About the IEC

The International Education Centre provides a range of programs and services tailored to support and enhance the experience of our global students. Committed to holistic learning, we strive to meet the diverse needs of our global students while ensuring compliance with changing government policy related to immigration and international student support from authorized educational agents.

IEC Services

Immigration Support	Immigration advice from an International Student Immigration Advisor, including Permanent Residence advising within three years of graduation; Support and advice related to studying and working in Canada, including aid in applying for a study or work permit;
Notary	A notary is available, offering free notarization, commissioning, and certification services for students, including certified copies of original documents, affidavits, and statutory declarations
Health Insurance	We provide comprehensive support for international students, offering free notary services and assisting with University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) matters. These services help international students navigate important documentation and health coverage requirements during their academic journey in Canada.
Study Abroad Opportunities	We provide exciting study abroad opportunities through the UTM Exchange and UTM Abroad programs. These programs enable students to earn credits while experiencing new cultures, traveling, and developing global competencies, with options for both short-term and semester-long international experiences.
Working in Canada	Requirements to work in Canada as an International Student Support with obtaining your: Social Insurance Number (SIN) Student Permit Amendments Co-op Work Permit
International Student Programs & Events	We offer comprehensive programs like the Transition Coaching Program and International Student Mentorship Program (ISMP), designed to support international students' academic and social success, while also hosting various events to foster community building and help students make meaningful connections during their time at UTM.
Intercultural Development	We offer comprehensive intercultural development programs and services, including the Global and Intercultural Fluency Training Series (GIFTS), Cultural Fusion Fridays, and individualized Intercultural Development Inventory assessments, designed to enhance intercultural competence for students, staff, and faculty across the campus community.

These are just a few areas in which the International Education Centre can provide you with assistance. We understand that what is familiar to us may be new and complex to you. We are here to help you maximize your study experience.

Meet the IEC Staff

The International Education Centre (IEC) at the University of Toronto Mississauga is staffed by a diverse team of dedicated professionals committed to supporting international students and fostering global learning opportunities. Our staff includes specialists in immigration advising, student transition support, global mobility, intercultural development, and more. Each team member brings unique expertise to help international students thrive academically and socially, while also promoting intercultural competence across the campus community. To learn more about our staff and their roles, please explore our individual profiles below:

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Veronica Vasquez (she/her)

Director

The IEC Director supports all students in their transition to Canada, their international experiences abroad and their global learning on campus. Contact the Director for feedback, new initiatives, overall support and more.

Cristina Puha (she/her)

Assistant Director, International Student Supports

The Assistant Director, International Student Supports works with her team to address issues and questions related to immigration matters and transition matters. Students looking for advice concerning their study permits, work permits, permanent residency and other immigration matters can receive support at no additional cost from a Certified Immigration Consultant.

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Romona Mangal (she/her) _^(On-leave)

International Education Administrator

The International Education Administrator provides front-line support to all international students including booking appointments, directing you to resources, and more! They also support the overall operational needs of the International Education Centre.

Mindy Cha (she/her)

International Students Immigration Advisor

The International Students Immigration Advisor works with students to address issues and questions related to immigration matters. Students looking for advice concerning their study permits, work permits, permanent residency, and other immigration matters can receive support at no additional cost from a Certified Immigration Consultant.

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Ntenda Kalenga (she/her)

Assistant Coordinator - Operations

The Assistant Coordinator - Operations supports the overall operational needs of the International Education Centre.

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Megan Stevenson (she/her)

International Student Advisor

The International Student Advisor works with students to address issues and questions related to transition matters. Students looking for advice concerning their University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), Social Insurance Number (SIN), adjusting to life in Canada and other transition matters can contact the International Student Advisor for more information or questions.

Sherice Robertson (she/her)

International Students Transition Coach

The International Students Transition Coach works with students to address issues and questions related to transition matters. They support all international students by helping them build strong skills, set clear goals, and support their overall transition to UTM through the Transition Coaching Program.

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Andrew Sedmihradsky (he/him)

Global Mobility Coordinator

The Global Mobility Coordinator provides support to UTM students interested in an international study experience and visiting exchange students coming to UTM from around the world. Contact us to get support on your exchange application, transfer credits, what to expect out of your international experience, and more.

Karolina Kujszczyk (she/her)

International Experience Special Projects Coordinator

The International Experience Special Projects Coordinator provides support to UTM students interested in UTM Abroad. Contact us to get support on your application, what to expect out of your international experience, and more.

Gilbert Lin (he/him)

Assistant Director, Intercultural and Global Initiatives

The Assistant Director provides strategic support to the IEC’s programs focused on international students’ sense of belonging at UTM, building intercultural awareness among all students, and creating opportunities for students to internationalize their experience.

Rebeca Mahadeo (she/her)

Supervisor, Intercultural Fluency and International Student Development.

The to Supervisor, Intercultural Fluency and International Student Development, creates spaces for discussion, learning, and celebration of the intercultural nature of our campus as well as oversees a team dedicated to improving the internatonal student experience. From pop-up events to trainings and workshops, we provide a space for skill development and growth.

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Zarina Mamadbekova (she/her)

Student Development Coordinator, International Programs

The SDC, International Programs creates programs for international students to engage in skill development and community building. From ISMP to Canada eh, we provide a space for students to connect and grow through various programs intended to help them transition in, through, and out of university.

Carolina Pombo (she/her)

Career Counsellor, International

The Career Counselor helps students gain more insights into the factors that may be important in their career journeys, including personality traits, cultural values, skills, and family relationships, and helps them foster authentic career stories. The Counselor specializes in international experiences and global careers, trauma-informed career counselling, and coping skills for career and performance anxiety. Click here to learn more.

Sue Romulo (she/her)

Global Mobility Coordinator

Lucille Yi (she/her)

Employment Strategist, International

The Employment Strategist, International offers career support tailored to international students, the strategist works with both the International Education Centre and UTM Career Centre to provide employment strategizing and career counselling. Click here to learn more.

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Jonathan Davis (he/him)

Research and Assessment Analyst

The Research and Assessment Analyst utilizes research and assessment practices to support student learning by measuring learning outcomes and the effectiveness of the programs, services, and resources within the International Education Centre and fellow Student Experience departments.

Connect with the IEC!

We invite you to connect with the International Education Centre at UTM! Whether you're an international student seeking support, interested in study abroad opportunities, or looking to enhance your intercultural competence, our team is here to help. Visit our Contact Us page to find out how to reach us via email, phone, or in person. We look forward to assisting you on your global learning journey!