Staff Listing

Staff

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
Kellie Raffaelli

Kellie Raffaelli

  • Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Dean of Students
  • Director of International Programs and Services

More About Kellie

  • Kellie was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. 
  • She loves to travel and be outdoors alongside her family and enjoys camping, hiking, and kayaking.
  • Kellie is also dedicated and deeply invested in seeing students succeed, not only academically and professionally but also as human beings.

Specialties

  • Primary Designated School Official (DSO)
  • Student support
  • F-1 student advisor
  • J-1 scholar advisor
  • SEVIS administrator 
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
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

  • Designated School Official
  • Events and activities organizer
  • Immigration documentation processing
Casey Nelson

Casey Nelson

  • Manager, Study Away and Abroad

Student Staff

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.
Atsushi Sakamoto

Atsushi Sakamoto

  • Student Office Assistant

More About Atsushi 

  • Atsushi is a second year here at Michigan Tech studying Human Factors and he is from Osaka, Japan

  • He mostly assists with OPT documentation, new arrivals, website edits, and handling general queries
  • He loves outdoor sports/activities such as hiking, cycling, and kayaking, but his ultimate favorite is soccer

  • Traveling is one of his main hobbies. He is always fascinated in learning about different cultures and trying out new things