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About ISSS

Welcome to International Services for Students and Scholars! Our office is commonly referred to as ISSS.

This page was last updated on: July 25, 2023.

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Meet the Staff

Mary Nellis

Mary Nellis is the Director of International Services for Students and Scholars at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Mary is responsible for overseeing ISSS and ensuring compliance with all federal regulations.

Mary came to RPI in June 2018, bringing 15 years of experience in International Student Services. A strong advocate for international students and campus internationalization, she has spent 12 years advising on visa regulations and helping maintain institutional compliance with regard to hosting F and J non-immigrant visa holders.

In her free time, Mary enjoys volunteering, traveling, cooking, and many outdoor adventures - especially with her dog.

Emilie Buse

Emilie Buse is the Assistant Director of International Services for Students and Scholars at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She maintains the software system Terra Dotta and ensures that student data is accurate, advises and counsels students regarding immigration matters, and processes employment requests.

Emilie comes to Rensselaer from Pratt Institute, where she was an International Student Advisor for 2 years with a focus on programming, immigration advising, technology, and assessment.

Emilie earned her BA in New Media from Purchase College, SUNY and her MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University. During these degrees, she studied abroad in Spain and India. Emilie is an upstate New York native and loves going to the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on Saturday mornings.

Emily Brew

Em Brew is the International Exchange Visitor Specialist in International Services for Students & Scholars at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She maintains the scholar J visa exchange visitor program and provides orientation, cultural programming and immigration advising.

Em brings with her over 10 years of international student and scholar advising experience. Most recently she served as the responsible officer for the State University of New York J Exchange Visitor Consortium.

Em was raised in rural upstate NY and loves spending time up north in the Adirondacks.  When she isn’t chasing around her two little girls, Betty and Camryn, she is busy tending to her chickens, guinea hens, two rabbits, two cats and her sweet homeward bound rescue dog.

Reba Cappelli

Reba Cappelli is an International Student Advisor within the office of International Services for Students & Scholars (ISSS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 

Reba earned her B.S. in Health Sciences, along with a minor in Spanish, from Russell Sage College. Reba comes to Rensselaer with nearly a decade of experience in Student Affairs, program development, & case management.

In her free time, Reba enjoys:

  • Listening to audiobooks, podcasts, & musical soundtracks
  • Cuddling with her Yorkie, Milo-Houdini, & her family’s newest pet; a cat who’s formally known as “ Waffles, Duke of Belgium, Mr. Cat-Cat V ” .
Kaylyn Getwright

Kaylyn Getwright is the Operations Specialist of International Services for Students and Scholars at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Kaylyn has been with RPI for 7 years as the first point of contact for the ISSS office, including managing the phone and email communications and ensuring the smooth functioning of ISSS.

Kaylyn is a native of Ballston Spa, NY, and currently resides in downtown Albany. Kaylyn has three cats and a dog, enjoys watching movies, and exploring all the gastronomic offerings in downtown Troy and Albany.

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Hours + Location

Here is contact information for International Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS).

Phone Number

Call us at +1-518-276-4966.

We are open Monday - Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m and Thursday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Email

Email us at ISSSoffice@rpi.edu. We aim to respond to messages within 2 business days or less.

In Person

We are located on the Rensselaer campus in 1528 15th Street.

We are open Monday - Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m and Thursday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

To schedule virtual advising with ISSS, view the information in the Advising section at this link: https://info.rpi.edu/isss/isss-news/#ServicesAdvising.

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Emergency Contacts

In case of an emergency related to immigration issues:

  • During business hours, call ISSS at 518-276-4966
  • When ISSS is closed, please call Public Safety at 518-276-6656

What is an immigration emergency?

An immigration emergency is if you receive a phone call from someone who identifies themselves as an ICE agent, or if you are arrested.

An immigration emergency is not that you are missing a travel signature or need to pick up documents from ISSS.

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Social Media

Follow ISSS on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/RPI.ISSS/

Follow ISSS on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/rpi_isss/

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Website Disclaimer

The information contained in this web site is provided as a service to the international students, faculty, staff, employees and administrators of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and does not constitute legal advice on immigration, taxes or other matters. Furthermore, due to the fluid nature of governmental interpretation, United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) may change its interpretation of immigration laws/regulations at any time. Neither Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, nor the office of International Services for Students and Scholars, is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.