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Rajesh Adhikari

PDSO/RO International Students’ and Scholars’ Services 

+1 (201) 684-7567 / radhikar@ramapo.edu

Primary Responsibilities

• Immigration Practice Review: Periodically review the College’s immigration policies and practices to minimize legal risks and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.
• Visa Certification & Re-designation: Manage the re-certification of the F-1 visa program and the re-designation of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
• Visa Process Management: Develop and implement internal visa processes for H-1B, LPR (EB-1), and PERM (EB-2) categories.
• Expert Guidance: Serve as a subject matter expert on Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) regulations, offering guidance on DACA, TPS, status changes, and I-9 compliance.
• Orientation & Support: Conduct F-1 and J-1 pre-arrival orientations, as well as three-day on-campus orientations, to ensure students and scholars understand immigration requirements and available campus resources.
• Travel Advisories: Regularly monitor U.S. Department of State travel alerts and provide timely advisories to College leadership.
• Training & Development: Provide ongoing training and support to staff in Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) roles.
• Program Administration: Administer the Fulbright Program, F-1, and J-1 Exchange Programs within the SEVIS system.
• Advising International Students & Scholars: Advise international students, scholars, and employees on complex immigration regulations, as well as offer guidance on personal, social, financial, and academic matters.
• CPT/OPT/H1-B/LPR Sessions: Conduct workshops on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT), H-1B and LPR each semester.
• Training & Efficiency: Design and facilitate training sessions for departmental administrators, HR, faculty, and staff on U.S. immigration laws and regulations, while collaborating on strategies to improve visa processing efficiency.
• Reporting & Compliance: Compile statistical reports on international students and scholars for campus distribution and submission to governmental agencies and international education organizations.
• International Engagement: Collaborate with exchange and local partners, host international delegation visits, and enhance services for international students, scholars, and employees.
• Retention & Collaboration: Work closely with the Admissions and Enrollment Management teams to develop a campus-wide approach aimed at improving international student retention outcomes.

Off-Campus Service

Treasurer

Recognitions & Awards

• • President’s Staff Leadership Award, Ramapo (2023)
  • President’s Staff Excellence Award, Ramapo (2017)

Presentations

• Education USA South and Central Asia Regional Forum, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2023)
  Topic: Opportunities for International Students at Ramapo of NJ
• Education USA – Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh (2007-2022)
  Topic: U.S. Education and Immigration Policies / Why Ramapo?
• Various Institutions – Shanghai and Nanjing, China (2010-2013)
  Topic: U.S. Higher Education
• Indo-American Education Summit, Hyderabad, India (2013)
  Topic: Study Abroad in America
• NAFSA Regional Conference (Region IX) (2007)
  Topic: Immigration & F-1/J-1 Advising / Regulations
• University of Pittsburgh, PA (2003-2006)
  Topic: H-1B, O-1, TN, EB, F-1 & J-1 Visas, LPR, PERM, International Taxation, and Cross-Cultural Communication