Meet the Staff of ISS
F-1 Portfolio Manager; Advises students in the College of Natural Science and the College of Engineering. Katie Ahlman joined the International Programs Office (IPO) in June 2019 as an International Student and Scholar Advisor. Her primary duties are advising international students and scholars on immigration matters. Prior to joining the IPO, Katie worked at Western New England University as an International Student Coordinator from 2013-2019. Originally from Nebraska, Katie has a B.A. in Global Studies and Sociology-Anthropology from Nebraska Wesleyan University and an M.A. in Educational Policy & Administration from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has lived in multiple countries and states throughout the U.S. Outside of work, Katie spends time with her family, swims, knits, and reads a lot!
Pamela Dutta
Associate Director for International Student and Scholar Success
413.545.2716
Pamela Dutta recently joined the International Programs Office (IPO) in January 2018 as the Associate Director for International Student and Scholar Success. Prior to joining the IPO team, Dutta worked with UMass Student Legal Services Office since 2005. This new position has a joint reporting role to Student Affairs and Campus Life's (SACL) advocacy, inclusion and support programs. In her new role, Dutta will allow IPO and the Student Affairs & Campus Life (SACL) division to be even more integrated in their collective commitment to the inclusion and success of the UMass international student and scholar community. Pamela will allow IPO and SACL to be even more integrated in their collective commitment to the inclusion and success of the international student and scholar community.
She is uniquely situated to collaborate with the Center for Women and Community, Student Veterans Resource Center, Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Stonewall Center, Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success, Men and Masculinities Center, Upward Bound and Student Bridges, to better support the diverse needs of our international students.
Dutta earned her Bachelors of Arts with University Without Walls from UMass Amherst in 2005. She earned her Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from UMass Amherst School of Public Policy in 2017.
Current J-1 Scholar Portfolio Manager and Advisor, Advisor to Students in: College of Education, College of Nursing, College of Social and Behavior Sciences, College of Information and Computer Science, School of Public Health and Health Services.
A Kentucky native with a B.A. in International Affairs from Murray State University and a M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University. Nichole spent time in Europe for university studies and post undergraduate, and taught English in South Korea for 1.5 years. Having spent almost 7 years in Boston, working in the International Scholars Office at MIT, she was happy to change locations for a slower paced city. Nichole joined the IPO Fall 2018 and works with our international students, scholars, and faculty on many immigration matters. Outside of the IPO, you’ll find her enjoying the outdoors and visiting as many of the coffee shops in the area as she can.
Naoko Ishida
Associate Director of International Student and Scholar Services
413.545.9492
Advises Students in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Naoko joined the UMass Amherst community first as an International Student and has worked in other offices across campus prior to landing at IPO in 2002, as a SEVIS Coordinator and now in the role of Associate Director for the International Student and Scholar Services. Her primary duties are overseeing immigration record and compliance and ensuring smooth operation of the advising unit. She also advises students and scholars on immigration issues.
Outside of work, Naoko volunteers her time serving on committees for her two sons. She is a member of the Amherst Hockey Association and serves as Timekeeper Coordinator and is also the Team Manager for the Western Mass Vipers. She devotes most of her weekends at ice rinks watching them play hockey.
As the International Exchange Advisor, Claire works with all incoming and outgoing exchange students. She holds a BA in Anthropology from the University for Massachusetts and a MA in Intercultural Leadership from SIT Graduate Institute. She studied abroad three times while in college and has led over 20 faculty-taught programs throughout the world. Outside the office, Claire keeps busy hiking in the woods, spending time with friends, and frequenting local coffee shops!
Kenneth Reade
Director, International Student and Scholars Services
413.545.5251
Advises students in the Isenberg School of Management. Ken Reade has worked in the field of international education since 1989 and he remains active both regionally and nationally in a number of areas affecting international education and immigration regulatory practice. Ken has been a longtime advocate of federal immigration reform policies and in 2013, Reade was named “Advocate of the Year” by the field’s leading professional organization NAFSA: Association of International Educators. He has also served as NAFSA’s Region XI (Northeastern United States) Chair, as well as a variety of other positions within the association and is a frequent presenter at regional and national NAFSA conferences. In 2010 he received the region’s “Distinguished Service Award.” Ken joined the IPO at UMass in August, 2014 and previously served in the Office of Visa and Immigration Services at Dartmouth College since 2001. His other previous international education experiences included positions in London, UK with Central College Abroad, Pacific University (Oregon) and the University of Illinois Chicago. As a native Oregonian, Ken appreciates the natural beauty of Western Massachusetts and resides in Northampton, MA with his family.
Beryl Tang
International Student & Scholar Administrative Assistant
413.545.2323
Beryl Tang is the pre-advisor to the international student and scholars. Beryl supervises the ISS student workers who staff the ISS advising center.
