Staff

Staff


Photo of PG
Director

Dr. Patricia Gibson is the Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars. Her responsibilities center around providing advisement and support to visiting scholars, J-1 exchange visitors, and F-1 students. In addition, she oversees the International Student Presentation Fund.

Patricia earned her doctoral degree from Teachers College, Columbia University, a Master’s degree from Soka University of America.

 

 

Photo of Hyunjin Yeo
Assistant Director

Dr. Hyunjin Yeo is the Assistant Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars. She advises and supports international students so students can feel TC as their home away from home. She enjoys learning languages and cultures around the world. In her spare time, she loves traveling, cooking, and trying new foods! 

Hyunjin received her doctoral degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, a Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a bachelor’s degree from Ewha University in South Korea.

Photo of Arenas
Assistant Director

Mr. Brian Arenas is the Assistant Director. He supports and guides F-1 and J-1 students on immigration, social, and cultural concerns.

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from the University of Administration and Marketing in Colombia.

He has a passion for learning from different cultures through food, music, and travel. Brian has worked with students both in the U.S. and abroad for the past 8 years and he believes education is power. He hopes to encourage people to become leaders in today’s modern society and reach their greatest potential.

Photo of Allison Payne
International Student Coordinator

As the International Student Coordinator, Allison Payne is usually your first point of contact when you reach out to OISS. She will connect you with important resources and link you to the wider TC community.

Allison has a decade of experience working with international students both in the U.S. and abroad as an English teacher and advisor. Working with international students brings her a lot of joy; having studied abroad herself, she recognizes both excitement and challenges that students face in a new country.

In her free time, she loves reading, exploring NYC, learning languages, and spending time with family and friends.

 

Administrative Fellow

Caylyn Bodger is the Administrative Fellow at the Office of International Students and Scholars. In addition to supporting staff and students in the office she will plan and host events for international students and the Columbia community. During undergrad, she studied abroad in Scotland, Austria, and Thailand. She spent almost a year teaching English in Tokyo through the JET (Japanese Exchange and Teaching) Program.

Caylyn received her Bachelor’s Degree from Stetson University, in Florida, and is a current MA student in the International and Comparative Education Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. 



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