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OISS STAFF
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Peter Briggs, Director
pbriggs@msu.edu
Peter Briggs has served as Director of the OISS since October 2001. He has more than 30 years experience in the field of services to international students and scholars. Prior to coming to MSU, Peter served in a number of administrative roles at the University of Oregon and was a grants administrator at the Institute of International Education.
He has held a variety of leadership roles and served on boards for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Council of International Schools and Educational Evaluators, Inc. Peter holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Washington and a master's degree in Education Policy and Management from the University of Oregon. His extensive professional travels have taken him throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia.
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Christine "Chris" Bargerstock, Assistant Director
chrisb@msu.edu
Chris Bargerstock is Assistant Director at OISS. She completed her
B.S. degree in Social Science at Michigan State University. Chris
has her M.P.A. (Masters of Public Administration) at Wayne State
University. Chris works with faculty and staff and she processes
the H1-B petitions for MSU. Chris has 3 wonderful children with
whom she spends her free time away from the office. Chris has
lived in Michigan all her life. According to Chris, OISS is unique
because "working in OISS brings the world to me."
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Ravi Ammigan, Assistant Director
rammigan@msu.edu
Ravi Ammigan has been part of the OISS team since February 2003. He first stepped foot onto American soil in 1997 as an international student himself and consequently spent about 6 years studying and working in Chicago. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Database Management from Kendall College and a Master’s degree in Communication from Michigan State University. At OISS, Ravi's time is dedicated to managing the external communication and programming efforts of the office. He is also involved in several professional associations, namely NAFSA, the Intercultural Communication Institute, and the United Nations Association. A native of the island of Mauritius, Ravi has also lived in Zambia before coming to settle in the US. He is fluent in French and Creole.
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Ghazala Khan, International Student Advisor/Orientation Coordinator
khanghaz@msu.edu
Ghazala Khan is an International Advisor in the Office for International Students and Scholars. She holds her MA in Teaching, Learning with Technology from the College of Education at Michigan State University. She has been working with international students and scholars for more than five years and enjoys working with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. She is also an orientation coordinator for the new international students at OISS and work with a lot of volunteers to help new students with their transition. She has been involved in cross-cultural communication activities and programming, and has presented with NAFSA at regional and national levels.
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Brooke H.M. Stokdyk, International Student & Scholar Advisor
stokdyk@msu.edu
Brooke H.M. Stokdyk is an International Student and Scholar Advisor at the OISS. Brooke hails from Indiana University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Germanic Studies and a Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration. She also spent three and a half years working with international students and scholars at Indiana University. Brooke has traveled to Europe several times and is looking forward to traveling around the world in the future with her husband Chris. Though this is her first time living outside the Hoosier State, she feels very welcomed by her office colleagues and the entire MSU and Lansing community.
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Nicole Namy, International Student Advisor/Community Outreach Coordinator
namynico@msu.edu
Nicole Namy is the International Student Advisor and Community Outreach Coordinator at OISS. She graduated from MSU with degrees in English/Education. She has worked in East Lansing within the field of special education and prior in the Detroit area administering youth programming for a community center and area schools. Nicole was born in Lebanon, is fluent in Arabic and has a flare for yummy Lebanese cooking! She also has a great passion for traveling and is excited to begin her position at OISS. As Community Outreach Coordinator, Nicole hopes to be able to utilize the extensive knowledge and expertise of the MSU international community to share with those within the greater Lansing and East Lansing area.
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Amber Arashiro, International Student Advisor/Orientation Coordinator
ambera@msu.edu
Amber Arashiro is an International Student Advisor at the OISS. She will also serve as Orientation Coordinator for new international students and looks forward to working with many volunteers to help new students with their transition. Originally from Mississippi, Amber graduated from Shorter College with degrees in psychology and religion. She also holds her MA in religion, with an emphasis on Japanese Buddhism, from Wake Forest University. Amber taught English in Japan for three years through the JET Program and has traveled extensively throughout Asia and Europe. She worked with international students and scholars for two years at the University of Kansas Medical Center and enjoys working with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. She and her Japanese-American husband, Peter, enjoy karaoke and international festivals.
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Mary M. Gebbia-Portice, Coordinator International Sponsored Student Program
gebbia@msu.edu
Mary Gebbia became the Coordinator for the International Sponsor Student Program in June 2001, and brought with her a strong and diverse Michigan State background. Mary was an undergraduate student in the College of Natural Science and received her Bachelor's degree in 1986 from MSU. Later that year, she began her employment with State and plans to eventually retire from the University. With a diverse academic and employment background in science, technology, admissions, and student service, Mary has used her experiences to build her skills and expertise. Most recently, during the 4 ½ years prior to joining OISS, she worked in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering building her database and general computing abilities. What amazes Mary about OISS is that it brings all her past experiences together in one central role. Throughout the years and her different employment positions, she has always worked very closely with International students, scholars, faculty, and staff. Now, as a member of OISS, serving International students and sponsors is the focus, rather than just the side benefit of her MSU employment. Mary is proud to be a part of OISS and is anxious to help students and sponsors in any way she can.
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Nancy Rademacher, Office Manager
rademac2@msu.edu
Nancy Rademacher is an Administrative Assistant at OISS and is the assistant to the Director. Her functions include office management, SEVIS reporting, computer technical support, knowledge of university policies and procedures, and immigration regulations. Nancy lived in Okinawa for more than two years while growing up and has visited Hong Kong. Although her responsibilities keep her away from the reception area for the most part, she truly enjoys the opportunity to help international students and scholars. Nancy has worked at MSU since 1980, and has been at OISS since 1987. She is an avid sports fan and supports MSU teams. Go Green!
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Krista Smith, Front-Desk Supervisor
krista@msu.edu
Krista is the Front-Desk Supervisor at OISS. She joined our office in December 2002 and thrives on the fast paced environment here. Her time is spent supervising student employees, processing J-1 DS-2019 requests, organizing office events and assisting with orientation. Krista has worked at MSU since August 2000 and is an avid MSU sports fan. In her spare time she loves to shoot photography.
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Roberta Clark, Secretary
clarkr14@msu.edu
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| OISS INTERNS |
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Ayako Tsuchiya, Intern
Japan
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Rhea Young, Intern
USA |
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Stephanie Whaley, Intern
USA |
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Brittany Fox, Intern
USA |
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Dakshaini Ravinder, Graphic Design Intern
India
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OISS FRONT-DESK STAFF
● Richeng Chen - China
● David Dokter- USA
● Stephanie Hamlin - USA
● Chukwuemeka Igwe - Nigeria
● Gloria Katsande - Zimbabwe
● Michael Snyder - USA
● Chipley Tuweiq - USA
● Qifan Wu - China
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