International Programs and Services

Staff Listing

Staff

Christian Montesinos

Christian Montesinos

  • Director of International Programs and Services

More About Christian

  • Christian was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. 
  • He is a licensed Immigration attorney and also an Adjunct professor teaching Immigration Law and Asylum and Refugee Protection to law students. He joined IPS as their Director in 2024. 
  • Christian also loves to read and spend time with his dog. 
 
 

Specialties

  • Primary Designated School Official (DSO)
  • Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)
  • Student support
  • F-1 student advisor
  • J-1 scholar advisor
  • SEVIS administrator 
  • Fluent in Spanish

Machel Borsum

Machel Borsum

  • Manager of International Student and Scholar Services

More About Machel

  • Machel joined Michigan Technological University in 2014 and currently serves as the Manager of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
  • In her free time, Machel likes to travel, spend time with family, and enjoy the great outdoors. Over the years, Machel has become the American mom to numerous students. If you ever need a shoulder to lean on or a hug, Machel will make sure she's available.

Specialties

  • Designated School Official
  • F-1 Student Advisor
  • Curricular Practical Training
  • 12 Month Optional Practical Training
  • 24 Month Optional Practical Training STEM Field Extension
  • Email opt@mtu.edu -- for all OPT related needs
Mariana Nakashima

Mariana Nakashima

  • Senior Administrative Aide

More About Mariana

  • Mariana joined the International Programs and Services Department in April 2023.
  • Having lived the experience of an international Latina student, studying engineering at a highly-ranked R2 institution, she understands the many obstacles and challenges students are facing and she hopes to help fight those obstacles and challenges. 
  • In her spare time, she enjoys painting, riding her bike, walking her dog on the trails, kayaking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
  • She likes reading about architecture, art movements and her favorite artists are Yayoi Kusama and Georgia O'Keeffe. 

 

Specialties

Casey Nelson

Casey Nelson

  • Manager, Study Away and Abroad

More about Casey

  • Casey is originally from the UP town of Norway, MI and graduated from MTU in 2018 with a degree in Communication, Culture, and Media and minors in International Spanish and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
  • As an MTU student, Casey studied abroad for a semester in the Dominican Republic and a semester in South Korea.
  • Prior to joining IPS in the Summer of 2023, Casey previously worked as a Study Abroad Advisor at the University of Mississippi and the University of Georgia.

Specialties

  • Manages MTU's outbound study away programs and partnerships, including Faculty-Led, Exchange, and 3rd-Party
  • Oversees the nomination processes for incoming exchange students
  • Serves as liaison for exchange partnerships
Jamie Sertich

Jamie Sertich

  • International Student and Scholar Advisor

More About Jamie

  • Jamie graduated from Michigan Technological University in 2019
  • She joined the International Programs and Services Department in October 2020
  • In her free time, Jamie enjoys spending time with friends and family, and loves enjoying the beauty of the Upper Peninsula.

 

Specialties

  • Designated School Official (DSO)
  • Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)
  • SEVIS registration
  • Immigration documentation processing
  • F-1 student advisor
  • J-1 scholar advisor

Student Staff

Purity Obegi Angwenyi

Purity Obegi Angwenyi

  • Student Office Assistant

More About Purity

  • Purity is a second-year master’s student in Engineering Management with a strong background in Electrical Engineering (Power Generation & Distribution). She is from Kenya, “The pride of Africa,” a country known for its scenic landscapes and wildlife preserves.
  • She has hands-on experience in power distribution, maintenance, and system optimization. Purity is also skilled in project management, using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve processes and streamline workflows. Outside of work and school, Purity loves exploring different meal traditions through cooking, engaging in outdoor activities, and giving back to her community through volunteer work. She is always ready to bring energy to social activities!
Joseph Halcombe

Joseph Halcombe

  • Student Office Assistant

More About Joe

  • Joe is a third year here at Michigan Tech studying Computer Science and he is from Stevensville, MI.

  • He mostly assists with greeting arrivals, OPT documentation, website editing, and general questions.
  • He loves indoor activites like reading, running, and hiking.
Fareeda Mahmoud

Fareeda Mahmoud

  • Student Office Assistant

More About Fareeda

  • Fareeda is a first-year master’s student in Biological Sciences originally from Accra, Ghana, where she worked as a Physician Assistant. With a deep passion for health and research, she hopes her current studies will equip her to drive meaningful change in her home country.
  • In her free time, Fareeda enjoys reading, watching movies, and listening to music. She’s also an avid lover of outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, and traveling. Recently, she has taken an interest in skiing and looks forward to exploring more winter adventures.
Frank Ofosu

Frank Ofosu

  • Student Office Assistant

More About Frank

  • Frank, a first-year master's student in Health Informatics, hails from Sunyani, Ghana. With a strong passion for leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery, he is committed to advancing innovative solutions in the field of health informatics.
  • During his tenure as Vice President of the Student Representative Council, he spearheaded the development and implementation of transformative policies that enriched both the academic and social experiences of students on campus. His initiatives fostered collaboration among diverse student groups, enhanced access to academic resources, and promoted vibrant campus activities, leaving a lasting impact on his alma mater.
  • Beyond academics and leadership, Frank is an adventurous spirit who enjoys road trips, outdoor exploration, and engaging with nature. A passionate dancer, he thrives on expressing creativity and connecting with others through movement.