International Student Services (ISS) is creating a new International Student Advisory Council (ISAC) to improve support for and engagement with international students at Case Western Reserve University.
The council will include 10-12 undergraduate and graduate student representatives of the international student body who will work on projects within ISS to hone their leadership skills and engage with the campus community to increase outreach and advocacy.
In order for the ISAC to be truly representative of the international student body, ISS will select a minimum of one member per school (this includes a minimum of one member to represent the Health Education Campus) from the applicant pool and would like to have members from as many of the various nationalities on campus as possible.
Once the ISAC members are selected, ISS staff will provide guidance and make recommendations about areas of focus, but also empower members to suggest and investigate other opportunities.
Goals of the Advisory Council
The ISAC will benefit international students, ISS and the campus community in multiple ways:
- Provide ideas, guidance, and/or advice to ISS on topics including student engagement, event planning, communication strategies, etc.
- Develop deliverables each year that will support Case Western Reserve's international students
- Create a new direct line of communication between ISS staff and the university's international students
- Build trust in ISS among the international student body
- Facilitate relationships beyond international students' home country and area of study
- Offer opportunities to connect following the pandemic
- Give international students a stronger voice at Case Western Reserve
Membership Information
International students who are interested in participating in the International Student Advisory Council must meet the following requirements:
- Have an overall GPA of at least 2.5
- Be in good academic standing (not on probation)
- Completed at least 1 semester of study at Case Western Reserve
- Be on campus for the duration of their term
- Pass a judicial check prior to being interviewed and have no history of being found Responsible in Title IX cases or Student Conduct cases
Additionally, is preferable that prospective members can demonstrate participation in student organizations at Case Western Reserve
Members of the International Student Advisory Council will be selected during the spring semester and serve from July - June on the following schedule:
- The full International Student Advisory Council meets once in August, Septemeber, November, February, April and May
- Subcommittees meet once in October, December and March
- They work on their projects throughout the year and ISS checks in with them regularly
- Final projects are presented at the May meeting
- Presentations will be made to the full International Student Advisory Council and to ISS staff
- Specific meeting times and dates will be determined by members of the International Student Advisory Council and its subcommittees
Nomination Process
Nominations for the inaugural International Student Advisory Council are being accepted until Friday, May 7.
All Case Western Reserve faculty, staff and students are invited to nominate international students to serve as members. International students are also able to nominate themselves (self nominees will be required to submit a recommendation from a Case Western Reserve student, staff or faculty member by May 14).
Nominations for the International Student Advisory Council (ISAC) can be made using the ISAC Nomination Form.
Nominations are due by 11:59 pm ET on Friday, May 7.
All nomination materials are due by 11:59 pm ET on Friday, May 14.
Nominees must submit the following materials:
- Resume
- Statement explaining why they want to serve on the ISAC
- Statement explaining their overall involvement on campus
- Up-to-date, unofficial transcript
- Recommendation letter from their Navigator, department advisor, or trusted faculty or staff member
- Signed agreement acknowledging expectations of membership
Nominations are due by 11:59 pm ET on Friday, May 7.
All nomination materials are due by 11:59 pm ET on Friday, May 14.
Want to learn more about the ISAC? Watch this video created by Elizabeth Miller, Assistant Director of ISS.
Anyone with questions about the ISAC can contact Elizabeth Miller by emailing international@case.edu.