OIS Staff Bios

OIS staff are available to assist you with a variety of issues. In many instances you will need to schedule an appointment to speak with your advisor as only quick matters can be handled on a walk-in basis. Whenever possible, you are encouraged to email your questions to your advisor or to schedule an appointment for a more detailed discussion.

If you are unable to make a scheduled appointment, you should call OIS ahead of time to let the advisor know you cannot make it.

Director

  • Gudrun
    Gudrun Kendon
  • kendon@cua.edu 

    Gudrun Kendon is the Director of Office of International Services. She joined OIS in January of 2007 after having worked for five years in the Cultural Division of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C. She is committed to the field of international education and has worked advising international students since 1989 primarily in the Washington, D.C. area. She holds a Master's degree in Intercultural Management from the School of International Training located in Brattleboro, Vermont. Born in England, she has traveled extensively throughout Europe, visited New Caledonia, Kenya, South Africa, Malawi, Egypt, Israel, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Colombia, and has lived in Australia, Spain and The Netherlands. She finds working with international students extremely rewarding and feels honored to be able to meet and learn about people from all over the world!

Associate Director

Porter is the Associate Director our office, having joined the team in October 2023 from Erie, Pennsylvania. He grew up about an hour south of Cleveland, Ohio and holds degrees in International & Comparative Politics from Dayton, Ohio. Porter spent most of his time in school researching China’s regional politics and democratic participation. Outside of these interests, Porter enjoys writing, traveling to historic sites, and playing all kinds of games. Spending time with students in this field is Porter’s passion, so always feel free to stop by our office for a chat!

International Advisor

Seydick Ramirez Chaveco is the International Student Advisor of Office of International Services. She joined OIS in October of 2022 and has been working with international students since 2008. She was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and holds a degree in Computer Science. Learning new cultures and languages has always been her passion which has manifested itself in extensive travel across major continents. She loves to help students break frontiers and travel abroad in the pursuit of their dreams. She is excited to serve the international student community at Catholic University and is looking forward to contributing towards the school’s mission and goals! 

Administrative Assistant

Ivan Alvarado joined the OIS department in September 2023.  He joined OIS after working in a variety of career fields, from serving in the United States Air Force, to being a special education paraeducator, to coaching athletics at a local community college.  He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Towson University (MD).  Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Ivan has lived and traveled throughout the continental U.S. before laying down roots on the East coast.  He is also currently an assistant coach for the Men’s and Women’s track & field/cross country programs here at Catholic University

The OIS staff does not work for the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and are not agents of the U.S. government. They do, however administer the F and J federal visa programs and are responsible for University compliance with federal regulations governing those programs. They are not immigration attorneys and as such are prohibited from legally advising you on matters unrelated to the F or J program, your studies or employment related to your status.