Helping institutions build the next generation of international student and scholar services.
Helping institutions build the next generation of international student and scholar services.
International student and scholar services have never been more important or more complex. Today’s ISSS offices are expected to do far more than ensure immigration compliance. They play a central role in supporting student success, advancing institutional internationalization, managing risk, fostering belonging, and helping institutions compete for global talent in an increasingly dynamic environment.
At the same time, ISSS professionals are navigating evolving federal guidance, changing global enrollment patterns, increased regulatory scrutiny, and growing expectations for student support and institutional accountability. As the landscape continues to evolve, institutions need ISSS offices that are agile, strategic, and prepared to meet both today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Gateway partners with colleges and universities to build the next generation of international student and scholar services. Whether your institution is navigating regulatory change, strengthening operations, addressing staffing shortages, or preparing for future growth, our experienced team delivers practical, forward-thinking solutions grounded in decades of professional experience.
Through On-Demand Staffing Services, On-Call Advisory Services, and customized training and professional development, Gateway helps institutions strengthen compliance, improve operational effectiveness, support student success, and position their ISSS offices as strategic contributors to institutional success. Our approach is practical, responsive, and tailored to the unique needs of each institution.
Your source for experienced Designated School Officials (DSOs) and Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs).
Gateway’s On-Demand Staffing Services offers an expedient and compliant way for institutions seeking ISSS support during transitions, seasonal surges, or anticipated staffing fluctuations. Our highly trained and experienced associates deploy quickly to support SEVIS integrity, manage immigration casework, and ensure consistent service delivery during transitions, leaves, audits, or peak demand periods exactly when stability matters most.
Every engagement is overseen by a senior ISSS professional to ensure alignment with federal regulations and institutional priorities. Engagements are typically remote and scalable, ranging from a few hours per week to full-time temporary placements providing institutions with flexible support while maintaining full regulatory integrity.
Expert guidance on demand—strategic insight, regulatory clarity, and trusted support whenever you need it.
Gateway’s On-Call Advisory Services provide institutions and organizations with direct access to a dedicated Senior ISSS Associate who serves as an ongoing advisor, offering expert consultation, strategic guidance, and peer support as needs arise. Through a flexible hourly retainer, clients gain access to experienced international education professionals without the expense of hiring additional staff or engaging in a large consulting project.
Whether navigating a complex immigration issue, developing a new international initiative, responding to an emerging challenge, reviewing policies, or simply seeking a second opinion, your assigned associate is only a phone call or email away. Flexible, responsive, and tailored to your institution’s unique needs, On-Call Advisory Services deliver trusted expertise precisely when you need it.
Building the knowledge, skills, and leadership for next-generation ISSS.
Gateway provides customized training and professional development on virtually every aspect of international student and scholar services. Delivered on-site or virtually, our programs are tailored to each institution’s needs and range from practical “how-to” workshops on SEVIS certification and compliance, immigration fundamentals, and employment-based petitions to advanced topics in ISSS leadership and operations.
Drawing on the expertise of seasoned ISSS practitioners, Gateway also offers next-generation programs on emerging technologies, the international student lifecycle, inclusive practices, student success, and the evolving role of international student and scholar services. Our training equips professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate today’s complex and rapidly changing landscape.
“Partnering with Gateway International Group has allowed my institution to maintain high quality advising in ISSS. Our international students and scholars have been served very well by expert professionals and consulting services tailored to meet our needs.”
President, Regis University (Associate Provost for Global and Community Engagement, Loyola University Chicago)
“Gateway sourced highly-experienced Education Abroad professionals who provided immediate support, ultimately
allowing our team to maintain our regular work cycle. Together, with Gateway’s expertise we were able to navigate a
critical time in our faculty-directed abroad program development phase without delaying our team’s overall progress.
This support, in turn, allowed me to focus on building and training my permanent staff.”
Former Director, Programs Abroad Office
Executive Director | Center for International Education Services
Gateway’s team includes former Senior International Officers, Directors of International Student and Scholar Services, Principal Designated School Officials, immigration specialists, and nationally recognized leaders in international education. Collectively, our consultants bring decades of experience serving public and private institutions of every size, helping colleges and universities strengthen compliance, improve operations, support student success, and build resilient ISSS offices for the future.
With over 25 years in international higher education, Mr. David Clubb is a well-respected leader in international education …
Read More Ms. Elizabeth Leibach has an extensive background in international admissions …
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Julie has worked in the field of international education for over 15 years …
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Ravi Ammigan, Associate Provost for International Programs at the University of Delaware, leads internationalization …
Read More Shannon Bedo is Director of International Student Services at Houston Christian University, leading recruiting, admissions …
Read MoreGateway has developed a growing collection of free resources to support professionals working in international student and scholar services. From regulatory guidance and compliance tools to best practices, webinars, and practical resources, our materials are designed to help institutions strengthen operations, support international students and scholars, and navigate the evolving landscape of international higher education with confidence.
NAFSA is an association dedicated to international education and exchange, working to advance policies and practices that ensure a more interconnected, peaceful world today and for generations to come.
A comprehensive resource center providing timely immigration guidance, regulatory updates, and practical support for international students, scholars, and the professionals who serve them.
AILA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, voluntary bar association that provides continuing legal education, professional services, information, and expertise to more than 18,000 attorneys who practice and teach immigration law.
Whether your institution is addressing an immediate operational challenge or planning for the future, Gateway provides the expertise, flexibility, and trusted partnership to help your ISSS office succeed. We would welcome the opportunity to learn about your institution’s goals and discuss how we can help.
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.