Contact

ISSA – Programs

Intercultural Center
204 LaFortune Student Center
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Phone: (574) 631-3825
Fax: (574) 631-3162
E-mail: issa@nd.edu

ISSA – Immigration Services Office

121 Main Building
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
Phone: (574) 631-5243
Fax: (574) 631-9698
Email: undiso@nd.edu

Staff

Bethany (Heet) Burgun
Director,
International Student Services and Activities
204 LaFortune Student Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574 631 3825
Email: burgun.1@nd.edu

Bethany (Heet) Burgun, M.Ed., graduated Magna cum Laude with a B.A. in Spanish and Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. Bethany earned a Master of Education degree through Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education program and taught Middle School English and High School Spanish and theology for several years. As a teacher, Bethany hosted immersion trips to Costa Rica and tours of Spain and France.

In 2004 Bethany returned to Notre Dame as Director of International Alumni Clubs and traveled to nearly 30 countries to build the University community abroad. Bethany volunteered as an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor for many years, and currently volunteers in the South Bend School Corporation for the Read to a Child program.

In her spare time, Bethany loves to travel, read, and practice yoga. She joined International Student Services & Activities as director in 2007.

Elisabeth Robart
Assistant Director,
International Student Services and Activities
205 Lafortune Student Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574 631 3785
Email: erobart@nd.edu

Elisabeth came to Notre Dame in August 2008 from many years on the East Coast of the US. She has her Master’s degree in International and Transcultural Studies from Teachers College, Columbia University where she also worked in the International Student Services Office. She has experience teaching ESL, and also directed an ESL community program for immigrant populations.

Elisabeth comes from an international background: she grew up in France; with a French father and an American mother. She came to the United States at the age of sixteen to attend school and has lived here ever since, except for one and a half years when she lived in China, teaching ESL in Xi’an. While there, she even learned a little Mandarin

Outside work she enjoys reading, traveling, singing and cooking as well as taking nature walks and seeking out the best that an area has to offer in culture and entertainment.

Debbie Watts
Sr. Staff Assistant,
International Student Services and Activities – Programs
204 LaFortune Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574 631 3825
Email: Deb.Watts@nd.edu

For the past six years Debbie been stationed happily at the ISSA front desk to meet and greet new and returning students; to calm fears about the dreaded TAX RETURNS, listen to news from home, celebrate birthdays, congratulate achievements and generally be of assistance in whatever capacity possible.

Please stop by anytime and say hello!

Patricia Guzowski (Patti)
Senior Staff Assistant ,
International Student Services and Activities
121 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574 631 5243
Email: guzowski.2@nd.edu

Patti started working in the Immigration Office in June 2005, but she has been with the University since October 2000. She grew up in South Bend and she is an alumnus of Washington High School. Patti is married and has one son who is an adult already! She and her husband like to travel to warmer parts of the United States and she herself one day would like to tour the world. Her ancestors came from Hungary and Poland many, many years ago and she has their naturalization papers in her possession. She someday hopes to try and find out what towns they were born in!

Patti is so happy and excited to be working at the Immigration Office of ISSA and she looks forward to meet all the International Students from year to year! She always willing to assist you in any way she can with a smile!

Laura A Gerth
International Student Advisor ,
International Student Services and Activities
Immigration Services Office
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574 631 4603
Email: Laura.A.Gerth.6@nd.edu

Laura is one of the International Student Advisors. She joined the ISSA staff from Washington, D.C., where she worked as a business immigration paralegal. Her educational background includes an MA from the University of Kansas in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies and a BA from Luther College in Anthropology and Russian Studies.

Outside of work she enjoys quilting, knitting, reading and playing with her cat.

Sam W Lokhart
International Student Advisor,
International Student Services and Activities
121 Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Phone: 574 631 4735
Email: slockhar@nd.edu

Sam has advised international students and scholars for more than twelve years, beginning in Graduate School at Northern Michigan University. He has served as an Immigration Advisor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and as the Coordinator for International Student and Scholar at the University of Dayton. He joined the ISO staff at Notre Dame in May 2007. Sam earned his bachelor’s degree at Millikin University in Central Illinois and attended graduate school at Northern Michigan University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

“Aside from being a great Midwestern community like the ones I knew growing up in Illinois, the character and tradition of Notre Dame make this place very special. The climate here is great for spending time outside and when I am not in the office I try to be outside as much as possible – especially in the fall and winter – whether I am camping, biking, hiking, skiing or just working outside. I am a huge football fan and the atmosphere on campus on football Fridays and tailgating on Saturdays is a phenomenal experience.”