Training and Presentations

Staff presentations and training events

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

  • NAFSA State Meeting, April 2014 in Bentonville, AR
    • “Building an Effective Cross Cultural Mentor Program” presented by Namiko Bagirimvano and Mohamed Boudhoum
  • NAFSA Annual Conference May 2014 in San Diego, California
    • Cynthia Smith served as a trainer for the Workshop for Campus and Community Programs.
    • Namiko Bagirimvano served as poster fair co-organizer
    • Namiko Bagirimvano presented in two poster sessions:
      • “Comprehensive International Retention Programs at the University of Arkansas”
      • “Pre-departure Orientation: Technology Usage to Prepare Students before Arriving in the United States”
      • Namiko Bagirimvano coordinated with Karl Anderson from the International Admissions Office for the U.S Institution Fair
  • NAFSA Webinar on cultural programming for exchange visitors: Michael Freeman served as one of the presenters.
  • NAFSA Region III October 2014 Conference in Fort Worth, Texas
    • CEP Workshop: “J-1 Advising for Beginners” Michael Freeman, lead trainer
    • “Connections: Helping Students Survive Culture Shock” presented by Cameron Caja
    • “Fulbright International Education Administrators Program” panel presentation by Michael Freeman

University of Arkansas

  • Business College Freshman Students Seminar, September 2014, Namiko Bagirimvano & Jeremiah Wax presented “In Their Shoes”
  • Michael Freeman served as a panelist at the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board meeting in Fayetteville AR, September 11, 2014.
  • RA/Housing Office Meeting, September 2014, Namiko Bagirimvano and Mohamed Boudhoum presented “Resources for International Students” for Residents Assistants.
  • Audra Johnston and Shelly Gahagans from Human Resources presented a training session in March to the Research Administrators Personnel related to non-immigrant/non-resident employment and taxation issues.
  • Namiko Bagirimvano, and Jeremiah Wax presented the “In Their Shoes” workshop at a session at the Diversity Leadership Institute.
  • iFriend Family training: Karen Beitle
  • International Cultural Team training: Cynthia Smith, Mengjiao Liao,
  • Tom Fisher and Jeremiah Wax made basic immigration presentations to faculty and students in the Graduate School of Business.

Staff Professional Development/Training

  • Various members of the ISS staff attended the Arkansas NAFSA: Association of International Educators state meeting in April.
  • Audra Johnston, Namiko Bagirimvano, Cynthia Smith and Jeremiah Wax attended the annual conference of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in San Diego in May.
  • Michael Freeman and Steven Sevic attended the Sunapsis User’s Conference in Indianapolis in October.
  • Various members of the ISS staff attended the NAFSA Region III conference in Fort Worth, Texas in October.
  • Audra Johnston and Michael Freeman participated in various webinars/teleconferences offered by USCIS and SEVP related to student and scholar policies, procedures, and current issues
  • Cultural Moment presentations during ISS staff meetings were organized by Cynthia Smith. These presenters were students from the International Culture Team from Denmark and Nepal.