Valerie Woolston
Director
Valerie is in charge of the IES office, Study Abroad, and Global Communities. She overseas foreign faculty issues and advanced immigration issues, including permanent residency.
Marvella SoumareOffice Supervisor
Marvella is the first person you'll meet when you visit IES. She coordinates the IES front office. She has been on campus for 11 years, and she really enjoys helping others, and meeting the students. In her spare time Marvella enjoys spending time with her family.
Admissions Advising Staff
Barbara Varsa
Associate Director
Barbara is in charge of the admissions process for undergraduate, graduate, MEI, and campus departments. She advises students on the admissions process. Ms. Varsa also advises students on international transfer credits.
Megan van Son
Evaluator & Advisor
Megan evaluates undergraduate and graduate admissions applications. She also advises applicants on the admissions process.
Jeanette Ramirez
Program Management Specialist
Jeanette manages the front desk admissions office. She supervises the front desk staff and student workers. She advises applicants on the admissions process and prepares I-20's for new students. She has been in the IES office for more than 10 years. Her passions are home interior design, gardening, cooking, and listening to classical music.
Angela Mazur
Admissions Graduate Assistant
Angela assists with international graduate admissions. She evaluates students’ academic credentials and advises applicants on their admissions process. Currently, she is a Master’s degree student in the Educational Leadership, Higher Education & International Education program. After completing her graduate studies, Angela hopes to continue working in the higher education arena, more specifically in student services or recruitment/outreach.
Jody Heckman-Bose
International Student Advisor
Monday, Wednesday, every other Friday
Jody is the PDSO, primary designated school officer, for International Education Services. She has an insatiable appetite for travel and has visited 26 countries around the world. Her longest time abroad was spent in Nepal where she lived and conducted research on the topic of "Women Pursuing Higher Education in a Developing Nation".
Nancy Lee GongInternational Student Advisor
Tuesday, Thursday, every other Friday
Nancy has been an international student advisor at the University of Maryland since November 2000. She assists F-1 and J-1 students on immigration matters and provides guidance on adjustment and academic concerns. Among other things, she serves as the IES liaison with the Maryland English Institute and the Registrar's Office on issues pertaining to currently enrolled international students. Prior to joining IES, Nancy was the coordinator of the Educational Advising Service at the Fulbright Commission in Indonesia. She also held positions in the field of international education in Singapore and Malta.
David Cole
International Student Advisor
David is an F and J student advisor. He coordinates SEVIS Verification, IES Website, IESNEWS, International Coffee Hour, and International Education Week. He has lived overseas in Taiwan and Mexico and enjoys languages, music, and cultural events.
Emily Chamblin
International Student Advisor
Emily works with F and J students on immigration matters, is the J-1 student specialist, and works with J scholars, trainees, and interns. She is responsible for special programs, and travel signatures. She has lived in Ireland, London, Sudan, and South Korea, and has traveled in other places as well. She dreams of further world explorations.
Meg Richmond
International Student Advisor
Meg is an international student advisor. She works with F-1 and J-1 students, issues letters, and organizes International Student Orientation. Meg has lived in Spain and France, and has traveled throughout Europe. Her favorite city is Montpellier, France, but she is always happy to hear other suggestions. She enjoys traveling because it gives her the chance to learn new languages and eat new food.
Simon Thuranira Taaliu
Student Graduate Assistant
Simon is involved in responding to emails to IES - iesadv@deans.umd.edu, conducting Optional Practical Training (OPT) Workshops, Organizing International Coffee Hour, and new student orientation. Simon is Doctoral student in International Education Policy. He has worked in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and traveled to Britain, The Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. He enjoys movies, soccer and cultural events.
Faculty/Scholar Advising Staff
Connie Jesse
Assistant Director, Faculty/Scholar Immigration
Connie Jesse joined the Office of International Education Services in 2003 and currently serves as the Assistant Director for Faculty and Scholar Immigration. She advises departments on immigration matters regarding employment, and works with international faculty and scholars on maintaining their status. She has her Master's Degree in International Education and Human Development from George Washington University. Her international experiences include living, working and researching in Peru, Mexico, Egypt, South Africa, Namibia, Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Russia, Ecuador, as well as vacationing in seven other countries.
Marie Davis
Faculty Advisor
Marie is a Faculty Adviser working with academic departments within the University to file for the employment based H-1 visas. Marie also reviews and approves international academic appointments in the ARS system. Marie's international travels have taken her to France and Italy. Marie loves spending time with her family, biking, hiking, cooking, movies, reading and the beach.
Meridith Price
Faculty/Scholar Graduate Assistant
Meridith helps departments bring J-1 exchange visitors to campus and assists them with immigration and other matters once they arrive. She is a current graduate student in International Education Policy at the University and has previously lived and worked in Chile and Spain.