration for a RCL. Students should be certain that they will indeed complete their program during the semester for which they have requested an RCL. An RCL cannot be authorized two semesters in a row since the student's SEVIS record will be shortened to reflect their indicated graduation date.
2. Students who are experiencing an illness or medical condition that inhibits their ability to attend classes. Students in this situation need medical documentation from a licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist.

Processing Time: An RCL form can be submitted at any time but they will be processed as follows: 

• Medical Reduced Course Loads are expected to take about 1 week (5 business days) to process
• Final Semester Reduced Course Loads are only processed at the beginning of each semester
  • Fall processed late August through mid-September
  • Winter processed in January

• Students who are in either of the following situations can be enrolled in less than the minimum credits required by Immigration but still be considered full-time:

• Full-time CPT is considered as Full-time enrollment
• Students enrolled in and one of these Thesis/Masters Project/Capstone courses are considered Full-time:
  • EGR 693, EGR 695, EGR 686