Full-service immigration team supports global engagement

Helping international students and scholars navigate the necessary United States immigration law and visa processes to welcome them to Kalamazoo and Western Michigan University is the focus of WMU’s Immigration Services office.

Lee Ryder, WMU immigration officer, provides leadership to WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education to develop and maintain a dynamic, intercultural environment by facilitating the presence of international students, scholars, faculty and staff on campus through immigration and visa sponsorship. The Immigration Services staff includes two immigration advisors, Debbie Uldriks and Tara Severino, and a coordinator of immigration records, Shona Drake. Additionally, Kim Cho, an international student admissions counselor, is responsible for providing immigration advice and services to students in WMU’s ESL program, the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students.

“Whether you are a student or a scholar, throughout your entire time at WMU, a highly-competent advisor who is trained in servicing your specific visa type will be available to you,” says Ryder, who holds a Juris Doctor degree from Cooley Law School. “We offer walk-in advising three afternoons each week, in addition to individual one-hour appointments with an advisor.”

The Immigration Services staff advises internationals coming to WMU on U.S. visa application processes, maintenance of legal immigration status, and immigration advice to college offices and departments that admit, host, sponsor or work with internationals. Additionally, Ryder’s unit is responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with government regulations relating to the admission or hiring of internationals, including management of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System data tracking and reporting.

“We are experiencing an increasing interest from scholars to come to WMU for research, collaboration and employment within sponsoring departments,” she said. “These people often run into roadblocks because of complicated immigration regulations when they want to come to WMU to study, research or accept employment. My office helps people find the appropriate solutions for these objectives.”

With nearly 1,600 international students on campus, Ryder’s team spends much time advising students coming to the United States on J-1 and F-1 visas, which have some available provisions for limited work authorization. Two major options for these visa types are Curricular Practical Training, which is typically an internship related to the field of study, or Optional Practical Training for work authorization post-graduation. Immigration Services staff help international students understand these opportunities through CPT and OPT workshops held several times each semester.

An employment workshop for international students that Ryder co-hosts each semester with WMU’s Career and Student Employment Services office provides a comprehensive overview of all options and introduces students to employment-seeking assistance available on campus.

“We guide students through the process to obtain practical training and to gain experience in their relevant specialty field,” she said. “We work in conjunction with WMU’s career office to serve and promote international students seeking internship opportunities in the community, both while they are studying at WMU and for a certain duration after graduation. We utilize various lawful benefits to assist students to work in related internships and jobs.”

Ryder was hired by WMU in October 2008 for the position of immigration officer, through which she serves as both the Responsible Officer for the WMU Exchange Visitor Program designated by the U.S. Department of State, and as the Principal Designated School Official for WMU, a university certified by the U.S. Student and Exchange Visitor Program to enroll international students. She holds a law license and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the State Bar of Michigan and, in 2012, was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. She said her interest in immigration developed in college.

“I had a genuine interest in diversity and different cultures," she said. "I became interested in immigration while in law school, so I studied immigration law. I followed that passion to the position at WMU.”

Immigration Services is conveniently located in Ellsworth Hall with all functional units of the Haenicke Institute, including International Admissions and Services, CELCIS and Study Abroad.