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International Student and Scholar Services
University of Mississippi

About us

 

Jean Robinson — DirectorJean at desk

  • Jean hails from New Orleans, Louisiana. She joined the office in 1991 (first as a student worker) and is a graduate of the University of Mississippi, having earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
  • Jean serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO) and has been a trainer in the field of international student, faculty and staff advising at the regional and national levels with the Association of International Educators’ Trainer Corps (NAFSA), the International Student and Scholar Services representative for NAFSA Region VII, a board member of StudyMississippi, and the International Student Services Representative for the Mississippi Association of International Educators (MAIE)
  • For fun? Jean relishes her time with family, tending her organic garden, knitting, baking and making vegetarian food.
  • On the “bucket list”? Learn how to play the guitar.

Oana Najjar – Assistant Director

  • Oana Najjar - International Faculty and Scholar AdvisorOana (pronounced Wa-nah) is originally from Iasi, Romania. She lived in Belgium for an extended period of time before moving, in 2004, to the US. She has earned degrees in 3 different educational systems: Eastern European (Romania), Western European (Belgium) and US. During her undergraduate and graduate studies, she has traveled across multiple destinations in Europe and Middle East.
  • She joined the office of International Student and Scholar Services in July 2021, after 9+ years spent at another entity at the University of Mississippi.
  • She assists scholars, UM staff and faculty members with federal regulatory compliance and advisory services related to employment and relocation to the USA. She serves as Designated School Official (DSO) with U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as liaison with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) with U.S. Department of State. She is an advocate for the university international community and assists with educational and social programs in order to facilitate appropriate cultural adjustments for the UM international groups.
  • For fun? Traveling with her family, gardening, biking and spending time outdoors.
  • Bucket list: Be among the audience for the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert.

Kay Tyler — International AdmissionsKay Tyler

  • Kay grew up in Conway, Arkansas and joined the Office of International Programs more than 30 years ago. She is a graduate of Hendrix College where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.
  • Kay’s expertise at the Office of International Programs lies in the assessment of foreign academic credentials to their U.S. equivalence, and in assisting international students through the application processes and procedures.
  • For fun? Playing bridge, baking bread, and spending time with her five grandchildren.
  • On the “bucket list”? Meet with a student from every country in the world!Photo by Nathan Latil

Donna Chappell — International Admissions Coordinator

  • Donna is a graduate of The University of Mississippi, and earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems in 1991.
  • Donna joined the staff of International Programs in August of 2005, bringing 14 years of university IT experience with her!
  • For fun? Donna enjoys international cuisines, including Vietnamese lemongrass chicken and spring rolls; Chinese dim sum, and a variety of dishes from India.
  • On the “bucket list”? Spend more time with her whole family, including her two wonderful daughters and three grandchildren.

Christy Bray Jones — Administrative Coordinator I

  • Christy is a native of Oxford, Mississippi. She joined the Office of International programs in 2015, bringing five years of Admissions experience.
  • Christy graduated in 1998 from The University of Mississippi earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology with a minor in History.
  • For fun? Christy loves spending time with her family and friends, travel, cooking/baking and photography.
  • On the “bucket list”? Christy would like to travel the world.

Emma Scott — International Student Advisor

  • Emma was raised in Oxford, Mississippi, where she also graduated from The University of Mississippi in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in International Studies.
  • Emma returned to Oxford to join the office of International Student and Scholar Services in August 2022, after working briefly in Boston, MA, and South Korea.
  • For fun? Reading historical fiction novels, kayaking, and spending time with friends and family.
  • On the “bucket list”? Take a road trip across the country with friends!

Shuang Cheng – International Scholar Advisor

  • Shuang ([’ʃuaŋ]) is originally from Zhejiang, China. She received her degrees from China (BA, MA) and the US (MA, PhD) in linguistics and applied linguistics. She also has working/teaching experiences in China, Thailand, and the US. She joined the ISSS in July 2023.
  • She works as an international scholar and faculty advisor, providing assistance to scholars and faculties with federal regulatory compliance and advisory services pertaining to their employment and relocation to the USA.
  • For fun? Learning and studying languages; exploring beautiful places and savoring tasty food in the US, China, and Europe; spending quality time with families and friends.
  • On the “bucket list”? Go to/see the following places: Çatalhöyük, Machu Picchu, Serengeti National Park, Aurora in Iceland, Travel along the Silk Road, Antarctica.