Friday, December 23, 2016

PIER Newsletter: December 23, 2016

In This Issue:
·         PIER Chair Announcements                      
·         NAFSA
o    Advocacy Day
o    Trainer Corps
o    E-Learning Seminar
·         NAFSA Region XII Northern Region Conference
·         EnglishUSA Professional Development
·         Job Posting
·         PIER Meeting Dates

PIER Chair Announcements

Dear PIER Members,

Happy Holidays from PIER, enjoy your time with your family and friends. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.  Our next PIER meeting is Friday, February 10, 2017 from 2pm – 4pm at The Scripps Research Institute.  More details to follow as we near the meeting date.

Next PIER Meeting
Date: Friday, February 10, 2017
Location: The Scripps Research Institute
3050 Science Park Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Time: 2:00 pm

NAFSA Advocacy Day

March 13-14, 2017
Washington D.C.

Help move key legislation at NAFSA's 2017 Advocacy Day. Speak out for students, scholars, and policies that matter to you!

After a day of training and strategizing, you will head to Capitol Hill with all the tools you need to educate Congress on how international education impacts your state and district and why we need a more globally engaged and welcoming United States. Personal meetings will be scheduled for you with your elected officials and their staff in both the Senate and House of Representatives. For more information and to register: http://www.nafsa.org/Policy_and_Advocacy/Take_Action/Advocacy_Day/

Apply to Join NAFSA's Trainer Corps

Deadline January 6, 2017

NAFSA’s Trainer Corps includes approximately 300 NAFSA members who volunteer their time and expertise to develop, maintain, and deliver the NAFSA Core Education Program (CEP) Workshops and e-Learning courses. NAFSA invites international education professionals like you to join this energetic and talented group. As a Trainer Corps member you will:

     Gain valuable training skills
     Share core job knowledge
     Keep current with changes in the field
     Network with other international educators

This year, NAFSA is especially seeking volunteers with the following expertise across the four Knowledge Communities that align with CEP workshops: Education Abroad, International Enrollment Management, International Student and Scholar Services, and Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship.

A full listing of NAFSA Core Education Program Workshops that Trainer Corps members are needed to deliver is available here.

Click here to apply today.

Northern California District Spring Conference

NAFSA Region XII Northern CA District is now accepting session proposals! The conference will begin on March 13, 2017 at the University of San Francisco. We would like to highlight how international education is a bridge to understanding. We encourage submissions from all areas, and some current trending topics in the community are:

     Community college issues and trends
     Enrollment and recruiting
     Diversity abroad
     Using technology to connect/market to student
     International education and equity initiatives
     Supporting Muslim students in light of the media and current events
     Working with undocumented students
     Navigating gray area immigration laws

Session Proposals are due Jan. 8th, submit your proposal here
Conference registration will be available mid-January on the Northern District website.

EnglishUSA Professional Development Conference

December 31, 2016 is the last day to register for the 9th Annual EnglishUSA Professional Development Conference in Monterey, CA on January 19-20, 2017 at Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS). This conference is 100% dedicated to intensive English programs with sessions and exhibitors related to curriculum development, assessment, student services, marketing, recruitment, etc. Kathleen Bailey from MIIS is the featured plenary speaker. EnglishUSA members and non-members are welcome. If you are not sure whether your program is a member, please contact info@englishusa.org.  

NAFSA E-Learning Seminar

Practical Technology Innovations for the International Education Office
Relieve your office of unnecessary stressors and move into the twenty-first century with NAFSA’s next e-Learning Seminar, “Practical Technology Innovations for the International Education Office,” on January 24 at 3:00 pm (EST).  Bring your colleagues from the ISSS office and the EA office into one room to learn helpful “hacks” and new ways to maximize technology tools you are already using.

Other PIER Announcements

Job Postings

International Admissions, Student Services Specialist III (Front Office and Admissions)
International Services and Programs
Review Date: January 23, 2017
College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA

Data, Communication, and Digital Personalities, Student Services Technician III (Data and Communication)
International Services and Programs
Review Date: January 25, 2017
College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA

International Student Advisor
UC San Diego
Application Deadline: January 13, 2017
https://jobs.ucsd.edu/bulletin/job.aspx?jobnum_in=85756

SEVIS Coordinator
National University, San Diego, CA
Go to “Job Postings” and click on “Job ID 5428”

PIER Meeting Future Dates

Please save the date for our next regular” PIER meetings and visit our website www.piergroup.org for the most up to date information with locations, dates and agendas.

Date: February 10, 2017
Location: The Scripps Research Institute
3050 Science Park Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: April 21, 2017
Location: University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: June 23, 2017
Location: Mira Costa College, San Elijo Campus
3333 Manchester Ave.
Cardiff, CA 92007
Time: 2:00 pm

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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


Friday, December 2, 2016

PIER Newsletter: November 18, 2016

In This Issue:
·         PIER Chair Announcements                      
·         PIER Membership
·         USCIS Fee Change
·         NAFSA Academy
·         Job Posting
·         PIER Meeting Dates

PIER Chair Announcements

We hope you are having a great International Education Week on your campuses.  Our two NAFSA Region XII travel grant recipients, Jane Lewis and Tyler Runsten will share a presentation they attended from the conference at our next meeting.  We look forward to their presentations and seeing you at our upcoming PIER meeting, December 2, at the National University Spectrum Campus.  The meeting begins at 2:00 pm. 

Next PIER Meeting
Friday, December 2 2016
2 pm – 4 pm

National University
Spectrum Campus
9388 Lightwave Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123

PIER Membership and Dues Payment

If you have not yet registered to become a member for the 2016-2017 school year, you still have time. Please click on this link to fill out the 2016-2017 membership application at: https://goo.gl/LjNFYb. 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                 is not necessary to make payment).
2. CREDIT CARD: Pay in person at the December 2, 2016 meeting.
3. CHECK: Make checks payable to PIER. Mail checks to PIER treasurer:

Vanessa Fennell
1111 6th Avenue, 6th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

Payment is due no later than December 2, 2016. PIER charges a $5.00 late fee for dues received after December 2, 2016. Thank you for your understanding. The PIER membership for 2016-2017 ends June 30, 2017. We look forward to having you as a PIER member.

USCIS Fee Changes 2016

A final USCIS fee rule was published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2016 [81 FR 73292] which will increase U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) application filing fees, effectively on December 23, 2016.  The last fee schedule was adjusted on November 23, 2010.  Effective 12/23/2016, USCIS will increase the filing fee for Employment Authorization (I-765) applications from $380.00 to $410.00. Applications or petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after 12/23/2016 must include the new fee. For more information on the new USCIS application fee structures please see the NAFSA website.

Join the NAFSA Academy – Application is now open

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 you would like to consider joining the next Academy class, you can read more on the NAFSA website and look for Academy events and members at the upcoming conference. The application for Academy Class 14 is now open.  The deadline to apply is on December 2, 2016You can also email Tracey Ward, the Region XII Membership and Academy Coordinator at tracey.ward@wvm.edu.

Other PIER Announcements

Job Postings

SEVIS Coordinator
National University, San Diego, CA
Go to “Job Postings” and click on “Job ID 5428”

International Student Advisor
San Diego State University
http://hr.sdsu.edu/employment/staffjobs.htm Job #6194

PIER Meeting Future Dates

We have confirmed our meetings for the rest of the year.  Thank you to all who expressed interest in hosting.  Please save the date for our next regular” PIER meetings and visit our website www.piergroup.org for the most up to date information with locations, dates and agendas.

Date: December 2, 2016
Location: National University, Spectrum Campus
9388 Lightwave Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: February 10, 2017
Location: The Scripps Research Institute
3050 Science Park Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: April 21, 2017
Location: University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: June 23, 2017
Location: Mira Costa College, San Elijo Campus
3333 Manchester Ave.
Cardiff, CA 92007
Time: 2:00 pm

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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



PIER Newsletter: November 02, 2016

In This Issue:
·         PIER Chair Announcements                      
·         PIER Membership
·         USCIS Fee Change
·         SEVP Special Report Webinar
·         NAFSA Academy
·         Job Posting
·         PIER Meeting Dates

PIER Chair Announcements

Dear PIER Members,

It was great to see all of you at our latest PIER meeting on October 21, 2016 with government representatives.  Thank you for your participation and to those who submitted questions.  We look forward to seeing you at the next meeting. 

Congratulations to our two NAFSA Region XII conference travel grant recipients, Jane Lewis and Tyler Runsten.  We look forward to their presentations at our upcoming PIER meeting, December 2, at the National University Spectrum Campus.  The meeting begins at 2:00 pm. 

International Education Week is right around the corner.  November 14-18 marks the 18th anniversary of International Education Week (IEW), an annual celebration of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences. Institutions across the United States and around the world are hosting events throughout the week to recognize international students, education abroad, and internationalization. What are your plans for the week? 

Next PIER Meeting
Friday, December 2, 2016
2 pm – 4 pm

National University
Spectrum Campus
9388 Lightwave Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123

PIER Membership and Dues Payment

If you have not yet registered to become a member for the 2016-2017 school year, you still have time. Please click on this link to fill out the 2016-2017 membership application at: https://goo.gl/LjNFYb. 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 2, 2016 meeting.
3. CHECK: Make checks payable to PIER. Mail checks to PIER treasurer:

Vanessa Fennell
1111 6th Avenue, 6th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101

Payment is due no later than December 2, 2016. PIER charges a $5.00 late fee for dues received after December 2, 2016. Thank you for your understanding. The PIER membership for 2016-2017 ends June 30, 2017. We look forward to having you as a PIER member.

USCIS Fee Changes 2016

A final USCIS fee rule was published in the Federal Register on October 24, 2016 [81 FR 73292] which will increase U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) application filing fees, effectively on December 23, 2016.  The last fee schedule was adjusted on November 23, 2010.  Effective 12/23/2016, USCIS will increase the filing fee for Employment Authorization (I-765) applications from $380.00 to $410.00. Applications or petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after 12/23/2016 must include the new fee. For more information on the new USCIS application fee structures please see the NAFSA website.

SEVP Special Report Webinar: SEVP Portal

Join Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for the second SEVP Special Report Webinar, where SEVP representatives will explain the upcoming SEVP Portal. The webinar will be broadcast live on Nov. 17, 2016, from 2:00-3:00 pm EST. Registration is not required for this webinar.
Click here for more information.

Webinar overview:
The webinar will provide an opportunity to learn about the upcoming December 2016 release of the SEVP Portal, and how Post-Completion OPT students can use the portal to report personal and employer information to SEVP. Please note that although the SEVP Portal will interface with SEVIS, it will not grant students direct access to the system. Following a brief presentation, SEVP presenters will answer questions from the audience.

Audience:
The webinar is designed for DSOs and F-1 students on post-completion OPT.
Access the webinar:
You can access the webinar using the following link – no registration required:
http://sevp.adobeconnect.com/specialreport/

Join the NAFSA Academy – Application is now open

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 you would like to consider joining the next Academy class, you can read more on the
NAFSA website and look for Academy events and members at the upcoming conference. The application for Academy Class 14 is now open.  The deadline to apply is on December 2, 2016You can also email Tracey Ward, the Region XII Membership and Academy Coordinator at tracey.ward@wvm.edu.

Other PIER Announcements

Job Postings

SEVIS Coordinator
National University, San Diego, CA
Go to “Job Postings” and click on “Job ID 5428”

PIER Meeting Future Dates

We have confirmed our meetings for the rest of the year.  Thank you to all who expressed interest in hosting.  Please save the date for our next regular” PIER meetings and visit our website www.piergroup.org for the most up to date information with locations, dates and agendas.

Date: December 2, 2016
Location: National University, Spectrum Campus
9388 Lightwave Ave.
San Diego, CA 92123
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: February 10, 2017
Location: The Scripps Research Institute
3050 Science Park Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: April 21, 2017
Location: University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Time: 2:00 pm

Date: June 23, 2017
Location: Mira Costa College, San Elijo Campus
3333 Manchester Ave.
Cardiff, CA 92007
Time: 2:00 pm

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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