Please Note: Our office will be closed Friday, July 4th for Independence Day, with a potential early closure at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 3rd (pending confirmation). Please plan accordingly. Normal operations will resume Monday, July 7th at 9:00 AM.
Established in 2007, the International Partners Outreach Group (IPOG) consists of Penn administrators from key offices and academic units.
IPOG advises ISSS on policies and practices, offering guidance to help create a warm, welcoming, and respectful environment for international students and scholars. It also fosters partnerships among members to enhance Penn’s internationalization efforts.
How to Join
Membership to IPOG is by invitation from the ISSS Director. Penn administrators dedicated to advancing campus internationalization are encouraged to express interest.
Please contact Dr. Rudie Altamirano, ISSS Executive Director at rudiea@upenn.edu.
Key Responsibilities
Attend semesterly meetings to review initiatives and explore partnership opportunities.
Share essential updates impacting international students, scholars, and faculty.
Support ISSS programs, policies, and procedures across the university.
Advise on information dissemination and compliance with immigration policies.
Provide feedback on ISSS initiatives and engage with student advisory groups: ISAB & ISTAR (Hyperlink to each webpage).
Members may submit agenda topics in advance to Rudie Altamirano, ISSS Executive Director.
ISSS Reports for IPOG Members
View ISSS international student and scholar reports for IPOG members
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.
International Student Advocate of the Year (ISAY) Award Winners
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 2024
Fall 2023
[Winner]
Camille Hosman Associate Director of Federal Affairs Office of Government and Community Affairs
Fall 2022
Fall 2021
Batsirai Bvunzawabaya Director of Integrated Care Initiatives, Student Health and Counseling Wellness @ Penn
Elisabeth O’Connell Senior Associate Dean Undergraduate Admissions
Weingarten Learning Resources Center
“IPOG has provided an excellent venue for collaboration and dialogue on international education. Through IPOG, the Weingarten Learning Resources Center has been able to share information on its multiple services and programs for international students with campus partners. Working with IPOG colleagues, we have created the Online Academic Resource Guide for the Penn international community.”
– Myrna Cohen, Executive Director, Weingarten Learning Resources Center
Undergraduate Admissions
“IPOG facilitates collaboration and partnership across the University. This is important to help us ensure that we support our international students while they are here and that we make their experience at the University as rewarding as possible.”
– Elisabeth O’Connell, Senior Associate Dean, Undergraduate Admissions
