OISS Staff
Meet the OISS Team
Leila Paje-Manalo, Ph.D., Director Phone: (603) 862-3491 |
| Leila obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees from the University of the Philippines and her Ph.D. in Plant Pathology (Virology) from Kansas State University. She was a Post-doctoral Research Associate in the UNH Department of Biochemistry prior to making a career change in 1991 to become an International Student Advisor at UNH. She was named Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars in 1995. Leila works with both students and scholars and is the primary contact for departments sponsoring international employees for U.S. permanent residence. |
John Deziel, International Scholar & Student Advisor Phone: (603) 862-0086 |
| John received his Ed.M. in Administration, Planning and Policy from Harvard University, is an alum of UNH, and has over 25 years of experience with federal, state and local organizations. John has worked and/or traveled in over 50 countries in Central America, Asia, North Africa, Eastern and Western Europe. He has worked with the Harvard Office of School Partnerships, NH State Department of Education, US Peace Corps, helped found a private school, taught ESL, and worked with International Education and Cultural Exchange Programs with the Interhostel and Family Hostel Programs, assisting several hundred participants with overall on-site academic programming and educational experiences. In collaborating with UNH Faculty, John also brought UNH students to Guatemala for a course “Building on a Worldview: Women and Sustainability in Latin America” funded by the UNH Sidore Lecture Series. John is an NHIA Adjunct Faculty member and teaches Cultural Anthropology. John recently received the NAFSA: Association of International Educators' 2011 James Leck Distinguished Service Award for the New England region, "in recognition of his significant contribution to international education." John is the NH State Representative for NAFSA, and for several years served as NAFSA NH State WHIP on International Education legislative and policy issues. John primarily works with international faculty and scholars at UNH. He is grateful to work with such a dedicated team of professionals and for his satisfying role advising international faculty and scholars and helping them through the immigration process so that they can enrich the UNH community. |
Elizabeth Webber, International Student & Scholar Advisor Phone: (603) 862-1508 |
| Elizabeth works with both F1 and J1 students handling advising and immigration matters. She is interested in issues of international student integration and increased programming for the entire international population at UNH. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Mount Holyoke College and MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Previously Elizabeth worked as the International Student Advisor for UNH School of Law. Elizabeth spent ten years living in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. She enjoys lampworking and silversmithing. |
Thuy Nguyen, International Student & Scholar Advisor Phone: (603) 862-2287 |
| Thuy is a native of Vietnam who immigrated to the US in 1975. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, with a BS in Textile Science, she started her professional job in UNH’s Undergraduate Admissions, with International Admissions as a specialty. Her job responsibilities and travels brought her to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Presently, she teaches ESL in Adult Education and works as an International Student Advisor at OISS, assisting both F-1 and J-1 students. Her personal and professional interests are in assisting foreign-born nationals in learning the English language and American culture. She is also currently finishing her Master’s in Education at UNH. When not working or studying, she can often be found enjoying some ethnic cuisine in local spots, practicing yoga, and (only in good weather) biking with her husband. |
Brittany Edgar, Administrative Assistant Phone: (603) 862-1288 |
| Brittany has been with the University of New Hampshire for almost 4 years, and most recently joined the Office of International Students and Scholars in July of 2011. Before becoming a part of OISS, she worked as an Administrative Assistant with the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping, also on the University of New Hampshire campus. She is the first face you see upon entering the office, and assists in all the day-to-day administrative duties. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business from Granite State College, and will complete her Bachelors of Science in Business Management, with a minor in Human Resources, in June of 2013. Brittany also does a great deal of volunteer work – including co-chairing the auction committee – at a small, private school in Somersworth. When Brittany is not in the office and not busy with schoolwork or volunteer duties, she enjoys relaxing with her husband and their dog. |
Eric Benevides, Information Technologist Phone: (603) 862-1288 |
| Eric came to the OISS office in November 2010 after spending over 10 years working for the University of Rhode Island. He is responsible for managing and maintaining the international student database, as well as all other IT related business pertaining to the OISS office. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Rhode Island College, and has over 12 years of experience in the IT field. When Eric is not behind a desk he prefers being outdoors and spending time with his family. Interests include but are not limited to hiking, free diving, surfing, skiing, basketball, baseball, soccer, football, and pretty much anything else outdoors. |
Kate Luksha, Information Coordinator Phone: (603) 862-5288 |
| Kate is a graduate of UNH with a Bachelor of Arts in English. After graduating, Kate spent three years in the Registrar’s office as a Registration assistant before joining the OISS team. Now an Information Coordinator, Kate is responsible for ensuring that all of the international student data is current and accurate. Kate is planning to continue her studies by enrolling in Graduate School with the hopes of someday earning her MFA in Fiction Writing. She is currently working on a novel and enjoys reading and writing in her spare time. A native of New England, she doesn’t mind the snow and is an avid snowboarder. |
John received his Ed.M. in Administration, Planning and Policy from Harvard University, is alum of UNH, and has over 25 years of experience with Federal, State and local organizations. John has worked and or traveled in over 50 countries in Central America, Asia, North Africa, Eastern and Western Europe. He has worked with the Harvard Office of School Partnerships, NH State Department of Education, US Peace Corps, helped found a private school, taught ESL, and worked with International Education and Cultural Exchange Programs with the Interhostel and Family Hostel Programs, assisting several hundred participants with overall on-site academic programming and educational experiences. In collaborating with UNH Faculty, John also brought UNH students to Guatemala for a course “Building on a Worldview: Women and Sustainability in Latin America” funded by the UNH Sidore Lecture Series. John is an NHIA Adjunct Faculty member and teaches Cultural Anthropology. John recently received NAFSA: Association of International Educators' 2011 James Leck Distinguished Service Award for the New England region, in recognition of his significant contribution to international education. John is the NH State Representative for NAFSA, and for several years served as NAFSA NH State WHIP on International Education legislative and policy issues. John primarily works with International Faculty and Scholars at UNH, and is grateful to work with such a dedicated team of professionals and for his satisfying role advising international Faculty and Scholars and helping them through the immigration process so they can enrich the UNH community.