Wednesday, November 11, 2015

PIER Newsletter: November 9, 2015


In This Issue:

PIER Chair Announcements

Other PIER Announcements

Job Postings

 

PIER CHAIR ANNOUNCEMENTS

Having just returned from the Region XII Conference, my head is full of ideas. Our two travel grant recipients, Graciela Casas-Silva and Lisa Swid will share a presentation they attended from this conference. We look forward to their presentations at our PIER meeting December 3, at the National University Spectrum Campus. The meeting begins at 2:00 pm.

PIER encourages members to comment on the proposed new rule to extend training opportunities for international STEM students. NAFSA has extensive information on this rule, the rule making process, a link to the proposed Form I-910 STEM Mentoring and Training Plan, and more. NAFSA is expected to comment soon. You can access this information at www.nafsa.org/stemoptrule.

What are your plans for International Education Week? Do you know about International Education Week? It is an opportunity for educational organizations and campuses to celebrate the benefits of global international exchange. International Education Week is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, you can learn more on their website http://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/international-education-week. Would you like to share your ideas with PIER Members? Please email piergroupsd@gmail.com and we will share your ideas in our next newsletter.

At the October PIER meeting, I mentioned the NAFSA Academy. The deadline for NAFSA Academy applications is approaching, the deadline is December 4, 2015. NAFSA Regional XII is offering 10 scholarships of $1399 to those accepted to the Academy 13 cohort so, please…do not let the price tag deter you from applying!  Many thanks to Region XII for their continued, generous support of NAFSA Academy.  http://www.nafsa.org/Content.aspx?id=138

The NAFSA Academy for International Education, starting its 13th class soon, will take your career to the next level.

Whether you are new to the field or a recent transfer within it, the Academy is the fastest way to gain valuable job skills that will prepare you for leadership in your current position and in the field.

Invest in Your Career – ApplyNow.

Academy 13 is a year-long program that offers you a comprehensive view of international education. Guided by a seasoned international education coach and working with a cohort of peers, you can tailor the program to meet your specific learning needs.

Explore the curriculum for more information about what you or your staff will experience.

The Academy tuition is $1,999 and includes:

  • NAFSA membership for up to 18 months
  • NAFSA 2016 Annual Conference registration fee and preconference workshop
  • 2016 Academy spring training
  • 2016 regional conference registration and preconference workshop*
  • Access to NAFSA networking opportunities
  • And More!
*Reduced/waived depending on decision by regional leadership.

OTHER PIER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next PIER Meeting

Date: Thursday, December 03, 2015
Time: 2:00 pm.
Location: National University, 9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego, CA  92123

PIER Membership and Dues Payment

If you have not yet registered to become a member for the 2015-2016 school year, it is not too late. Please click on this link to fill out the 2015-2016 membership form.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPPF378. The membership is per person, not institution.
 
PIER offers three options to pay your membership dues.
 
  1. PAYPAL: (You will receive an email from PayPal with full instructions, a PayPal account is not necessary to make payment)
  2. CREDIT CARD: Pay in person at the December 3, 2015 meeting.
  3. CHECK: Make checks payable to PIER. Mail checks to PIER treasurer, Martha Delgadillo  1012 Prospect St. Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037 or pay in person at the December 3, 2015 meeting   
Payment is due no later than December 3, 2015. PIER charges a $5.00 late fee for dues received after December 3, 2015. Thank you for your understanding.

The PIER membership for 2015-2016 ends June 30, 2016. We look forward to having you as a PIER member.

Job Postings

USC seeks an Immigration Advisor to join our OIS team! This advisor will work specifically with our F-1 students, provide programs/workshops for this population and engage in ways to help us be on the cutting edge of technology and services to our ever growing population. To learn more about the position and apply please go to the following link: https://jobs.usc.edu/postings/55934\

International Student and Scholar position announcement
Caltech has posted a new position for an International Student and Scholar Advisor in the JPL International Office. To learn more and apply, please visit https://jobs.caltech.edu/postings/3960
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PIER Board
Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Chair-Elect - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Communications Coordinator – John Akapito, National University jakapito@nu.edu

 

Friday, October 16, 2015

PIER Newsletter: October 6, 2015

In This Issue:

Announcements
PIER Chair Announcements

Job Postings

PIER Chair Announcements

Dear PIER Members,

We look forward to seeing many of you at our next PIER meeting on October 19 with government representatives. This is an opportunity for you to meet representatives from our local CBP, ICE, SEVP and Department of State office. Last month we sent out a call for questions and received a few responses. Thank you to our members who submitted questions. Details about the meeting are on our PIER website along with the agenda.

Next PIER Meeting
Monday, October 19, 2015
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Carter-Keep Federal Courthouse
333 W. Broadway (10th floor)
San Diego, CA  92101

·        Valid/current photo ID is required for entrance into a Federal facility.
·        Paid parking is available in nearby parking garages for a fee of about $10.00.





PIER Membership and Dues Payment

If you have not yet registered to become a member for the 2015-2016 school year, it is not too late. Please click on this link to fill out the 2015-2016 membership form on Survey Monkey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPPF378. The membership is per person, not institution.

PIER offers three options to pay your membership dues.
  1. PAYPAL: (You will receive an email from PayPal with full instructions, a PayPal account is not necessary to make payment)
  2. CREDIT CARD: Pay in person at the December 3, 2015 meeting.
  3. CHECK: Make checks payable to PIER. Mail checks to PIER treasurer, Martha Delgadillo  1012 Prospect St. Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037 or pay in person at the December 3, 2015 meeting  
Payment is due no later than December 3, 2015. PIER charges a $5.00 late fee for dues received after December 3, 2015. Thank you for your understanding.
The PIER membership for 2015-2016 ends June 30, 2016. We look forward to having you as a PIER member.

STEM OPT Rule

On October 5, DHS submitted the STEM OPT rule to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. You can find the link here https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-26395.pdf  NAFSA has a STEM OPT resource page http://www.nafsa.org/Content.aspx?id=49962 with a timeline and resources related to this important case. You can be an advocate for your students and campus regarding STEM OPT. The website Connecting Our World has advocacy resources for international educators http://www.connectingourworld.org/.

English USA – Call for Session and Poster Proposals

English USA extended the deadline to submit a session or proposal for their conference to October 12. The conference will be in Monterey, California January 21 to 22, 2016. More details on their website http://englishusa.org/professional-development/professional-development-conference

Job Postings

Job Opportunity – The Consulate General of the State of Kuwait, Los Angeles

We are looking for qualified candidates to apply for the Academic Advisor positions.  We are looking to interview candidates immediately and looking for candidates who can start immediately.  http://jobregistry.nafsa.org/jobs/7517148/academic-advisor-kuwait-cultural-office-los-angeles

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PIER Board

Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Chair-Elect - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Communications Coordinator – John Akapito, National University jakapito@nu.edu


Thursday, September 3, 2015

PIER Newsletter: September 1, 2015

 In This Issue

Announcements
PIER Announcements

PIER Announcements
The PIER Board is in the process of planning the annual meeting with the Department of Homeland Security and State Department and will have details as soon as they are available.

PIER Membership
Thank you for your participation in PIER last year, we would look forward to continuing to have you as a PIER member for the 2015-2016 membership years. The dues are $10.00 per individual, not institute for the 2015-2016 membership years. Following your membership application submission, you will receive a statement from PIER. This year, PIER has more options to pay your membership dues. Please click on the Survey Monkey link below for more information about our organization and to join PIER. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPPF378

PIER Travel Grants
The PIER Travel Grant submission deadline of September 3, 2015 is fast approaching! PIER will award two $300.00 grants to attend the NAFSA Region XII 2015 Conference in Hawaii to support registration/travel/lodging/meals expenses. PIER is pleased to offer travel grants on a competitive basis for members to participate in NAFSA Conferences. These conferences provide an opportunity for international educators to acquire and exchange information and provide an excellent way to begin building a personal network of contacts in the field of international education.  Follow this link to the complete application and information about the PIER NAFSA Region XII 2015 Travel Grant https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_w1YQqwbR5XQ2RNeXJCckJNWk03dkp4aXZhWW1YWjNIY19J/view?usp=sharing

Travel Grant Information
PIER will award two $300.00 grants to attend the NAFSA Region XII 2015 Conference in
Hawaii to support registration/travel/lodging/meals expenses.

Eligibility
Applicants must be current members of PIER or become a member prior to the NAFSA Conference.

Travel Grant Recipient Responsibilities
PIER requires each individual who accepts the PIER Travel Grant to present a 15-minute or longer presentation to the PIER members on Wednesday, December 3, 2015. The PIER Board will mail full presentation details and requirements to the award recipients.

Application Procedures and Award Timeline
Please complete the PIER Travel Grant application (attachment) and submit with your statement of objective and letter of recommendation no later than 11:00 p.m. September 3, 2015.
PIER will award Travel Grant funds no earlier than December 3, 2015. Recipients must submit receipts prior to fund distribution. The PIER Board will mail full details and requirements to the award recipients.

NAFSA Region XII Conference Registration
Registration is now open. Start making plans now to attend the conference. See the registration FAQ's for more information about registration fees and the early session proposal discount. http://www.nafsa.org/Connect_and_Network/Engage_with_a_Community/NAFSA_Regions/Region_XII/Conference/

PIER Meeting
Please save the date for our “regular” PIER meeting (following the soon-to-be-determined Federal meeting) on December 3, 2015 from 2pm to 4pm at National University. We are in the process of planning our meeting dates and locations for 2015-2016. Please go to our website www.piergroup.org for the most up to date information with locations, dates and agendas. As soon as dates and locations are available, we will post in the PIER website calendar.

PIER Meeting Locations
Would your school be interested in hosting a PIER meeting in 2016? If your institution is interested in hosting a PIER meeting for 2016, please contact PIER at piergroupsd@gmail.com.
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PIER Board

Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Chair-Elect - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com 
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com 
Communications Coordinator – John Akapito, National University jakpito@nu.edu 

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

PIER Newsletter: August 18, 2015



In This Issue:

Announcements
PIER Chair Announcements
PIER Announcements

Job Postings

PIER Chair Announcements

I am sure you are all very busy with the start of your Fall enrollments. It is a busy time of year for all schools as they prepare freshman and continuing students.  The PIER Board is in the process of planning the annual meeting with the Department of Homeland Security and State Department and will have details as soon as they are available.

PIER Membership

Thank you for your participation in PIER last year, we would look forward to continuing to have you as a PIER member for the 2015-2016 membership years. The dues are $10.00 per individual, not institute for the 2015-2016 membership years.  Following your membership application submission, you will receive a statement from PIER.  This year, PIER has more options to pay your membership dues. Please click on the link below for more information about are organization and to join. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TPPF378

PIER Travel Grants

PIER is pleased to offer travel grants on a competitive basis for members to participate in NAFSA Conferences. These conferences provide an opportunity for international educators to acquire and exchange information and provide an excellent way to begin building a personal network of contacts in the field of international education.
Travel Grant Information
PIER will award two $300.00 grants to attend the NAFSA Region XII 2015 Conference in Hawaii to support registration/travel/lodging/meals expenses.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current members of PIER or become a member prior to the NAFSA Conference.
Travel Grant Recipient Responsibilities
PIER requires each individual who accepts the PIER Travel Grant to present a 15-minute or longer presentation to the PIER members on Wednesday, December 3, 2015. The PIER Board will mail full presentation details and requirements to the award recipients.
Application Procedures and Award Timeline
Please complete the PIER Travel Grant application and submit with your statement of objective and letter of recommendation no later than 11:00 p.m. September 3, 2015.
PIER will award Travel Grant funds no earlier than December 3, 2015. Recipients must submit receipts prior to fund distribution. The PIER Board will mail full details and requirements to the award recipients.
Follow this link to the complete application and information about the PIER NAFSA Region XII 2015 Travel Grant https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_w1YQqwbR5XQ2RNeXJCckJNWk03dkp4aXZhWW1YWjNIY19J/view?usp=sharing
NAFSA Region XII Conference Registration
Registration is now open. Start making plans now to attend the conference. See the registration FAQ's for more information about registration fees and the early session proposal discount. http://www.nafsa.org/Connect_and_Network/Engage_with_a_Community/NAFSA_Regions/Region_XII/Conference

OPT STEM Extension Ruling

On August 12, 2015, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a rule that vacates the 2008 federal regulation for STEM OPT 17‑month extensions and cap-gap relief to certain non‑immigrant students with pending H-1B petitions.
We know this is disheartening for many schools and institutions. SEVP sent out a Broadcast message to all users on August 14, 2015 stating, DHS is currently reviewing the ruling and will issue additional guidance in the coming weeks on how this ruling impacts our stakeholders. In addition, NAFSA has a STEM OPT resource page for members. PIER will do our best to keep members up to date with any resources and special meetings or webinars. 

Below are resources for our PIER Members regarding the OPT Stem Extension.

NAFSA STEM OPT resource:
Court documents:

Survey on Meeting Date Availability

PIER is constantly looking for input from our members. Prior to choosing our meeting dates for the 2015-2016 year, we would like to hear from you. If you haven’t already done so, please go to the link and do the quick survey. Thank you. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PZV6FDP

PIER Announcements

PIER Meeting

Please save the date for our “regular” PIER meeting (following the soon-to-be-determined Federal meeting) on December 3, 2015 from 2pm to 4pm at National University.  We are in the process of planning our meeting dates and locations for 2015-2016. Please go to our website www.piergroup.org for the most up to date information with locations, dates and agendas. As soon as dates and locations are available, we will post in the PIER website calendar.

Job Postings

There are three employment opportunities within the Admissions Office (SDCCD).  The job posting is scheduled to close soon.  SDCCD offers competitive wages and excellent benefits. 

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PIER Board

Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Chair-Elect - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Communications Coordinator – John Akapito, National University jakapito@nu.edu



Tuesday, August 4, 2015

PIER Newsletter: August 4, 2015

In This Issue:

Announcements
PIER Chair Announcements

Job Postings

PIER Chair Announcements

PIER By-Laws Amended and Adopted
Amendments to the PIER By-Laws had been made by the board, and the new By-Laws was adopted on June 17, 2015. The By-Laws has been posted on the PIER website.  Below is the link.  http://sdpiergroup.blogspot.com/p/pier-by-laws.html

USCIS Texas and California Service Center Open House Notes from NAFSA
The Texas Service Center and California Service Center held Open House meetings, and notes taken by members of NAFSA’s ISS-RP Regulatory Ombudsperson Subcommittee have been posted: 
 
Survey on Meeting Date Availability
PIER is constantly looking for input from our members. Prior to choosing our meeting dates for the 2015-2016 year, we would like to hear from you. Please fill out this quick survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PZV6FDP  about meeting date availability. Thank you.
 
Reminder: NAFSA Region XII Southern District
The Southern California District one-day mini conference is around the corner (Friday, August 14th, 2015). The conference is from 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at California State University, Long Beach. Please see the attached flyer. Visit the Conference Website for on-going updates & program details. Register for the Conference online, & send any questions to region12south@gmail.com.



Job Posting
Please check out the employment opportunities at the University of San Diego.  www.sandiego.edu/jobs  search "Exchange Program Adviser." If you’re interested, you may contact USD Human Resources. 
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PIER Board

Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Chair-Elect - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Communications Coordinator – John Akapito, National University jakapito@nu.edu


Wednesday, July 8, 2015

PIER Newsletter July 8, 2015

In This Issue:


  • Announcements
             PIER Announcements

  • Job Postings


  • PIER Announcements


2015 NAFSA Region XII Conference

Save the date for the 2015 NAFSA Region XII Conference in Honolulu, to be held at Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel and Resort in Waikiki. Hotel registration is now open. Conference registration will open on August 1, 2015. It is recommend that you book your hotel early to take advantage of the discounted rate. These rates will be in effect for NAFSA Region XII conference participants five days before the conference and five days after the conference, and there are a limited number available for these rates so book your rooms. Please go to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/1024NAFSA2015 to book your rooms.

Resort View
$215.00
Ocean View
$245.00

or you can also call in by phone to make your reservation:
Number to call: 808-949-4321 ask for group reservation
Group code: AVA

PLEASE BE SURE TO MENTION THE GROUP CODE WHEN CALLING IN TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

Are you looking for a roommate for the upcoming 2015 NAFSA Region XII Conference?

Susan Sermeno, International Student Advisor at JFK University and 17 year member of the Bay Area PIER group is looking for a roommate for the NAFSA Region XII Regional Conference in Hawaii. She has a room booked at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel and Resort in Waikiki for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night of the conference at $215/night with two double beds and is interested in finding a female roommate to share the room costs. If you may be interested, please contact Susan Sermeno at: ssermeno@jfku.edu.

NAFSA Region XII Southern District

There will be a Southern California District one-day mini conference on Friday, August 14th, 2015 from 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. at California State University, Long Beach. Please see the flyer. Visit the Conference Website for on-going updates & program details. Register for the Conference online, & send any questions to region12south@gmail.com.

Job Postings

UC San Diego is seeking an International Student Advisor
Will provide high level advice and counsel to more than 6,000 international undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree students and their dependents on a broad spectrum of complex and sensitive immigration, visa, employment, academic, enrollment, financial, emergency/crisis intervention, health, and adjustment issues. Other responsibilities include analyzing, interpreting, and explaining complex US federal immigration, labor regulations, and campus policies to UC San Diego international students, academic departments, and campus units.
The Advisor will direct students and their dependents in the preparation of successful visa applications, employment authorization, travel and reentry into the USA, Social Security numbers, driver licenses, and any other requirements from the beginning of an academic program to 1-3 years after graduation. In addition, the Advisor serves as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for all University F-1 and J-1 student documents; prepares immigration documents required for F-1 and J-1 visa status; serves as a liaison with various US government agencies; and ensures compliance with all federally mandated reporting requirements.
The Advisor is also responsible for coordinating specialized retention programs for international undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of yield, recruitment, pre-arrival, transition, orientation, first-year experience, career planning and employment authorization, English language and academic support, health and well-being, cultural and social integration, emergency loan/scholarship, and intercultural training programs. Lastly, the Advisor will have liaison duties with the Six Colleges, academic departments, and campus units:
International Student Advisor
University of California San Diego
Application Deadline: 7/9/2015
Apply at: http://jobs.ucsd.edu/bulletin/job.aspx?cat=student&sortby=post&jobnum_in=76956

Director, American Language and Culture Institute, Cal State San Marcos San Marcos Campus (North County San Diego) We are looking for an innovative/dynamic leader to grow our English language program offerings and to share their experience with a dynamic team of faculty and staff. Salary range is $75,000 to $85,000 per year based on prior work experience. Prior ESL teaching and management experience referred. CSUSM is dedicated to a "working environment that connects priorities, plans, budgets and rewards", that embraces diversity and commitment. We are a growing and maturing campus and we are committed to making your involvement with CSUSM fulfilling. Details of the position can be found at http://www.csusm.edu/jobs.htm Position Number 1985. We hope you will take this opportunity to view this position on our website and apply for this position to meet your career goals and aspirations.
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PIER Board
Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Chair-Elect – Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Communications Coordinator – John Akapito, National University jakapito@nu.edu

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

PIER Newsletter : June 24, 2015

In This Issue:
Announcements
PIER Chair Announcements
PIER Announcement

PIER Chair Announcements

Dear PIER Members,

It was a pleasure seeing you at the PIER meeting June 17 at the University of San Diego. PIER will distribute the meeting minutes within a month of the meeting date, thank you for your patience. Below are some important updates.

Visa Systems Issue
The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with its visa systems. This issue is not specific to any particular country or visa category. Applicants should refer to the most up to date information on the U.S. Consulate website. Schools report that the DOS is sending applicants with pending visa issuance an email explaining the current situation and their options. You can find the notice here http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/news/technological-systems-issue.html.

USCIS Updates
USCIS discontinues Electronic form I-539, form I-526 and regional center document library. On June 15, 2015, USCIS stopped accepting electronically filed Forms I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Forms I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur. USCIS also discontinued the Regional Center Document Library.
You can find the notice here http://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-discontinues-electronic-form-i-539-form-i-526-and-regional-center-document-library.

SEVP Updates
1. Starting, June 12, 2015, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) changed the time frame for when it accepts a designated school official’s (DSO) “Requests for Correction to Student Status.” Now, DSOs can submit a request to change an F-1 student’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record to Active up to 60 days in advance of the student’s return from a temporary absence. Previously, DSOs could only request to change the student’s record up to 30 days prior to the student’s return. You can find the notice here http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2015/06/schools-new-time-frame-to-request-corrections-to-student-statuses-in-sevis.
2. SEVIS will be unavailable beginning 8 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 26 through 8 p.m. EDT Sunday, June 28. The SEVP Study in the States website has full details http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2015/06/be-prepared-for-the-june-26-sevis-outage.
3. The format for the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” will change on June 26. This redesigned Form I-20 is part of the larger Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Release 6.21. For full details visit http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2015/06/coming-soon-a-redesigned-form-i-20 .

PIER Announcement
NAFSA Region XII
This year, NAFSA Region XII will be held in Hawaii. Although the team is still working on the sessions, hotel registration is open now. Please see the following message from Brian Groves, Region XII chair (2015):
Hotel Registration Open

This is a reminder that you can now start booking your hotel at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel and Resort in Waikiki. We recommend that you book your hotel early to take advantage of the discounted rate. These rates will be in effect for NAFSA Region XII conference participants five days before the conference and five days after the conference, and we have a limited number available for these rates so book your rooms Please go to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/1024NAFSA2015 to book your rooms.
Resort View
$215.00
Ocean View
$245.00
or you can also call in by phone to make your reservation:
Number to call: 808-949-4321 ask for group reservation
Group code: AVA

PLEASE BE SURE TO MENTION THE GROUP CODE WHEN CALLING IN TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

NAFSA Region XII Southern District
There will be a Southern California District one-day mini conference on Friday, August 14th, 2015 from 8:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. at California State University, Long Beach. You may now register for the conference. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/SoCalMiniConference2015
Or email the SoCal District Team at region12south@gmail.com
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PIER Board
Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Vice - Chair - Yasue O'Neill, Palomar College Yoneill@palomar.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Secretary - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Web Coordinator - Cadence Ellis, National University cellis@nu.edu

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

PIER Newsletter : June 9, 2015

In This Issue:

Announcements
PIER Chair Announcements
PIER Vice-Chair Announcements
PIER Announcement


PIER Chair Announcements
Dear PIER Members,

We look forward to our meeting June 17, 2015 at the University of San Diego at 2:00 pm. Please arrive early to allow time to find parking and locate the building. We will provide many important announcements at our final meeting of the membership year and hope you can attend. USD parking enforcement has the current PIER Member list to ensure parking spaces are available. We suggest you carpool or arrive early to insure parking availability. You can find the location details and agenda in the calendar section on the PIER website. Click on June 17 and click “more details”. Below are the links for the June 17 agenda and USD parking and directions.

PIER June 17 Agenda
PIER June 17 USD Parking and Directions.

Please review the PIER By-Laws and send your comments to piergroupsd@gmail.com no later than June 15 for consideration. We will review and discuss at this meeting. If PIER members agree on changes, we will vote on the By-Law changes at the June 17, 2015 meeting. PIER Members, please email piergroupsd@gmail.com to request links to the PIER Bylaws draft and updates information. Thank you for your time and input.

We would like to know how to serve our PIER members. Currently our meetings are Wednesdays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, which is not ideal for all members. We know we cannot please everyone, but appreciate your input. The PIER Board is considering alternate meeting dates and times to accommodate as many members as possible. If you attend the meeting, please be ready to share your ideas or if you cannot attend, please email piergroupsd@gmail.com with your meeting ideas. We would like to know the days and time that is best for you. We would also like to know if you would prefer an extended meeting that is three hours rather than two to have longer discussions with more detail. Again, we could alternate these meetings to best suit all members.

Did you attend the NAFSA Annual Conference? Were you inspired by a session, meeting, poster or speaker? Is there anything from the NAFSA Annual Conference you would like to share with the PIER Members? If yes, we hope you would like to share your updates and inspiration with your fellow PIER Members.

NAFSA Region XII Southern District will hold a Mini-Conference August 14 at California State University Long Beach. More details are on their website: Region XII Southern DistrictThe Region XII Southern District is calling for session proposals. The Deadline is June 15, 2015. See the flyer below. 


PIER Vice-Chair Announcements

SEVIS Webinar
Join the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program for a final pre-release discussion of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) changes contained in SEVIS Release 6.21. DATE: Friday, June 12, 2015 TIME: 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. EDT. Registration for the webinar is now open on Study in the States.

NAFSA Region XII
This year, NAFSA Region XII will be held in Hawaii. Although the team is still working on the sessions, hotel registration is open now. Please see the following message from Brian Groves, Region XII chair (2015):

Hotel Registration Open

This is a reminder that you can now start booking your hotel at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel and Resort in Waikiki. We recommend that you book your hotel early to take advantage of the discounted rate. These rates will be in effect for NAFSA Region XII conference participants five days before the conference and five days after the conference, and we have a limited number available for these rates so book your rooms. Please go to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/1024NAFSA2015 to book your rooms.

Resort View : $215.00
Ocean View : $245.00

or you can also call in by phone to make your reservation. Number to call: 808-949-4321 ask for group reservation. Group code: AVA

PLEASE BE SURE TO MENTION THE GROUP CODE WHEN CALLING IN TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

PIER Announcement
PIER 2014 - 2015 Meeting Date
All Meeting Times are at 2:00 pm.
June 17 – Location: USD

If you would like to announce a job or submit a resource or event for the PIER Newsletter, please email to piergroupsd@gmail.com for consideration. The PIER Board will take all submissions under consideration for posting in the PIER Newsletter.

Thank you,

The PIER Board
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PIER Board
Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Vice - Chair - Yasue O'Neill, Palomar College Yoneill@palomar.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Secretary - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Web Coordinator - Cadence Ellis, National University cellis@nu.edu

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

PIER Newsletter : May 26, 2015

Welcome PIER members. Going forward PIER will mail out information in the form of a bi-monthly newsletter to all PIER members. In the future, this letter will be posted to the PIER website.
If you would like to announce a job or submit a resource or event for the PIER Newsletter, please email to piergroupsd@gmail.com for consideration. The PIER Board will take all submissions under consideration for posting in the PIER Newsletter.

Thank you,

The PIER Board

In This Issue:
Announcements
PIER Announcement

PIER Announcement
NAFSA Region XII SoCal District Mini Conference
Save the Date: Southern District Mini-Conference
8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. August 14, 2015
California State University, Long Beach

The Southern California District of NAFSA Region XII is planning to hold a one-day mini-conference this year to provide opportunities for professional development, networking, and access to resources for the Southern California international education community. Sessions will focus on education abroad, international education leadership, international enrollment management, international student and scholar services, and intensive English programs. For more information please go to: NAFSA Region XII.

PIER Position Announcement
Do you want to become involved in international education? Do you want to volunteer valuable time to assist with the PIER mission? The PIER Board has an open position for the new position of Communications Coordinator for the 2015-2016 and 2016 – 2017 PIER Board. This position combines the current duties of Secretary and Webmaster and requires a two-year commitment. We already have one candidate for the position. If you are interested, please send your name and a brief bio to piergroupsd@gmail.com no later than June 1, 2015. We will send out an election form via Survey Monkey prior to the June 15, 2015 meeting. Other PIER Board positions will open for the 2016-2017 in spring 2016.

PIER 2014 - 2015 Meeting Date
All Meeting Times are at 2:00 pm.
June 17 – Location: USD
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PIER Board
Chair - Kasey McCarthy, Gemological Institute of America Kasey.McCarthy@gia.edu
Vice - Chair - Yasue O'Neill, Palomar College Yoneill@palomar.edu
Treasurer - Martha Delgadillo, EC San Diego MarthaDelgadillo@ecenglish.com
Membership Coordinator - LyKai Johnson, EC San Diego lykaijohnson@ecenglish.com
Secretary - Eric Abutin, National University eabutin@nu.edu
Web Coordinator - Cadence Ellis, National University cellis@nu.edu