International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) wishes to extend our heartiest congratulations to Assistant Director Jennifer Dressen, who was recently awarded NAFSA Region XI's prestigious James Leck Distinguished Service Award! Jennifer was recognized for her service and contributions to the region at the NAFSA Region XI conference, which took place in Springfield, Massachusetts from November 4 - 6, 2025. Region XI covers institutions across New England, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The award is named in honor of James Leck, who was a mentor to many involved in international education and a colleague to many more. Nominees for this award must have been an active member of NAFSA Region XI for at least five (5) years, and must have contributed to Region XI in a significant manner or completed a special service for the region.
An active leader in the field, Jennifer serves on the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region XI leadership team, having held roles in the Chair Stream and as Conference Planner. Her work with NAFSA reflects her commitment to advancing best practices in international student support and building stronger professional communities.
At Brown, Jennifer is the primary advisor for Master's degree students and is the principal liaison with the School for Professional Studies. She has over 15 years of experience in international education, and brings deep expertise in immigration advising, student services, and program development.
Read more about Jennifer on her ISSS team bio. Congratulations once again to Jennifer!