Preview text: Learn about recent federal changes impacting international students, and meet our new OISSS Director.

Dear International Students, Scholars and Employees,

Welcome to a new academic semester—and for those of you that are newly joining the Brown community, welcome to Brown!

As you continue to settle into the first few days of the semester, we know you are balancing new schedules, activities, and opportunities that make Brown such a vibrant community. At the same time, this year has brought important changes in federal immigration policy that may affect international students, scholars, faculty, and their families.

To help you stay informed, the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) has developed a comprehensive FAQs and resource page that highlights recent and emerging federal immigration updates. We especially encourage you to review this resource, which addresses recent updates related to:

• The proposed federal rule to end “duration of status.” 

• New USCIS policies on social media,

• Recent changes to nonimmigrant visa interview waivers, and more.

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) team is also here to support you as you navigate these developments and to help answer your questions. If you haven’t yet connected with our staff, please visit our website to “meet” the team, or schedule in person and virtual appointments. Our office, located in Page Robinson Hall Suite 420, is open on Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

I am also delighted to share that Andrew Shiotani joined Brown this September as the new Director of OISSS. Andrew brings more than 25 years of experience supporting international students and scholars at UC Davis, Columbia, and NYU. As Brown’s Principal Designated School Officer (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO), he will oversee immigration compliance and lead our OISSS team.

We hope you will join us at the OISSS Open House on September 16, 2025 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM, to meet Andrew (“Andy”) and connect with the rest of the OISSS team. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the semester, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Warm regards,

Asabe W. Poloma, Ph.D.

Associate Provost for Global Engagement