Announcements

Middlebury College in Vermont

Upcoming Programming

ISSS Express…come aboard, learn something new, express your thoughts & questions and socialize with us!

Check back soon for details about our March ISSS Express event!

Middlebury Institute in California

October 18, 2022

Update for Institute international students

ISSS Staffing News:

• We recently rehired our Immigration Specialist Janet Hulnick into an ongoing part-time role (20 hours per week and no longer seasonal). Janet assists with STEM OPT applications, international student advising, and more. To learn more about the ISSS Team Members, please visit: https://www.middlebury.edu/office/international-student-and-scholar-services/who-we-are and click on the name of the person to learn more about them.
• We are in the process of hiring an Assistant Director of ISSS based in Monterey to fill the vacancy. The search is underway, and we expect to interview finalists on site in late October/early November. The goal is to have a new ISSS colleague hired by early December.
• The search process takes considerable time, so we want to be sure you know that the ISSS team in VT is here to support you. The interim international student advisor for the Institute is Kas Singh, along with support from Janet Hulnick. In addition, Loren Scott handles many SEVIS-related updates and logistics, and he will be working with Kathy Foley on I-20 and DS-2019 document issuance for incoming students. The rest of the team—Carolyn Dahm and Christy Fry—may also assist, depending on the need. Contact us at: isss@middlebury.edu.

ISSS Framework: What to expect and how to contact ISSS

• Middlebury has a long-standing commitment to its international community of students, staff, scholars, and faculty. In 2011, we created a cross-institutional office to support our international population across the whole institution (i.e. all of Middlebury)—including the College, the Institute, and the Schools.
• ISSS is here for you. It is important to note that Middlebury, Vermont, where most of the ISSS team is based, is in the Eastern time zone, which is 3 hours ahead of Monterey, California in the Pacific time zone. ISSS operating hours are Mon. through Fri. from 8:30 am-5:00 pm (ET), which translates to 5:30 am to 2:00 pm (Pacific) Mon. through Fri.
• If you have questions, first thoroughly check our website for answers and information. You may be most interested in the For Students area or the Forms & Resources page.
• Since February 2022, our website contains information for all international student and scholar populations institution wide rather than maintaining separate ISSS websites for the Institute or the College with much of the same information. We continue to refine the information for consistency and accuracy for all populations. See: https://www.middlebury.edu/office/international-student-and-scholar-services.
• If you still have questions, then email us at isss@middlebury.edu. Let us know that you already checked the website and still require assistance, because our first recommendation will be to do that.
• For a truly urgent immigration or visa-related matter, call ISSS at 802.443.5858 or email isss@middlebury.edu and be sure to indicate in the subject line “Urgent-Emergency”.

Emergency Reminders:

• Call 911 (from within the U.S.) for any medical, fire, police, or life-threatening emergency.
• For other emergencies, call the Institute’s Security office at 831-647-4153 for assistance

Appointments

• If you wish to discuss a matter with international student advisor, Kas Singh, you may book a remote appointment via zoom using the Calendly scheduling tool: https://calendly.com/middleburyisss.
• Click on “Institute Student Appointment with Kas Singh” appointment block. If you choose a different type of appointment, we will email you to reschedule using the correct appointment type.
• Kas has reserved the following times for appointments reserved for Institute students:
  • Tuesdays: 12:00-3:00 pm (PT)/3:00-6:00 pm (ET)
  • Thursdays: 1:00-4:00 pm (PT)/4:00-7:00 pm (ET)
  • Fridays: 11:00 am-2:00 pm (PT)/2:00-5:00 pm (ET)
• Unable to find a time to fit your schedule? Email ISSS at isss@middlebury.edu and address it to your advisor asking for further assistance. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Travel Signatures

• Travel signatures (on page 2 of your I-20 for F-1 students or in the Travel Validation box on the bottom right corner of the DS-2019 for J-1 students) should be no older than 1 year and we recommend that they be within 6 months (i.e. have it signed once per semester). 
• Please look at your most recent/current Form I-20 or DS-2019 to see if you have a travel signature and what the date is by the signature name. 
• If it is older than 6 months, you can request an updated travel signature.  If you do not have a travel signature or need an updated one, then please email isss@middlebury.edu for instructions on how to obtain one.
  • IMPORTANT: J DS-2019s must have ‘blue wet ink signatures’ on original paper DS-2019 forms pursuant to the U.S. Department of State’s requirements for J Exchange Visitors. We cannot issue electronic DS-2019s with electronic signatures for any reason.
  • NOTE: We plan to offer times for travel signatures when an ISSS advisor is in Monterey this fall, and we will send an email informing you when we’ve scheduled the times. We also offer alternative methods.

Anticipated ISSS Programming during Fall Semester (specific emails will be sent with dates/times)

• For F-1 students:
  • General Curricular Practical Training (CPT) sessions—off-campus training/employment authorization
  • General Optional Practical Training (OPT) sessions—off-campus training/employment authorization
• For J-1 Students:
  • Academic Training session (for off-campus employment authorization)
  • Note: For on-campus employment authorization for J-1 students, please email ISSS to inquire.
• For any international students:
  • Immigration attorney session regarding post-graduation employment-based visa options in the U.S. (note: this session may be offered early next Spring)

Sincerely,

Kas Singh on behalf of The ISSS team (Kathy Foley, Christy Fry, Loren Scott, Janet Hulnick, and Carolyn Dahm)

General Announcements

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) & International Programs and Off-Campus Study (IPOCS) represented Middlebury well at the NAFSA: Association of International Educators-Region XI Conference held in Manchester, NH from Oct. 18-20, 2022. See highlights below. 

1.       As NAFSA Region XI Chair for 2022, Assistant Director of ISSS Christy Fry oversaw the first in-person regional conference for international educators in New England since fall 2019. With 276 attendees (42% were first-time participants), it was a resounding success! Two pre-conference workshops and more than 45 sessions and events took place over the three days. Christy led the 22-person regional team in offering an engaging conference that provided opportunities for professional development, networking, plus social and self-care events. Two of three regional awardees were from Middlebury! (See the PIE News post about the conference and see below for photos.)

2.       International Services Specialist Loren Scott was recognized with the Rising Professional Award for his engagement in and contributions to the field of international education, which range from offering conference sessions at the regional and national level, being selected as a RISE Fellow and NAFSA Academy participant, providing input to articles, webinars, and trainings for Peace Corps and other organizations, assisting at a week-long intensive English program for children in Costa Rica, and more.

3.       Associate Dean and Director of ISSS Kathy Foley was nominated by colleagues who represent many different institutions and was chosen for the Sally M. Heym Award. This recognition celebrates the many ways Kathy has elevated her staff, the field, and peers across the region. A leader and mentor who is trusted for her astute and compassionate guidance and support, Kathy joins this select group of 25 leaders in our region who are making (or have made) a difference in international education since the award’s creation in 1996.

4.       Middlebury’s Christy Fry and Loren Scott co-led a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Roundtable session. Fifteen participants actively engaged in dialogue and discussion about lived experiences and best practices for making our field and our offices more attentive to DEI principles. The conversation also focused on identifying effective ways within Region XI and NAFSA to operationalize the many ideas generated.

5.       Middlebury C.V. Schools Abroad showcased our 37 sites abroad and our 13 language schools at the Exhibit Hall. Assistant Director of University Relations Catherine Pierattini and Director of our School in Puerto Rico Teresa Peña-Jordán met with conference attendees to discuss opportunities for students to participate in our programs.

Middlebury Schools

**Announcements for Summer 2023 coming in early 2023**