Languages: English, Bengali, Hindi

Languages: English, Jaluo, Swahili

Maya Sarno is thrilled to join Rutgers Global as the Assistant Director of International Student Services. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, she has always had an interest in different cultures. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Butler University in Indiana and studied abroad in Spain. After spending years at different higher education institutions in Texas and Ohio, Sarno eventually moved to New Jersey in order to attend graduate school at Montclair State University, where she ultimately completed her master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Prior to joining the team at Rutgers Global, Sarno had the privilege of advising F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars at Rutgers University – Newark. 

Languages: English, Spanish
 

Carissa McCarthy joined Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services in 2006. She grew up on Long Island, New York, and has always enjoyed learning about different cultures. She received her bachelor's in graphic design communications from Philadelphia University. During her undergraduate studies, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy, for a semester and decided to pursue a career in international education when she returned. She later received her master's degree in intercultural communications from the University of Pennsylvania. McCarthy has also conducted English conversation groups at the International House in Philadelphia.

She is a student adviser for F-1 and J-1 short-term nondegree students.

Languages: English, French, Darija/Moroccan

Languages: English, Spanish

Andrew Bautista is an International Student Advisor at the ISSS. He came to the United States from the Philippines to accompany his parents when his father was attending graduate school. He eventually received a degree in Political Science from Rowan University. While there, he was heavily involved in the international student community, serving in student leadership positions while working at the university’s International Center. These roles inspired him to pursue a career in the field of International Education. Prior to joining the team at Rutgers Global, Andrew advised international students at Rutgers Newark and at the University of Vermont.
 
Languages: English, Filipino
 

Yang You grew up in China and came to the U.S. in 2013 for her Master’s Degree. Her personal experience as an international student inspired her to work in the field of international student support and provide services to help individual students succeed while studying and living in the U.S.
 
Prior to joining Rutgers Global, Yang worked as a language teacher, ESL coordinator, and an international student coordinator/DSO. She is thrilled to bring her personal and professional experiences in international student services to the Rutgers community. 
 
Yang received her Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
Languages: English, Mandarin Chinese
 

Lamar Nero is a Rutgers graduate (B.A. Psychology, Ed.M. Counseling Psychology) with a passion for global and multicultural awareness and a desire to serve students and underrepresented populations. He has recently joined the Rutgers Global-International Students and Scholars team and is looking forward to serving students as well as obtaining insight into the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds. Lamar has studied and traveled to Brazil, Puerto Rico, Germany, and the Dominican Republic.

Languages: Spanish, Portuguese

Chelsea Jeffries has always taken an interest in international affairs and learning about other cultures. Her experiences studying abroad in Costa Rica and teaching English in China inspired her to find more opportunities for travel. Prior to joining Rutgers Global, Chelsea worked with an emergency services company where she assisted expatriates navigate health care systems around the world. She has also worked as an administrative coordinator and DSO for F-1 students.  

Languages: English, Spanish
 

Susan Maldonado joined Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services unit as the front desk adviser in 2006. Born in New Jersey, she grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish, and still has strong family ties to South America. After graduating with a degree in history from Skidmore College, Maldonado returned as an adult to live in Brazil, teaching English and building a small software company together with her husband. After returning to the United States, she lived in New Mexico and has traveled as frequently as possible. Her prior work experience in the private sector provided her with a strong background in customer service and administrative matters, which she is putting to good use at the office.

Languages: English, Portuguese

Eirinn Jones joined the Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services in November of 2006. Born and raised in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Jones attended Rutgers and graduated with a bachelor's in anthropology. Prior to joining the staff, she managed the Busch Campus Center Convenience Store, and also worked for several years as customer service manager and accounting clerk at the Rutgers University Bookstore.

Languages: English, French

Caroline Foga was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and came to the United States in 1990. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Thomas Edison State College. She worked at Middlesex County College prior to joining Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services in December 2008; one of her jobs at Middlesex County College was in international student admissions. Foga is also a licensed real estate agent and a member of the National Association of Realtors.

Languages: English, Spanish

Carol Long joined Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services in February 2004 in a data entry support position and is currently a part-time front desk coordinator/client assistant. During her many years of employment at Rutgers, Long has worked in the central administration as secretarial assistant for the executive assistant to the president for community affairs and for the associate vice president for computer and information services.

Gina Antonatos joined Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services in September 2016. As a child of immigrant parents, she has a solid foundation and love for cross-cultural and international affairs. Prior to her coming aboard at Rutgers, she developed a strong background in customer relations and most recently was employed as a substitute teacher and school secretary for a local public school system. Gina is a graduate of Rutgers with a bachelor's in communications.

Languages: English, Greek, Russian

Carlo Santoro graduated from Rutgers with a bachelor's in Italian and furthered his studies of Italian at Rutgers in the graduate program. Santoro has a very diverse background that includes experience in advertising and public relations, trade promotion, government relations, and business development, among others. Previously, he was the deputy secretary general of Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, Inc. in New York; there, Santoro launched the organization’s successful J-1 Exchange Visitor Trainee Program and was its designated responsible officer, overseeing its implementation, management, and program growth. He was responsible for providing immigration counseling and advice to students and trainees, assuring positive and successful experiences and outcomes. He is also credited with cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with U.S. government agencies—such as USCIS, the State Department, and the Italian embassy and consular office—and with colleagues at other sponsoring organizations and schools to assure the effective functioning of the visa programs.

His career highlights include his role in establishing the US subsidiary of a European renewable energy company where his responsibilities included business development, public relations, and outreach with universities and research institutes. As an independent consultant, Santoro has served clients in diverse fields including immigration law, food and wine industries, manufacturing, import/export, chemicals, and construction.

He advises international faculty and scholars on matters pertaining to J-1 nonimmigrant status.

Languages: English, Italian, French, Spanish

Ruimin Zhang joined Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services in 2013. Her interest in the field of international education began about 23 years ago, when she entered the United States as a visiting professor from China. She holds a bachelor's and a master's in English language and literature from Wuhan University and an educational specialist (Ed.S) degree in bilingual/ bicultural education from Seton Hall University.

Prior to joining Rutgers, Zhang had served for seven years as the senior coordinator of the Office of International Services at the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) advising international students, faculty and scholars on H-1B, J-1, and F-1 matters. She also held the position of assistant director of the International Services Office at George Mason University, also handling similar types of visas, seven years before joining UMDNJ. 

She primarily advises international faculty and scholars on H-1B visas.

Languages: English, Chinese