Meet the Team

Director
303-871-2371
Theresa.Johnson@du.edu

Hello! I joined the ISSS team in May 2022 and have enjoyed getting to know the students, faculty, and staff here at DU! I moved to Denver from Chicago where I worked with international students and scholars at Northwestern University for 11 years. Prior to that, I lived in Washington, DC where I worked with the Fulbright Scholar Program at the Institute of International Education and earned a Master's Degree from George Washington University and a Bachelor Degree from American University. I have been to all 50 states in the U.S. and all 7 continents – although there are still many places I'd like to visit!

Contact me for:

• Lawful Permanent Residency sponsorship
• H-1B sponsorship for staff positions
• New program development
• Student or scholar emergencies
• General ISSS questions
• Interest in collaboration with ISSS
• Request for ISSS staff at a meeting/event

Assistant Director
303-871-4626
Katie.Pettet@du.edu

• BA in Russian and Communication Studies, University of Iowa
• MA in Slavic Languages and Literature, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• M.Ed in International Education, George Washington University
• Studied abroad in Russia and the Czech Republic
• Joined DU ISSS in 2019, previous international office experience at American University in Washington, DC

Senior Advisor
303-871-4258
Thomas.King@du.edu

• BA in History, Texas A&M University
• MA in Intercultural Studies, Golden Gate Seminary
• Worked with international students in Paris for six years
• Studied abroad in France and Morocco
• Previous international office experience at the University of Texas Health Science Center and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston

Contact me for:

• ISSS policy and compliance with F-1 and J-1 regulations
• Advanced or complex F-1 student immigration cases
• Initial I-20 issuance questions or concerns
• ISSS Portal troubleshooting

SEVIS Coordinator & Advisor
303-871-7861
Samantha.Gerber@du.edu

Hi! I joined University of Denver at the end of August 2023 and continue to enjoy the scenic views while advocating for and helping the international student population. I moved from East Texas, but I was born and raised in New England. While I have family still in the Northeast of the US, I enjoy going abroad as a vacation when possible. I have two Bachelor's and three minors from two schools in Connecticut. I am currently working on two master's and graduate certificate (part time). For fun, I like to go to concerts, explore the RTD Colorado area, and spend time with my three cats.

• 1+ years in Denver, Colorado
• 2+ years working with F-1 and J-1 students, scholars, and visitors
• 3+ years in graphic design experience
• Experience interning, volunteering, researching, and visiting abroad in multiple regions

Contact me for:

• Full time/under enrollment concerns for F-1/J-1 students
• Advocacy for international student population
• Overall international student immigration questions and concerns
• Initial I-20 issuance questions or concerns
• Mailing/home address issues in myDU

International Student Advisor
303-871-7781
Emily.Richards@du.edu

Hello! I joined the University of Denver in September 2023 and have really enjoyed working with the wonderful staff, students, and scholars that make up our ISSS community. I moved to Denver from Washington, DC where I completed my master’s program at The George Washington University and then went on to begin career in international education at the Embassy of Kuwait. I am originally from Buffalo, New York. A few of my favorite things are- learning about world cultures, cooking, skiing in the Rocky Mountains, spending time outdoors, and traveling in the U.S and abroad.

• BS in Childhood Education and concentration in Literacy at Buffalo State College
• MA in International Education and concentration in International Development at George Washington University
• International volunteering/research experience in Germany, Peru & Thailand. Studied abroad in Spain.
• Previous international education office experience at the Embassy of Kuwait and George Washington University in DC

Contact me for:

• Advisement on general international student immigration questions or concerns
• Contact for the Sponsored Student Program- support administrative processes for government sponsors and sponsored students
• Initial I-20 issuance questions or concerns
• Advocacy for international student populations on campus

Student Operations Associate

Hi everyone! I’m a graduate student at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, pursuing an MA in International Studies with a certificate in Public Diplomacy. I am originally from India, moved to Florence, Alabama about 11 years ago, and recently moved to Denver for my master’s. I also studied abroad in South Korea during my undergrad at Kyungpook National University in Daegu! I speak English, Hindi, and Korean, among others, so feel free to say hi in yours! Outside of school and work, I like to cook, hike, and go cafe hopping.