Scholar Advising

ISEO’s Scholar Services advising team supports faculty and scholars who are teaching or conducting research at UC San Diego in J-1, H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1, or non-UC San Diego sponsored OPT/STEM OPT status while employed by UC San Diego. Individuals who remain students at their home institution but come to the United States solely to conduct research at UC San Diego are considered scholars during their time at UC San Diego.

Important Note:

Final Rule regarding Fixed Period of Stay in the U.S.: Please visit our Final Rule on Fixed Period of Stay webpage for the latest updates.

CONTACT US

UPCOMING OFFICE UPDATES:

Monday, September 7 - ISEO will be closed for Labor Day.
Thursday, August 13 – The International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) relocated to the East Wing of the Triton Administrative Services Building, part of the new Triton Center. While our physical office is temporarily closed as we transition to our new space, ISEO remains fully operational online. Our team continues to process all requests and provide virtual advising services without interruption. We remain committed to supporting our international scholars throughout this transition. We will send an announcement through our e-newsletter as soon as our new office is open and ready to welcome visitors in person.

EMAIL: Contact your Advisor

Contact your ISEO Scholar Advisor via Email

Scholar Surname/Family/Last Name	Status	Advisor Name
A - E	J-1 and H-1B	Sandra Vargas Tinoco
F - J	J-1 and H-1B	Christine Sampankanpanich
K - T	J-1 and H-1B	Shellyn Beltran
U - Z	J-1 and H-1B	Nallely Garcia
Faculty H-1B cases hired through a national recruitment	H-1B	Sandra Vargas Tinoco
A - Z	E-3, TN and Other Statuses hired by or working at UC San Diego (B1,WB, EAD cards, OPT or STEM OPT from other institutions who are working at UC San Diego, etc.)	Nallely Garcia
A - Z	O-1	Christine Sampankanpanich
iServices	technical support
General Inquiries

ISEO Scholar Advisors aim to respond to e-mail inquiries within 3 business days. During peak periods, response times may be longer; however, we remain committed to prioritizing emergencies and will address urgent matters as swiftly as possible. If you need help connecting with your scholar advisor, feel free to reach out to us at ischolars@ucsd.edu .

VIRTUAL: Zoom Advising

Schedule a Virtual Advising Apointme with your ISEO Advisor

Scholar advisors are available to assist with questions related to UC San Diego employment, as well as J-1 Exchange Visitor, E-3, H-1B, TN, and O-1 sponsorship. Need to meet with a Scholar Advisor? Schedule a Schedule a Scholar Advising Appointment.

Scholar Surname/Family/Last Name	Status	Advisor Name
A - E	J-1 and H-1B	Sandra Vargas Tinoco
F - J	J-1 and H-1B	Christine Sampankanpanich
K - T	J-1 and H-1B	Shellyn Beltran
U - Z	J-1 and H-1B	Nallely Garcia
Faculty H-1B cases hired through a national recruitment	H-1B	Sandra Vargas Tinoco
A - Z	E-3, TN and Other Statuses hired by or working at UC San Diego (B1,WB, EAD cards, OPT or STEM OPT from other institutions who are working at UC San Diego, etc.)	Nallely Garcia
A - Z	O-1	Christine Sampankanpanich
iServices	technical support
General Inquiries

Scholar Advisors are not Designated School Officials (DSOs) and cannot access student records or process I-20 requests. Current and former UC San Diego students should contact an ISEO Student Advisor for assistance with SEVIS records, I-20s, or request updates, as they will be able to access these records. If your I-20 was not issued by UC San Diego, please contact your program sponsor directly for guidance.

IN-PERSON: Document Pickup and Drop-Off Services

Pickup and Drop-Off Services

If you need to pick up or drop off documents with ISEO, please schedule a pickup or drop-off appointment in advance; this allows us to prepare your documents for pickup or drop-off.

STEP 1:Schedule Your Pickup or Drop-Off Appointment
- Schedule via ISEO Scholar Services Pickup and Drop-Off Appointment Scheduler (waitwhile)
  - Appointments are in 5-minute intervals
  - Arrive on time for your reserved slot
- Pickup/drop-off only, no advising available.
  - For questions, contact your ISEO Scholar Advisor directly

STEP 2: Review the Location
- - Location: Triton Administrative Services Building (corner of Myers Drive and Gilman Drive)
    - Visit Google Maps or UCSD Maps
  - At your scheduled time, you will meet an ISEO Student Worker on the first floor outside the doors of the Triton Administrative Services Building.
    - Please wait outside the doors that indicate Global Initiatives

STEP 3: What to Expect and What to Bring
- Bring any form of ID (required for document release)
- The appointment is meant for a quick visit focused on pickup/drop-off only, you will be assisted by ISEO student workers as such there is no advising during appointment

ISEO Scholar Services Pickup and Drop-Off Location

Meet an ISEO student worker at your scheduled time outside at the Global Initiates doors on the first floor

View of Triton Administrative Services Building Global Initiatives Doors:

View of Triton Administrative Services Building Pathway:

View of Triton Administrative Services Building from Gilman Drive and Myers Drive:

Video of Walking Directions to Global Initiatives (ISEO) from Myers and Gilman Drive:

PHONE: Emergency Contact

BUSINESS HOURS - EMERGENCY PHONE LINE:

AVAILABLE:
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
WHEN TO USE:
- If you have an urgent situation, such as travel issues at the U.S. Port of Entry, or if you or a U.S. government official or law enforcement officer need to speak with an ISEO Advisor.
PHONE NUMBER:
- 858-534-3730

For a true emergency that is related to health or safety, call 911, or the UC San Diego Campus Police at 858-534-4357.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY PHONE LINE:

AVAILABLE:
- After hours and on weekends, university holidays, and during other announced closures.
WHEN TO USE:
- If you have an urgent situation, such as travel issues at the U.S. Port of Entry, and you or a government official or law enforcement officer need to speak with an ISEO Student or Scholar Advisor.
PHONE NUMBER:
- 858-534-4357 (UC San Diego Campus Police)

For a true emergency that is related to health or safety, call 911, or UC San Diego Campus Police at 858-534-4357

PRINTABLE EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD

You can download and print this card, or save it as a digital copy .

The Emergency Contact Card can be printed for your wallet and/or kept with your immigration documents. This card has important phone numbers as well as tips on what to do if you are detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or are arrested by police.