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.

Vacant

International Student Counselor 2

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.

Juanette Davis

Program Manager II
jldavis1@uh.edu

Juanette 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.

Davorius James

Program Coordinator II
dcjames@central.uh.edu

Davorius grew up in Corinth, Mississippi and moved to Houston in May 2023 where he began working at UH. Before doing so, he left for Alabama where he studied at the University of North Alabama (UNA) and earned his bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 2018. Davorius began working in international education during his time at UNA in their Office of International Affairs as an international ambassador and then as the office intern. His career in international education is an extension of his passion for culture, which is his favorite aspect of life. He enjoys authentic cultural foods, stores, comedy, and music. Davorius also enjoys Jiu Jitsu, UFC, and all other kinds of sports, both to watch and play. He speaks a little French and his favorite part of working in his job is how he can engage with students from different cultures and use his creativity to do so.

Davorius 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.

Emily Estill

Records Associate II- Front Desk
eestill@uh.edu

Emily is one of the few staff who grew up in Houston. But this didn’t stop her from leaving the city to study at Trinity University in San Antonio for her bachelor’s degree in Spanish. Her career brought her to UH in 1997 where she has worked supporting international students at the ISSSO front desk. She enjoys singing in her church choir and square dancing in her free time. Emily has a Persian cat named Brady that keeps her company at home. She speaks an “academic” version of Spanish but would like to become more fluent. Her favorite part of working at ISSSO is meeting and helping students and scholars from all over the world.

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

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.

Sara Rodriguez

Records Associate II– SEVIS Compliance
serodri5@cougarnet.uh.edu

Sara is a born and bred Houstonian and a future UH Alum with bachelor’s degrees in Art History and Anthropology. She is excited to have joined the ISSSO staff where she began working in 2021. Her passion for helping international students has propelled her to continue learning and growing in the field of international education. Sara loves watching all kinds of sports as well as gardening and being out in nature. You may also find her working on behavioral training for cats and dogs and when possible, talking about her two cats, Mort and Maude. Sara speaks fluent English and Spanish with some intermediate knowledge in French, among other languages. She loves learning new things and assisting students in their efforts at remaining in compliance with the U.S. government. She wants to let you all know that the Houston Astros never cheated when they won the World Series in baseball.

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