Ashley Davis, Director of ISSS, PDSO, RO
Ashley holds a master’s degree in Adult and Organization Learning and Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in International Business, and 10 years’ experience working in international higher education. Ashley comes to Gonzaga from her role as Manager of Immigration and Student Success at the Community Colleges of Spokane. Prior to this position, Ashley served as the Associate Director of International Student, Scholar and Faculty Services (ISSFS) at the University of Idaho. Ashley has a comprehensive knowledge of immigration regulations pertaining to F and J visa holders, international student and scholar services, practices, and resources. She has a history of embracing innovation and facilitating process improvement with campus stakeholders.
Born and raised in China, Ashley speaks Mandarin Chinese. She’s passionate about sharing her culture as well as helping create opportunities for intercultural exchange amongst the campus community. Ashley considers working with international students and scholars as one of the most rewarding professions. Helping the international community navigate new environments and witnessing their tenacity, creativity and growth is both gratifying and inspiring. Ashley is excited to join Gonzaga because of its mission to develop, educate and care for the whole person, which is perfectly aligned with her personal values.
In her leisure time, Ashley enjoys raising her daughter and reading books on various topics.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the operations of ISSS, including quality of services, international students and scholars well-being, immigration compliance, policies and procedures improvement, budget and personnel.
- Serves as Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO).
- Supports Gonzaga's global engagement mission through collaboration, advocacy, and leadership.
Davisa3@gonzaga.edu | 509-313-3583 | Hemmingson 204D
Claire Le Poullouin, Assistant Director of ISSS
Claire is excited to be returning back to the Gonzaga community! Claire earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Gonzaga University as well pursued her Washington State Secondary Teaching credential with endorsements in English Language Arts and ELL/ESL.
Claire is a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in the Kingdom of Tonga. While serving, she taught ESL at the Government Primary School in Mu’a and worked with various community leaders on community-based projects & initiatives. Claire is passionate about learning about her student’s backgrounds and is excited to support all students as they continue to grow deeper into their gifts & talents.
She has traveled to Italy, Australia, Greece, Thailand, Ireland, Turkey, New Zealand, Indonesia, among others, and is always looking forward to planning her next trip. She also has family abroad in the Netherlands & France and keeps in close touch with her community in Tonga.
In her free time, she enjoys being by the water and spending time out in the Spokane community enjoying poetry slams, live music, and local theater.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for community building among international students through cultural programming and activities, International Student Mentor Program, International Student Union, New International Student Orientation and International Alumni Program.
- First point of contact for J-1 exchange students and visiting scholars. Serves as the Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
lepoullouin@gonzaga.edu | Hemmingson 204B | (509) 313-3549
Patrick Kearns III, International Student Advisor
Patrick Kearns III holds a master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and a bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Leadership and Public Service. He studied abroad at the ESC Rennes School of Business in Rennes, France, was an intern in the Missouri House of Representatives, and was a NAFSA Advocacy Day Scholarship recipient where he traveled to Washington D.C. to speak with Congress about international education policy.
For the last five years, Patrick has been teaching and advising at Universities in China. This includes positions at Qingdao University, Ocean University of China, and Southwest University of China. He also helped facilitate academic programs in China for the university Miami-Ohio and Missouri State University. He is fond of the connections and lifelong friendships he was able to make with his students.
Patrick is passionate about international education and believes it plays an important role in bringing the world together. He's excited to use his newfound understanding of the world to better serve the international students at Gonzaga University.
In his free time, Patrick enjoys watching stand-up comedy, trading stocks, hiking, reading books, and learning about history and culture. He's looking forward to exploring Spokane and the beautiful natural environment of the Pacific Northwest.
Responsibilities
- Serves as Designated School Official (DSO) for IEP/Pathway and Graduate international students.
- Provides holistic support to IEP/Pathway and Graduate international students.
- Assists international students with their inquiries and requests related to maintaining F-1 visa status, cultural adjustment, navigation of U.S. and GU policies and procedures, insurance, tax filing software.
kearnsiii@gonzaga.edu | 509-313-6433 | Hemmingson 102-E
Nora Macrae-Smith, International Student Advisor
Nora Macrae-Smith received her bachelor's from Gonzaga University in English Literature and a minor in Philosophy and is thrilled to be living in Spokane and supporting the Gonzaga community.
Nora finds assisting students in reaching their goals to be rewarding work and is enthusiastic about furthering Gonzaga's humanistic mission. Previously Nora worked as an international flight attendant and helped people worldwide with their traveling adventures. Priorly, she spent a year living in Sagamihara, Japan, interning at a military base. Before that, she was a cast member at Walt Disney World; Nora is eager to continue working and getting to know the international community. She is excited to support students as they experience new frontiers and understandings of the world.
In her free time, she likes to attend local events with friends, paint and illustrate, and watch movies with her cat Spectre.
Responsibilities
- Serves as Designated School Official (DSO) for undergraduate international students.
- Provides holistic support to undergraduate international students.
- Assists international students with their inquiries and requests related to painting F-1 visa status, cultural adjustment, navigation of U.S. and GU policies and procedures, insurance, tax filing software.
macrae-smith@gonzaga.edu | 509-313-5593 | Hemmingson 102C