International Alumni Return to Campus
The Office of International Services and the NC State Alumni Association welcomed international alumni back to campus for networking and a panel discussion focused on immigration, one of the first events of a new initiative to reach out to NC State’s more than 300 international alumni living in North Carolina.
Members of NC State’s international alumni network gathered on the evening of November 12 in the Dorothy and Roy Park Alumni Center to hear from two immigration law experts. Attorneys Brian Bumgardner and Miguel Manna from Ogletree Deakins’ immigration practice group in Raleigh provided updates on business immigration for highly skilled workers.
The discussion, moderated by Elizabeth James, director of the Office of International Services, covered the current immigration trends and administrative agenda to come.
Over 3,800 international students study at NC State every year from over 120 different countries. Last year, more than 800 students were approved for internship opportunities with top employers in the Triangle region and throughout the U.S., and many go on to work for them after they graduate using Optional Practical Training.
Monday night’s event provided an outlet for these former students to connect with their former peers and discuss their concerns about employment in the current immigration climate.
“International students and alumni have read the news and experienced the impact of changes to business immigration policies in the U.S.,” said Elizabeth James. “This was a wonderful opportunity to hear from experts who represent a wide range of employers on the realities facing those seeking to work in the U.S. after graduation, hopefully with the reassurance that companies are successfully navigating this landscape to continue to hire the best and brightest, regardless of where they come from.”
If you are an international alumnus who is interested in joining a future NC State International Alumni Network event, join the Facebook group to stay connected.