Dr. Rodolfo "Rudie" Altamirano is the Executive Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the Executive Director of Immigration Services and Integration Programs. His main responsibility is to provide overall leadership in determining and implementing organizational and campus-wide strategies for ISSS including the delivery of quality services and programs to international students, scholars, faculty, staff, exchange visitors and community members. Dr. Altamirano has a doctoral degree in International Resource Development with a major in Cross-Cultural Communication. He has held regional and national leadership positions in NAFSA: The Association for International Educators. Dr. Altamirano was an elected national representative for the Council of Foreign Student Advisors [CAFSS] section of NAFSA and then was elected national Chair of KCISSS (Knowledge Community for International Students and Scholars). He has presented and conducted more than 300 immigration, cross-cultural communication and conflict resolution workshops nationally and internationally.
Dr. Altamirano is coordinating Penn’s International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), International Partners Outreach Group (IPOG), Penn Annual Roundtable with Stakeholders (PARTS), and International Student Table for Advocacy and Relations (ISTAR). He administers the Penn World Scholars program. He conceptualized and spearheads Penn’s Intercultural Leadership Program (ILP), Forerunner Program and iCommunicate. He has developed creative endeavors and innovative programs to advocate for international education and intercultural learning. He enjoys traveling to different cultures because of the colorful educational experience that he gains from these journeys. His quest for learning has taken him to beautiful places in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He cherishes meeting students and scholars from all corners of the world because of the cross-cultural learning opportunities that are within his grasp. He is greatly fascinated with learning the cultures and languages of the world. He continuously strives to find ways to partner with members and key stakeholders of the campus and Philadelphia community to advance Penn’s global engagement efforts!
