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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 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 the Student Success Center.

  • 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).
  • February 24, 4-5PM: May 2026 Grad Info Session - Required meeting for international students intending to graduate May 2026; we will review options you have after graduation, important eligibility requirements and timelines. Virtual Event - Register Now (required)!
  • April 23, 4.30-5.30PM: May 2026 Grad Regulatory Update - Required meeting for international students intending to graduate May 2026; we will review critical information and requirements to ensure you and your status are in compliance as you transition from on-campus to your after graduation plans. Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209

For Exchange and TA (Teaching Assistant)

  • TA and Exchange Goat Trip - more information to come!
  • TA and Exchange End of Semester Gathering - more information to come!

For Everyone: ISSS Express Events + Other Opportunities

All times Eastern unless otherwise noted.

  • February 19, 3-4.30PM: ISSS Express: Welcome Back! - stop in to say hello, tell us all about your winter break, get a spring semester travel signature, and enjoy refreshments. Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209
  • February 27, 3.30-4.30PM: Employment and Your Status - Learn about on-campus and off-campus employment options for you and your status. Required for anyone considering working on campus or planning for an internship. Virtual Event - Register Now (required)!
  • March 12, 3-4.30PM: ISSS Express: Is it Spring Yet? - Stop by for some de-stressing activities and refreshments. Travel signatures and document pick up available, also. Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209
  • March 17, 4-5PM: Employment and Your Status - Learn about on-campus and off-campus employment options for you and your status. Required for anyone considering working on campus or planning for an internship. Virtual Event - Register Now (required)!
  • March 19, 3-4.30PM: ISSS Express: Drop-in - Stop by for a travel signature, pick up documents, or ask a brief question. Refreshments available. Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209
  • April 8, 3.30-4.30PM: Employment and Your Status - Learn about on-campus and off-campus employment options for you and your status. Required for anyone considering working on campus or planning for an internship. Virtual Event - Register Now (required)!
  • April 9, 3-4.30PM: ISSS Express: Drop-in - Stop by for a travel signature, pick up documents, or ask a brief question. Refreshments available. Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209
  • April 23, 3-4.30PM: ISSS Express: Meet the Pets of ISSS - Let the dogs of ISSS give you a reason to take a break, enjoy unconditional attention, and have some refreshments. Travel signatures and document pick up will be available. A dogless advisor will be available if needed, too.  Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Dog Rooms are 200, 201, and 203; Dogless Room 209
  • May 7, 3-4.30PM: ISSS Express: Drop-in - Stop by for a travel signature, pick up documents, or ask a brief question. Refreshments available. Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209
  • May 14, 3-4.30PM: ISSS Express: Goodies and Goodbyes - chat with us, talk to an advisor, pick up a document, get a travel signature & fill a goodie bags with exam treats. Location: Service Building, 2nd floor, Room 209

Off-campus training/employment authorization 

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

Link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/94878634136?pwd=u2P2W0ChZ9gHRLsJusJHHufGQlJ6XN.1

Password: 157362

CPT Fieldwork/Internship Q&A Sessions 

ISSS invites Middlebury international undergraduate students intending to apply for fieldwork or internship must attend an information session co-facilitated with CCI to be eligible. We recommend you attend an Employment and Your Status session also (for dates, see above For Everyone). Summer 2026 dates will be published in March and Winter 2027 dates will be offered during Fall 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. 

  • More information to come.

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

Post-Graduation Immigration Options Session

  • More information to come later in Spring 2026.

Important Housing & Selected Academic Calendar Information

International House (i-house)

  • Watch here for future openings. 
    • First-year students not eligible for specialty housing. 

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 - Spring 2026

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).

TBD

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):

  • February 03 (Tuesday),12 PM 
  • February 13 (Friday), 10 AM
  • February 26 (Thursday), 12 PM
  • March 13 (Friday), 10 AM
  • April 2 (Thursday), 12 PM
  • More to come in April and May

Link: https://middlebury.zoom.us/j/94878634136?pwd=u2P2W0ChZ9gHRLsJusJHHufGQlJ6XN.1

Password: 157362

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

TBD

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 01/23/2026

International Student and Scholar Services

(802) 443-5858
isss@middlebury.edu