International Student Table for Advocacy & Relations ISTAR

The International Student Table for Advocacy & Relations (ISTAR) works closely with ISSS and is a partnership of different student organizations, both undergraduate and graduate, with a mission to advocate and provide a unified voice for all international students at Penn.

ISTAR comprises representatives from the following student organizations:

  • International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)

  • Assembly of International Students (AIS)

  • Undergraduate Assembly (UA)

  • Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA) International Student Affairs

ISTAR is coordinated by ISSS. For any questions about ISTAR, please contact: 

Dr. Rudie Altamirano, Executive Director of ISSS

 

ISTAR 2022 Members

International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)
Aishwarya Pawar (India)

Aishwarya Pawar is the Graduate Chair of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB).

Aishwarya Pawar

International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)
Rina Nagatani (Japan)

Rina Nagatani is the Undergraduate Chair of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB).

Rina Nagatani in the Perry World House

International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)
Yuwan Guo (China)

Yuwan Guo is the Graduate Vice Chair of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB).

Yuwan Guo

International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)
David Kato (Rwanda)

David Kato is the Undergraduate Vice Chair of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB).

David Kato

Assembly of International Students (AIS)
Heather Shieh (Australia)

Heather Shieh is the President of the Assembly of International Students (AIS).

Heather Shieh

Assembly of International Students (AIS)
Alexandar Krastev (Bulgaria)

Alexandar Krastev is the Executive Vice President of the Assembly of International Students (AIS).

 

Alexandar Krastev

Undergraduate Assembly (UA)
Josias Zongo (Burkina Faso and Ghana)

Josias Zongo is the Student Representative for the Undergraduate Assembly (UA).

Josias Zongo

Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA)
Qiao (Betty) Xu (China)

Qiao (Betty) Xu is the Director of International Student Affairs for the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA). 

Betty Xu

 

Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA)
Hoang Anh Phan (Vietnam)

Hoang Anh Phan is the Executive Vice President of the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA). 

Hoang Anh Phan