The Office of International Programs Launches the International Student and Scholar Portal to Enhance Student Services

The Office of International Programs is proud to announce the official launch of the new International Student and Scholar Portal (ISS Portal), an innovative platform powered by Terra Dotta. This new system is designed to significantly enhance the experience of international students and scholars while streamlining essential processes and services.

Assistant Provost Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., sees the implementation as a crucial step forward for OIP.

Launching the Terra Dotta system for international student services reflects Seton Hall’s broader commitment to operational excellence and global engagement. By modernizing our processes and strengthening the support structures for our international students, we are investing in a future where students can navigate their journey with greater ease and confidence. Our international community enriches the fabric of Seton Hall, and we are proud to enhance the systems that help them thrive.

The ISS Portal will serve as a centralized hub for international students and scholars to manage visa documentation, request services, receive updates and access vital resources. With a user-friendly interface and improved functionality, the platform aims to simplify tasks that were previously handled through email or in-person visits. During the current phase of the implementation, the ISS Portal is open to all F-1 international students. For example, when a student would like to apply for Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) work authorization to work on an internship, the student can now complete an online form within the ISS Portal. The student’s faculty/academic advisor will be notified via email with a link to access the online approval form. After reviewing, the advisor can approve the internship request virtually and instantaneously the OIP will be notified to process the work authorization for the student. After CPT is authorized, a Form I-20 immigration document will be issued to the student. The student can log in to the ISS Portal with Seton Hall log in credentials to download the I-20 document. It is a more secure way to share documents to students. 

“We are excited to provide a more intuitive and efficient experience for our international community,” said Johanna Pan-Carr, director of the Office of International Programs. “The ISS Portal powered by Terra Dotta enables us to deliver timely support while ensuring compliance, better integrated advising tools and enhanced data security.”

F-1 international students are encouraged to explore the new portal and reach out to the Office of International Programs with any questions or feedback. In the next implementation phase, the ISS Portal will be extended to our J-1 exchange students and J-1 scholars. 

Categories: Campus Life, Education, Nation and World