General Staff
Sandra Bui
International Student Advisor
Extension 6260
Chao Ban (that's "Hi Friend" in Vietnamese)! My name is Sandra (Linh) Bui. I'm an international student advisor at the International Student and Scholar Center (ISSC). I was born in Lam Dong, Vietnam. Our family immigrated to the United States when I was eight. Since then I have been living in Seattle, Washington and loving it here because of the temperate weather.
In the last twelve years working at Seattle University, I would have to say my most enjoyable moments are talking to students and scholars from all over the world and gaining knowledge of new cultures.
Please feel free to drop by the International Student and Scholar Center to say hi!
Teresa Beery
Office Manager
Extension 6260
Hello, my name is Teresa Beery and I am the Office Manager in the ISSC. I live here in Seattle with my husband and three teenaged children. My undergraduate degree was in dance. For the past eight years, I have been teaching dance to children in the Seattle Area. I have traveled to Mexico, Canada, Hawaii and all over the United States. I enjoy meeting International Students, learning about different cultures and trying new food. The International Student and Scholar Center is a warm and friendly place. Come in and join our happy family!
Dr. Faizi Ghodsi
Director & Adjunct Faculty
Extension 6260
Faizi Ghodsi has been the director of the International Student and Scholar Center since 1988. He left his native country of Iran in 1976 to come to the United States to pursue his tertiary education. After completing his English Language program, he attended Seattle University and received a bachelor's degree in Economics and a master's degree in business administration. He recently finished his doctoral program in education at his alma mater.
Faizi's vocation requires that he meets with students on a daily basis and this is the part of the job that he loves the most. He enjoys getting to know them and learning the various cultural similarities and differences from them. He is always interested in finding innovative ways to help International students have a positive time during their time here at the University.
Faizi has many interests, but is very passionate about the sport of soccer. His enjoys both watching and playing the game. He is also a handy craftsman and gardener and relishes working on his family home. Faizi is also a talented chef and many a time he has delighted his students and friends with tasty dishes.
Melissa DeVivar
Graduate Assistant/ Activities Coordinator
Extension 6949
Hello. My name is Melissa DeVivar, and I am the Graduate Assistant in the International Student and Scholar Center.
Dale Watanabe
International Student Advisor
Extension 6260
Hi, my name is Dale Watanabe and I am one of the two International Student Advisors at the ISSC. I work closely with Sandra Bui so we can keep up to date on all of our fantastic international students. A little about me: I taught English as a Second Language for seven years (3 years in Hyogo-ken, Japan and 4 years at Edmonds Community College) and have worked at Seattle University since winter quarter of 2001. I grew up on Seattle's Beacon Hill (famous for the pink building - also known as Amazon.com) and now live up north near Mill Creek. As some of you may know, my office is always open so please drop by and say hello!