Our Staff

Our mission is to support international students and scholars holistically and serve as a staff and faculty resource in international student and scholar matters, with the aim of advancing the wider mission of Student Success and the university.

Our goal is to provide our international students and scholars with:

• Accurate, up-to-date F and J immigration advising
• Engaged, responsive advisors
• User-friendly, efficient technology
• Culturally competent support

We can't wait to meet you! Learn more about us below.

• Alexandra Chow, Associate Director

  Alexandra brings more than 14 years of experience in international student advising, institutional compliance, and study abroad to her role at ISSS. Before working in international education, she was a reporter, anchor, and producer at a variety of local television stations in New England. Alexandra earned a BS in Communication Arts and Sciences at Lyndon State College (Vermont) and an MS in Counseling with a concentration in College Student Personnel at the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut). She lives in Westchester County, New York, with her two children and enjoys camping on Prince Edward Island and in Nova Scotia.

• Niki DePalo, Front Desk Advisor

  Niki has more than seven years of experience in the field of international education and study abroad. She holds a BA in Romance Languages from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Niki previously worked as an ESL teacher, study abroad program facilitator, and visa specialist for various teen programs before joining the ISSS team at The New School. She loves to travel in her free time and visits Spain, her home away from home, at least once a year.

• Stacey DiMarino, International Student Advisor

  Stacey gained experience in international education as an ESL teacher, a graduate assistant in international education offices, and, most recently, a front desk advisor at ISSS. Stacey earned her MA in International Educational Development at Teachers College, Columbia University, and her BA in East Asian Studies at SUNY Albany; she also holds a TESOL Certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University. As an undergraduate, Stacey studied abroad in Japan and South Korea. She is passionate about reading, animals, and learning everything she can about other cultures.

• Joselyn Duran, Assistant Applications Manager

  Joselyn has been with the ISSS office for more than 12 years, during which she has developed the necessary experience to succeed in her role, about which she is passionate. Joselyn holds an AAS in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Monroe College and is currently pursuing a BA/MA in Psychology at The New School. Joselyn loves to spend time with her two children and her husband.

• Kristen Gartside, International Student Advisor

  Kristen has more than five years of experience in the international education field. She holds an MSc in Higher Education from the University of Oxford and a BA in Psychology from Goucher College. Kristen studied abroad in Italy as an undergraduate and lived in the United Kingdom for nearly three years, an experience that inspired her career path. She loves to travel whenever possible!

• Kerise Hawkins, International Student Advisor

  Kerise has worked in higher education for more than 19 years. She received her MS in Communication Studies from the College of New Rochelle in 2007. As an international student advisor, Kerise assists students and scholars with various questions concerning their status at The New School. One of her favorite quotes is "Live to learn, and you will really learn to live," by John C. Maxwell.

• Heather Hena, Applications Manager

  Heather comes to The New School with almost ten years of experience in the field of international education from other New York City institutions, like Pace University and St. Francis College. Heather worked in global logistics and operations abroad in the Netherlands before deciding to pursue her passion for international education. Heather holds both an MA and a BA in Psychology.

• Gale Lynch, Senior Director of Global Engagement and International Support Services

  Gale oversees ISSS and Study Abroad and works to promote comprehensive internationalization across campus. She has been in the field of international education for 20 years, working in Tokyo and volunteering in Thailand and Myanmar and most recently serving in faculty and administrative positions at Monroe Community College and Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York. She loves exploring NYC with her family, running through Central Park, and speaking Japanese whenever the chance arises.

• Chris Marrone, International Student Advisor

  Chris has several years of experience working with international students as both a teacher and an advisor. Soon after graduating from the College of Mount Saint Vincent with a BA in Business, he traveled to China to teach English. After returning from China, he worked as an international student coordinator/DSO at Kaplan International in both SoHo and the Empire State Building. These experiences deepened his interest in international education and influenced his career path. Chris enjoys a good beer, so he sometimes chooses to brew his own.

• Cindy Meyers-Barrington, Front Desk Advisor

  Cindy came to The New School from New York City College of Technology, where she spearheaded a peer-mentorship college retention program for first-generation college students. Before joining The New School, she volunteered with CUNY Citizenship Now for eight years, helping constituents complete N-400 forms on their path to becoming U.S. citizens. Cindy had the opportunity to take part in J-1 exchange programs as a junior and a senior pursuing her BSc at The University of the West Indies and the University of Technology, Jamaica. She is an advocate at heart who is passionate about immigration and social justice.

• Lindsay Wersebe, Assistant Director

  Lindsay gained broad experience in international student and scholar services in her roles at the University at Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Northeastern University. She holds an MSEd in College Student Services Administration from the College of Saint Rose and a BS/BA in Mathematics and Adolescent Education from SUNY Oswego. Lindsay is a CrossFitter and enjoys traveling to Australia to visit family.

• Rachel Young, Senior International Student Advisor

  Rachel's experience teaching in South Korea and living with a Korean host family for two years spurred her to enter the international education field. She channels her enthusiasm for teaching into her role as an advisor and providing cross-cultural support to students. She received her MA in International Education from New York University and her BA in Anthropology and International Relations from Syracuse University. Rachel enjoys taking Polaroids of everything, listening to Korean R&B, and researching her diverse family tree.