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Meet The Staff

Student Services	Phone: (831) 459-2858 Email: istudent@ucsc.edu
Vanessa Orey Interim Assistant Director of International Student Services	Specialization: F-1/J-1 Students Vanessa has been involved in the world of international studies for over a decade. After a year-long homestay program in Belgium, she became hooked on traveling. Vanessa maintained her curiosity for different cultures by completing her bachelor's degree in International Relations at UC Davis, teaching English in South Korea for one year, participating in a Spanish immersion program in Ecuador, and backpacking in more than 20 countries worldwide. She previously worked for the Cabrillo College Transfer and Career Center and received a master's degree in Education and Counseling from San Jose State University. In Vanessa's free time, she enjoys being outdoors, dancing, hiking, sailing, and loves to call Santa Cruz home with an international twist!
Catherine Murphy International Student Advisor	Specialization: F-1/J-1 Students Catherine was born and raised in Uruguay, and moved to the U.S. with her family in her late teens. She completed a bachelor's degree in International Relations at San Francisco State University, and a California teaching credential with San Diego City Schools. Her 27 years of teaching experience include elementary school, adult ESL, and Spanish language at a Montessori adolescent program. She established and oversaw a student exchange program at Santa Cruz Montessori School. Catherine has also worked in the area of immigration law and she holds a Paralegal Studies certificate. She joined the ISSS team in 2022 as an International Student and Scholar Advisor. Some of Catherine’s interests are traveling, reading, going for long walks, and watching the night sky.

Student Services

Vanessa Orey

Interim Assistant Director of International Student Services

Specialization: F-1/J-1 Students

Vanessa has been involved in the world of international studies for over a decade. After a year-long homestay program in Belgium, she became hooked on traveling. Vanessa maintained her curiosity for different cultures by completing her bachelor's degree in International Relations at UC Davis, teaching English in South Korea for one year, participating in a Spanish immersion program in Ecuador, and backpacking in more than 20 countries worldwide. She previously worked for the Cabrillo College Transfer and Career Center and received a master's degree in Education and Counseling from San Jose State University. In Vanessa's free time, she enjoys being outdoors, dancing, hiking, sailing, and loves to call Santa Cruz home with an international twist!

Catherine Murphy

International Student Advisor

Specialization: F-1/J-1 Students

Catherine was born and raised in Uruguay, and moved to the U.S. with her family in her late teens. She completed a bachelor's degree in International Relations at San Francisco State University, and a California teaching credential with San Diego City Schools. Her 27 years of teaching experience include elementary school, adult ESL, and Spanish language at a Montessori adolescent program. She established and oversaw a student exchange program at Santa Cruz Montessori School. Catherine has also worked in the area of immigration law and she holds a Paralegal Studies certificate. She joined the ISSS team in 2022 as an International Student and Scholar Advisor. Some of Catherine’s interests are traveling, reading, going for long walks, and watching the night sky.

Scholar Services	Phone: (831) 459-2858 Email: ischolar@ucsc.edu
Gabriele Schmiegel Interim Assistant Director of Faculty & Scholar Services	Specialization: Sponsored students, J-1 scholars, J-1 interns, Employment-based visas (H-1B, TN, O-1), Permanent residency Gabi was born and raised in Germany. She originally planned to become an Egyptologist but switched her studies to Political Science and American Government instead. She came to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities as an exchange student in 1994 and stayed to complete her master’s degree. Gabi has traveled extensively to the Middle East and North Africa. She has been working in international education for 25 years and her passion to help international students get the support they need to succeed drove her to create and lead the sponsored student program at UMN for the last 10 years. She loves to travel, experience new cultures and cuisine, read, watch Netflix, cook, bake, and eat good food with friends. She has a cat but loves fluffy dogs as well.

Scholar Services

Phone: (831) 459-2858

Email: ischolar@ucsc.edu

Gabriele Schmiegel

Interim Assistant Director of Faculty & Scholar Services

Specialization: Sponsored students, J-1 scholars, J-1 interns, Employment-based visas (H-1B, TN, O-1), Permanent residency

Gabi was born and raised in Germany. She originally planned to become an Egyptologist but switched her studies to Political Science and American Government instead. She came to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities as an exchange student in 1994 and stayed to complete her master’s degree. Gabi has traveled extensively to the Middle East and North Africa. She has been working in international education for 25 years and her passion to help international students get the support they need to succeed drove her to create and lead the sponsored student program at UMN for the last 10 years. She loves to travel, experience new cultures and cuisine, read, watch Netflix, cook, bake, and eat good food with friends. She has a cat but loves fluffy dogs as well.