International Academic Initiatives IIAI) is committed to the academic success of our international students. We have resources, staff, and partnerships with other on-campus offices to help drive this forward.
International Graduate Student Academic Orientation
IAI and the Graduate School collaborate to build an academic orientation at the start of each semester. It helps international students become familiar with academic policies and procedures, provides information about campus resources, and facilitates connections between students and Graduate Program Coordinators (GPCs). These mandatory academic orientations are designed to ease international graduate students into the academic community and foster a sense of belonging.
The Spring 2025 Academic Orientation is on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 9:30am-3pm.
EDFD 530: Foundations of Transcultural/Translingual Education (0 Credits; no tuition costs)
The EDFD 530 course is an incredible resource for new international graduate students of any discipline, and if offered to you with no tuition charges as a 0-credits enrollment. It is taught by Dr. David Schwarzer, Professor, Teaching and Learning, College for Education and Engaged Learning.
EDFD 530 will help you navigate higher education in the U.S. at an advanced level. The course features academic expectations, research practices, faculty/mentor engagement, and so much more. By enrolling, you will equip yourself to navigate your graduate studies expertly, and you will learn about transcultural/translingual education as it exists in a global context. In this course you will analyze the historical, cultural, social, political, legal, and psychological backgrounds of transcultural/translingual education; typology and definitions; programs and practices; legislation and policy; and curriculum affecting culture and language in education. Students with questions about the course can email Dr. David Schwarzer or Sandy Holder, MA., MAHEA
Academic Support from IAI’s Coordinator for International Education
Sandy Holder, MA., MAHEA serves as the Coordinator for International Education. As part of her portfolio she offers academic support and liaison services to degree-seeking International students, mostly graduate students who are new to U.S. academic culture. International students with questions about academic affairs and campus resources are welcome to out to Sandy for support. She attends the EDFD 530 course, and advises via Navigate. Students can email Sandy Holder, MA., MAHEA or book a Navigate appointment here.
A Tale of Two Offices: IAI & Global Engagement
Montclair has undergone changes in the structure of international/global programs, and international students should know where to direct questions and inquiries. International Academic Initiatives (IAI) is a function of the Office of the Provost, and the portfolio of this office does include the academic success of degree-seeking international students. Sandy Holder and the rest of the IAI team are located in Cole 319.
The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) is led by Assistant Vice President Dr. Cristiana Kunyczka. OGE is Montclair’s primary resource of services to all incoming and current F-1 and J-1 visa students. They serve as a liaison with the US Department of Homeland Security to ensure the University and students remain compliant with federal regulations governing student visas. In addition, this office is responsible for recruiting and enrolling degree-seeking F-1 and J-1 international students, planning and hosting comprehensive international graduate student orientations, assisting incoming and current F-1 and J-1 visa students with their immigration-related questions (including issuing the initial documentation needed to apply for a student visa), hosting cultural programming, and supporting J-1 visiting scholars with their immigration process. The office serves as a resource for all faculty and staff who have questions about F-1 and J-1 compliance issues. They are located in Cole 148.
Contact the OGE staff for more information about:
- F-1 or J-1 visa process, immigration status, rules and regulations
- F-1 and J-1 student employment questions, requests, and approvals
- English language proficiency requirements for J-1 exchange visitors
- Programming for international degree-seeking and J-1 visiting students, such as International Education Week, International Friendsgiving, Culture Care and Share, immigration workshops, and other events on campus (some co-sponsored with other offices)
- Departmental presentations on FAQs of international students
International Non-Degree Seeking Exchange Students
IAI also supports inbound exchange students for every aspect of their 1 or 2-semester visit to Montclair except for their visa, which is handled by OGE. Exchange students and Coordinators from partner universities can visit our Inbound Exchange Page to learn more, or email Brooke Klinger, the Program Associate for Inbound Exchange and Campus Engagement, with any questions or concerns. Future exchange students should contact their study abroad coordinator at their home university regarding nominations.