UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS), a part of Global Affairs, welcomes Andrew Shiotani as director of SISS. He will oversee the unit’s student and scholar advising teams and collaborate with colleagues on current and future programs and events to serve the needs of UC Davis’s international students, faculty, researchers and staff. He will also serve as a liaison between campus partners and draw on his ample industry knowledge and connections to help address current challenges and future issues. 

“We are pleased to welcome Andrew to Global Affairs and look forward to his leadership and insight in the years ahead. He brings not only his knowledge and experience but also his passion for creating a welcoming and supportive environment for international students and scholars,” said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs. “Andrew has an experienced, committed and compassionate professional team surrounding him in SISS. They have a major impact on thousands of international students and scholars, who in turn have a tremendous influence on our campus community and culture.” 

Shiotani has more than 25 years of experience in international student and scholar services, most recently serving as the director of the International Center at Tufts University. He has also held positions at Columbia University, New York University, Seattle University and the University of Oregon. Born in Okinawa, Japan to a Hawaii-based family, Shiotani holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign service from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in East Asian regional studies from Harvard University, and an MPhil in comparative education from Teachers College, Columbia University. 

“I’m tremendously excited to be joining an extraordinarily committed and skilled SISS team whose dedication to UC Davis’s international community is obvious. And I very much look forward to working alongside them–as well as other colleagues in Global Affairs–to advance the aims of global engagement and international education across our campus,” said Shiotani.

SISS serves more than 10,000 international students, faculty and researchers and their accompanying family members who come to UC Davis each year. The unit prepares the necessary documents for visa application, assists international students and scholars in maintaining their legal status while in the United States, and advises them on visa and immigration-related matters. SISS fosters a welcoming environment for international students and scholars and offers opportunities to connect with UC Davis to find community in their home away from home. SISS hosts orientation, events, networking and connection opportunities, programs and offers referrals and resources for matters from financial and personal to cultural and practical. 

Shiotani will take over for Simone Kueltz, associate director of international scholar services, who has served as the interim director since Wesley Young retired in June after 20 years in the position. 

“My sincere thanks to Simone for her outstanding work in this critical role, as well as the entire SISS team for taking on additional responsibilities as we worked to fill the director position,” Regulska said.