Mission and Staff

Mission Statement

The Office of International Student Services (ISS) has the responsibility for meeting University federal compliance with regard to international students.  ISS strives to support international student success through the following endeavors:

  • Advising students on immigration regulations that affect their status in the U.S.
  • Providing programs that help promote cross-cultural adjustment
  • Serving as a resource to the campus and international student communities
  • Advocating for international students and international education

Karen Michael-Mikel
Karen Michael Mikel
Director
F-1, J-1 Advisor

About Karen

Aloha! My name is Karen Michael Mikel and I am excited about being your international student advisor. I am a proud alumni as I have received both my undergraduate (2003) and graduate (2007) degrees in Asian Studies here. I come from Malaysia but I have been living in Hawaii since 2000. I loved my college years and now I love working with international students. I hope to assist you achieve your academic and professional goals. Outside of the office I enjoy eating out and yoga. I also love to travel domestically and internationally. Attending college is a great opportunity to grow, explore and make connections, make the most of it!

Lisa S. Houghtailing
Lisa S. Houghtailing,
F-1, J-1 Advisor

About Lisa

Aloha! My name is Lisa Houghtailing and I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. A proud alumni of UH Manoa, I have a Master’s degree in Second Language Studies (SLS).  A former ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher, I love working with international students and helping them to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals. In my spare time, I love to read, karaoke, explore the latest restaurants, and travel. E komo mai!

Viet Ngo
Viet Ngo
F-1, J-1 Advisor

About Viet

Aloha and welcome to UH Mānoa! I am an advisor who works with F-1 and J-1 students, and I also manage the J-1 student intern category for the UH System. Some of my duties include coordinating the ISS Welcome Week and Orientation, organizing and presenting workshops on student employment and other topics, and administering ISS scholarships. Having traveled and lived abroad before, I can understand the difficulties faced when coming into a different place, culture and language. Having also come to the U.S. as an immigrant and member of the "1.5 generation," I know that feeling of being slightly out of place in America, which informs my perspective on adjustments that newcomers face. However, both in the U.S. and abroad, so many people welcomed me with incredible kindness and support that I feel it is a duty to give back to this community. Being an advisor is a wonderful opportunity to do that. I look forward to meeting you.

Kristen McCormack
Immigration Specialist

About Kristen

Aloha! My name is Kristen and I was born and raised in the lovely state of New York. I moved to Hawaii in 2014 to begin my career in international education. Prior to moving to Hawaii, I received my undergraduate degree in History at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh. During my time in college, I was fortunate to study abroad in both Graz, Austria and Barcelona, Spain. I have also previously lived in Luzern, Switzerland. I am a current graduate student at UH Mānoa in the M.Ed. Education Administration (emphasis in Higher Education) program. I am also a member of the Mānoa Staff Senate.

In my free time, I like to spend time at the beach or in the ocean- swimming, freediving, and outrigger canoe paddling. I took the scuba diving and sailing courses through our Outdoor Education office at UH Mānoa and highly recommend it! I also love to spend time with my family (and adorable puppy), travel, craft, ride bike, and sing karaoke.

I am happy to help you reach your goals and connect you to campus and community resources.

I am very excited for you to start your next chapter at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa!

Iryna Chorniy
Administrative and Fiscal Support Specialist

About Iryna

Aloha! My name is Iryna, I was born in Ukraine and moved to the US when I was eleven. During my undergraduate years, I studied abroad in Chengdu. This experience gave me a new perspective on the world and affected and still continues to affect my life in countless ways; therefore, I am a strong believer that as many students as possible should study or intern abroad. I’ve graduated from UH Manoa with a Master’s degree in Asian International Affairs (MAIA) and spent two years living and learning from my fellow students from the Asia- Pacific region and beyond while at the East West Center. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking with friends, reading, and going to the beach.

Kendyll Dοi,
IT Specialist

About Kendyll

Greetings. Born and raised here locally, I've had an interest in computers and related technology through most of my life. Mostly reserved, I keep this webpage operational and other things that involve technology as part of my goal to use my interests to help people. I am a person of few words or a lot of words, never inbetween.