International Student Services (ISS) provides a broad range of support services and programming for international students.  ISS collaborates with other departments on campus to best assist our international students in academic and cultural adjustments.  ISS staff serve as Designated School Officials for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Immigration Services

ISS staff serve as Principal Designated School Officials (PDSO) and Designated School Officials (DSO) for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). ISS staff members provide guidance and advising to F-1 nonimmigrant students on status and regulations, including but not limited to, practical training, travel, and University policies. The DSO’s are responsible for all communication with government agencies involving the SEVP program, CBP, USCIS, and Homeland Security and monitors each student’s status. Maintaining status is the student’s responsibility, but ISS assists with guidance on how to best support this for them.

International Student Programming

ISS offers a variety of programs to assist international students in feeling “at home” on campus and in the Rocky Mount community. New international students receive extended first year experience programming that includes a “World Wide Welcome” orientation program, as well as an international student peer mentor known as a “Culture to Culture Ambassador.” Through campus and community partnerships, new international students are connected in the first week to local services for banking needs and immunizations if necessary. ISS provides assistance with official documents, such as obtaining a North Carolina driver’s license and a social security card. The department of ISS and the Bishop community provide our international students with a true home away from home, Bishop family experience.