Suchavadee (Oui) Ampaichitt

Suchavadee (Oui) is originally from Bangkok, Thailand and came to the United States as an international student. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. Her firsthand experiences as an international student brought her to her current role at ISSS as an International Student Advisor. She is passionate about helping international students, especially in their cultural adjustment to the U.S. Oui enjoys working with students, traveling, and exploring new places, cultures, and food. She is looking forward to meeting you!

Steven Burnett

Steven Burnett has been working in international education for over 11 years; he currently advises F-1 students. Steven enjoys different languages and cultures; he has lived in Taiwan, Japan, and Russia and speaks some Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian. He received his undergraduate degree from the school down south (BYU) where he double-majored in Russian, and European Studies. He earned his Master’s of Library Science from Emporia State University in Kansas. When not at work, Steven enjoys spending time with his family and reading.

Annabel Cho

Annabel Cho joined the International Student & Scholar Services team in September 2014. She graduated from University of Utah with a Master’s degree in Public Administration in 2012. As an International Student Advisor, she advises F-1 students and is involved in International Student Orientation and International Student Ambassador Program. She speaks fluent Korean and English. When not at work, she likes to spend her time with her family at a quiet café or at a park.

Cassandra Clark

Cassandra Clark joined the International Student and Scholar Services team in July of 2016 as an F-1 and J-1 student advisor. She has a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, a Master’s in International Studies, and has worked in international higher education for five years.  When not at work, Cassandra enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and travelling.

Kendra Taylor

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Kendra Taylor joined the University of Utah in October 2015.  She has a Bachelor’s in Political Science, a Master’s in TESOL, and has worked in international education for over five years – in the US and abroad.  Kendra is particularly interested in the languages and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa. She has facilitated several exchange programs from the MENA region, and is constantly inspired by the global changemakers she encounters through her work. When she’s not at the U, she can be found listening to podcasts while trail running in the mountains that surround the scenic Salt Lake Valley.

Alisa Tank

Alisa Tank joined the University of Utah in September 2014 as an advisor for F-1 students. She especially enjoys welcoming new students to campus during orientation weeks. Over the past 10 years, she has contributed to the field of international education in many capacities, including work at two study abroad organizations and an English language school. Outside of the office, she can be found about and about exploring the region’s natural landscapes.
Languages: French, Portuguese.

Danika Borcik

Danika has been working with international students at the University of Utah since 2016. She graduated from the U with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with an emphasis in Foreign Relations and Security. Danika coordinates the International Student Orientation, serves as the International Student Council advisor, and is involved with the International Student Ambassador Program. She loves to travel, and her favorite experience abroad is when she spent a semester teaching English at an elementary school in Suzhou, China.

Stephen Smith

Stephen Smith joined the University of Utah in January 2014 after earning a Master’s in Public Administration from LSU. He has worked in the field of international education for several years, and currently serves as the Lead Advisor, responsible for advising J-1 scholars and F-1 students on federal immigration regulations. Stephen also serves on the Orientation Team, introducing new scholars and students to the university and the programs and resources available to them. At work, he most enjoys helping to scholars and students interpret policy and discover the benefits of their visa type. And when not working, he enjoys golf, traveling, fishing, and snow skiing.

Ethan Webster

Ethan Webster has been with the University of Utah since March 2010. He is a proud alumni of the University of Utah with a double Bachelor ins Political Science and Urban Planning. He is a Student Advisor  and works with the J scholar Team.  When not at work Ethan enjoys spending time with his dog,politics, surfing, eating and cheering on the Utes! 

HyoKy Min

Hyoky is an international student from South Korea. She started her study at the U in 2015. She is currently a junior majoring in Finance at the David Eccles School of Business. She joined working at International Student and Scholar Services in April 2017. She likes working with international students and people from diverse cultures. She speaks Korean and interested in learning Chinese. In her free time, she loves watching drama, movie, and listening to music.

Alexis Baker

Alexis Baker was born and raised in the great state of Utah. She is a Health Promotions major and getting her minor in African American Studies. Other than working as a Peer Advisor for the front desk, Alexis is very involved on campus with being a part of the Black Union Student and a Resident Advisor for Housing.  She enjoys meeting new people and learning new things. In her free time, Alexis loves to keep up to date on current social justice issues and hanging out with her friends.

Camila Castillo

Camila is an International Student from El Salvador. She is currently a sophomore majoring in International Business and Psychology at the U. She loves traveling and learning about new cultures. She admires each culture and its identities. She speaks fluent Spanish and English and is in process of learning French. She loves to help people who need it the most and is constantly volunteering in charities.

Daniel de Andrade Damiani

Daniel was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. He is currently an undergraduate student at the David Eccles School of Business. Daniel speaks Portuguese, English and Spanish, and when he has time, he likes to do things in the outdoors, meet new people and learn new cultures. He also loves playing sports, especially soccer and volleyball, and eating food from around the world. As part of his Utah experience, he is learning how to snowboard and survive through the cold winter of Salt Lake.

Chaise Edebiri

Chaise has worked in the ISSS office since 2014, and loves it! Coming from a Nigerian (Benin City, Edo state) background herself, she thoroughly enjoys meeting students from other cultures and walks of life. She is a Sociology major, and plans to pursue a career in student affairs/education. She can communicate in basic American Sign Language (ASL), and understands most variations of West African Pidgin English. Outside of work and school, Chaise finds joy in traveling, indulging in horror films, and adding to her lipstick collection.

Naserian Montet

Naserian is originally from Kenya, and came to the United States in 2015 to attend college. She speaks three languages. She transferred to the University of Utah in 2017 from SLCC, and is completing a Political Science major and minor in communications. Her dream goal is to go to law school and receive a master’s degree in Immigration law and human rights. She wants to return to Kenya to help refugees that end up there without documents, and help women and children in her hometown in Southern Kenya. She loves meeting new people and learning new things from them, playing games with friends and family, reading, listening to music, trying new foods and travelling (she been to 36 US states since 2015 and she plans to visit the remaining 14 before returning to Kenya at the end of her studies). 

Renan Pereira

Renan was born in Rio, Brazil and is currently studying finance at the David Eccles School of Business. He is a member of both the University’s Finance Club and Emerging Professionals Finance group. He likes to know people from different countries and understand their culture, habits and traditions. When he is not working or studying, he likes to travel with his wife, read, play soccer and watch the World Rally Championship.

Laiyan Bawadeen

Laiyan Bawadeen is half Taiwanese and half Sri-Lankan. Before coming to Salt Lake City, she lived in Lebanon for 14 years, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the Lebanese American University. She is currently doing her Master’s degree in the Clinical and Mental Health Counseling at the University of Utah. Laiyan started her graduate assistantship in our office in Spring 2017.Laiyan is fluent in Chinese, English and Arabic and is currently the President of the International Women’s Association at the University of Utah. During her free time, she likes to cook, bake, play video games and read various novels.