Our Staff

Jim oversees the International Student and Scholar Services office. He received his BA in Sociology and International Relations from the University of Maryland and his MSEd from Baruch College. Jim comes to The New School with more than 20 years of experience in international education and global exchange, including 14 years as the director of ISS at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. He has traveled to 37 countries and has lived in Spain, Costa Rica, and Venezuela. Jim's passion for working with international students and scholars stems from his own travel experience, and he values the opportunity to learn from people of different backgrounds and cultures. In his free time, he enjoys sports, traveling, and being active with his wife and children. 

Liz received her BA in Psychology and Special Education from Marist College and her MBA with a concentration in Marketing from New York Institute of Technology. Liz's experience studying abroad in Australia and Germany opened her eyes to the world around her and sparked her interest in the field of international education. She is passionate about creating engaging events to help students explore other cultures and engage in collaboration. She looks forward to encouraging students to pursue their own life-changing global experiences. 

In her spare time, Liz studies restaurant menus, watches reality TV with her dog, maps out trips, watches sports, runs, and plays tennis. 

Heather comes to The New School with almost ten years of experience in the field of international education from other New York City institutions, including 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.

Joselyn has been with the ISSS office for more than 12 years, during which she has developed the experience necessary 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.

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.

Andrew has been with The New School since 2017 and served in advising roles for international students, scholars, exchange students, and study abroad. Since 2018, he has also served as the campus Fulbright Foreign Student Advisor. Andrew has studied abroad in France and Italy and is also a volunteer with NAFSA. He received a BA in French and International Studies from Manhattan College and an MA in International Relations from Seton Hall University. In his free time, he enjoys going to Broadway shows and theater performances and is always on the hunt for great food in New York City. 

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 quotations is "Live to learn, and you will really learn to live," by John C. Maxwell.

Janis joins The New School with nearly a decade of experience in higher education, starting off in the world of admissions and eventually finding her passion in advising international students. Janis received her BA in English with a concentration in poetry and creative writing from the University of Georgia. She also attended study abroad programs at Yonsei University in Seoul and the University of Oxford in the UK, a crucial experience that further convinced her of the importance of intercultural exposure. In her free time, Janis enjoys traveling, trying new foods, meeting new people, and writing poetry and music. 

Kevin Obomanu is a Afropolitan obsessed with current events and social equity. A dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, Kevin has lived in four countries and several parts of the United States, picking up something new about the people he encounters while learning more about himself. This has informed the way he has worked with international students for several years.

With a bachelor’s degree in television producing and directing, Kevin is passionate about the way the medium influences the zeitgeist of the 21st century and varied kinds of casual discourse. In his spare time, he uses his PhD in Real Housewivesology to examine the Real Housewives of Atlanta and the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. You can usually find him listening to a newscast, reading the New York Times, watching Korean and Thai dramas, making espresso drinks, or baking cookies. Ask him about his travels or his song of the week.

Cortney is joining The New School's International Student and Scholar Services as front desk advisor. Cortney earned her BS in Elementary Education/Communication at SUNY New Paltz. Later she earned an MS in Post-Secondary Education at Troy University. Cortney joins The New School with several years of experience as a teacher and advisor in the field of international education. She taught English to middle school students in Chengdu, China. She later became a DSO and administrator at Education First (EF) International Language School in Tarrytown, New York. She also served as an advisor for five years at Georgia Institute of Technology. In her spare time, Cortney loves to cook, enjoys 1980s pop culture (music, movies, and TV), and spends time with her husband and son.

Jidapa is a native of Thailand with a passion for traveling and experiencing cultures around the world. With more than five years of experience in the field of international education, Jidapa has dedicated herself to helping students navigate their journeys abroad. She has visited 15 countries and has lived in Australia and the UK, where she immersed herself in the local cultures. These experiences enriched her understanding of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Jidapa graduated with a master’s degree in marketing communications from the University of the West of England in Bristol.

Living abroad and navigating international student life on her own was a transformative experience that inspired Jidapa to become an international student advisor. She is deeply committed to helping students make the most of their international experiences and guiding them through the challenges of living abroad.

In her free time, Jidapa loves to explore food from different cultures. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, creating priceless memories together.