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

Sam Nahidi

Caroline Thrailkill

Marketing & Communications Coordinator
cthrailkill@saonet.ucla.edu

Caroline staff photo

Peter Yoon

SEVIS Administrator

SEVIS Administrator

Programming

For all Programming email inquiries: intlprograms@saonet.ucla.edu

Jenna Bustamante

Assistant Director of Programs

Jenna

Rose Merida

Programs Coordinator

Rose Merida

Elizabeth Vargas

Programs Coordinator

Elizabeth

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

Tina Nguyen

Clinton Gilliland

International Student Counselor

Clinton

Eric Schafer

International Student Counselor

Eric Schafer

Kabee Vue

International Student Counselor

Kabee Vue

Lori J. Sanchez

International Student Counselor

Lori Sanchez

Sachi Tan

International Student Counselor

F-1 Student Counselor

Sophia Cui

International Student Counselor

Sophia Cui

Warren Fahmy

International Student Counselor

Warren

Young Choe

International Student Counselor

Young Choe

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

Tony Coelho

Helen Martinez

Exchange Visitor (J-1) Counselor

Helen

Shane Levites

Exchange Visitor (J-1) Counselor

Shane Levites

Jimfong Chu

Exchange Visitor (J-1) Advisor

Jim Chu

Employment-Based Visa Unit

Sylvia Ottemoeller

Assistant Director, Employment Based Visa Services
sottemoe@saonet.ucla.edu

Sylvia

Niño Abueg

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

Nino

Gege Zhang

Employment-Based Visa Advisor

Gege

Case Management Services

Hillary Thomas

CRTeam@ucla.edu

Hillary