OISSS Staff

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Manishka Kalupahana

Manishka Kalupahana has been working as international student adviser and principle designated school official since 2009.

Prior to 2009, she worked as the study abroad adviser and continued to work in both study abroad and international student advising for a couple of years. Her experience working as a study abroad adviser provided her a breadth of knowledge about the Bard networks outside the Annandale-on-Hudson campus, along with welcoming international students and scholars who visited campus from partner institutions.

As international student adviser she works closely with all international students prior to their arrival on campus, during orientation, and throughout the time students remain at the College. Her main focus has been to welcome all international students to campus and to educate them about maintaining their student status at the College. In addition, she focuses on providing advice and support toward international students adjusting and thriving in the new academic, social, and cultural environment.

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Tamara Stafford

Tamara Stafford joined the Bard community in 2011 and began working with visiting students, scholars, and international staff in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services in 2015.

She is the responsible officer for the College's J1 Cultural Exchange program, supporting international visitors and the departments that welcome them. In addition to this role, she serves as liaison for international hires, offering advisement for employment-based immigration throughout the Bard network.   As an international adviser, Stafford offers guidance to international students and staff through pre-arrival outreach and preparation to arrival orientation, immigration advisement, employment authorization, event planning, and support with cultural adjustment. Prior to her academic career she traveled and lived throughout the United States and abroad.

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Arobi Hanif

Arobi joined the Office of International Student and Scholar Services in the fall of 2018.

She earned a BA in political studies from Bard College in 2018. In her role as the International Student advisor, she works closely with the international students to offer guidance throughout their years at Bard. In addition, she helps them through necessary processes such as applying for social security, off campus employment authorization, and much more. 

Arobi enjoys teaching Bollywood dancing and cooking.