Supporting International Students
The International Student Support Committee is a cross-campus initiative dedicated to ensuring international students feel engaged, connected, and prepared for success at Otis College. Bringing together leaders representing Admissions, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Community Engagement and Belonging, and Student Support Services, the committee works collaboratively to shape a holistic student experience.
Through this partnership, we focus on strengthening recruitment efforts, supporting student retention and persistence, increasing meaningful engagement on campus, and expanding opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to understand and support the international student experience.
Meet the Committee
Our International Student Support Committee includes faculty, staff, and students, who represent a range of perspectives and experiences to better support our international community.
Francarlo Resto
Co-chair, Assistant Dean, Community Engagement and Belonging
Pronouns: he/they
Languages: English
Hometown: Romeoville, Illinois
Favorite place: Anywhere near the water and Mexico City
Yoi Tanaka
Co-chair, Vice President, Admissions and Financial Aid
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English, French (basic)
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Favorite place: Mexico City and Tokyo
Edward Kang
Assistant Director of Student Employment and Operations
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English, Mandarin Chinese
Hometown: Auburn, Alabama and Chicago, Illinois
Favorite place: The beach or climbing gym
Chuck Sung Hohng
Admissions Counselor
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English, Korean
Hometown: Long Beach, California
Favorite place: Vulture Culture Oddities (local), Deyrolle (international)
Matthew Penkala
Director of Academic Administration
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English
Hometown: Cleveland
Favorite place: Los Angeles
Ron Bernard
Academic Chair, Animation and Motion Design
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English, Mandarin Chinese
Hometown: New Haven, Connecticut
Favorite place: Koh Samui, Thailand
Ada Lee
TISO, 2025-26
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: Cantonese, English, Mandarin
Hometown: Hong Kong
Favorite place: Hong Kong
Nicole Zhong
TISO
Pronouns: she/they
Languages: Mandarin, English
Hometown: Guangzhou, China
Favorite place: Seattle
Dr. Briana Murrell
Director, Student Learning Center
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Favorite place: The sky, flying among the clouds!
Yujin Iris Jeong
Assistant Director of International Admissions
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: Korean, English
Hometown: Seoul, Korea
Favorite place: Cape Town and Switzerland in the summer
Felix Wang
Academic Advising Counselor
Pronouns: she/they
Languages: English; basic Toisanese, Cantonese, and Mandarin
Hometown: San Francisco, California
Favorite place: Descanso Gardens
Justin Thai
Assistant Director, One Stop
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: Vietnamese, English
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Favorite place: Bangkok, Thailand
Brendan Griffiths
Chair, Graphic Design and Illustration
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
Favorite place: Tokyo
Teayoun Kim-Kassor
Professor and Chair, Foundation Studio
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: Korean, Japanese, English
Hometown: South Korea
Favorite place: South Korea, Japan, Spain, Norway, Italy, Canada, Morocco
Connect with Us
The International Student Support Committee is here to help international students feel welcome and connected throughout their Otis College experience.