Jin Zhang

Director
jinzhang@uh.edu

Jin is both the RO/PDSO for the office. She specializes in J-1 regulations and policies. Jin also oversees the international student counselors, appointments, and office programming.

Appointments available by request only.

Stefan Johnsson

Associate Director
sjohnsso@central.uh.edu

Born and raised in Sweden, Stefan grew up in an environment where his parents worked and ministered to refugees and immigrants who entered the country. His dad was an international student himself who came to study in the U.S. This passion helped propel him into the field of international education. He received bachelor’s degree in History and Sociology from the University of Kansas and a master’s in International Relations from Webster University. He has worked at ISSSO at the University of Houston since 2013. Stefan likes to read and write in his spare time as well as spend time with his family and friends.

Stefan oversees compliance for non-immigrant students, front desk processing, and customer service support. Works as a liaison with academic support staff and University offices for enrolled international students.

Appointments available by request. Services students for in-person and virtual walk-ins as part of the advising team on a rotational basis.

Nicole Xi

SEVIS Compliance Senior Coordinator
nxi2@central.uh.edu

Nicole grew up in Shanghai, China before moving to the U.S. and speaks fluent mandarin. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts at UH Clear Lake. Nicole began working at UH in 2019 and transitioned to her current position in 2022. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing with her small dog, and visiting art shows and galleries when possible. The favorite part of her job is ensuring that students are in compliance while supporting international students with their immigration-related questions and concerns.

Nicole’s responsibility is to help students meet their enrollment requirements to maintain their status in the U.S. Primary contact for how to maintain F-1 status, RCL’s, and enrollment requirements.

Available by appointment to meet with students, scholars, and alumni with questions about change of status to F-1, reinstatement to F-1 status, medical reasons and below hours, F-1 employment authorizations, transitions, and cultural issues. Services students for in-person and virtual walk-ins as part of the advising team on a rotational basis.

Ida Thompson

International Student Counselor 2
ithompson@uh.edu

Available by appointment to meet with students, scholars, and alumni with questions about change of status to F-1/J-1, reinstatement to F-1/J-1 status, medical reasons and below hours, F-1/J-1 employment authorizations, J-1 orientations, transitions, and cultural issues. Services students for in-person and virtual walk-ins as part of the advising team on a rotational basis.

Allison Foster

International Student Counselor 2
avfoster@central.uh.edu

For Allison, Houston is her hometown, but she left to explore the world before she felt the need to return home. As a seasoned traveler and educator, Allison spent time in Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines and has only recently moved back to Houston in May 2023 where she began working at UH. Allison received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas and J.D. at the Fordham University School of Law. Her educational background also includes a master’s in Applied Linguistics and TESOL at Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has worked with international students since 2010 and uses her free time for traveling, yoga, Pilates, and listening to music. Allison enjoys the opportunity to meet and speak with students and scholars from all over the world.

Available by appointment to meet with students, scholars, and alumni with questions about change of status to F-1/J-1, reinstatement to F-1/J-1 status, medical reasons and below hours, F-1/J-1 employment authorizations, J-1 orientations, transitions, and cultural issues. Services students for in-person and virtual walk-ins as part of the advising team on a rotational basis.

Cathy Chen

International Student Counselor 2
qchen26@central.uh.edu

Cathy began working in the field of international education in 2009 and has been living in Houston since 2021. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a master’s degree. Cathy is fluent in Chinese, enjoys watching movies, and spends time traveling with her family. The most enjoyable part of her job is helping international students adapt to the American culture whilst learning about their home countries and cultural traditions.

Available by  appointment  to meet with students, scholars, and alumni with questions about change of status to F-1/J-1, reinstatement to F-1/J-1 status, medical reasons and below hours, F-1/J-1 employment authorizations, J-1 orientations, transitions, and cultural issues. Services students for in-person and virtual walk-ins as part of the advising team on a rotational basis.

Vacant

Program Manager II

Coordinates ISSSO financial processes. Provides information to colleges and departments on procedures for submitting DS-2019 requests for J-1’s. Supports international students and scholars seeking assistance with Foreign National Tax Resource software.

Vacant

Program Coordinator II

Coordinates ISSSO’s International Friendship Program and assists with various cultural events hosted by the office. He also helps students with questions regarding driver's license, social security applications, and ways to get involved on- and off-campus.

Vacant

Records Associate II- Front Desk

Provides front-line support for students, scholars, alumni, and dependents. Assists non-immigrants with requests not requiring an appointment.

Yu Wang

Records Associate II– Front Desk

Yu grew up in Zhengzhou, China but has traveled back and forth between the U.S. multiple times. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language while in China, she came to the U.S. to study a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Washington. She lived in Houston from 2018 to 2021 before returning to China and then moved to Houston on a more permanent basis in 2023.  It wasn’t long after where she began to work for ISSSO in April of 2024.  Outside of work, Yu enjoys spending time with family, learning Spanish, and traveling. The best part of her job is being able to meet international students and scholars from all over the world. As she was once an international student, it brings a great sense of happiness for her to help others.

Provides front-line support for students, scholars, alumni, and dependents. Assists non-immigrants with requests not requiring an appointment.

Vacant

Records Associate II– SEVIS Compliance

Provides front-line support for students, scholars, alumni, and dependents. Assists non-immigrants with requests not requiring an appointment." under the vacant position.