Deborah McLeod Vasquez
Fayetteville,North Carolina
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Director
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
01.2022 - Current
- Responsible for the overall effective operation of the International Education Department
- Perform as the chief foreign affairs officer of FSU
- Provide leadership and direction for FSU’s Office of International Education
- Serve as the major contact person for all of FSU’s international and exchange partners
- Handle all duties of the university’s chief protocol officer for foreign visitors as well as for representatives of government, professional, and community organizations in activities related to international education and global engagement
- Supervise the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program
- Understand current US immigration regulations as they pertain to international students and visitors
- Serve as FSU’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) to supervise the FSU’s US Immigration Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
- Supervise the office in issuing I-20s
- Supervise entering, maintaining, and updating all international students’ and visitors’ information in the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
- Supervise office in reviewing and approving international students’ and visitors’ working applications and permissions such as CPT and OPT
- Visit and communicate with foreign institutions/organizations officials for establishing partnerships between FSU and these institutions/organizations
- Negotiate educational agreements and create strategic linkages with foreign institutions/organizations
- Lead and work with other FSU units to initiate and approve drafts of all partnership agreements and MOUs
- Update and implement policies/procedures for International Education
- Supervise recruitment of international students
- Manage the Office of International Education budgets
- Work closely with faculty, deans, and the other FSU units to facilitate interdisciplinary and cross-college collaborations in global education and study abroad
- Develop and facilitate significant growth in study abroad opportunities for FSU students around the world
- Provide leadership to faculty and deans in the creation of short-term faculty-led study abroad programs and international initiatives
- Review faculty-lead study abroad program proposals submitted by faculty and approved by department chairs and deans and determine whether to financially support the proposed programs
- Provide leadership for grant and contract applications, for example Title III
- Serve on various university-wide committees, as well as on extra-university groups, for the purpose of representing the interests of international education and promoting the international ethos of the university
- Encourage, develop, and oversee special events of an international nature that promote international awareness and global engagement at FSU
- Perform as Title III Activity Manager for Internationalization of Education to strengthen academic support.
Doctoral Student Internship
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, NC
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Worked closely with the Director of the Office of International Affairs
- Attended weekly meetings via Zoom while observing, shadowing, and being mentored by the Director
- Met with other divisions at NC A&T that collaborate with Office of international Affairs
- Introduced new programs to FSU such as the Gilman Study Abroad Scholarship Reader Program and the Project GO program.
International Student Advisor/Study Abroad Advisor
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
01.2009 - 01.2021
- Served two groups of students
- Served FSU outgoing students planning and preparing to study abroad and served incoming International Students preparing to study at FSU
- Assisted with up-dating students’ status in a federal Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
- Managed and updated all the international students’ files with SEVIS
- Assisted with processing all I-20s for international students
- Created and developed informational materials related to the International Education Center such as the Study Abroad Handbook, International Student Handbook, and the FLTA Handbook
- Managed up-dating students’ status in SEVIS
- Serve as Designated School Official (DSO)
- Proficient with SEVIS Database
- Advised and explained admissions process to visitors and prospect students
- Proficient with immigration rules and regulations in terms of F-1 VISAs
- Interfaced with the U.S
- Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, and ICE
- Processed and managed SEVIS files for J-1 VISAs for students
- Processed DS-2019 for Visiting Exchange Scholars
- Served as the ARO
- Advised international students with career preparation
- Prepare resumes for international students participating in CPT (Curriculum Practical Training) and OPT (Optional Practical Training)
- Assisted with the overall operation of the Office of International Education and participated in departmental events
- Assisted with projects and programs with the FSU Honors Program
- Annually collaborated with Honors Programs as we planned and organized campus events such as Global Awareness Day, International Student Mixer, and the Welcome and the Farewell Ceremonies
- Assist international students and visitors in complying with government U.S
- Department of Homeland Security Managed and prepared justifications for travel for FLTAs utilizing Title III funds
- Planned all activities for organizations to advertise their study abroad programs
- Assisted students with applying for Social Security Cards at Social Security Administration Office
- Transported students to Health Department for Immunizations
- Assisted international students with housing issues
- Transported FLTAs to Tarboro Elementary School and Tarboro High School as FLTAs conducted presentations during National International Week
- Worked closely and collaborated with undergraduate and graduate admissions offices to include the MBA admissions
- Work closely with FSU Residence Life
- Worked closely with Faculty from the Department of English, Department of Computer Science and Math, Department of Communication, Languages and Cultures, and other departments
- Experienced in working with international students from India, Egypt, China, Jamaica, Nigeria, Jordan, Guinea, Kenya, Tunisia, Kuwait, Russia, and The Bahamas
- Assisted with programs such as UGRADS and CBYX students
- Issued and managed health insurance for J-1 Visiting Exchange Scholars
- Managed insurance for students studying abroad
- Provided information to faculty and staff concerning federal laws regarding international students
- Founded two clubs on campus for international students to include Communication Partners and International Students Association
- International Students Association participate in FSU Homecoming Parade and Mr
- And Miss International participate in FSU Homecoming Coronation and parade
- Assisted international students with settling in housing
- Managed airport pickup for all international students and FLTAs
- Provided travel to airport for international students and FLTAs as they depart
- Attended annual NAFSA conferences to maintain knowledge of Immigration laws and regulations for Professional Development
- Co-presented on the topic “Globalization at a HBCU” at NAFSA Regional Conference in New Orleans
- Supported and advocated for international students in resolving international student issues
- Reviewed international students’ applications and transcripts from partner universities and calculated GPAs
- Counseled and advised prospective students of federal laws that international students must adhere
- Conduct new international student orientation
- Helped international students become familiar with American culture
- Advised students on career, academic, and future goals/plans
- Advised prospective international students on admissions requirements
- Maintained students’ records in several databases to include paper files
- Prepare reports for Title III
- Planned and organized monthly study abroad info sessions
- Advised students regarding study abroad programs
- Conducted departure seminars for those students studying abroad
- Developed and implemented educational abroad opportunities
- Planned and organized FSU 1st and 2nd Study Abroad Fair
- Provided all marketing for study abroad programs
- Responsible for classroom visitation promoting Study Abroad
- Worked closely with key offices on campus such as Registrar’s office, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Academic Advisors regarding study abroad
- Assisted students through the study abroad application process
- Participated in Risk Management meetings
- Maintained a study abroad data base and prepare all reports for annual Open Door Surveys
- Planned, organized, and coordinated cultural immersion events and activities for FSU campus
- Created and developed the recruiting/application package for marketing and recruiting new international students
- Planned and organized monthly trips for international students and Fulbright FLTAs
- Transported international students and FLTAs on annual cultural trips to Disney World during spring break, Carowinds, Myrtle Beach, Biltmore House, Cumberland County Fair, Blue Ridge Mountains, shopping outlets, Fayetteville City’s International Folk Festival, Fayetteville City’s Zombie Walk and other educational enrichment places to immerse them into America’s culture.
Education
Ed. D. Educational Leadership in Higher Education -
Fayetteville State University
05.2023
M.A. Counseling/Human Services -
Liberty University
05.2004
B.A. Public Administration -
North Carolina Central University
05.1993
Skills
- Leadership and management
- International education and global engagement
- Partnership development and negotiation
- Study abroad program development and management
- Immigration regulations and SEVIS
- International student advising
- Cross-cultural communication
- Event planning and coordination
- Budget management
- Grant and contract applications
- Academic support and Title III activities
- Career counseling and planning
- Resume writing and interview preparation
- Job placement and on-campus recruitment
- Workshop facilitation and training
- Strong interest and career assessment tests
Timeline
Interim Director
Fayetteville State University
01.2022 - Current
Doctoral Student Internship
North Carolina A&T State University
01.2020 - 01.2021
International Student Advisor/Study Abroad Advisor
Fayetteville State University
01.2009 - 01.2021
Ed. D. Educational Leadership in Higher Education -
Fayetteville State University
M.A. Counseling/Human Services -
Liberty University
B.A. Public Administration -
North Carolina Central University