PIER Newsletter: September 20, 2016

In This Issue:

·         Annual DHS/DOS Meeting

·         PIER Membership

·         PIER Travel Grant

·         NAFSA Region XII Conference

·         NAFSA Academy

·         PIER Meetings

Annual DHS/DOS Meeting

The annual meeting with the Department of Homeland Security and State Department is scheduled for October 21, 2016 from 10am-12pm.  Please note that the deadline to submit your questions for DHS and DOS officials is September 23, 2016.  To prepare for this meeting, we would like to ask for questions directed toward the prospective guests who may include representatives from DHS, DOS, USCIS and SEVP to piergroupsd@gmail.com by no later than September 23, 2016. Please remember that our guests cannot answer case specific questions, but are pleased to answer to the best of their ability. Additional meeting details will be provided 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 2016-2017 membership years. The dues are $10.00 per individual, not institute for the 2016-2017 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 PIER 2016-2017 Membership link below for more information regarding our organization and to begin the application to join PIER. https://goo.gl/LjNFYb

PIER Travel Grants Extended Until September 30, 2016

PIER will be awarding two $250.00 grants to attend the NAFSA Region XII 2016 Conference in Palm Springs, California to support registration/travel/lodging/meals expenses. Please note that the deadline for applications has been extended.  Applications will be accepted until 11:00pm September 30, 2016.   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 $250.00 grants to attend the NAFSA Region XII 2016 Conference in

Palm Springs, California to support registration/travel/lodging/meals expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must be current members of PIER or become a member prior to the NAFSA Region XII 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 Friday, December 2, 2016. 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 at https://form.jotform.com/62390355054150  and submit with your statement of objective and letter of recommendation no later than 11:00 p.m. September 30, 2016.

PIER will award Travel Grant funds no earlier than December 2, 2016. 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 – October 31-November 4, 2016

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/NAFSA_Regions/Region_XII/Conference/
The conference team has finalized the schedule. Check out the Schedule at a Glance for an overview.

Call for Volunteers at the NAFSA Region XII Annual Conference

October 31 – November 4, 2016

Would you like to become more involved in NAFSA Region XII? Volunteering is a great way to network while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the conference and learning about various regional leadership positions. If you have 2 or more hours to spare during the conference, we welcome your help to come assist in supporting the regional conference. Please complete this short survey on your availability during the conference https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PHFDTDD. If you have questions regarding volunteering at the conference, please contact Rosalind Raby at Rabyrl@aol.com.  

Join the NAFSA Academy

The NAFSA Academy for International Education is an intensive year-long training program with many networking opportunities.  The Academy aids in learning about all areas of international education and prepares you for leadership, both within NAFSA and your own institutions.  If the Academy sounds like something you’d enjoy being involved in, then you are in luck! The application for Academy Class 14 will open on Monday, September 26, 2016.

Going to the NAFSA Region XII conference in Palm Springs? There will be many NAFSA Academy members there, from both current and past Academy classes. There will also be a session on the program, Enhance Your International Education Expertise Through the NAFSA Academy.

If you would like to consider joining the next Academy class, click here for more information.

PIER Meetings

Please save the date for our next “regular” PIER meetings on December 2, 2016 from 2pm to 4pm at National University and on February 10, 2017 from 2pm to 4pm at The Scripps Research Institute.  We are in the process of planning our meeting dates and locations for 2016-2017.  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.

Do you have an item or job posting you would like to post in the PIER newsletter that is valuable to PIER members? Please email piergroupsd@gmail.com with your inquiry. Thank you. The PIER Board reserves the right to edit content.

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PIER Board

Chair - Eric Abutin, National University

Chair-Elect – Rhonaliza Reyes, University of San Diego

Treasurer – Vanessa Fennell, Stafford House San Diego

Membership Coordinator – Mia Scavone, Mira Costa College

Communications Coordinator – John Akapito, National University