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OISS Staff

Management

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.
Christine "Chris" Bargerstock - Associate 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."
Nancy Rademacher - SEVIS Coordinator

rademac2@msu.edu
Nancy Rademacher is the SEVIS Coordinator at OISS. 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!

Advising

Ismail Adawe - International Student Advisor

adawe@msu.edu
Ismail Adawe is an International Student Advisor serving F-1 students. Growing up in both Africa and North America, he became fascinated with other cultures early on. Ismail went on to earn his undergraduate education at Northwood University (B.A. International Business and Management) and graduate education at Central Michigan University (M.S. International Administration). Prior to joining OISS, Ismail worked with the International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (INPEP) and the Institute of International Health (IIH) at Michigan State University. Ismail lived and studied in several African and Middle Eastern countries and worked in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is passionate about assisting international students and about the internalization of Michigan State University. Ismail enjoys learning about the world not only by traveling, but by getting to know the unique and wonderful international students here at Michigan State University.
Amber Cordell - International Student Advisor/Orientation Coordinator

amberc@msu.edu
Amber Cordell is an International Student Advisor at the OISS. She also serves as Orientation Coordinator for new international students and works with many volunteers to help new students with their transition to MSU. 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 enjoys karaoke and international festivals.

daiyuanf@msu.edu
Yuanfang Dai grew up in China and received Ph.D.s both in China and in the United States. She loves Chinese literature, arts, and music and understands American culture in a comparatively sophisticated way. She is interested in cultural identity formulation, transcultural communication, and cultural integration; in particular, she is willing to help Chinese students on MSU’s campus to integrate into the American life, make friends, and have a home away from home.
Takhmina Maralbaeva - International Student and Scholar Advisor

maralbae@msu.edu
Takhmina Maralbaeva joined OISS as an International Student and Scholar Advisor in February 2012. She was born and raised in Kyrgyzstan and speaks fluent Russian and basic Kyrgyz. Takhmina studied at Grand Valley State University as a recipient of the Edmund Muskie Fellowship and graduated with a master's degree in Public Administration. She believes that her former experience of being an international student will help her succeed in working with the international community at MSU. Takhmina works mainly with J-1 scholars and students, and also assists with the International Sponsored Student Program.
Nicole Namy - International Sponsored Student Advisor

namynico@msu.edu
Nicole Namy is the International Sponsored Student Advisor 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 work with international sponsored students at Michigan State University.
Jessica Scott - International Student and Scholar Advisor

scottj46@msu.edu
Jessica Scott is an International Student and Scholar Advisor at OISS. Originally from northern Michigan, Jessica graduated from Kalamazoo College with degrees in Spanish Language & Literature and International Studies with a focus on Latin America. She lived and studied in Argentina for a year as an exchange student and later studied abroad in Chile. Her interest in international education and immigration-related matters stems from her travels and previous work experience. Prior to joining OISS, she worked for two years with the migrant education program in northeast Colorado and later spent two years working with an immigration law firm in Boston. Jessica is thrilled to be a member of the OISS team and to work with the international community of Michigan State University.
Hersh Sisodia - International Student Advisor

hsisodia@msu.edu
Hersh Sisodia serves as International Student Advisor at OISS and works primarily with F-1 students and SEVIS-related issues. Hersh was born in India and raised in the United States. He graduated from MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences with degree in Intercultural Communication and is looking to pursue a graduate degree in Student Affairs and Administration from the College of Education. He speaks several Indic languages and has studied Russian and Spanish. Prior to joining OISS, Hersh worked for the Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives at MSU. He has always been interested in international affairs and is very passionate about helping international students in making their experience the best possible at MSU and in the United States.
Brooke H.M. Stokdyk - Senior International Student and 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.
Neringa Tuyilingire - International Student and Scholar Advisor

neringa@msu.edu
Neringa Tuyilingire is an International Student and Scholar Advisor at OISS. She was born and raised in Lithuania, and came to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a college education. Neringa graduated from MSU's James Madison College with degree in International Relations. Prior to MSU, she spent two years working with international scholars at Rutgers University. Neringa has traveled to several European countries during her undergraduate studies, and studied abroad in Brussels, Belgium. Her diverse personal and professional background has greatly contributed to her interest in the field of international education. Neringa works with international scholars on H-1B and J visas. She is very excited to be part of OISS and would like to be of as much assistance as she can to the international students and scholars at MSU.
Joy Walter - International Student Advisor/Programming Coordinator

walte196@msu.edu
Joy Walter, International Student Advisor and Programming Coordinator at OISS, grew up in the jungles of Bangladesh and attended high school on an island in Malaysia before coming to Michigan State University to earn her B.A. in Journalism. She has always had a love of travel and intercultural experiences, which has continued with studying abroad in Italy and pursuing international relations as a specialization to her degree. Joy’s time spent abroad has instilled in her the idea that the world is a much bigger place than we can realize without the valuable help of international communication, outreach and education. Joy worked in Communications and at the Office of Study Abroad for the MSU International Studies and Programs before joining OISS.
Laura Wise - International Student Advisor/Experiential Learning Coordinator

lauraw@msu.edu
Laura Wise is an International Student Advisor serving F-1 students. She also coordinates with campus and community partners to provide international students with experiential learning opportunities. Laura completed her undergraduate education at Grand Valley State University (B.S. Communication, B.A. Philosophy) and is a graduate of Michigan State’s Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) Master’s program. Before joining OISS, Laura worked with the Michigan House of Representatives for over 5 years and also provided assistance for MSU’s Freshman Seminar Abroad programs. She is excited to welcome and support Michigan State’s international students as part of the OISS team, as well as the opportunity to continue learning about the fields of international education and intercultural communication.

Support

Krista Smith - Office Assistant

krista@msu.edu
Krista Smith is the Office Assistant 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 F-1 I-20 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.