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The Office of International Students & Scholars is delighted to have formed the inaugural International Student Advisory Board! Read below to learn more about how this outstanding group will make a difference for international students at Lehigh.

What is the International Student Advisory Board?

The purpose of the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) is to support the international student experience at Lehigh by providing feedback and making recommendations to the Office of International Students and Scholars. The Board serves as a consultative body (like an ongoing focus group). The Board enhances the international student experience by helping OISS provide the most effective programs and services to Lehigh’s international community.  This is accomplished by reviewing and providing feedback on support services, discussing ways to increase opportunities for meaningful engagement with U.S. students, and exploring strategies to increase the sense of belonging at the University.

ISAB will be a key advocate for international students on campus. The Board will work with the OISS Director and other OISS staff, and will also have the opportunity to provide feedback for programming including, but not limited to social programming, orientation programming, immigration support, and website improvements.  ISAB members will be expected to think critically, ask thoughtful questions, engage in dialogue, work across cultures and contribute to advocacy efforts.

Initiatives

The International Student Advisory Board will co-sponsor an International Student Town Hall once per semester on a timely topic.  The Office of International Students & Scholars will serve as a regular co-sponsor, and other offices will be invited to co-sponsor based on the selected topic.  

The inaugural International Student Town Hall will take place on Monday, October 28 in Whitaker Auditorium (room 303) at 6:30 PM.  The topic will be civic engagement as an international student (and how you fit into the democratic process).  Panelists include Dr. Nathan Urban (Provost), Dr. Cheryl Matherly (VP of International Affairs), and Dr. Brian Fife (Chair of the Department of Political Science), along with other senior leaders.  Pre-registration is encouraged (but not required).  Students can submit a question for the panel prior to the town hall.  We will also take questions during the meeting.

Membership

ISAB membership is open to all international students and students who are served by the Office of International Students & Scholars.  This includes students on F-1 or J-1 visas or those who have lived outside of the United States for a substantial period of time prior to coming to Lehigh.     

OISS seeks a board composed of undergraduate and graduate international students that is highly diverse and broadly representative of the University’s international student body. 

 

Responsibilities

ISAB members are expected to attend meetings, share their questions, concerns and ideas, and then communicate with their fellow students about ISAB’s role at Lehigh.  Regular participation in the board’s activities is essential and expected in order to be effective.  

Members are expected to serve one year terms.  Members may apply to return for succeeding years. 

 

Meetings

The OISS Director will facilitate ISAB meetings, which are held bi-weekly throughout the academic year.  During the 2024-25 academic year, meetings will be held every other Monday evening beginning on Monday, September 9. Meetings will take place from 5:30 - 7:00 PM and dinner will be provided. Other OISS staff, students and representatives from the university may be invited as guests to meetings.  

During the inaugural year of ISAB, members will finalize the desired leadership structure and vote on leadership positions at the last meeting of the fall semester.   

Apply to be an ISAB Member!

Applications for the 2024-25 International Student Advisoy Board are now closed.  Applications will open in November for a small number of students who matriculated in Fall 2024.  Applications for the 2025-26 Academic Year will open towards the end of the Spring 2024 semester.

Questions? Contact Amanda Connolly at amc621@lehigh.edu.