Karen Cagley, Director, International Student and Scholar Office
Manages the ISSO to provide support and services to international students and scholars and to the UNL community by providing information to international students and scholars to help them maintain their immigration status and by assisting university departments with immigration related matters in order to hiring and retaining international faculty and staff. Karen is the lead staff member for developing policies and procedures, maintaining the universities compliance with federal regulations related to immigration and coordination of data management. Prior to joining UNL in 1999, Karen was an International Student and Scholar Advisor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Karen has been active in the field of international education and has served on the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region II team as Community Section Representative and as Region II Chair, has been a member of the NAFSA Trainer Corps, has served on the Local Arrangement Team for Regional Conference and has presented on various topics at regional and national conferences. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Wartburg College and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Natalia Meyer, Associate Director, International Student and Scholar Office
Natalia plays a lead role at the ISSO to ensure that international faculty and staff are sufficiently supported so that they can thrive and succeed at UNL. Natalia provides university departments with immigration-related matters to hire and retain international faculty, researchers, and staff. Natalia's expertise includes advising regarding immigration classifications that relate to international faculty, staff, and scholars (J-1, E-3, O-1, and H-1B). Natalia is the lead specialist for non-traditional student programs such as Non-Degree Exchange Visitors (J-1). Prior to joining UNL in 2015, she worked as an Admissions Specialist for the Graduate College at Oklahoma State University. Natalia holds a B.A. degree in Psychology from Iowa State University and an M.A. degree in Higher Education Administration from UNL.
Angela Bryan, Associate Director, International Student Support
As Associate Director of International Student Support, Angela oversees a team of International Student Success Navigators, who support international students’ personal, social, cultural, and academic adjustment by hosting workshops, social activities, and cultural events and assisting students with non-immigration related issues. She began her career in higher education at UNL Graduate Studies, spending 16 years in international graduate admissions, before moving to the ISSO in January 2024. With a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and a strong belief in the transformative power of global education, Angela has dedicated her career to creating inclusive, supportive environments where international students feel welcomed, valued, and equipped to thrive.
A lifelong Husker, Angela earned a Bachelor of Arts in Russian and European Studies and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from UNL, and she’s currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Studies (Educational Leadership & Higher Education) in the UNL College of Education & Human Sciences. When she’s not reading textbooks or writing papers, she enjoys watching ice hockey, completing puzzles, and cuddling with her 4-year-old pit bull, Stormy.
Connor Willingham, Assistant Director, International Student and Scholar Office
Connor advises international students and scholars to help them maintain their immigration status and assists university departments with immigration-related matters. He oversees sponsored and exchange student support at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, collaborating with Fulbright and a range of international university partners. He also manages data systems and ensures compliance with SEVIS regulations.With more than a decade of experience in international education at the University of Nebraska, Connor is an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, currently serving in the Region II chair stream. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Jennifer Yuma, International Student and Scholar Specialist
Jennifer, a first-generation Husker and daughter of immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, understands the challenges of navigating both immigration and higher education in the U.S. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Communication Studies and began her career in Los Angeles working in entertainment journalism. Now at UNL, Jennifer draws on her personal and professional experience to advise international students, ensuring they stay in compliance with immigration regulations while helping them thrive during their time at the university and beyond.
Amanda La Paz Torres, International Student and Scholar Specialist
I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, in 2020 I immigrate to the U.S. and live in Florida until 2021 when I moved to Nebraska. I can speak two languages: Spanish and English. Before joining the International Student and Scholar office, I worked as an Information Specialist in Immigration for the UNK Global office at the University of Nebraska - Kearney. Amanda received a B.S., Psychology, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, 2021 and an M.S. Education - Higher Education Student Affairs, 2024
Venn Jemkur, International Student Success Navigator
Julius Owusu Afriyie, International Student Success Navigator
Julius serves as one of our International Student Success Navigators, supporting the international student community through advising, programming, and event coordination. Before joining the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) full-time, Julius worked as a graduate assistant with both Husker Hub and Global Experiences while completing his master’s degree in Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Originally from Ghana, Julius joined UNL as an international student in 2022.