International Student Services Staff

From registration to graduation, we'll support you!

The International Student Services (ISS) staff is dedicated to giving our International Students every opportunity to reach their goals at TCC. Warm, friendly and highly trained in working with international students, we'll help you with paperwork, class selection, social and cultural issues, and be a friend and advocate for your success.

Have questions?

Give us a call, send an email, or just stop by to see us.
We're looking forward to speaking with you soon!

International Student Services & Programs Office
Bldg. 11, 2nd floor
Phone/Fax 253.566.5190

How will we help you? Any way we can!

5 full-time staff, including immigration advisor and academic advisor
Multiple international languages spoken, including Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Dutch and Japanese
Personally oversee your housing arrangements
Plan fun and useful orientation activities and events throughout the year
Give you a place to visit, hang out, and talk through your experience in our comfy, spacious offices

Meet the ISS Staff

image of Reuth Kao, international programs coordinator/pdso Reuth Kao
Director of International Programs & PDSO

Reuth is the immigration specialist and spends much of her day making sure students understand the immigration policies set by TCC and USCIS, in addition to managing the International Student Services Team. Reuth has been at TCC for over 9 years in various departments (First Generation Scholarship Program, Tutoring Center, Student Life and International). Going into her 5th year with the International Department, Reuth is committed to globalizing our campus and community by retaining quality students from overseas. Reuth earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and completed a master's degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Washington-Seattle. Reuth speaks Cambodian and has traveled to Thailand and Cambodia. She always has a friendly smile and a bowl of candy on her desk!

image of Laura Koval, retention specialist/study abroad advisor Laura Koval
Retention Specialist & Study Abroad/ISO Club Advisor

Laura spends her days advising international students and developing strategies for student engagement within the international department. She is also our study abroad advisor for resident students and she is the club advisor for the International Student Organization (ISO). Laura understands the importance of an international education since she herself lived overseas in Lagos, Nigeria throughout her elementary school years. Her international experience also includes backpacking through South East Asia and South America, as well as traveling to over 20 different countries.

Laura is also part of the TCC's women’s basketball coaching staff for the 2010-2011 season. As a local product of Tacoma, Laura spent four years at Stadium High School and continued her education, while playing basketball, at Whatcom Community College. Laura played one year at George Fox University before transferring to the University of Puget Sound to complete her college basketball career. Laura holds a teacher’s certificate that is highly qualified in mathematics and a master’s degree in secondary education.

image of James Newman, associate director of international relations and recruitment James Newman
Program Director for International Recruitment and Admissions

When he is not traveling the world recruiting new international students, James can be found in the ISS office fielding questions from educational agencies and schools abroad. James’ international experience includes seven years of business development and project management in China and five years experience in higher education. James holds master's degrees in business administration and project management, in addition to being a certified project management professional. James also attended the Beijing Language & Culture University and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

image of Annemarie Martin,coordinator of short-term programs and housing/iso club advisor Annemarie Martin
Coordinator of Short-Term Programs & Housing

Annemarie works with students, host families and local apartment complexes to make sure the housing process goes smoothly for all our students. She is the person to see if you have questions or concerns about where you live while studying at TCC. Besides housing, Annemarie also coordinates the classes and activities for our Short Term Programs. Annemarie knows what it’s like to be an international student as she grew up in the Netherlands and came to Seattle to study. She earned a 4-year degree in commercial interior design from the Netherlands and began working full-time with international students in the U.S. since 2006. Annemarie is fluent in Dutch and English.

image of Linh Bracking, admissions specialist Linh Bracking
Admissions Specialist

Linh Bracking is our admissions and short term programs specialist and handles all international student applications and issues I-20s. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in the disciplinary of Visual Design at the University of Washington-Seattle in 2004 and decided to continue her education at TCC. Linh is fluent in Vietnamese. On her days off, she enjoys spending time with her 4-year-old son. Feel free to stop by and say “hi”.

Front Desk - International Student Staff

We currently have several part time student staff members working in the International office: Vitaly, from Russia), Jamal (from Ghana) and Jennifer from China. They will be greeting you in the mornings and afternoons, and can help you make appointments with staff.