The International Center visa and immigration services as well as social and cultural programs to support Tufts University's international students, scholars, and employees across Tufts's campuses. Our team reports to Diana Chigas, Senior International Officer and Associate Provost, and we collaborate closely with other University departments to ensure that our students, scholars, and employees have extraordinary experiences as members of the Tufts community. We welcome you to read more about our team and to contact us if we can assist you in any way.
Sophia joined the International Center in July 2023. As advisor, she is responsible for working with undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Engineering.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Sophia has a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Studies, accompanied by minors in Education and Studio Art from Tufts University. Sophia spent two years teaching and volunteering in La Rioja, Spain where she developed a passion for intercultural exchange. Outside of work, Sophia enjoys painting and indulging in DIY sewing projects.
| Sophia.Alfred@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-3458 |
Marva became the International Center Coordinator in June 2022. As Coordinator, supports the International Center's administrative and financial operations across the Center's three offices in Medford / Somerville, Boston, and the Fletcher School.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Marva was born and raised in Jamaica. She holds an Associate degree from Bay State College in Applied Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica in International Relations. She has worked as a coordinator for the first Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program in Jamaica for senior and middle managers. She also coordinated the largest African Language program in the US at Harvard University, and had previous appointments with the Office of International Affairs and the Office of Faculty Affairs at the Tufts Medical School. Marva is an avid gardener, enjoys cooking and DIY projects.
| Marva.Bernard_Saunders@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-3458 |
Sarah joined the International Center in August 2012. Sarah works remotely assisting international faculty and employees in Arts & Sciences, Engineering, the Fletcher School, and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She is responsible for preparing H-1B and other employment petitions and advising A&SE, Cummings, and Fletcher faculty and departments on Permanent Residency issues.
Sarah earned her Bachelor's degree from Marist College and her Master's degree from the University of Vermont. Sarah has been working in international education since 2000 as a consultant primarily with schools in New England. She is an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, having served as the Chair of Region XI, Vermont State Rep, and as a Coach in the NAFSA Academy.
| Sarah.Curry@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-3458 |
Pat has been with the International Center since August 2014. Pat advises international graduate students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. In addition, he oversees the GO Pre-Orientation program for new undergraduate students, and manages the International Center's database systems and technology-related processes.
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Patrick earned his Master's degree in Intercultural Relations at Lesley University and a Bachelor's degree in History and Latin American Studies from the Penn State University. From 2008-2010, Patrick served in the U.S. Peace Corps, where he taught English in a small village in the Kyrgyz Republic, and gained an immense appreciation for other languages and cultures.
| Patrick.Himes@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-5457 |
Julia joined the International Center in April 2022. As Program Coordinator, she is responsible for creating and executing cultural and social events and supporting student programs including the Peer Advisor Program and GO for the University's Medford/Somerville, Boston Health Sciences and SMFA campuses.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
A native of Massachusetts, Julia holds a Bachelor’s degree in French and Comparative Literature from Bryn Mawr College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Boston University. She first gained experience in the field of international education at the BU Office of Study Abroad and eventually transitioned to secondary language education as a high school French teacher. Julia has spent extensive time traveling, living and volunteering in several francophone countries including France, Morocco, French Polynesia, Haiti and Senegal. She loves capturing her travels through photography.
| Julia.Keith@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-2480 |
Sylwia joined the International Center in February 2023. A native of Poland, she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Public Relations from Rhode Island College and is currently working towards her Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from Bridgewater State.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
| Sylwia.Kohut@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-3458 |
Andrew has been Director of the International Center since January 2019. Andrew is responsible for managing the International Center across its three locations, developing strategic priorities and goals for the Center, setting immigration policy, and leading advocacy efforts for Tufts's international students, scholars, and employees.
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Andrew has been in the field of international student and scholar services since 1998. Prior to coming to Tufts, Andrew held positions at Columbia University, New York University, Seattle University, and the University of Oregon, where he was Associate Director for International Student and Scholar Services. Born in Okinawa, Japan to a Hawaii-based family, Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in East Asian regional studies from Harvard University, and an MPhil in comparative education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Andrew is an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and has made multiple presentations on a variety of topics in international student and scholar services.
| Andrew.Shiotani@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-2478 |
Lizzie has worked at Tufts University since 2012 and joined the International Center in October 2018. As of Fall 2023, she supports international students at the Fletcher School, as well as J-1 scholars at the Fletcher School and the School of Engineering. Lizzie is also the International Center's advisor for the Davies House residential community, better known as the I-House, and manages the International Center's Intercultural Conversation Program (ICP).
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Lizzie joined the International Center in October 2018 and has been working at Tufts in the field of International Education since 2012. She received her Master’s degree in International Higher Education and Intercultural Relations at Lesley University and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in Clinical Psychology. Lizzie spent a year after college teaching English near Sevilla, Spain.
| Elizabeth.Siegle@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-2480 |
Marisa joined the International Center in June 2018 as the International Center Coordinator, and in June 2022 became an International Student and Scholar Advisor. Marisa advises undergraduate students in Arts & Sciences and carries out a variety of programming roles to support international students at Tufts.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Marisa holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Boston in Criminal Justice and minor in Spanish language. Marisa is trilingual in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. She has worked as an interpreter serving the Lusophone and Latino communities. As a first- generation Portuguese-American, Marisa understands the importance of cultural competency and embraces cultural diversity.
| Marisa.Silva@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-3458 |
Neriliz joined the International Center in January 2016. Neriliz oversees multiple administrative and immigration processes for the International Center. In addition, she provides immigration advising and support services to international students and scholars based at the Boston Health Sciences campus.
Pronouns: She/ Her/ Hers
Neriliz joined the International Center's Medford office in January of 2016. She holds a Master's degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University and Bachelor's degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. Neriliz was born and raised in the island of Puerto Rico. Her interest in the field of international education developed while learning French and after participating in a summer abroad experience in Toulouse, France in 2011. In June 2018, Neriliz transferred to the International Center in the Health Sciences campus where she now serves as the advisor for students and scholars for the schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Friedman School, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. In addition, she serves as the advisor for the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
| Neriliz.Soto_Gonzalez@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 636-0391 |
Heather joined the International Center in August 2018, and advises undergraduate international students in the School of Arts & Sciences and graduate and undergraduate students in the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. She also advises scholars in the School of Arts & Sciences. Heather also advises undergraduate students on financial aid and oversees the International Center's tax advising program.
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Heather earned a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Language and Literature from the University of Massachusetts, and spent several semesters studying abroad in Tokyo and at Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, Japan, where she gained her interest in international education and exchange. Heather has been serving international students and exchange visitors at the high school and university levels since 2008, beginning with the EF High School Exchange Year program in Cambridge, MA, and more recently with the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, CT.
| Heather.Varnet@tufts.edu | |
| Telephone | (617) 627-2479 |