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 2007, 2,244 international students were enrolled at ISU. Over 800 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 (ISS) 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.
ISS Organization
The area most frequently used by international students, scholars, and their families is
International Students & Scholars (ISS) located in
Room 3248 Memorial Union. The International Student Advisers (ISA) working in ISS 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 ISS 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
