ISSS

Shuhui Lin

Shuhui Lin

Title/Position
Coordinator
International Student Support & Engagement
Splitting her time between ISSS and the Multicultural & International Student Support and Engagement (MISSE), Lin focuses on the support and retention of international students who encounter academic difficulty and supports international student engagement across campus. Lin provides assistance in following up with potentially at-risk students identified in the Excelling@Iowa survey or who are flagged for academic probation or poor progress at midterms and conducts assessments for international students. She also work with international student organizations, and with the MISSE to promote international student inclusion in student organization and activities. Lin earned her Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies, and Master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Iowa. She is from Guangzhou, China, speaks Cantonese and Mandarin, and is now learning Korean.
Pauline Beazer James

Pauline Beazer James

Title/Position
Senior Advisor
International Student & Scholar Services
Pauline is a native of the Caribbean who grew up in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. She completed the B.A. in Sociology at the University of South Florida in Tampa and also holds two master’s degrees. The first is the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. During her most recent studies at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio Texas, she completed the M.A. in Education with dual emphases: International Education and International Entrepreneurship. Pauline is a veteran of the United States Military and has proudly served in the U.S. Army Active Duty, U.S. Air Force Reserve, and U.S. Army Reserve. In addition to personal and military travel in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean, Pauline completed a six-month graduate internship in South America at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile where her Spanish language skills played a significant role. The first internship segment was with the U.S. Department of State, Economic and Political Affairs and the second segment with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Foreign Commercial Service. In addition to standard ISSS advising duties, Pauline shares responsibility for the office email account, processes Social Security employment verification letters, and produces new I-20s when changes of majors occur.
Kevin Roiseland

Kevin Roiseland

Title/Position
Senior Advisor
International Student & Scholar Services
In addition to standard student and scholar advising duties, Kevin coordinates the non-resident tax program each spring, overseeing the workshops providing tax assistance and the online Windstar tax program. He also oversees some SEVIS reporting duties including OPT employment reports and I-20s for students returning after an absence. He serves as the ISSS liaison to the organizations Friends of International Students, the International Women's Club, and the Iowa City Area Development group. Kevin holds a B.A. in Spanish from Luther College and an M.A. in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Iowa. Kevin has a passion for travel and for learning about the cultures of the students he works with. He has traveled broadly throughout Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
Brandon Paulson

Brandon Paulson

Title/Position
Assistant Director
International Student & Scholar Services
Besides advising duties, Brandon's area of specialization includes intercultural training, where he oversees the Building Our Global Community certificate series, the Bridging Domestic and Global Diversity program, and special requests for individualized workshops. Brandon serves as orientation coordinator, arranging content and schedules for orientation programs. He is also instructor for the Global@Iowa course where international and domestic students learn and increase intercultural skills together. Brandon holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a Master's in Education with an emphasis on Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He has studied in the United Kingdom, has studied Spanish, and has spent time in Costa Rica, Canada, Ireland, Spain, England, and Scotland.
Michael Bortscheller

Michael Bortscheller

Title/Position
Associate Director
International Student & Scholar Services
Michael oversees the iHawk database program, developing the online Pre-Arrival Checklist for incoming students and E-Form applications, and monitoring daily immigration record alerts.  He serves as Responsible Officer for J-1 programs, specializing in scholar regulations and processes.  He works closely with ITS, the Registrar, Admissions, and other offices to ensure student and scholar data flows smoothly and accurately, and is responsible for training and overseeing staff use of iHawk.  He is responsible for international student enrollment data and statistical reports including Open Doors, and assessment of the international student fee and undergraduate orientation fee.  Michael has Bachelor’s degrees in Linguistics and Spanish and a Master’s in Linguistics with an emphasis on Teaching English as a Second Language, has studied Spanish in Spain, and has spent time in Canada, England, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, and Nebraska.

Student spotlight: Onyeche Oche

Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Onyeche Oche, PhD student in the UI College of Pharmacy, had several admission offers from other pharmacy programs, but chose the University of Iowa after meeting with faculty members, who Oche says, “…saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.”

Student spotlight: Divija Sharma

Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Divija Sharma, University of Iowa psychology major, spent the first year of her academic experience in India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She made the most of her remote learning experience and is thrilled to be on campus this year, involved with student organizations, research, and learning about American football.

Program coordinator and participants reflect on Engaging Across Cultures

Monday, October 25, 2021
The Engaging Across Cultures certificate program creates an opportunity for University of Iowa graduate and professional students to learn more about fostering an intercultural campus while honing skills that will carry into the future workplace. To earn a certificate, participants must complete the introductory session and two elective sessions. Sessions are offered in the fall and spring semesters with some of the sessions being offered each semester.

Shuhui Lin honored with staff award

Thursday, October 14, 2021
Shuhui Lin, international student support and engagement coordinator in International Programs and the Division of Student Life, was recently recognized with the University of Iowa Outstanding Staff Award.

Student spotlight: Seongsu Kim

Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Hailing from Yongin, South Korea, Seongsu Kim realized his goal of studying in the United States when he decided to attend the University of Iowa. The economics major is heavily involved in campus activities and is appreciative of the “strong bond” of Hawkeyes. Learn more about his experiences on campus below.

Event highlights benefits of campus involvement by international students and scholars

Wednesday, September 1, 2021
International students and scholars recently had an opportunity to learn about campus involvement from current and former leadership team members of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB). Sponsored by International Student Support & Engagement (ISSE) and International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), the event was held on Friday, August 27, and featured four panel members—each with significant leadership experience in campus student organizations. Shuhui Lin, International Student Support and Engagement Coordinator, moderated the panel.

BFA alumnus aims to connect fellow Hawkeyes

Monday, August 9, 2021
Earlier this summer, a dozen UI alumni from the Greater Bay Area of China, which includes Hong Kong, Macau, and nine mega cities in Guangdong Province, attended a virtual get-together organized by Tuo (Tony) Liu (BFA ’13). During the event, the group heard news about their alma mater, talked about their current jobs, and shared their cherished UI memories.