Announcements
New Immigration Specialist in International Office
The Office of International Education (an Office of Academic Affairs) would like to announce the new addition to their staff Mr. Andrew Bleignier who will serve as the Immigration Specialist. In this new position, Mr. Bleignier will oversee the immigration regulations that pertain to faculty, staff, researchers, and students, assisting academic and campus departments relating to the hiring of international faculty, staff, researchers, and to assist all international personnel at TTU with their immigration related inquires and updates.
Mr. Bleignier currently holds a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services from Arkansas State University. He recently served as the Immigration Specialist and Advisor at Arkansas State University before coming to TTU. Any department with questions that pertain to international faculty, staff, researcher immigration and hiring inquires may contact the Mr. Bleignier in the Office of International Education at extension 3634 or by email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
International Orientation
All new students are required to join the International Orientation on August 22-26, 2011.
Department of Homeland Security aggressive about updating address with students in the US on F-1 and J-1 visas!
It is very important that you update all address changes with the International Education Office immediately. By law you must update your address in 10 days with our office or you will lose your immigration status. Other visa statuses are required to submit the AR-11 to Kentucky to verify their address. If you have a special security clearance be sure to speak with the director. If we do not have an address on file we can not verify you are a student of TTU and therefore you will be out of status with the Department of Homeland Security (INS). E-mail the Director at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you may submit your new address here. Once your SEVIS address is updated you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
Do I need an Appointment to meet with the Director? -----The answer is ...definitely yes!
The Office of International Education is dedicated to helping you with any questions or concerns that may arise. In a continuing effort to serve you better, our office is requesting that you make an appointment through Mrs. Brenda Gentry. You can reach her by calling the office at 372-3634. If you are unabel to keep your appointment, please give at least two hours notice to the office. You can e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 372-3634.The office is open from 8 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. We appreciate your cooperation and we looking forward to helping you in the future. All questions require an appointment, but most could easily be answered via e-mail. Areas which take up to one hour to complete:
- Optional Practical Training
- Medical Insurance disputes are overseen by the IE Secretary-Brenda Gentry
- Academic issues-Teacher problems
- Curricular Practical Training Issues
- Application process information for new international and permanent resident undergraduate applicants.
- Graduate applications are overseen by Shelia Kendrick in the Office of Graduate Studies-so all graduate related questions should be directed to her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
- Graduate assistantship issues should be directed to Dr. Francisc Otuonye.
- If you are expirencing culture shock or depression, please see the Counseling Center. The Office of International Education is not qualified to counsel students on personal issues.
Employment off-campus on Severe Economic Hardship
Some international students during their stay in U.S. discover their currency has become devalued, a family member dies who they depend on for support, or their sponsor loses his/her job. These are all incidents which can lead a student to Severe Economic Hardship. The hardship must be beyond the student's control. For example, if a student is dismissed from an assistantship because of their attitude or absences, this will not qualify the student for severe hardship. To inquire about this, make an appointment with the International Education to speak with the director about the possibilities of applying for off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship. You can reach IE at 931-372-3634
To qualify: Student must be in F-1 status for one year before it is applicable; complete form I-765 (note C, 3, i) and the student must write a letter of explanation with documentation in English to support this fact. The duration of the work authorization will be one year.
