International Partners Outreach Group IPOG
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Established in 2007, International Partners Outreach Group (IPOG) is comprised of Penn administrators from key stakeholder offices and academic units within the Penn community. The purpose of IPOG is to advise ISSS on policies and practices. It was also created to provide the Executive Director of ISSS and other Penn administrators with advice and guidance to help make the university a more warm, welcoming and respectful environment for international students and scholars. IPOG also explores opportunities for partnerships among the members to enrich the internationalization of Penn.
Membership to IPOG is through an invitation from the ISSS director. If you are committed to furthering campus internationalization at the University of Pennsylvania and would like to serve on IPOG, Penn administrators are invited to be part of this partner and outreach group. Please contact Dr. Rudie Altamirano, ISSS Executive Director if interested.
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Attending one (or two) meeting(s) per semester to review initiatives, and explore partnership opportunities for the enhancement of the academic and personal lives of the international community
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Sharing critical information from each unit that will impact the lives of international students, scholars and faculty
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Supporting units' programs, processes, policies, and procedures in partnership with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) as they are implemented across Penn
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Advising ISSS on disseminating information and obtaining University-wide compliance on immigration policies and processes
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Helping, promoting, and providing feedback on several ISSS initiatives (e.g., satisfaction surveys, focus groups, open forums, programs) per year, as well as on a periodic basis
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Participating in working groups, task forces, and subcommittees to share their strategies and ideas with administrators, and then communicate with their fellow administrators
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Engaging in dialogue with students (International Student Advisory Board & International Student Table for Advocacy & Relations) about their experiences on campus and about their ideas for improving our campus atmosphere for international students
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Members of the International Partners Outreach Group are encouraged to submit suggested agenda items or topics for discussion in advance of meetings to Rudie Altamirano, Executive Director of ISSS
The annual International Student Advocate of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of one extraordinary member of IPOG for their advancement and support of international students at Penn.
Fall 2023: ISAY Award Winner:
Camille Hosman
Associate Director of Federal Affairs
Office of Government and Community Affairs
Fall 2022: ISAY Award Winner:
Batsirai Bvunzawabaya
Director of Integrated Care Initiatives, Student Health and Counseling
Wellness @ Penn
Each IPOG meeting, a Penn office is invited to be the IPOG Spotlight to feature their initiatives and services in making Penn a welcoming global community for our international students and scholars.
Past IPOG Spotlights:
Fall 2018 Spotlight Staff
- Barbara Hewitt: Executive Director, Career Services
- Matthew Sessa: Executive Director, Student Registration and Financial Services
- Meredith Wooten: Director, Graduate Student Center
Spring 2018: Graduate Student Center & Family Resource Center
Fall 2017: Office of Government & Community Affairs
Spring 2017: Student Health Service
Fall 2016: Career Services
Spring 2016: Office of Student Conduct
Fall 2015: Perry World House
Spring 2015: Counseling and Psychological Services
Fall 2014: Penn Global
View ISSS international student and scholar reports for IPOG members
