Meet our International Student Advising Team

International Student Advisers are here to advise international students on immigration, personal, social, and cultural matters during their time here at UC Berkeley. We are here to serve as advocates to the university community and to help connect students to the correct resources around the community. We are also here to help university faculty and staff best serve our international student population. Learn more about us below!

How to Contact Us

Email your general questions to internationaloffice@berkeley.edu. An adviser will respond within 3 business days.
See the BIO Student Services page for current advising and appointment scheduling.
Call us at 510-642-2818 for quick questions.

Name	About Me	Liaison Units
Erin Skelly Assistant Director for Student Services Pronouns: she/her	I started at BIO in July 2012 and I am from Fort Walton Beach, FL. I speak English, German, and Dutch, and I can talk about food or directions in Japanese and Korean. I have visited Mexico, the Bahamas, the Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Denmark, Belgium, Japan, Thailand and China. I have studied in the Netherlands and Germany, and I have lived in the Republic of Korea. The experience of coming from an international family background, and having studied, lived, and traveled in different countries has been one of the primary shapers of my life. I feel lucky to have a job that I love, and one which enables me to continue being a part of a global community. Also, as a Floridian, I am grateful every day for the glorious Bay Area weather and the opportunities to explore the State of California's gorgeous landscapes. I received my M.A. in Philosophy from Florida State University, and my B.A in Religion from New College of Florida. Professionally, my interests are in mental health and counseling, crisis management, academic integrity, intercultural communication and engagement, and gender/LGBTQ+ issues. Personally, I love knitting, yoga, analytic and continental philosophy, weird movies, feminist science fiction, and watching live bands. And cats. I really love cats.	Basic Needs Berkeley Journalism Berkeley Law Cal Student Central College of Engineering Disabled Students' Program (DSP) Goldman School of Public Policy Graduate Assembly Graduate Division Haas School of Business Office of Student Conduct Student Advocate Office Student Ombuds Office Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Student Legal Services Students of Concern Committee UC Extension University Health Services
Amy Chin-Pokhrel Customer Relations Manager Pronouns: she/her	I started at BIO in May 2017. I’m originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and have been in the United States since 2006. I first came over as an international student to pursue my undergraduate and graduate studies in Minnesota. During my time as a student, I obtained on-campus employment with event operations in the student union. It was this opportunity that connected me with students from all over the world and made me realize that I was really interested in cross-cultural exchange. Upon completion of the program, I changed career paths and pursued another graduate degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Iowa. I love to travel and see new sights, experience new cultures, try different food and connect with locals. I have traveled to Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, England, S. Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Within the US, I have lived in Minnesota, Iowa, Hawaii, and finally California. Professionally, I am interested in intercultural communication, multiculturalism, and international student adjustment. I feel like I can connect with and help other international students as I was once in their shoes. I am excited to be at CAL and look forward to meeting you!	Athletics Berkeley Study Abroad Cal Dining UCEAP Office Undergraduate Admissions
Anna McCreedy International Student Adviser Communications Coordinator Pronouns: she/her	I started at BIO in June 2017 and am from Medford, Oregon. I speak English, conversational Mandarin Chinese and a little German, and have lived in Sichuan, China for over a year. I've traveled to Vietnam, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and Ireland. I completed my undergraduate degree at Colorado College with a BA in international political economy, and later pursued a master's degree in international education management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. I'm very passionate about international education, and am so lucky to be able to work in a field that involves the sharing of knowledge and cultures. Within international education, I am particularly interested in the areas of mental health support, intercultural exchange, and campus internationalization. Personally, I am interested in rafting, hiking, and playing with my dog. Come drop by BIO to say hi!	ASUC Berkeley International Student Program Housing New Student Services Parent Student Center Re-Entry Student Program RSF Summer Sessions Transfer Student Center
Katherine Greco International Student Adviser Pronouns: she/her	Nice to meet you! I began working at BIO in September 2018. I was raised in Dallas, Texas and have since lived in several cities across the US. I speak conversational Japanese and have studied Spanish, French, Middle English and Ancient Greek. After college, I spent two years teaching English in Shizuoka, Japan. After that, I returned to the US and taught English and ESL to high school and adult students. The most rewarding part of those years was working with international and immigrant students to support them both in the classroom and in the wider world. Little by little I transitioned out of the classroom and began working in student services to guide students through housing, college placement and visa issues. Within the field of international education, I am particularly interested in inter-cultural communication, identity formation and student adjustment. It is a pleasure to work for Berkeley’s international students, and I look forward to meeting you soon.	Berkeley Connect Career Counseling Library College of Chemistry College of Engineering College of Environmental Design College of Natural Resources College of Letters & Science Counseling & Psychological Services Office of Undergraduate Education Student Learning Center UHS Medical Withdrawal Committee University Village
Sage Erbez-Benson International Student Adviser Pronouns: she/her	Hi, everyone! I started working at BIO in February 2022. I grew up in New Mexico, where I received my B.A. in Journalism. During undergrad, I had my first international adventure when I studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden. I loved it so much that I did a second study abroad a couple years later in Bangkok, Thailand. Living abroad was an amazing experience that I'm incredibly grateful to have had. In addition to studying abroad, I've also been lucky to have traveled to 20 other countries as well. I'm looking forward to more adventures in the future! Since leaving New Mexico, I've lived in Portland, Seattle, Santa Cruz, and the Bay Area. While living in Santa Cruz, I received my M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. I then spent several years teaching ESL to adults. I've always found joy in working with and connecting with people from around the world, and I'm excited to bring my cross-cultural experience here to BIO! In my free time, I enjoy hiking, baking, days at the beach, and searching for the best vegan pizza in the East Bay. I'm looking forward to working with you!	Center for Financial Wellness Bear Pantry Billing & Payment Services Graduate Division Fellowships Office of Financial Aid Office of Undergrad Research & Scholarships Third Party Contracts Office (BPS)
Tuangporn (Yam) Mansmann International Student Adviser Pronouns: she/her	Greetings! I began working at BIO in July 2021. I am originally from Bangkok, Thailand, where I studied French and English at Chulalongkorn University, and spent a summer studying in Paris, which opened my eyes to international perspectives. After graduation, I worked as a flight attendant for three international airlines traveling through parts of Asia, Australia, Middle East, and Europe. After years of constant travel (including my first visit to the U.S. in a Minnesota winter), I decided to pursue my master’s degree in TESOL at San Francisco State University, then taught ESL and scored TOEIC and TOEFL Speaking before expanding my interest to international student services. Before joining BIO, I worked at a professional language school as a Client Services Coordinator & DSO; my experience there reminded me of how much I love assisting, advising, and interacting with international students. My interests include intercultural communication, student admissions and adjustment, student services and engagement, and overall well-being. In my free time, I volunteer at a local non-profit organization as a voice over narrator for media work, a head florist for events, and help around as my schedule permits. I LOVE spending time and traveling with my husband. Together we have so far visited 12 countries and 16 states including Puerto Rico and 4 Hawaiian Islands. I am thrilled and honored to be part of BIO and UC Berkeley and look forward to meeting you! Come visit us at BIO!	Cultural Student Organizations Lead Center Public Service Center
Lei (Polly) Pan International Student Adviser Pronouns: she/her	Welcome to BIO! My name is Lei Pan. I usually go by "Polly". I was born and raised in the northeast of mainland China, where I obtained my bachelor's degree and worked as an assistant lecturer as well as a student services advisor for three years right after I graduated from college. To further pursue my dream and academic passion, I went to Ireland, Dublin and studied Literary Translation at Trinity College and got my master's degree there. I was an international student back then in Ireland, thus, I totally understand the excitement and pain. I came to the US in 2012 and started my role as an International Student Services Advisor in 2017. Education is always my passion. I am glad and lucky enrough to serve international student population and utilize my knowledge to help pave a smooth path for international students while they study in the US and pursue their academic goal.
Nancy Aguilar International Student Adviser Pronouns: she/her/hers/élla	Hello Everyone! I started being part of this amazing team in January 2023. I was born in Los Angeles, California, and moved to the Bay area when I was eleven. I speak Spanish and English. My mother is a first-generation immigrant, and I am a first-generation college student. I completed my Bachelor's in Psychology at Cal East Bay, and my Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Student College Services at St. Mary's College of California. I am excited to work with international students to help create a welcoming international community at Cal. I have traveled internationally to many beautiful countries and many cities in the US. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Professionally, my goal is to simplify the complexities of immigration regulations for our international community at Cal to increase their understanding and knowledge. Please don't hesitate to reach out to any of us here at BIO. We are here to help you find a solution and answer your questions.
Jeremiah Lee International Student Adviser Pronouns: he/him	Hi, everyone! I started working at BIO in January 2023. I recently moved to the Bay Area from Michigan. I studied abroad in London and lived in Japan for 5 years after undergrad. I have been lucky enough to travel to over 30 countries across 5 continents. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to adjust to living, studying, and working in a new country. While living and traveling abroad, I had so many people help and support me. I love working in international education because it gives me the opportunity to directly support students just how so many others helped me. I got my BA in History from DePauw University and my MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from University of Southern California. Professionally, I have worked in a variety of roles in international education including teaching, overseeing international student support programs, and recruitment. I love to travel, experience new cultures, and learn other languages. I speak Japanese and am slowly learning Tamil and Mandarin Chinese. In my free time, you’ll usually find me watching ice hockey, playing soccer, hiking, or relaxing with video games. I look forward to meeting you!
Wasim Younis International Student Adviser Pronouns: he/him	I returned to the Bay Area after 6 years on the East Coast. As much as I loved my time in Washington DC, Boston, and Toronto, I am grateful and excited to be back home! My first home was actually London, England, until the age of 13 when my family moved to Davis, California, where I did my undergraduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, but the Bay Area is my home these days. My career path changed when I became qualified to teach English as a Second Language, and I spent almost ten years working in language schools, mainly as an academic manager and then also as an operations manager. I have wanted to stay in the international education field ever since. Coming to BIO gives me a chance to work with an awesome team, to continue developing as a professional, and to help serve Berkeley's community of amazing students and scholars. Away from work, I love music. I've been playing bass, acoustic and electric guitar for almost half my life, and I'm now looking to learn the harp and the saxophone. I'm a foodie too, with a particular weakness for Indian and Korean food, so I welcome any suggestions for new restaurants to try. See you at BIO!
Cathy Zhao International Student Adviser Pronouns: she/her	Hello, I'm Yunyang Zhao, often called Cathy. Originally from mainland China, I'm a native Chinese Mandarin speaker. I understand Cantonese but am not fluent in speaking it, and I'm also learning Japanese. As an international student, I've studied in two countries. I began with international business as an undergraduate in Australia, then pursued TESOL in the United States for my graduate studies. My passion for International education ignited during my time as an Educational Counselor in China. Guiding students towards international opportunities, I later transitioned to becoming an International Admissions Advisor, starting in 2015 at a private university and later at UC Davis. Drawing from my education and professional background, I find great fulfillment in assisting international students within universities. With over a decade of residence in the US, primarily in the Bay Area, I'm dedicated to enriching the experiences of International students and contributing to their success.

Name

About Me

Liaison Units

Erin Skelly

Assistant Director for Student Services

Pronouns: she/her

I started at BIO in July 2012 and I am from Fort Walton Beach, FL. I speak English, German, and Dutch, and I can talk about food or directions in Japanese and Korean. I have visited Mexico, the Bahamas, the Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Denmark, Belgium, Japan, Thailand and China. I have studied in the Netherlands and Germany, and I have lived in the Republic of Korea.

The experience of coming from an international family background, and having studied, lived, and traveled in different countries has been one of the primary shapers of my life. I feel lucky to have a job that I love, and one which enables me to continue being a part of a global community. Also, as a Floridian, I am grateful every day for the glorious Bay Area weather and the opportunities to explore the State of California's gorgeous landscapes.

I received my M.A. in Philosophy from Florida State University, and my B.A in Religion from New College of Florida. Professionally, my interests are in mental health and counseling, crisis management, academic integrity, intercultural communication and engagement, and gender/LGBTQ+ issues. Personally, I love knitting, yoga, analytic and continental philosophy, weird movies, feminist science fiction, and watching live bands. And cats. I really love cats.

Amy Chin-Pokhrel - student adviser

Amy Chin-Pokhrel

Customer Relations Manager

Pronouns: she/her

I started at BIO in May 2017. I’m originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and have been in the United States since 2006. I first came over as an international student to pursue my undergraduate and graduate studies in Minnesota. During my time as a student, I obtained on-campus employment with event operations in the student union. It was this opportunity that connected me with students from all over the world and made me realize that I was really interested in cross-cultural exchange. Upon completion of the program, I changed career paths and pursued another graduate degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Iowa.

I love to travel and see new sights, experience new cultures, try different food and connect with locals. I have traveled to Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, England, S. Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Within the US, I have lived in Minnesota, Iowa, Hawaii, and finally California.

Professionally, I am interested in intercultural communication, multiculturalism, and international student adjustment. I feel like I can connect with and help other international students as I was once in their shoes. I am excited to be at CAL and look forward to meeting you!

Anna McCreedy

International Student Adviser

Communications Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her

I started at BIO in June 2017 and am from Medford, Oregon. I speak English, conversational Mandarin Chinese and a little German, and have lived in Sichuan, China for over a year. I've traveled to Vietnam, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and Ireland.

I completed my undergraduate degree at Colorado College with a BA in international political economy, and later pursued a master's degree in international education management at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. I'm very passionate about international education, and am so lucky to be able to work in a field that involves the sharing of knowledge and cultures. Within international education, I am particularly interested in the areas of mental health support, intercultural exchange, and campus internationalization. Personally, I am interested in rafting, hiking, and playing with my dog. Come drop by BIO to say hi!

Katherine Greco

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: she/her

Nice to meet you! I began working at BIO in September 2018. I was raised in Dallas, Texas and have since lived in several cities across the US. I speak conversational Japanese and have studied Spanish, French, Middle English and Ancient Greek.

After college, I spent two years teaching English in Shizuoka, Japan. After that, I returned to the US and taught English and ESL to high school and adult students. The most rewarding part of those years was working with international and immigrant students to support them both in the classroom and in the wider world. Little by little I transitioned out of the classroom and began working in student services to guide students through housing, college placement and visa issues.

Within the field of international education, I am particularly interested in inter-cultural communication, identity formation and student adjustment. It is a pleasure to work for Berkeley’s international students, and I look forward to meeting you soon.

Sage Erbez-Benson

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: she/her

Hi, everyone! I started working at BIO in February 2022. I grew up in New Mexico, where I received my B.A. in Journalism. During undergrad, I had my first international adventure when I studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden. I loved it so much that I did a second study abroad a couple years later in Bangkok, Thailand. Living abroad was an amazing experience that I'm incredibly grateful to have had. In addition to studying abroad, I've also been lucky to have traveled to 20 other countries as well. I'm looking forward to more adventures in the future!

Since leaving New Mexico, I've lived in Portland, Seattle, Santa Cruz, and the Bay Area. While living in Santa Cruz, I received my M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. I then spent several years teaching ESL to adults. I've always found joy in working with and connecting with people from around the world, and I'm excited to bring my cross-cultural experience here to BIO!

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, baking, days at the beach, and searching for the best vegan pizza in the East Bay.

I'm looking forward to working with you!

Tuangporn (Yam) Mansmann

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: she/her

Greetings! I began working at BIO in July 2021. I am originally from Bangkok, Thailand, where I studied French and English at Chulalongkorn University, and spent a summer studying in Paris, which opened my eyes to international perspectives. After graduation, I worked as a flight attendant for three international airlines traveling through parts of Asia, Australia, Middle East, and Europe. After years of constant travel (including my first visit to the U.S. in a Minnesota winter), I decided to pursue my master’s degree in TESOL at San Francisco State University, then taught ESL and scored TOEIC and TOEFL Speaking before expanding my interest to international student services.

Before joining BIO, I worked at a professional language school as a Client Services Coordinator & DSO; my experience there reminded me of how much I love assisting, advising, and interacting with international students. My interests include intercultural communication, student admissions and adjustment, student services and engagement, and overall well-being.

In my free time, I volunteer at a local non-profit organization as a voice over narrator for media work, a head florist for events, and help around as my schedule permits. I LOVE spending time and traveling with my husband. Together we have so far visited 12 countries and 16 states including Puerto Rico and 4 Hawaiian Islands. I am thrilled and honored to be part of BIO and UC Berkeley and look forward to meeting you! Come visit us at BIO!

Lei (Polly) Pan

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: she/her

Welcome to BIO! My name is Lei Pan. I usually go by "Polly". I was born and raised in the northeast of mainland China, where I obtained my bachelor's degree and worked as an assistant lecturer as well as a student services advisor for three years right after I graduated from college. To further pursue my dream and academic passion, I went to Ireland, Dublin and studied Literary Translation at Trinity College and got my master's degree there. I was an international student back then in Ireland, thus, I totally understand the excitement and pain.

I came to the US in 2012 and started my role as an International Student Services Advisor in 2017. Education is always my passion. I am glad and lucky enrough to serve international student population and utilize my knowledge to help pave a smooth path for international students while they study in the US and pursue their academic goal.

Nancy Aguilar

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: she/her/hers/élla

Hello Everyone! I started being part of this amazing team in January 2023. I was born in Los Angeles, California, and moved to the Bay area when I was eleven. I speak Spanish and English.

My mother is a first-generation immigrant, and I am a first-generation college student. I completed my Bachelor's in Psychology at Cal East Bay, and my Masters in Counseling with an emphasis in Student College Services at St. Mary's College of California. I am excited to work with international students to help create a welcoming international community at Cal. I have traveled internationally to many beautiful countries and many cities in the US.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Professionally, my goal is to simplify the complexities of immigration regulations for our international community at Cal to increase their understanding and knowledge. Please don't hesitate to reach out to any of us here at BIO. We are here to help you find a solution and answer your questions.

Jeremiah Lee

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: he/him

Hi, everyone! I started working at BIO in January 2023. I recently moved to the Bay Area from Michigan. I studied abroad in London and lived in Japan for 5 years after undergrad. I have been lucky enough to travel to over 30 countries across 5 continents. I know firsthand how difficult it can be to adjust to living, studying, and working in a new country. While living and traveling abroad, I had so many people help and support me. I love working in international education because it gives me the opportunity to directly support students just how so many others helped me.

I got my BA in History from DePauw University and my MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from University of Southern California. Professionally, I have worked in a variety of roles in international education including teaching, overseeing international student support programs, and recruitment.

I love to travel, experience new cultures, and learn other languages. I speak Japanese and am slowly learning Tamil and Mandarin Chinese. In my free time, you’ll usually find me watching ice hockey, playing soccer, hiking, or relaxing with video games. I look forward to meeting you!

Wasim Younis

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: he/him

I returned to the Bay Area after 6 years on the East Coast. As much as I loved my time in Washington DC, Boston, and Toronto, I am grateful and excited to be back home! My first home was actually London, England, until the age of 13 when my family moved to Davis, California, where I did my undergraduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, but the Bay Area is my home these days.

My career path changed when I became qualified to teach English as a Second Language, and I spent almost ten years working in language schools, mainly as an academic manager and then also as an operations manager. I have wanted to stay in the international education field ever since. Coming to BIO gives me a chance to work with an awesome team, to continue developing as a professional, and to help serve Berkeley's community of amazing students and scholars.

Away from work, I love music. I've been playing bass, acoustic and electric guitar for almost half my life, and I'm now looking to learn the harp and the saxophone. I'm a foodie too, with a particular weakness for Indian and Korean food, so I welcome any suggestions for new restaurants to try. See you at BIO!

Cathy Zhao

International Student Adviser

Pronouns: she/her

Hello, I'm Yunyang Zhao, often called Cathy. Originally from mainland China, I'm a native Chinese Mandarin speaker. I understand Cantonese but am not fluent in speaking it, and I'm also learning Japanese. As an international student, I've studied in two countries. I began with international business as an undergraduate in Australia, then pursued TESOL in the United States for my graduate studies.

My passion for International education ignited during my time as an Educational Counselor in China. Guiding students towards international opportunities, I later transitioned to becoming an International Admissions Advisor, starting in 2015 at a private university and later at UC Davis. Drawing from my education and professional background, I find great fulfillment in assisting international students within universities. With over a decade of residence in the US, primarily in the Bay Area, I'm dedicated to enriching the experiences of International students and contributing to their success.

Customer Service Team

Name	About me
Rosa Letizia Beschi Customer Service Assistant Pronouns: she/her	Hi everyone! My name is Rosa Letizia (Rosa for short), and I started working at BIO in September 2022. I was born in Italy but moved to the U.S. when I was five, and have been living in rural NorCal ever since. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Global Studies and a minor in French, and hope to pursue a graduate degree in the field of International Relations in the future. As a student I benefited enormously from the help and support of Cal advisors and staff members, and I'm honored to pay it forward and assist international students as they navigate their journey here at the University. I'm thrilled to be here, and I look forward to meeting you!
Xiaoying Zheng-Webster Customer Service Assistant Pronouns: she/her	Hi all! I’m Xiaoying (pronunciation: \ˈshaō-iŋ \) and I started working at BIO in July, 2021. I studied Journalism at undergraduate level in Beijing, and later changed my major to Korean Language Education when I went to Ewha Womans University, South Korea for graduate school. Before I moved to the Bay Area in 2017 as an international student, I worked for a NPO and taught Korean language to immigrant youths for a few years in Seoul, South Korea. Looking back at my path, I started as an international student and received a lot of help and support; it’s always my honor to be a helping hand to assist international students with great passion. In my free time, I enjoy learning new things and watching Golden State Warriors’ games. It would be fun if we ran into each other at a Warriors home game!
Zirui (Susie) Shu Costumer Service Assistant Pronouns: she/her	Hi everyone! My name is Susie and I started working at BIO in January 2023. I was born in Beijing, China and I moved to the U.S. when I was fourteen. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. degree in Philosophy and a minor in Education. I hope to explore the field of education and be a helpful resource to the international students at Cal. I was an international student when I first came to study in the U.S. and had received a lot of support and assistance from school counselors and advisors. So I'm very excited to join BIO and serve the international community with great passion and enthusiasm. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, reading, or sometimes simply meditating on random philosophical ideas. We can talk about philosophy someday if you're down! I look forward to meeting you!

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Customer Service Team