Tara Severino

Tara Severino is the associate director of immigration services in International Student and Scholar Services (I3S) at Western Michigan University. She oversees student matters related to immigration regulations set forth by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. She has over fifteen years of experience serving as an Alternate Responsible Officer for WMU's Exchange Visitor Program and as a Designated School Official through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.  Severino is the primary immigration advisor for all J-1 exchange visitor students and CELCIS F-1 and J-1 students. 

Severino graduated magna cum laude from WMU with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She spent 3 years teaching in the public school systems prior to accepting a position at WMU in 2005. In 2007, she began working in WMU's Haenicke Institute for Global Education and has held various roles within the department before becoming the J-1 immigration advisor in 2011. After working with WMU's international community for many years, she challenged herself to pursue a Masters of Arts in socio-cultural studies of education and graduated with honors again from WMU in December 2014.

Severino is a member of WMU's Administrative Professional Association, Bronco Legislative Network, WMU Alumni Admissions Ambassadors program, Western Wellness, and serves on the Faunce Student Services Emergency Volunteer Team. She has also completed WMU's Behind the W Brand Ambassador Program and is a recipient of the WMU Semi-Annual Make A Difference award. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching courses at WMU, volunteering in the Kalamazoo community, and spending time with her family.