Spring 2025 Meetings

Our next in-person meeting date is:

April 4th, 2025  -  2:00 PM - 4:00PM

@ SDSU International Student Center

5500 Canyon Crest Dr, San Diego, CA 92182 (Just behind the passport office).

Due to recent changes in our parking lot availability and parking waiver request process, please register for this meeting if you need a parking waiver or wish to add topics to the agenda. 

Kindly include your license plate number and State in the Google form. We will send the waiver via email, or you can pick it up at the ISC. 

The deadline to register for a parking waiver is April 1st, 2025. 

You are welcome to attend the meeting without registering.

Agenda

If you would like to host an in-person PIER meeting, please email piergroupsd@gmail.com.

Dates and times are flexible!

PIER Zoom Meeting - Advisor Check-in! - May 18th

Join us for a PIER Zoom Meeting - Advisor Check-in! scheduled for Wednesday, May 18th from 12 PM - 1 PM.

Topic: This is a casual meeting to discuss F-1 and J-1 international student and scholar hot topics, concerns and trends.

Please join us for the second to last meeting of this academic year! A Zoom link will be provided to members via email prior to the meeting.

PIER Zoom Meeting - Advisor Check-in! - Dec 8th

Join us for a PIER Zoom Meeting - Advisor Check-in! scheduled for next Wednesday, December 8th from 12 PM - 1 PM.

Topic: This is a casual meeting to discuss F-1 and J-1 international student and scholar hot topics, concerns and trends. As the end of the year approaches it would be great to connect with all of you and celebrate!

 

If you are interested in doing a presentation at a future meeting on a topic related to international education please reach out to us. We would love to hear your ideas! 

Members please check your email for a Zoom link!

2021-2022 PIER Government Agency Panel Meeting

Our annual PIER Government Agency Panel meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October, 27^st from 10 AM – 12 PM. We are very excited to offer a hybrid meeting, with the option to attend either in person or online! We are scheduled to have panel representatives from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ICE Officer of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), Customs & Border Protection (CBP), and the State Department.

Please RSVP here as soon as possible to let us know if you will attend virtually or in person. Due to COVID protocols, attendance at the San Diego Law Enforcement Coordination Center (LECC) will be limited to 30 participants (not including presenters). Please also make sure to submit any questions you have by next Wednesday. More details TBA!

 

UPDATE: Due to a small number of people wanting to attend in person, we have decided this meeting will now be entirely virtual. More details to follow.

 

EnglishUSA Stakeholders Conference

The EnglishUSA Stakeholders Conference will take place virtually this year October 7-8, 2021. This event will include a variety of sessions, and EnglishUSA will provide updates from areas around the world. Opening remarks will be given by U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement, Eva Millona.

Click here for program and registration information.

Remembering Eric Abutin

The message below is sent on behalf of Melissa Diaz of National University. The deadline for the E-card has been extended through Monday, September 27th. 

------

Good Afternoon,

 

It is with a very heavy heart that we reach out to inform the PIER community of the unexpected passing of Eric Abutin on Monday, September 6^th.

 

Eric was an all-around wonderful person. He was a great colleague, mentor, leader and friend. He was extremely patient, super positive and would always go above and beyond to support students and colleagues alike. Eric was a member of PIER for many years and served on the PIER board at different capacities.  He also hosted many PIER meetings at NU and assisted with the coordination of many PIER workshops held at the National University campuses.  He cared very much for the PIER community and friendships developed along the way.

 

He was a man of many talents and passions and we were fortunate to have been a part of his journey. He made quite an impact and difference in the lives of his colleagues and the students he served. He was a class act, truly one of a kind and he will be greatly missed.

Information regarding Eric’s Services: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bonita-ca/eric-abutin-10341023

All are welcome. His wife confirmed that masks will be required.

 

We also have an electronic card circulating for those who would like to send their condolences to his family: https://www.groupgreeting.com/sign/881db7d51e4d1fb

Card will be sent electronically on Friday, September 24^th at 1pm.

 

Take Care,
Melissa

 

Melissa Diaz

Director, International Affairs

National University

E: mdiaz@nu.edu

2020/2021 SAVE THE DATE

 Greetings PIER Members

We will hold our PIER meetings every two months through a virtual platform. Our last online meeting in July had a great virtual turnout and it was great to see so many familiar faces 😊. Please save the dates for the following virtual meeting dates and times!

PIER GOVERNMENT AGENCY PANEL MEETING - SAVE THE DATE 10/21/2020! 

• Our annual PIER Government Agency Panel meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October, 21^st from 10 AM – 12 PM. The PIER Government Agency meeting is one of our most important meetings of the academic year. PIER has scheduled to have panel representatives from:
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP
• US Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS)
• ICE Officer of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)
• Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
• possibly Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
• A Zoom link will be sent out ONE DAY PRIOR (Tuesday, 10/20^th) to the scheduled meeting date to PIER 2020 – 2021 members. 

• Wednesday, December 2, 2020
•  11 AM – 12 PM
• International Student/Scholar Advisor Check-in! Current Events / Roundtable discussions
• Wednesday, February 17, 2021
• 11 AM - 12 PM
• TOPIC/GUEST TBA
• March - F-1 Basic Workshop Training (Date/Time TBD)
• Wednesday, April 21, 2021
• 11 AM – 12 PM
• International Student/Scholar Advisor Check-in! Current Events / Roundtable discussions
• Wednesday, May 26, 2021
• 11 AM – 12 PM
• TOPIC/GUEST TBA

SAVE THE DATES: 2020 PIER Meetings So Far

Hello PIER Members,

Please save the following dates to your calendars for upcoming 2020 meetings.  We will update you with additional dates for the rest of the year.

• Miramar College, Wednesday, February 26, 2020, 2-4pm

• National University, Spectrum Site: March 6, 2020 for our F-1 Basic Workshop Training (Time to be determined and sessions)
• 
  
• Grossmont College, Wednesday, April 29, 2-4pm

NAFSA Region XII 2019 Conference Travel Grant Application

Apply to receive a travel grant to this year's NAFSA Region XII Conference in Pasadena in November

The deadline to apply is October 22, 2019

The recipient will be noted by no later than October 25, 2019

We look forward to seeing you there!

2019/2020 Membership Sign-Up and Renewal

WELCOME

PIER is a non-profit membership organization that provides international educators throughout San Diego County with an opportunity to discuss issues and regulations affecting international students and scholars. The 2019-2020 membership dues are $10.00 per person ($15.00 per person if paid after December 1, 2019), not institution and are non-transferable. The PIER membership ends June 30, 2020.

If you aren't a member of PIER San Diego yet, make sure to sign up today for the 2019/2020 academic year.

For all current members, don't forget to renew today.  

2018-2019 PIER End of Year Happy Hour celebration!

San Diego PIER invites you to our End-of-the-Year Happy Hour celebration! Come join fellow colleagues from the field to learn, network, and have fun!

When: Thursday, June 27 from 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Where: The Elbow Room http://elbowroomsd.com/
5225 Kearny Villa Rd
San Diego, CA, 92123

To get a better count of how many will be attending, please RSVP HERE by Tuesday, June 25th.

Thank you, look forward to seeing you there!

PIER Meeting on May 17, 2019

Dear San Diego PIER,

We look forward to seeing you at our PIER meeting next Friday! Please note the slightly different time than in previous meetings.

It will be hosted by San Diego Mesa College on May 17th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.  Please see the attached agenda for more information. 

Part of the meeting will dedicated to sharing examples of successful (or unsuccessful) programming you have done at your institutions. Please come willing and able to share.

Thank you, 

PIER Board

Dear San Diego International Educators,

We are pleased to invite you to join San Diego PIER for 2018-2019!

Thank you for your participation in previous years, the more our members bring to our organization, the more we can learn from and support each other.As usual, the 2018-2019 membership dues are $10.00 per person and this membership ends June 30, 2019.Please click the link below for more information about our organization and to join! 

https://goo.gl/forms/n81d282IVAWbDNxU2

PIER annual government panel meeting will be held on November 1, 2018. We expect to have panelists representing various government agencies, including:

• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement- Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI)
• The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
• The Department of State (DOS)

More details will be announced.

Thank you!

The PIER Board

2018-2019 PIER Membership Registration

Dear San Diego International Educators,

We are pleased to invite you to join San Diego PIER for 2018-2019!

Thank you for your participation in previous years, the more our members bring to our organization, the more we can learn from and support each other.

As usual, the 2018-2019 membership dues are $10.00 per person and this membership ends June 30, 2019.

Please click the link below for more information about our organization and to join! 

https://goo.gl/forms/n81d282IVAWbDNxU2

Thank you!

The PIER Board

2018-2019 PIER Membership Registration

Dear San Diego International Educators,

We are pleased to invite you to join San Diego PIER for 2018-2019!
Thank you for your participation in previous years, the more our members bring to our organization, the more we can learn from and support each other.
As usual, the 2018-2019 membership dues are $10.00 per person and this membership ends June 30, 2019.
Please click the link below for more information about our organization and to join! 

https://goo.gl/forms/n81d282IVAWbDNxU2

Thank you!

The PIER Board

PIER Meeting on Thursday, June 21, 2018

Dear PIER members and friends,

Please find agenda enclosed for PIER's last meeting of the school year, to be held this Thursday, June 21st, 2018, from 2-4 pm, at San Diego State University (SDSU).  Please contact PIER for parking information.  As a reminder, please give yourself some allowance to find your way around SDSU's campus, and locate the appropriate parking facility.  A parking fee is required for this venue.

At this meeting, we will also provide members with an opportunity to discuss interesting sessions or critical information gathered from the recently concluded NAFSA National Conference in Philadelphia.  We encourage members who attended the conference ​​to come prepared with your notes and handouts, if applicable, to facilitate a more robust discussion with the rest of the group.

We look forward to seeing you at SDSU. 

PIER Meeting / April 13, 2018

Grossmont College / 2-4PM

8800 Grossmont College Dr.,  El Cajon, CA  92020      

*Please contact PIER for detail directions. Thank you. 

New Professional’s Workshop 

  Friday March 9, 2018

9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m

Learn best F-1 procedures and best practices to take back to your school. This workshop is geared towards those working in the field less than three years or new to working with F-1 students and will include discussion on best practices for both English Language Schools and regular tertiary institutions.  

We are also looking to include elective sessions focusing on J-1 Exchange Visitor Program basics (depending on demand).  We are also excited to announce that we are offering the workshop free of charge for PIER members so we invite you to take advantage of this great opportunity!

Please, RSVP below, registration is required by March 2nd in order to attend.

To register for the workshop click here:  Register now

If are not a Member yet, please click on the link below and sign up:
https://goo.gl/forms/vLuwMao53kVTwTKM2


Location: National University Spectrum Campus
9388 Lightwave Ave. San Diego, CA 92123 campus
9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

If you have any question, please, email PIER at piergroupsd@gmail.com

PIER Meeting / February 2, 2018

The Scripps Research Institute.

3050 Science Park Rd, San Diego, CA 92121

           
2-4PM

*Please contact PIER for directions. Thank you. 

Meeting Agenda

Upcoming PIER meetings:

February 2, 2018 at The Scripps Research Institute.

April 13, 2018 at Grossmont College.

New Professionals Workshop:

March 09, 2018 at National University, Spectrum Campus