About ISSS

Sherif Barsoum began as the Director of ISSS August 2007. He has been in the field of International Education for over 14 years. A two time graduate of Ohio State University, where he received his Masters degree in Higher Education Administration. He comes to Vanderbilt after 13 years as Assistant Director at the International Office at Ohio State University. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Sherif has lived and traveled to many countries and enjoys meeting people and learning about new cultures. He enjoys conducting Cross-cultural workshops and inter-cultural programming. He is a huge advocate of Study Abroad and of International exchange.

Heather Young started at Vanderbilt University in August 2003. As the Assistant Director of ISSS, she advises students on F and J visas, maintains the ISSS website, and student/scholar database. She is also the financial adviser for the VU Indian Association, African Student Union, and European Student Association. She is the Past Chair of the Tennessee Association of International Educators (TAIE) and as a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators she is also the Tennessee State Representative for NAFSA. Heather was recently awarded a Fulbright Administrators in International Education Scholarship to Germany and Poland for October 2005. She has also traveled to Belize, Jamaica, and Nicaragua. She was previously employed by Western Kentucky University (WKU) as an International Student & Scholar Adviser for three years. She graduated from WKU with a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies and Computer Information Systems.

Marci Angevine joined ISSS as an International Student & Scholar Advisor in August 2005. She advises Vanderbilt students on F and J visas, and well as aiding the director with J-1 scholar advisement. Marci is originally from the Midwest, and got her Bachelor's degree in French and Communications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She completed her Master's degree in Education at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Marci has held positions advising international students at The Institute of International Education in Chicago and Ramapo College of New Jersey, before coming to Vanderbilt. Marci is very interested in the francophone world but loves to learn about all cultures. She has lived in France and traveled throughout Europe. In 2006, she was awarded a Fulbright International Educators Award to Japan and spent three weeks visiting educational institutions all over Japan . She is excited about continually expanding her knowledge of the world. Marci is also a member of NAFSA.

Heather A Jones joined ISSS as an International Student & Scholar Advisor in February 2008. She advises Vanderbilt students on F visas and assists with coordinating the various ISSS programs.  Heather is originally from Ohio, and received her bachelor’s degree in International Business from Michigan State University.  While attending MSU, she studied in Angers, France.  Previously, Heather was an International Student Advisor at Eastern Oregon University for three years, where she also worked with international admissions and study abroad programs.  Heather enjoys meeting and helping students, cooking, and exploring new places.

Radhika Reddy began her new position at ISSS as International Student & Scholar Adviser October 2007. He originally joined ISSS as Administrative Assistant in April 2005. She was previously employed by Nashville State Community College as an Admissions Assistant and enjoys assisting students and performs all administrative duties for ISSS. She was born and brought up in India and moved to the United States in 1999 with her family. She has two children, and enjoys cooking and gardening.

Sara Jacobs is the new Receptionist for the International Suite of the Student Life Center, serving the three offices: ISSS, Study Abroad Programs, and the Office of International Services.  Sara graduated from Milligan College in December 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.  She currently volunteers much of her time to church activities where she is a high school youth sponsor. Sara enjoys scrap booking, dogs and traveling. She has traveled throughout the United Kingdom.