ISSS Staff
Heather Housley
Director
Fun Fact: Heather grew up riding horses and showing cows on her family's dairy farm in east Tennessee.
Heather is the Director of International Student & Scholar Services, where she has worked since 1998 in various roles. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the Ohio State University in Columbus. Heather served two years in Senegal as a Peace Corps Volunteer, studied abroad in Chennai, India, and participated in a Fulbright program to Germany. She enjoys learning about the world not only by traveling, but by getting to know the unique and wonderful international students here at Georgia State.
Tammy Lyskowinski
Assistant Director
Fun Fact: Tammy boasts a collection of 19 snow globes from her various travels around the world.
Tammy is the Assistant Director in the ISSS office and assists Georgia State University departments with obtaining H-1B, TN, O-1 status and Permanent Residency for international faculty and staff. Tammy has worked in international education since 2000 and in higher education since 1996. Tammy obtained both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Georgia. In addition to working at Georgia State University and The University of Georgia, Tammy has been active in both state and regional groups dedicated to the field of international education. From 2006-2008 she has served as Secretary-Treasurer and Chair of the Georgia Association of International Educators, and in 2005 she was awarded a Fulbright grant through the U.S. – Germany International Education Administrators Program.
Kimberly Dixson
Customer Service Specialist
Fun Fact: Kimberly is President of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at her children's school, Panola Way Elementary.
Kimberly is the International Services Specialist for ISSS. She received her associate’s degree in education from Washtenaw Community College in Southeast Michigan in 2005. As the initial point of contact for all visitors to ISSS, Kim handles front desk operations and fields a large volume of diverse inquiries on a daily basis. Kimberly enjoys the culture and diversity of Georgia State, and assisting international students and scholars from all different countries and all walks of life.
Nabila Gomes
Office Manager
Fun Fact: Nabila enjoys following the stock markets of developing nations.
Nabila is the Office Manager in ISSS. Born and raised on her native island of Trinidad and Tobago, Nabila is a Georgia State alumnus herself, having received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2007. Nabila is responsible for ensuring the office runs smoothly, and she assists international students with a variety of issues including mandatory health insurance and tax inquiries.
Yun Lin
International Admission Coordinator
Fun Fact: Yun has an insatiable appetite for African and Caribbean food.
Yun coordinates international admissions processes in ISSS. Originally from China, Yun moved to Pittsburgh, PA with her family in 2006. After completing her master's degree in higher education at Pennsylvania State University, she joined ISSS in August 2008. Yun reviews and processes applications and issues visa eligibility documents for F-1 and J-1 international students. She also advises international students on immigration and financial requirements, and guides them through the admissions process at Georgia State University. Yun has traveled to several Asian countries and enjoys experiencing different cultures.
Lenka Hadamova
F-1 Student Advisor and ISAC Coordinator
Fun Fact: Lenka lived in historic castles while working as a tour guide in the Czech Republic.
Lenka joined the ISSS office in July 2008 as an international student advisor and coordinator for International Student Associations Council (ISAC). Originally from the Czech Republic, Lenka taught Czech Language, Literature and Music Education courses while finishing her master’s degree at Palacky University in Olomouc. Lenka entered the field of international education in 2006 as a graduate assistant in the International Student Center at Kansas State University, where she received her master’s degree in English as a Second Language (ESL). She enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures, and likes to spend her spare time hiking, skiing, and rollerblading in the great outdoors.
Katie Tudini
F-1 and J-1 Student Advisor
Fun Fact: Originally from upstate NY, Katie is a diehard Buffalo Sabres/Bills fan.
Katie advises F-1 and J-1 exchange students at Georgia State. Katie studied abroad in 2003-2004 at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Mooloolaba, Australia, and received her master’s degree in higher education administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY in 2007. In addition to her advising responsibilities, Katie is the chapter coordinator for Phi Beta Delta, an international education honor society. Katie enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two dogs, Bentley and Buddy.
Brittany Polat
F-1 and J-1 Student Advisor
Fun Fact: Brittany's family has lived in the Atlanta area since the early 1800s
Brittany received her bachelor’s degree in international public relations from the University of Georgia, and her master’s degree in international management from the University of Toulouse, France. She has lived in France, Germany, England, and Turkey, and she is currently pursuing a master’s in applied linguistics at Georgia State. Brittany advises F-1 students and J-1 Fulbright and Muskie students, and she works with driver’s license and culture shock issues, the ISSS newsletter, IEP students, and the Global Ambassadors class.
Holly Williams
Scholar Advisor and SEVIS Coordinator
Fun Fact: Holly received a fashion and beauty overhaul from Stacy London and Clinton Kelly as a participant on TLC’s reality TV show What Not to Wear.
Holly joined ISSS in 2007. Holly advises J-1 visiting scholars at GSU and, as the technical liaison for the office, is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of international student records in the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). After receiving her B.A. in French from the University of Georgia in 1998, Holly moved to Washington, DC, where she began her career in international education as an intern in the Public Affairs division of the Canadian Embassy. Holly worked with International Visitor exchange programs at Meridian International Center in Washington, and from 1999-2005 worked with U.S. and J-1 Visiting Fulbright Scholar Programs at the Council for International Exchange of Scholars. Holly moved to Savannah, GA, in 2006, where she advised F-1 international students at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Holly enjoys foreign languages and cultures, and feels fortunate to work at a campus as diverse as Georgia State.