Susan Bender, Director of OISS

bender@unr.edu

I manage the overall operations of the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS), and I have been at the University of Nevada , Reno since 1991. Working at the OISS offers me an opportunity to work with students and scholars from over 70 nations from around the world. I have a Ph.D. degree in Public Policy/Political Science (focusing on the intersections of immigration policy and environmental policy); a Master's degree in Education/College Student Personnel Administration (focusing on internationalizing institutions of higher education); and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (focusing on international business). I advise international students and scholars on a wide variety of visa issues, conduct intercultural training workshops, and work to create an international campus community. My interest in international topics was sparked by early family experiences; my parents immigrated to the United States from Germany and maintained a close connection to family overseas. I love to travel and have been to Mexico, Russia, Estonia, Finland, France, Turkey, Germany, Austria, England, Italy, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Canada, and Taiwan; I was accepted on the Fulbright International Administrators program, and will go to South Korea Summer 2005. I'm from Colorado ; I love the mountains and everything associated with them - hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snow-shoeing. Routinely, I organize hiking trips and local excursions for international students. Previously, I worked at Colorado State University , the University of Portland in Oregon , and Cornell University in New York.

Elizabeth Adamska, Assistant Director of OISS

adamska@unr.edu

I have been working in the field of International education for the last 6 years, most recently at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Before that I was an academic advisor and counselor and worked at various colleges in the Chicago land area. I really enjoy working with students and scholars on immigration matters and other issues which are important to them. Learning about different countries and cultures, and finding out about people experiences in the U.S. have always interested me. I am originally from Warsaw, Poland, but then lived in Melbourne, Australia for many years, and for a short time, also in Sweden and France. I have many interests and enjoy doing things such as skiing, biking and hiking as much as going to good movies, theatre, art festivals or reading an interesting book. At OISS, I'm working with scholars and students, so if you need to know about some immigration or employment issues, please stop by and I'll be happy to help you.

Pauline Filemoni, International Student Advisor

filemoni@unr.edu

I have been in the field of International Education for almost five years and I love it! I started with the UNR Office of International Students and Scholars in the area of international student admissions and then later moved to international student advising. As the International Student Advisor, I have the wonderful privilege of working with students from around the world and I consider it a blessing. I know at least one person in 82 countries so I think of the world as my neighborhood. I am originally from American Samoa . In the 1800's European explorers referred to our islands as the Navigator Islands because they often saw Samoan sailors traveling far, far away from their islands, perhaps that's why I enjoy traveling as well. I have been to Argentina , Brazil , Chile , China-Macau , Fiji , Hong Kong , Indonesia , Japan , Malaysia , Mexico , Samoa , Singapore , Thailand and Taiwan . I love music, major water bodies, learning about new cultures, and lately, Indian movies. I provide immigration advising and sometimes personal counseling for F-1and J-1 students on a variety of issues so if you have any questions please feel free to stop by our office in the Student Services Building room 120.

Scott Kibbey, SEVIS Technology Specialist

skibbey@unr.edu

I have worked in international offices for 6 years now. I started as a student worker at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. I quickly grew attached to the international student population there. I even changed my major from Electrical Engineering to Computer Information Systems, so that I could pursue a future in managing international student/scholar information. I moved to Flagstaff, Arizona and continued my education while working in the International Office at Northern Arizona University. I traveled to Brazil to work with the street kids and visit friends. I like to snowboard, paintball, hike, play musical instruments, travel, and simply hang out with my friends. I truly enjoy making friends from around the world and hope to continue that here at UNR. I'm currently learning more about immigration policy and proceedures, so that I can do more than international student/scholar data management, but advise international students.

Zaneta Janiczak, Admissions Coordinator

zanetaj@unr.edu

I was born in Poland but I relocated to the U.S. (Washington and West Virginia) at young age as an exchange student to finish my high school. I came to the University of Nevada, Reno in 1999 as an international student to get my Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Having noticed the importance of international educational and cultural exchange programs for personal and professional development, I found my career passion. I joined OISS in 2003 to facilitate other students’ intercultural transitions by advising on students admissions. I am currently finishing up my Master’s degree in Intercultural Relations. I have been fortunate to travel all over Europe, Asia, and North America and make friends. Having an opportunity to interact with students from diverse cultural backgrounds is the most rewarding part of my work. Stop by or email me if you want to know more about applying to UNR.

Geralyn Guijaro, Administrative Assistant

guijarog@unr.edu

I am currently preparing to begin my professional career in International Education upon relocating from Ontario, Canada, on December of 2004. My passion student service has given me the professional calling to aspire for higher understanding. I am currently in the Master's program in Counseling Educational Psychology emphasis in College Student Development. I have a Bachelor of Science in Commerce International Marketing. I have four years working experience in the education field of accounting/finance with Career Development Institute Education Corporation, in Toronto. And a year experience in International travel. I truly value my ethnic background of Euro-Asian decent. In short, “I was made in the Philippines and assembled in Canada”. Having lived in one of the most diverse metropolitan cities in the world, (Toronto) almost all my life, I have experienced living, meeting, and working with people from around the world up close and personal. It is a blessing to learn about different cultures firsthand as well as being able to be a part of a team that is solely here to assist International Students and Scholars.

Adilia Bwire, Administrative Assistant

adiliab@unr.edu

I recently graduated with a Bachelor's in Biology from UNR.  I hope to pursue a career  in Dentistry.  I've been working at OISS since June 1999 doing front office work.  I've lived in Reno for 9 years.  I was born in Nairobi, Kenya and  moved to Reno with my family because my father was studying for a Ph.D. at  UNR.  I speak Swahili and English.  I like listening to music, dancing,  shopping, eating chocolate (I'm trying to cut down on that) and anything entertaining.