ISS Office Information
Iowa State University (ISU), founded in 1858, is a major international
teaching and research university which emphasizes science and
technology while valuing the arts and humanities. There are eight
colleges: Agriculture and Life Sciences, Business, Design,
Graduate, Engineering, Human Sciences (formerly Education and Family
and Consumer Sciences), Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Veterinary
Medicine. The university's international reputation draws students from
all over the world.
During Fall Semester 2009, 2,942 international students were enrolled
at ISU. Over 700 international visiting scholars come to campus
each year to teach and/or do research. Since the first international
student enrolled at ISU in 1878, the university has provided programs
and services to help internationals achieve their goals and objectives.
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) employs
International Student Advisers (ISAs) with many years of experience in
the U.S. and abroad who provide courteous and timely service and
informative programming for international students, visiting scholars
and their families.
ISU is located in Ames, a
city of population 50,000. Ames is situated in the state of Iowa in the
middle of the United States. Ames is fifty kilometers from Des Moines, a city of
200,000. Visitors land at the international airport in Des Moines and
travel the short distance to Ames. Ames is a beautiful city with many
parks, excellent public schools, and a very low crime rate. The long
history of cooperation between ISU and Ames has helped maintain a very
high quality of life for those in both communities. Ames has been
designated an All-American City and was recently named the second best
small city in America. These awards recognize Ames as one of the most
livable, well-run, safe cities in the United States. The motto of the
city is, "Ames, where the world meets."
We would encourage you to contact
us if you are considering joining us at Iowa State University or
have questions of any kind.
ISSO Organization
The area most frequently used by international students, scholars, and
their families is the
International Students & Scholars Office
(ISSO) located in
Room 3248 Memorial Union. The
International Student Advisers (ISA) working in ISSO assist
international students and scholars with maintenance of their
immigration status, U.S. employment regulations, and provide support
with social, cultural, financial, and personal concerns.
Staff working in ISSO are listed below.
James Dorsett,
Director
Dilok Phanchantraurai,
International Student & Scholar Adviser
Virginia McCallum,
International Student & Scholar Adviser/Programming Coordinator
Becky Zama, International
Student and Scholar Adviser
Ali Soltanshahi,
International Student and Scholar Adviser
The Coordinator of Administration provides assistance to international
students, faculty and the ISU community with a wide variety of
concerns. Major areas of emphasis include federal and state income tax
responsibilities of non-U.S. citizens, financial aid, health insurance
and health care, financial and other nonacademic services for sponsored
students and the agencies which support them, temporary employment
visas, permanent residence issues, and the Culture Corps Grants
Program. The Coordinator of Administration is available on Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday by appointment.
Deb Vance, Coordinator of
Administration
