About IETS

Since 1990, iets has been providing quality professional development and consultations for international educators to strengthen the delivery of services in the field of international educational exchange. Throughout its history, iets has trained and mentored thousands of designated school officials.

What makes iets training unique is:

• Regulation-centered training. Emphasis is placed on understanding the difference between law, policy, and practice.
• Our focus on helping you to gain experience and confidence in making practice decisions on a daily basis.
• The special combination of teaching methods used to achieve training goals, including: lecturing, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and case studies.
• The professional development certificate awarded to those completing all three levels of F-1 SEVIS Essentials training.
• Legendary handouts that can be used as soon as you return to your desk!

IETS Trainers:

June Sadowski-Devárez, Founder, President and Trainer, worked in higher education administration for more than 30 years -- specializing in the federal regulations pertaining to F-1 students for 20. She holds the Master of Arts degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher and Adult Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. From 1988 to 2002, she served as Assistant Dean/Director of International Student and Scholar Services at St. John's University.

Yocasta Brens-Watson, Trainer, is the Manager of International Services at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. Ms. Brens-Watson has been in the field of International Education for 16 years. Her areas of expertise include F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors regulations, and employment-based nonimmigrant petitions. She has served as chair for NAFSA Region X, Regulatory Ombud, and was a member of NAFSA’s Regional Affairs Committee. Ms. Brens-Watson holds a Masters degree in Higher Education and Administration from New York University.

Krista Gard, Trainer, brings more than 13 years of experience in international education to IETS.  She currently serves as the Director of International Student and Scholar Services at St. John’s University, where she is responsible for more than 1200 international students and scholars and federal compliance for three New York City campuses.  Krista holds the Master of Science in Education degree with a major in Student Development Practice in Higher Education.  She is also the Downstate New York Representative for NAFSA Region X.

Jennifer Golden, Director of Regional Training, IETS, has 20 years of experience advising international students, scholars, faculty and staff on F and J regulations at institutions such as Kingsborough Community College (CUNY), Columbia University, Fordham University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has presented regionally and nationally at NAFSA conferences. Jennifer holds an M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University, and a B.A. in Anthropology from Boston University. Since 2003, Jennifer has served as director of Administration and Development at IETS, daily fielding questions from P/DSOs and A/ROs throughout the U.S.

Sal Longarino, trainer, is Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars at Fordham University. Previously, he directed the OISS at New York University for seven years. Sal was NAFSA's national CAFSS (now called KC-ISSS) chair. He is a Past Chair of NAFSA's Region X and a past member of Metro-International's Board of Directors. He is also currently NAFSA's New York State Whip for Advocacy and NAFSA's Alternate Representative to the DPI/NGO at the UN.