b'INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICESSee you aroundD E B RA AN D E R S O NDebra Andersons last day at UFrole didnt offer much of that, saidworked as Benefits Program Assistant. was May 31, and as she talked aboutAnderson. But Constance ConnieMs. dAssomption later took on the her journey spanning nearly threeWatson, then HR Benefits Specialist,position of International Student decades, it quickly became apparenttook me under her wing and becameAdvisor at UFIC.just how much of it was heavilylike a mentor to me. I realized I wasntThese two connections came full influenced by the staff she met alongjust dealing with insurance; I wascircle in 2000, when Anderson was the way. working with faculty and staff whohired as Co-Director for International Im not a believer in top-downwere struggling to acclimate to aStudent Services at UFIC. Two weeks administration, Im a believer in thenew environment, and I was thereinto the position, however, Andersons foundation up and the staff is theto guide them through the processCo-Director left UF prompting foundation of this campus. So, I wantand to help them. Watson not onlydAssomption to step up as Andersons to make sure we highlight the staff,mentored Anderson, but also createdmentor, guiding her through the said Debra Anderson, former Directora supportive work environmentcomplicated immigration regulations of International Student Supportthat allowed Anderson to thriveand processes she had to learn.Services, as we sat down to talk aboutprofessionally. We were originally five in the unit her 26 years at UF and her plans afterThroughout her four years at HR,and had over 8,000 student records retirement. Anderson also fostered connectionsto manage. Back then we were still Anderson arrived at UF in the springwith various faculty and staff acrosscompleting I-20s and DS-2019s on of 1996. Her first position on campuscampus. Two individuals in particulartypewriters, said Anderson, referring was as Benefits Specialist at the UFstand out to Anderson as havingto her original unit composed of advisor Human Resources office, at that timehelped her reach her latest position.Antoinette dAssomption, Admissions located in Yon Hall in the Ben HillThe first person was Lynn Frazier,Specialists: James Schwartz and Diane Griffin Stadium. Back then, she waswho arrived at UF in 1997 and wentFisher, and Maud Fraser as the front always on campus by 7:30 AM buton to become the Executive Associatedesk receptionist.had to sit in the hallway because theyDirector of the UF InternationalThe events of September 11, wouldnt let her into her office, recallsCenter (UFIC), and the Interim2001, however, brought on a slew Anderson as she reflects on her firstDean years later. Anderson helpedof changes to the small unit. The year on campus. Frazier enroll in benefits when sheU.S. Department of Homeland Andersons job, however, was not thefirst arrived and formed a collegialSecurity launched the Student ideal position she originally had inrelationship throughout the yearsand Exchange Visitor Information mind. To be honest, I cried for theas they crossed paths in differentSystem, in January 2003, which first two months. I really like workinguniversity events and initiatives. Themaintains international student and directly with people, Im orientedother connection was Andersonsexchange visitor information of host that way, and at first, I thought myco-worker and friend Antoinetteinstitutions. They said all schools had dAssomption, who originally 10U F INTER NATIONAL CENTER'