b'International Family Thanksgiving (2017) Yon Hall (2021)to be online but their system didntInsurance Advisor. Angrand wenta support unit was realized with the even work properly, said Anderson.on to hold the positions of Seniorlaunch of the International Student We had to manually input thousandsF-1 International Student AdvisorSupport Services unit. Andersons of records and we would often be onin 2008, Assistant Director of F-1journey at UF also came full circle, the phone with their help desk for twoInternational Student Servicesreturning to Yon Hall in the Ben Hill hours trying to get things done. Thein 2011, and as Director of F-1Griffin Stadium as the first director of whole team worked like crazy thoseInternational Student Compliance inthe newly established unit.couple of months. 2020, when Anderson stepped awayIm back at the Stadium, but now I Another individual, who stands outfrom the role to take on the positiondont have to sit in the hallway to be in Andersons mind is Diane Fisher.of International Student Supportlet into my office. I finally have a key As the unit worked overtime toServices. to the building! said Anderson with a ensure UF was in compliance withThroughout the years, Andersonslaugh.immigration regulationswhileresponsibilities also grew providingHaving worked so hard to establish continuing to assist students andsupport in matters of acclimation,the support unit, Anderson struggled departments across campusFisherculture shock, building connectionswith the decision to retire. In the was also dealing with health issues.and getting to know services acrossend, it was former Interim Director As it sadly turned out, Diane had acampus. At one point I asked myself,of Freshman and International terminal disease but despite that, shewhy am I setting up processes andAdmissions Chandra Mitchell, worked until just about one monthprograms for individuals before Iwho helped ease her fears. When before she passed away, recallsknow what those individuals need?Chandra and I met for lunch she said Anderson. Fisher passed away inI had a lot to learn, and the studentsto me, Debby, you must know that October 2003. In 2004, Anderson wasreally taught me a lot, said Anderson.you did the best you could do, that named as Superior AccomplishmentAnderson dedicated herself to offeryou contributed what you could while Awardee. She used the $1,000 awardmuch needed emotional support,you were there and that its going to money to establish the Diane Fisherhelping students to deal with issueschange once you leave. So, when you Scholarship Fund, which provided twooutside academia and, when needed,step away from that position you need $500 scholarships to undergraduatealso serving as a point of contact forto keep going and not look back. And international students. their families during difficult times.thats probably the best advice I got, When I think about the dedicationAndersons goal for a long time wassaid Anderson.our staff put into their work, its clearexactly that, to create a supportWhen asked what she looks forward that these successes are not about me.unit for the international studentto doing after retirement, Anderson We wouldnt have accomplished whatpopulation. A unit that would bementions spending more time with we did without everyone workingseparate from strict regulations andher grandchildren and becoming together, said Anderson. would instead offer emotional support,more active in the community and in Throughout the years as moreneeded resources, and guidance forvarious Gainesville committees. international students enrolled,students as they arrived on campusChange is inevitable, and I think a lot Andersons unit also grew. UFIC alsoand through their stay at UF. has to do with how we approach it, expanded from Grinter Hall to itsThe new unit was initially meantsaid Anderson. But as long as were current location in the Hub. to launch in early 2020, but thestaying true to our values and ethics One of the advisors hired to the newpandemic delayed the launch to July. and were happy, then its all good.position was Martine Angrand,In July 2020, after almost two decadesSource: UF at Work (excerpted) who initially joined UFIC in 2005 asof work, Andersons goal of creatingPatricia Alba, Communications SpecialistGLOBAL ENGAGEMENT REPORT 2021202211'