Our professional organization, the National Association of International Educators (NAFSA), believes and OISS affirms that: “International education advances learning and scholarship, fosters understanding and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is essential for developing globally competent individuals, and builds leadership for the global community. We believe that international education lies at the core of an interconnected world characterized by peace, security, and well-being for all.”
The mission of the OISS therefore aligns directly with the 2017 Boston College strategic plan, specifically strategic direction IV, which states: “Increase the University’s presence and impact in the City of Boston, the United States, and around the globe.”
The mission of the Office of International Students and Scholars is to work with the larger BC community to help ensure the academic and personal success of international students and scholars, and their families, at Boston College. The OISS provides information, support, and services so that international students and scholars can achieve their goals both in and outside of the classroom. The OISS aims to increase awareness of international student and scholar needs, promote intercultural competency across campus, and advocate for greater support for the international community of Boston College.
The OISS must be knowledgeable and updated on all immigration regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to international students and scholars and communicate them to both the international population, as well as relevant faculty and administrators, in a timely and effective manner. The OISS ensures that Boston College is in compliance with all federal government requirements for this population by the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The OISS strongly believes it is the responsibility of the entire institution to adequately support its international community. The OISS therefore collaborates with both academic and student affairs partners throughout the university to provide resources, services, and programs to international students and scholars to help them successfully integrate to the Boston College campus. The OISS also offers opportunities for international students and scholars, and members of the BC community, to engage in meaningful dialogues and interactions which lead to increased cross-cultural curiosity and understanding.
People
Adrienne Nussbaum
Director/Associate Dean
adrienne.nussbaum@bc.edu
Adrienne has over 38 years of experience working in international higher education as an administrator, professor, trainer, and consultant. She has worked at Boston College with international students and scholars for the past 34 years and has also worked at Harvard University and Lesley University. Adrienne’s teaching experience includes 16 years in the Global Studies Department at Bentley University, as well as courses at Tufts University, Lesley University, and, for the past 4 years, at Boston College. She has facilitated trainings for schools and organizations both in higher education and at the K-12 level, as well as given numerous presentations at regional and national conference of NAFSA, NASPA, and the International Careers Consortium. Adrienne’s areas of expertise include: international student and scholar services administration, intercultural competency programs and assessment, cross-cultural studies, diversity and inclusion issues, and student affairs. She is also a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Adrienne received her BA in French and Psychology from Tufts University, where she studied In Paris her junior year, and her MA in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University.
Susan Shea
Associate Director
susan.shea@bc.edu
Susan has worked in the field of International Education since 1998. Prior to joining OISS in 2003, she worked at EF International Language Schools where she both managed programs sending American students abroad and worked with international students in the U.S. Susan earned both her BA in Human Development, with concentrations in Spanish and Human Resources Management, and MA in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. She studied abroad in Seville, Spain and spent time visiting and working at multiple EF schools abroad. Susan is an experienced trainer with NAFSA (Association of International Educators), providing advising and immigration trainings regionally and nationally, and is a member of the NAFSA Government Regulations Advisory Committee.
David Zhao
Assistant Director
david.zhao@bc.edu
David joined the OISS team in April 2022. He brings over 13 years of experience working in the field of international education. Prior to Boston College, he spent six and half years at Boston University serving over 12,000 international students in a variety of ways focusing mostly on immigration advising. He is adept at providing resources and solutions to complex immigration related issues for international students. He received an MBA from Boston University and Master of Education in Education Policy from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Originally from China, David moved to the US at a young age. He strongly believes in creating and fostering a safe and supportive environment for students to succeed. During his personal time, he enjoys playing with his one year old and traveling and learning about new cultures.
Kayla Potter
International Student Advisor
kayla.potter@bc.edu
Kayla joined the OISS in August 2016. Prior to joining Boston College, she was an Assistant Language Teacher with the JET Program in Kochi Prefecture, Japan where she spent three years teaching in elementary and middle school classrooms. Kayla received her MA degree in International Higher Education and Intercultural Relations from Lesley University in 2018. She received BA degrees in Sociology and International Studies, with minor concentrations in Japanese Language Studies and East Asian Studies, from Wittenberg University in 2012.
Nicole Piechocki
International Student Advisor
piechocn@bc.edu@bc.edu
Nicole joined the OISS team in August 2021. Previously, she was an international student advisor and DSO for Approach International Student Center in Boston, Massachusetts. Nicole has also coordinated several programs for international students and opportunity youth to further their education and advance in their careers in Oregon's Willamette Valley. She received a BA from Willamette University in Politics and Spanish and has studied in Ecuador with the Andean Center for Latin American Studies and la Universidad San Francisco de Quito.
Laura Graham
International Advising Assistant
grahamlg@bc.edu
Laura joined the OISS in August of 2021. Prior to joining Boston College, Laura spent a year teaching English on the JET program on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. Upon returning to the US, she spent three years working in Japanese-English bilingual early childhood education before starting graduate school. Laura received her MA degree in 2021 in International Higher Education from Lesley University. During graduate school, Laura spent two semesters working in Bentley University's international student office. Laura received her BA degrees in Japanese and Asian Studies in 2015 from the University of Colorado, Boulder where she worked in the international student office as an undergraduate student.