Tabitha Fleming

Tabitha joined the MIIS community in September 2023 as the Assistant Director for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). She has more than nine years of experience in international education, beginning with the Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) program and most recently serving as the International Student Program Coordinator and as a SEVIS Designated School Official at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon.

At the Institute, Tabitha serves as the international student advisor to our degree-seeking and non-degree students from around the world. In her role, she provides immigration and visa support and advising, facilitates relevant programming, and advises international students and recent alumni on many topics including employment authorization. She works collaboratively with colleagues at the Institute to empower students to succeed. As a member of the cross-institutional ISSS team, she also assists with supporting Middlebury’s international community beyond Monterey.

Tabitha began her education at Mt. Hood Community College before transferring to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. While enrolled there, she studied abroad at Osaka Gakuin University in Japan and earned a B.A. in Japanese Studies. Later, she earned an M.S. in Educational Leadership and Policy with a focus on Postsecondary Adult and Continuing Education from Portland State University. As a lifelong learner, she continues to take formal and informal classes for her personal and professional edification.

Tabitha enjoys helping students and scholars and believes in working with the whole person, not just the person’s current issue. She enjoys learning new things; if you ask a question that she doesn’t know the answer to, she’ll enjoy figuring it out!

Outside of work, she likes baking, hiking, and spending time with her cat. Having recently moved to Monterey, she’s looking for recommendations of where to go and what to do. And of course, she’s looking forward to meeting you!