The restructuring that brings the College’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) under the leadership of Portia Williams, Teachers College’s new Associate Provost for International Affairs, is aimed at better supporting students through the pandemic, while also strengthening and expanding support services.

“It’s not just about visas and increasing international student numbers,” says Williams. “During the pandemic, every institution has gone into overdrive to support the struggle of international students.”

It’s not just about visas and increasing international student numbers. During the pandemic, every institution has gone into overdrive to support the struggle of international students.

—Portia Williams, Associate Provost, International Affairs 

TC Curriculum & Teaching alumna Patricia Gibson, recently named Senior Associate Director, is now leading OISS. Gibson brings 10 years of experience to this important role, and from fall 2018 to spring 2019, she provided critical leadership while serving as the office’s interim director. 

Blessing Nuga has been named Senior Manager for Operations and Administration for both OIA and OISS. Nuga, who has managed program administration for OIA since 2016, is also a TC alumna, earning her master’s in Clinical Psychology in 2018. 

Sanghamitra Ray and Denis Dyshko continue in their roles as OISS Assistant Directors. The Office has also created two new student support positions have been created — International Student Advisor and International Services Coordinator – to support expanded advisement and program delivery. These positions will be filled in the coming months.