Welcome to Global Support Services

Global Support Services (GSS) supports the administrative and business functions of the University’s international activities. GSS works closely with the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Initiatives to advise and support central organizations, schools and centers on new and ongoing international activities. GSS also coordinates with other departments that support global operations which include the Office of Risk Management & Insurance, Comptroller’s office, Human Resources, Office of General Counsel, Audit and Compliance, Public Safety, Treasurer, ISC, Business Services and FRES.

GSS serves as the single go-to office to support the administrative and business functions of the University’s global activity and the operational needs of faculty, staff, and students at every School and Central Administration.  Ms. Koch has consulted inside and outside Penn on various aspects of international activities, including: compliance, employment, payroll, tax, relocation, benefits, compensation and travel policies, and international assignment program issues.  She launched and co-chairs Penn’s Global Incident Management Team (GIMT) and the Committee on Travel Risk Assessment (CITRA), both part of a new global safety and security infrastructure at Penn.  She established the Global Administrators Working Group (GAWG) which serves as the main forum to bring forth operational needs in global activity at Penn. Artemis joined Penn from KPMG LLP, where she spent more than 15 years in International Tax and Global Mobility Services. Artemis is a Pennsylvania CPA with a M.S. in taxation. Phone: +1-215-898-4665; Email

Kathryn works closely with the GSS team to provide operational support for the university’s new and ongoing international activities. In this role, Kathryn manages the Global Administrators Working Group, a forum that addresses global administrative challenges. Kathryn works to provide clear direction and advice regarding international agreements, hiring, cash management, program assistance, travel documents and visas.  She reviews processes to develop best practices, simplify compliance, and facilitate logistics abroad.  She’s been instrumental in creating organizational handbooks, toolkits, and other resources.  Kathryn joined GSS in 2013. A Penn employee for nearly 10 years, Kathryn has excelled in roles with the Wharton School’s Lauder Institute and International Student and Scholar Services.  Prior to Penn, Kathryn worked at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C.  Kathryn holds an M.S. Ed. in Intercultural Communication from Penn, GSE. Her undergraduate degrees are in German and Political Science-Global Affairs from Washington State University. Phone: +1-215-898-1640; Email

Maria joined GSS in July 2015 to support their on-going mission to assist in the operational needs of the University’s international activities. Her role covers management of the website, data analysis and reporting, various process improvement initiatives, and coordinating communications and outreach throughout the University with respect to global administration needs. Maria has been working as a freelance website designer and consultant since 2010. Her clients included Penn’s own South Asia Center and the Africa Center, as well as ISSS and GSS in Penn Global. Prior to running her own business, Maria worked in video and multimedia for over 15 years. She returned to academia to earn an M.A. in African Studies from Ohio University in 2009. Maria also holds a B.A. in Film from Temple University. 
Phone: +1-215-573-4939; Email