Lily Zhang is the Director of Advising, Compliance, IT, and Operations at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at the University of Pennsylvania. With over two decades of experience in international education, she is a seasoned professional dedicated to advancing international education through meaningful global collaborations.
In her role, Lily oversees the daily operations of the ISSS office, leading diverse functional teams responsible for immigration and cultural advising, institutional policy development, high-level communications, front-line support, and IT. She provides expert guidance to international students, scholars, and the broader university community on matters related to immigration, travel, and personal and cultural adjustment. Additionally, she ensures full compliance with the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and designs impactful programs that foster students’ and scholars’ successful integration into Penn’s diverse culture. Lily also serves as the institution’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO).
Lily is widely recognized for her strong leadership, excelling in the management of diverse teams and the execution of strategic initiatives that drive efficiency and innovation in international student and scholar services. With a Master’s degree in Computer Science, she is also an accomplished technology architect in the field, known for pioneering the use of information technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to streamline operations, optimize databases, enhance cybersecurity, and improve immigration support services. Her expertise in AI has been transformative in addressing challenges faced by international students and scholars, making her a leader in leveraging technology to deliver smarter, more personalized services.
Her passion for international education is grounded in her belief that it is a transformative tool for shaping the future and building lasting global relationships. Lily’s leadership is defined by her ability to inspire teams, champion innovation, and drive impactful change across key areas, including strategic planning, technology application, project management, talent development, crisis management, non-immigrant regulation, and intercultural communication.
Whether you're an international student, scholar, educator, or administrator, Lily invites you to explore how AI can revolutionize immigration support, enhance international student and scholar experiences, and set new standards in higher education services. She's always open to having a conversation about AI!
