b'International Student Support ServicesT he International Student Support Services (ISSS) office was created in 2020 as a resource center for international students to provide guidance to on-campus services, to assist with managing adjustment matters, to answer questions and inquiries related to campus services and to keep track of the wellbeing of new incoming international students. Debra Anderson is the Director of this new office. Debra has been at UF for 25 years and served as Director of International Students Services for almost 20. To achieve the goals of this much-needed center and to expand services to more students ISSS hired, in April 2021, a part-time assistant, Emily Szymanski, to help with the Social Security process, Facebook management and website design/development. This first year was one of setting and strengthening collaborations with many UF departments, and community partners. Some of these include the Dean of Students Office, Grad School, Honors Office, and in the community, the Social Security Administration, to establish a protocol moving forward. It has also been one of creating new initiatives, such as the mid-term hard hold for all new incoming undergraduate students, as well as working on social media platforms andFrom left: Emily Szymanski and Debra Andersonwebsite presence. During the past 12 months, we have processed overwas provided to UFIC staff taking over the new 600 Social Security packet/appointment requests,incoming international degree seeking Fulbright and provided authorization/oversite for 400 LAC/ students beginning Fall 2021. We worked with the LINKAGE Awards. Over 20 new undergraduateBursar, Graduate School, and several UF departments freshmen and transfer student acclimation check- to troubleshoot funding issues for the Fulbright ups were done through a new pilot program. Fifteenstudents. We also met with department faculty new Fulbright students were onboarded and trainingand department chairs to work out mentor/mentee matters. years MILESTONES walk-in and study hours in the office, and continue 30 INTERNATIONALMoving forward, ISSS plans to establish daily implementing student acclimation check-ups to In 2018, the University of Floridaoffer support and resources. We will possibly go to received the prestigious Senator Paulin-person processing of documents for the Social Simon Award for ComprehensiveSecurity numbers for both students and scholars and Internationalization for its excellencecontinue to seek student input for needed resources in campuswide internationaland support. We will also focus on developing a more programs, curriculum development,centralized process with Dean of Students Office, and international outreach. International Student Compliance Services and International Student Support Resource Services to help make the process more efficient and streamlined.8 |GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT REPORT 2021|Celebrating 30 Years!'