About International Services

Our Mission

Our mission is to serve our University and its international community complying with pertinent federal statutes and regulations; to develop and assist in developing programming to promote comprehensive internationalization collaborating with University-wide working group (WGIS), committee (GT) and Office of the Provost’s Office of International Initiatives; to support partnerships and affiliations that bring prestige and positive recognition to our University through NGO/DPI relationship with the United Nations; and to advocate for international education issues and development of professionalism in NAFSA.

Staff and Administration

Ana Belzunce, Director

Located at Lincoln Center

Ana comes to Fordham from Pace University where she served as a DSO for more than three years. She was born and raised in Spain and holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland where she was an international student herself. In her free time, she can be found trying to win lottery tickets to Broadway shows or taking long walks through Central Park.

Allison Carella, Assistant Director
Located at Rose Hill
Allison Carella is an Assistant Director and designated school official (DSO) for the Office of International Services. Allison joined the OIS team in 2019. Prior to coming to Fordham, she spent 11 years working with international students in a language school setting. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University at Albany and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Mercy College.

Ethan Edholm, Assistant Director
Located at Lincoln Center
Ethan is a Designated School Official and International Student Advisor for F-1 students. Ethan graduated with his BS from Champlain College, and obtained his MA in International Education from Concordia University Irvine.

Ean Tierney, Assistant Director

Ean Tierney is rejoining Fordham's OIS as a DSO based at Rose Hill, but he will serve student populations at both campuses. Ean's experience includes working as a teacher in France and Micronesia, conducting student seminars and excursions in the UK, Italy, Morocco and Spain, and working as a consultant in Hawaii and Brazil. He obtained a B.S./B.A. in International Business and International Relations from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY and an M.A. in International Political Economy and Development at Fordham, where he also worked as a graduate assistant at OIS

Imran Patwary, International Student Advisor
Imran is joining Fordham's OIS as a DSO/ISA based at Lincoln Center, but he will serve student populations at both campuses. Imran comes to Fordham from St. John's University, where he served at the Office of International Education (Outbound Programs). Imran has an MA and a BA in English from Queens College, City University of New York. He has also worked as an Embedded Tutor for First-year Writing courses at Queens College. Imran looks forward to advising international students at Fordham and making their transition to Fordham and the U.S. a little smoother.

Alexandra DeStefano, International Student Advisor
Alexandra is the newest International Student Advisor at Fordham’s Office for International Services (OIS), based at the Rose Hill campus. Throughout her career working in international education, she has helped students from around the world embark on their academic journeys in the U.S. Having studied abroad in Italy, Alexandra understands the lasting impact that living and learning in another country can have. She holds a B.A. in Global Studies from the University of New Haven and an MPA from the University of Texas at Arlington. Alexandra is excited to support Fordham's international students as they adjust to life in the U.S and make the most of their time here.