International Student Council
Mission
The International Student Council (ISC), formerly known as the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), is a group of international student representatives selected to provide insight and feedback to ISSS and other campus units. Members are expected to foster and maintain strong relationships with international student organizations and UMD international students to understand their experiences and challenges. In turn, members possess the ability to collect and share information as necessary. This group is solutions-oriented and seeks to empower students to develop solutions to the identified challenges of international students on our campus.
Participation in the Council offers a meaningful opportunity for leadership development and contributes to building a more connected and vibrant international student community at UMD.
Meet the 2025 Continuing Members
Raya Francis
Raya is a doctoral student in the Family Science Department at the School of Public Health. Her research interests include fostering health and well-being among children and youth in underserved communities through community-engaged, family-based interventions. She is originally from Beirut, Lebanon. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Saint Joseph University of Beirut. She loves languages and is proficient in Arabic, French, English, and Spanish. During her free time, she enjoys building large 2D puzzles and spending quality time with her furry friend.
Taiwo Alawode
Taiwo Alawode is a PhD student in the Department of Global Environmental and Occupational Health in the School of Public Health. Prior to enrolling at the University of Maryland, she earned a Master of Public Health degree in Environmental Health at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, her home country. This role provides a chance for her to contribute positively towards addressing the needs of international students.
She serves as an ISSS International Orientation Leader and is excited to serve on the International Student Advisory Board. This role provides a chance for her to contribute positively to addressing the needs of international students. She is passionate about advocating for the rights and well-being of international students and hopes to use her position on the board to address any issues or concerns they may have. By working closely with her peers and university administration, she aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all international students on campus.
She likes to bake and engage in volunteering activities in her leisure time.