Written by Julia Swill | October 31, 2025 | SHARE
At the Office of International Students and Scholars, Linnan Tartaglia guides students through their journeys while building bridges of friendship and belonging.
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) is home to a diverse team whose work advances Lehigh University’s global mission in countless ways, from supporting international students and scholars to building worldwide partnerships and programs. In this ongoing Q&A series, we introduce the people behind that work, highlighting staff members across all of OIA's departments and the many ways they help prepare Lehigh students, faculty, and staff to engage meaningfully with the world.
This week, we'll be speaking to Linnan Tartaglia, International Student Advisor at the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS). (See the links at the bottom of this page for past interviews.)
Tell us a little bit about your office within OIA, and what it is that you specifically do?
The Office of International Students and Scholars serves as both a compliance office and a welcoming home for Lehigh’s vibrant international community. Every day, we guide students and scholars through the complexities of maintaining immigration status, support faculty and staff in hosting requirements, and ensure the university remains compliant with federal regulations. But beyond compliance, OISS is about connection: creating spaces where cultural exchange and belonging truly come to life across campus.
As an International Student Advisor, I have the privilege of walking alongside our students as they navigate immigration processes and questions through one-on-one advising, emails, workshops, and orientation sessions. I also lead two programs especially close to my heart: the Global Lehigh Family Friendship Program and the Thanksgiving Host Program. Both bring international students and scholars together with members of the Lehigh community to share stories, traditions, and moments of genuine friendship.
How does your office contribute to Lehigh’s mission of preparing students to engage with the world?
From the moment they decide to leave their home countries, our international students and scholars are already living Lehigh’s mission of global engagement. Choosing to study or conduct research in the United States takes tremendous curiosity, courage, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. With more than 1,000 individuals from over 90 countries, our international community brings the world to Lehigh; enriching classrooms, conversations, and campus life with diverse perspectives and experiences.
At OISS, we help students turn that courage into confidence. We work hand-in-hand with academic advisors to ensure our students’ academic success, help them navigate the responsibilities of maintaining legal status, host the annual International Bazaar, a vibrant celebration of the incredible cultural diversity that makes Lehigh so special, and much more.
Q3: What are you excited about right now - new programs, opportunities, or challenges?
I’m especially excited about the Global Lehigh Family Friendship Program, which we proudly relaunched last year. This initiative pairs newly arrived international students with Lehigh faculty and staff to explore the local area, join family activities, and share cultural experiences. This fall, we kicked off a new round, matching 21 hosts with 28 new students, and I can’t wait to see the stories and memories that emerge from these new bonds.
Looking ahead, I hope to expand the program to include Lehigh alumni and retired faculty and staff, allowing even more newly admitted students to participate. As a former international student, I understand how challenging it can be to adjust to a new culture, but I also know how profoundly rewarding that journey can be. That experience shaped who I am today and fuels my passion to help others find their footing, build connections, and feel at home. This feels like the perfect moment for me to give back and help others embrace their own transformative journeys.
Do you have a favorite story or example that shows the impact of your work?
During a recent meeting with a graduating international student, I noticed she had participated in the Thanksgiving Host Program, which we relaunched for the first time after the pandemic, the same year I joined Lehigh. When I asked about her experience, her face lit up. She told me how welcoming her host family was, how much fun they had talking together, and how there was more food than she could have imagined! It was, in fact, her first time celebrating Thanksgiving in someone’s home, as a senior about to graduate. Hearing how meaningful that experience was for her truly reminded me why I love this work.
Her story also took me back to my own first Thanksgiving in the U.S. For years, I hadn’t experienced what the holiday really meant until friends invited me to their family celebration. I felt seen and included in a way I’ll never forget. It’s what makes the Thanksgiving Host Program so special. It provides our international students and scholars more than a meal; it gives them a sense of belonging and the comforting warmth of family.
What’s one thing you wish more students and faculty knew about your office?
If there’s one thing I wish more students and faculty knew about OISS, it’s that we’re not just about visa paperwork. We’re here to support, connect, and advocate for our international students and scholars every step of the way. From partnering with departments across campus to collaborating with organizations like NAFSA (Association of International Educators), we work to create meaningful experiences and ensure our students thrive both academically and personally.
Personally, I love when someone reaches out with a question, an idea, or a collaboration. OISS is a place where curiosity is welcome, and every conversation can lead to new opportunities for learning, growth, and connection.
Read other stories from our Global Lehigh Q&A series: