Welcome to ISSA!
Welcome to the International Studies Student Association (ISSA) at UCSD, the official student organization of the International Studies Program (ISP) at the University of California, San Diego. ISSA seeks to gather like-minded individuals who share diverse interests in international studies and international relations. We provide a platform of rich experiences and opportunities in international studies.
Browse our website to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how you can join us!
Follow our Socials!
Join Our Mailing List!
President
Sona Ovasapyan
Sona Ovasapyan is a third-year Eleanor Roosevelt student majoring in International Business and minoring in Environmental Studies. She grew up in Glendale, California. She is fluent in Armenian and refining her Spanish skills. She loves exploring botanical gardens and hiking.
_
Director of Administrative Affairs
Jasper Wu
Sara is an undergraduate at UCSD majoring in International Economics and minoring in Computational Social Science. She grew up speaking English and Farsi, and aspires to gain a proficiency in other languages as well. She would say she takes a "venturesome" approach to life. Engaging in conversations with friendly faces, and experiencing new environments and hobbies are her little joys in life.
-
Director of Special Events
Arya Singh
Aryamaan Singh is a third-year Sixth student double majoring in International Studies - Political Science and Economics. He is an International student from New Delhi, India. He has a passion for world politics and likes to explore new places, cultures and cuisines. He is fluent in English and Hindi. Some of his hobbies include reading books, watching movies, and trying new restaurants!
_
Director of Public Relations
Erin Tang
Erin is a second - year student pursuing a Communications major with a minor in Marketing! She frequently visits her extended family in Canada and would love to visit Taiwan or Italy in the future. She has two siblings, one of whom is her twin. Some of her favorite activities include singing, reading, and exploring San Diego with friends!
_
Vice President
Jeniffer Espinosa
Jeniffer is a fourth-year Muir College student majoring in International Studies- Political Science. She was born and raised in San Diego, California. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Currently, she has been learning Korean. Her hobbies include dancing, traveling, and going to concerts.
_
Director of Mentorship
Sara Pirzad
Jasper Wu is a second-year student in Seventh College majoring in International Studies — Political Science, and comes from San Jose, California. Jasper is fluent in Mandarin and English, but is eager to learn another language in the future. While usually glued to the computer playing video games, Jasper also enjoys hiking (when it's not too hot!), geeking about geography and history, and playing pool on the weekend
_
Director of Alumni Affairs
Landon Lee
Landon is excited to serve as ISSA's Alumni Affairs chair for the 2023-2024 school year! He is majoring in International Business and has been part of ISSA for over a year now. He enjoys playing baseball, soccer, bowling, golf, and watching F1 racing.
_
Director of Membership
Elizabeth Chang
Elizabeth Chang is a second-year Marshall student pursuing a double major in International Studies - International Business and Real Estate and Development. She is from Irvine, California. She is fluent in English and Bahasa Indonesia while learning Mandarin. In the future, she hopes to visit more countries in Europe and South East Asia. Some of her favorite activities include finding new foods, going to concerts, learning new sports, and spending time in her hometown.
_
Check out our Instagram Page and Notion Page for the most updated information on ISSA events!
2022-2023 Events
Social Sciences Career Day
Spooky Halloween Social
Undergraduate Mentorship Program Thanksgiving Potluck
Bondfire Social @ La Jolla Shores
Students of all majors and levels
are welcome to drop in on all events, meetings,
and socials hosted throughout the year.
To be considered an active member (you’re interested in greater involvement, intend to put ISSA on your resume, etc.):
Attend quarterly General Body Meetings
Attend at least 5 social/professional/academic events each quarter (Professor Panel, Speaker Series, Networking Night, etc.)
If part of the Undergraduate Mentorship Program meet all program-specific requirements
Stay involved – via Instagram, Notion, socializing/networking with other members, and even hanging out!
A key focus of ISSA is to foster community through student-run, student-driven Mentorship. Active members of ISSA have the opportunity to participate in the dynamic Undergraduate Mentorship Program (UMP) and interact with alumni through the Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP), Alumni Coffee Chats, Networking Night, etc.
UNDERGRADUATE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (UMP)
The ISSA Undergraduate Mentorship Program (UMP) connects members of ISSA through academics, social events, and other networking opportunities. Participants are matched up with other students of similar academic and professional interests, these mentor and mentee groups are encouraged to attend UMP events, socials and other ISSA activities as a group, with the goal of fostering friendship and mentorship throughout the year.
Applications for the 2024 Spring Undergraduate Mentorship Program are now OPEN! Applying using the form on our instagram by April 12th, 2024!
Mentor and Mentee should be current UCSD students
Mentor and Mentee should meet at least three times per quarter
1:1 meetings/group meetings between mentor and mentees can be either remote or in-person
The Undergraduate Mentorship Program encourages International Studies majors to apply, although the program is open to all UCSD majors.
Please note that this program is separate from ISSA’s Alumni Mentorship Program, where current active UMP members are connected with and gain professional advice from graduates of UCSD’s International Studies community.
Follow our Notion Page to keep updated on postings regarding job/internship opportunities, international related events on campus, and more.
Questions or Concerns?
Email us at [email protected] or message us on Instagram or Notion !Instagram: @issa.ucsd
Notion: @issa.ucsd
ISSA Research Opportunities!This is a chance for passionate students to share their research regarding international relations topics with Professors and ultimately be published with Prospect.All submissions must adhere to our guidelines below to increase accessibility among ISSA’s diverse readership. We cannot guarantee review of submissions that do not follow these guidelines:
Any information from an outside source must be cited, preferably in hyperlink format. In text citations or inclusion of a bibliography is also acceptable.
ISSA/Prospect articles typically range from 500-1200 words. Submissions in the realm of undergraduate theses must either be revised in order to meet this word limit, or potentially split into separate articles.We will accept research papers on a rolling basis and encourage everyone with an idea to submit a piece .Happy writing!**All submissions are welcome, but the ISSA executive board reserves the right to exclude submissions deemed inappropriate. By submitting an entry, you agree to allow ISSA to make necessary edits to your piece.
2022-2023
Rina Mandeville
President
Candace Chan
Director of Public Relations
Eric De Haas
Director of Administrative Affairs
Brendon Wong
Vice President
Jason Melz
Director of Membership
Sona Ovasapyan
Director of Special Events
Jeniffer Espinosa
Director of Alumni Affairs and Mentorship
2021-2022
Rebecca Toney
President
Christina Liu
Director of Public Relations
Brendon Wong
Director of Administrative Affairs
Becca Howard
Vice President
Katia Yuki Hastings
Director of Mentorship
Rina Mandeville
Director of Membership
Jeremy Day
Director of Special Events
Amery Castro
Director of Alumni Affairs
2020-2021
Sabrina Fernandez
President
Cecilia Cai
Director of Special Events
Stephen Napolitano
Director of Administrative Affairs
Vanessa Morales
Director of Mentorship
Rebecca Toney
Director of Membership
Harrison Tang
Director of Public Relations
Andrew Monteilh
Director of Alumni Affairs
2019-2020
Defne Sevil
President
Pankhuri Prasad
Director of Public Relations
Ekam Gondara
Vice President
Brandy Juarez
Director of Administrative Affairs
Hadar Galili
Director of Special Events
Joseph Goulart
Director of Membership
Pankhuri Kohli
Director of Mentorship
2018-2019
Federico Arroyo
President
Deborah Jeong
Director of Administrative Affairs
Rachel Finerman
Director of Alumni Relations
Isabelle Chen
Vice President
Kerisa Lin
Director of Public Relations
Sabrina Fernandez
Director of Special Events
Riley Hao
Co-President & Director of Mentorship
Kelly Wun
Director of Membership
2017-2018
Natalyn Pow
President
Tenzin Chomphel
Director of Public Relations
Tina Oliva
Director of Membership
Sophie Osborn
Vice President
Saloni Dalal
Director of Mentorship
Daniel Carnahan
Director of Interorganizational Liaison
Caitlyn Khuu
Director of Administrative Affairs
Jesse Lun
Director of Events
2016-2017
Cassidy Shapiro
President
Jerin Tan
Special Events Coordinator
Amy Nguyen
Vice President
Stephanie Peng
Director of Administrative Affairs
Janell Ingersoll
Mentorship Program Director
Alex Gunn
Director of Public Relations
2015-2016
Ivana Ro
President and Co-Founder
Rebecca Chong
Director of Administrative Affairs
Jenny Gross
Vice President
Melody Tsolmonkhuu
Special Events Coordinator
Precious Nicanor
Director of Public Relations
Cassidy Shapiro
Mentorship Program Director
2014-2015
Angela Luh
Co-President and Co-Founder
Lori Pope
Social Events Chair
Lily Lo
Vice President
Yen Nguyen
Events Administration Chair
Jacob Poore
Interorganizational Liaison
Lillian Hwang
Secretary & Mentorship Program Chair
Yinan Zheng
Interorganizational Liaison