Meet Our Staff

Marcia Taylor
Director

Ms. Taylor directs all aspects and functions of International Services. She is the Primary Designated School Official for the F-1 student program, the Responsible Officer for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, and advises university faculty and staff on issues related to H1-B, TN, and permanent residency based on university employment.

She has worked in the field of International Education for over 16 years. During her undergraduate program, Ms. Taylor participated in a semester abroad program in London, England through the Institute for European Studies. Ms. Taylor was a Peace Corps volunteer in Botswana for two and a half years, where she taught secondary school mathematics.  During her five years at Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, she traveled to recruit international students in India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, and Venezuela.

As a member-leader with NAFSA: Association of International Educators and Florida Association of International Educators, Ms. Taylor has served as the Florida State Representative to NAFSA Region VII, Region VII representative to Academy II, the Region VII coach for Academy IV, a member of Trainer Corps, a member of the NAFSA SEVIS Policy and Practice Subcommittee, FAIE Treasurer, and FAIE Chair. She is currently a member of the NAFSA ISSS-RP International Student Subcommittee and the NAFSA Region VII Chair-Elect. She has a B.A. in International Studies from Hope College in Holland, Michigan and an M.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in African Studies from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

Erin Dudley
International Scholar Advisor

Ms. Dudley advises J-1 international scholars on current immigration regulations including status maintenance, how to renew visas, and changing status.  She is an Alternate Responsible Officer for the J-1 program.  Ms. Dudley came to USF in 2005 and worked at the USF English Language Institute as the Immigration Advisor and Activities Coordinator. She has been with our office since December 2008 where she most recently worked as the International Student Advisor.  Ms. Dudley has a B.A. in English from the College of New Jersey and a M.A. in Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida.

Ms. Dudley spent a semester abroad during her undergraduate program at the University of New South Wales, in Sydney, Australia and traveled to Beijing, China for the 2008 Summer Olympics.  She is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and is the in-coming Tampa District Coordinator for the Florida Association of International Educators.

James Schwartz
International Student Advisor

Mr. Schwartz is a Designated School Official for the F-1 student program. He advises students on current immigration regulations including status maintenance, visa renewal, eligibility for on/off campus employment, and changes of immigration status.

Mr. Schwartz has a B.S. in Agronomy and Botany from the University of Florida. He has visited Costa Rica as part of the Master Gardener Program and has sailed to the Bahamas. He came to USF in 2012 as an International Student Advisor, prior to that he was the Coordinator of International Student Services at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL.  Although originally a Gator, he is enthusiastic about being a USF Bull and working with international students to help them adjust to life at the University. He is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Florida Association of International Educators.

Daniela Mui
Immigration Student Advisor

Mrs. Mui is a Designated School Official for the F-1 student program. She advises students on current immigration regulations including status maintenance, visa renewal, eligibility for on/off campus employment, and changes of immigration status.

Mrs. Mui has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Florida. She spent several weeks in England during her final year as an undergraduate.  She came to USF in 2008, originally working with our incoming students...  Although originally a Gator, she is enthusiastic about being a USF Bull and working with international students and scholars to help them adjust to life at the university. She is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Florida Association of International Educators.

Thora Collymore Cecil
Lead Immigration Specialist 

Mrs. Cecil is a Senior Specialist and Sponsored Students Advisor, who leads the team that works with newly admitted international students, transfers, and change of levels. In addition, she assists with immigration compliance issues and government mandated reports. She is a Designated School Official for the F-1 student program and an Alternate Responsible Officer for the J-1 program. Mrs. Cecil is a notary public. She has worked in our office since 2006 and has gained 9 years of experience in Immigration Compliance.

Mrs. Cecil is originally from Barbados and loves to travel. She has lived in England and Canada. She is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Florida Association of International Educators..

Erin Yarbrough
Immigration Specialist (New Student Advisor)

Ms. Yarbrough works with the incoming student team. She is responsible for assessing and creating their immigration documentation. She is a Designated School Official for the F-1 student program.  Erin has begun her dedication to international education since Fall 2013. She comes to USF with extensive knowledge of the regulation for an F-1 students to status as they continue their studies. She is available to answer questions about their new I-20s whether it be a change of program or program extension, and the process for student coming INTO USF to USF and transfer-in students by email or phone.

Amna Parson
Immigration Processing Assistant (New Processor)

Ms. Parson works with newly admitted students, analyzing their immigration documents and coding them accordingly. She creates scholar profiles, helps with mailing, and is responsible for incoming e-mails, scanning, and assisting with other office procedures.

Ms. Parson graduated from the University of South Florida in May of 2015 with a B.A. in English concentrating in Technical Writing and minors in Geography and Interdisciplinary Classical Civilizations.  She has been working with the Office of International Services since August of 2013 as a student worker. She is excited to continue to help all new students as the Immigration Processing Assistant.

Kristen Zernick
Student Programs Coordinator

Ms. Zernick is responsible for developing and facilitating programs to help international students integrate into campus and community life. She provides opportunities for international and domestic students, faculty, and scholars to share their culture and collaborates with campus partners to host a variety of intercultural events. Faculty, staff, student organizations, or students interested in partnering with the Office of International Services to host programs or other events should contact her by email at kzernick@usf.edu.

Kelly Hall
Assistant Director, INTO USF Immigration

Mrs. Hall is responsible for the F-1 international student program at INTO USF. She is a Designated School Official and she advises students on current immigration regulations including status maintenance, how to renew visas, progression from INTO USF to their degree program, and changing status. Mrs. Hall has been with INTO USF since August 2010 and prior to that worked with international students at the University of Central Florida for five years. She has her B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University and her M.A. in Higher Education Policy Studies from the University of Central Florida.

Mrs. Hall spent a semester abroad in London, England during her undergraduate program which sparked her love of international travel. She enjoys meeting new international students each semester and helping them during their journey at USF. She finds it a great way to learn about the world. She is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and has served as the Florida Association of International Educators Tampa District Coordinator previously and is currently serving as their Website Coordinator

Mary-Ellen (Lynn) Smith
International Student Advisor, INTO USF Immigration

Ms. Smith is an International Student Advisor at INTO-USF.  Her goal is to help international students maintain their visa status while they are studying at INTO.   As a Designated School Official, she informs students of current regulations, and policy changes made by the University, USCIS and the State Department and she interprets how these changes affect their status.  Notification occurs through personal advising, correspondence, newsletters and presentations.  She acts as the main liaison with the INTO Admissions team.  Staying informed through professional development regarding changes in government relations and how they affect international students is of primary importance to her. She has returned to the USF where she worked for thirteen years in International Services at USF, working her way to become an International Student Advisor and USCIS Coordinator.  She is an active member of NAFSA:  Association of International Educators. She has co-authored two chapters in a book called Crisis Management in a Cross Cultural Setting, published and sold by NAFSA. 

Ms. Smith received both her B.A. in Professional and Technical Writing and her M.A. in Government and International Relations from USF.  She spent a semester abroad in Wuhan, China teaching English.  Ms. Smith is an avid world traveler and enjoys diversity in cultures.  Born in Montreal, Quebec, she is now proud to be a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Matrell Everett
Immigration Processing Assistant, INTO USF Immigration

Mr. Everett previously worked as an INTO USF Student Support Assistant. After graduating from USF with a B.A in Political Science, Mr. Everett now works with the INTO Immigration team as an Immigration Processing Assistant.  He is involved on the data processing associated with all incoming INTO USF international students. He works with immigration document verification process, coding of newly admitted students and the creation of immigration documents for incoming INTO USF international students.  He shows a strong knowledge of international affairs and plans to continue his Master’s dealing with International planning and development.

Mr. Everett looks forward to seeing/ welcoming you all and assisting with the INTO Immigration Team!