Advising Changes at OISS

We would like to share some exciting changes at the Office of International Students and Scholars with the Tulane community.

New Advisor 

First, as some of you already know, in April, we welcomed our newest advisor, Dessa Crum, to the OISS team.   Dessa is originally from the Kansas City area, and has spent time living in Germany, Japan, Hungary, and Turkey. Before joining the OISS team, she advised international students and taught English as a second language at Johnson County Community College in Kansas. We are thrilled and lucky to have her and she has already started meeting with students.  I hope you will join me in welcoming her. 

Advising Model 

The rest of the student advising team will transition to a holistic model of advising, and will each focus on a particular set of schools.  They will assist on all matters of the international student experience, from document production before the students arrive, through employment authorization once the students finish their studies.  This will allow OISS to develop ongoing individual relationships with our international students and will allow students to have a specific reference point inside of OISS.  Advisors will also serve as primary points of contact for the various administrators of their assigned schools.  To find out which advisor serves which school, please see our appointment page.    

Employment Advisor 

With Dessa’s arrival and the new advising model, there will no longer be an advisor dedicated specifically to student employment issues.  Each individual advisor will now be able to help their students with all questions, including about employment.  Kabir Hingorani has moved on from his role as Employment Advisor and is now our SEVIS Manager.  In this capacity he will manage OISS data, develop eforms and other automation and ensure our regulatory and reporting compliance.