Our address is:
International Student and Scholar Services
St. Leonard’s Ct. Suite 305
3819-33 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
About ISSS
Basic Page Sidebar Menu ISSS
Location, Hours, & Contact Information
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Where to Find UsLocation
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When to See UsOffice Hours
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The ISSS office is open Monday – Friday, 9:00AM-12:30PM and 1:30PM-5:00PM.
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Note: A green PennOpen Pass is required to enter our office.
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To meet with an ISSS Advisor please visit our Advising webpage.
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How to Contact UsContact ISSS
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You can reach us through one of several channels:
- Phone: (215) 898-4661
- Contact Form: Please use the ISSS contact form to submit general inquiries. If you have a complex or time-sensitive question, it is highly recommended that you contact your assigned ISSS advisor.
- Your ISSS advisor: Each international student at Penn has an assigned ISSS advisor. You can find their contact information on your iPenn homepage at https://global.upenn.edu/isss/ipenn.
Meet the ISSS Leadership Team
ISSS leadership team. L-R: Donna Steinfeldt, Jeremy Spohr, Lily Zhang, Aaron Fuccello, Dr. Rudie Altamirano, Ryan Villanueva, Melinda Pontes
Our Mission Statement
- To advance global engagement at the University of Pennsylvania and affiliated hospitals by offering inclusive, innovative and impactful immigration and integration services.
Our Goals
- To support Penn’s ability to educate, train, and hire the best and brightest international students, scholars, staff, and faculty by providing immigration and intercultural expertise.
- To deliver relevant and informed programming initiatives to create an inclusive global community at Penn.
Our Core Values
- Immigration Expertise
- Intercultural Inclusivity
- Responsiveness
- Advocacy
- Collaboration & Partnership
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) team
The International Student and Scholar Services team has been recognized for its dedication to bringing the world to Penn, bringing Penn to the world, and forging new inter-office partnerships by developing a range of engaging, holistic programs.
In 2021, 20 members of the the International Student and Scholar Services team were honored as recipients of the 2021 Models of Excellence Award, which recognizes notable staff member accomplishments at Penn that reflect initiative, leadership, increased efficiency, and a deep commitment to service. Read more about the 2021 award.
Previous Honors
In 2018, the Intercultural Leadership Team, spearheaded by ISSS with the participation of various partner offices across campus, received a Models of Excellence award for its outstanding collaborative work in managing Penn's Intercultural Leadership Program (ILP). ILP is a program for first-year Penn international and domestic students that fosters leadership skills, global citizenship, and intercultural competence.
In 2020, the Forerunner Team was recognized as a Models of Excellence Honorable Mention. Forerunner is an initiative that traditionally takes place before the beginning of the Fall semester in Beijing, Delhi, and in Philadelphia to welcome new Penn international students and introduce them to campus resources. Each year, Forerunner is made possible by ISSS and representatives from over a dozen Schools and centers across campus.
