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International Student and Scholar Services

Announcements

Find information about upcoming events for international students and scholars along with news and headlines! Scroll down to find information for Middlebury College and the Middlebury Institute as well as ISSS General Announcements.

General Announcements

ISSS holiday office closure and emergency contact information

November 21, 2025

The ISSS Office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, November 27 & 28th. We will reopen on Monday, December 1st.

Staff will be available Monday-Wednesday to answer questions, and we will have limited staffing on Wednesday 11/26. (Note: For Middlebury Institute students, Assistant Director Tabitha Fleming will be unavailable from November 22nd until December 1st, but other ISSS staff can assist you via email while she is away, on the days we are open.)

While we are closed, if there is an emergency related to a time sensitive immigration situation that can NOT wait until after the holiday, please contact Middlebury College Department of Public Safety. They will determine next best steps to address your situation. This phone number is 802-443-5133. Please also email ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu to outline the details of your situation.

For public safety concerns at the Middlebury Institute in Monterey, California, contact security at 831-647-4153. 
For emergencies on campus in Vermont, call Middlebury College Department of Public Safety at 802-443-5911 (this is their emergency number). 
Call 911 from within the US for any medical, fire, police, or life-threatening emergency. 
 

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ISSS wishes former ISSS Executive Director, Kathy Foley best wishes in her retirement!

September 29, 2025

After nearly three decades of dedicated service, Kathy Foley, Executive Director of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), retired from Middlebury on September 26, 2025. Since joining Middlebury in August 1997, Kathy has been a guiding force in supporting our international community and advancing the institution’s diversity and global engagement initiatives. As the leader of ISSS across all Middlebury programs, she has worked to develop and implement policies, programs, and services that help international students, scholars, faculty, and staff thrive. We thank Kathy for her vision, compassion, and countless contributions, and wish her all the best in her next adventures. 

Transition of ISSS leadership:

As of September 29th, Jess Schlotfeldt will serve as Interim Executive Director of ISSS. Jess joined Middlebury in June 2025, and she brings with her nearly two decades of experience in higher education, primarily in international student services. Prior to Middlebury, she held several leadership roles at the University of Utah, including Associate Director of Operations in ISSS and Associate Director of Student Affairs at the Spencer Fox School of Medicine. We are grateful to have Jess step into this leadership role!  

Middlebury College in Vermont

Pre-Arrival

Returning students from LOA (leave of absence): Students intending to return to Middlebury must submit the Return to Middlebury request to the College. If you have not submitted the request to return or have not received your formal approval to return, please contact your Class Dean.

  • Once you are approved to return, ISSS sends an I-20 application launch email to you. If you have not seen this email and have been approved to return, please contact ISSS (isss@middlebury.edu).
  • Remember: you will be required to complete a F-1 Status Check-in meeting with ISSS within the first week of your return to campus. You will receive more information about this, but this is to alert you to this required check-in to complete your return to F-1 status.

Incoming new students: Our ISSS orientation program for first-year students also includes virtual events with Orientation and ISSS. 

  • Be sure you haven’t missed out on any communication and events offered by Orientation.
  • Your New Student Onboarding Course has many important pre-arrival tasks that must be completed.
  • Also, visit our website for New Student Information.
     

Friends of International Students (FIS) Host Program

  • Do you wish to experience life outside Middlebury College?
  • Would you like to meet people in the local community?

If so, we invite you to discover more about the FIS Host Program!

Upcoming ISSS Programming & Information 

For First-Year Students

  • Watch here for future events for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026.

For Seniors

  • Consider attending an OPT information session this semester (see the Off-campus training/employment authorization section below).
  • Senior Session - watch here for future offerings.

For Exchange and TA (Teaching Assistant)

  • More information to come.

For Everyone: ISSS Express Events + Other Opportunities

All times Eastern unless otherwise noted.

  • Goodies & Goodbyes ISSS Express Event, Thursday (Dec 04) from 3-4.30PM (Service Building, 2nd Floor, Room 209): chat with us, talk to an advisor, pick up a document, get a travel signature & fill a goodie bag with exam treats.

Off-campus training/employment authorization 

OPT Q&A Sessions - All meetings use the same Zoom information

Link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/96349617630?pwd=cJdtn503fUayF2gd7b9lj28IxMbhwA.1

Password: 150494

CPT Q&A Sessions 

ISSS invites Middlebury international undergraduate students intending to apply for a Winter 2026 internship/CPT must attend an information session to be eligible. Summer CPT information session dates will be offered during Spring 2026 semester. 

All sessions are virtual and require registration (unique links provided below). Once you have registered, the zoom link will be provided in the confirmation email sent to you. It can be helpful to review the CPT Presentation in advance. 

Note: The zoom link will be provided in the registration confirmation email.

Post-Graduation Immigration Options Session

  • More information to come.

Important Housing & Selected Academic Calendar Information

Break Housing

  • The Middlebury College residence halls remain open for Thanksgiving, February, and Spring breaks. Students staying on campus will be asked to complete the break form. No approval is needed to stay for these breaks, but students must register to stay on campus. Thanksgiving break registration will be available in late October.
  • Winter recess housing will be limited, and an application will be available, usually in October/November. You must be approved to stay during the winter break, and there are no dining services available.
  • Facilities and Residential Life staff may enter rooms during breaks to conduct safety checks, perform work needed, and ensure the building is closed appropriately. 

Middlebury Institute in California

Upcoming ISSS Programming - Fall 2025 

Travel Signature Drop-In

Join the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) Travel Signature Event! A one-stop opportunity for F-1 and J-1 students & scholars to get their documents signed to ensure they’re ready to return to the U.S. without any issues. Bring your I-20 or DS-2019 & passport with visa (if applicable).

  • October 2 (Thursday), 4-5:30 PM in McCone M238

  • December 1 (Monday), 1-3 PM in McCone 238

Off-campus training/employment authorization sessions

For F-1 students:

OPT Q&A Sessions -All meetings use the same Zoom information

This post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) information session and Q&A is intended for F-1 students in their final semester.

For more information, see: https://www.middlebury.edu/international-student-and-scholar-services/students/student-employment-information/optional

Scheduled Sessions (Pacific Time):

  • October 07 (Tuesday), 12:30PM
  • October 23 (Thursday), 12PM
  • November 11 (Tuesday), 12:15PM
  • November 20 (Thursday), 12PM
  • December 11 (Thursday), 1PM

Link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/96349617630?pwd=cJdtn503fUayF2gd7b9lj28IxMbhwA.1

Passcode: 150494

CPT Information Sessions

This Curricular Practical Training (CPT) session is for F-1 students who intend to participate in an internship (paid or unpaid). Join this session to learn about the criteria and application process and to ask your questions.

For more information, see: https://www.middlebury.edu/international-student-and-scholar-services/students/student-employment-information/curricular

  • November 5 (Wednesday), 1 PM
  • December 2 (Tuesday), 12:30 PM

Link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/93585988917?pwd=qzbSruYzqPvfcp5jB9nrlPQMd0Ik9c.1)

Meeting ID: 935 8598 8917

Passcode: 338528

For J-1 Students:

Academic Training Information Session (for off-campus employment authorization) 

TBD

  • Note: J-1 students need ISSS authorization to work on campus. Email ISSS before working.

Middlebury Schools

**Stay tuned for updates.**

See our Timely Updates website tab for information about Travel, Regulatory, and Informational Guidance. 

Awards

None at this time.

Updated 11/10/2025

International Student and Scholar Services

(802) 443-5858
isss@middlebury.edu