Meet our team
Hello from the Dashew Center team! We are here to support you in your Bruin journey.
Our office is composed by three visa units (J-1,F-1 and E-B), one Administrative unit, and a Programming unit.
Administrative
Sam Nahidi
Director

Caroline Thrailkill
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
cthrailkill@saonet.ucla.edu

Peter Yoon
SEVIS Administrator

Programming
For all Programming email inquiries: intlprograms@saonet.ucla.edu
Jenna Bustamante
Assistant Director of Programs

Rose Merida
Programs Coordinator

Taylor Malcolm
Programs Coordinator

F-1 Student Visa Unit
For all F-1 Student Visa Services, please email inquiries: dcissf1unit@saonet.ucla.edu
Tina Nguyen
Associate Director, Student Visa Services

Clinton Gilliland
International Student Counselor

Eric Schafer
International Student Counselor

Kabee Vue
International Student Counselor

Lori J. Sanchez
International Student Counselor

Sachi Tan
International Student Counselor

Sophia Cui
International Student Counselor

Warren Fahmy
International Student Counselor

Young Choe
International Student Counselor

J-1 Student & Scholar Unit
For all Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) email inquiries: dcissj1unit@saonet.ucla.edu
Tony Coelho
Associate Director, Exchange Visitor Programs

Helen Martinez
Exchange Visitor (J-1) Counselor

Shane Levites
Exchange Visitor (J-1) Counselor

Jimfong Chu
Exchange Visitor (J-1) Advisor

Employment-Based Visa Unit
Sylvia Ottemoeller
Assistant Director, Employment Based Visa Services
sottemoe@saonet.ucla.edu

Niño Abueg
Employment-Based Visa Advisor
nabueg@saonet.ucla.edu

Gege Zhang
Employment-Based Visa Advisor

Case Management Services
Hillary Thomas
CRTeam@ucla.edu
