Andrea Popa

Andrea Popa is the Director of the Office of International Student Affairs (OISA). In this role, she oversees immigration advising and collaborative cross-college support for Emerson’s growing number of international students. Andrea joined Emerson College in December 2018, after 16 years at Boston University’s International Students and Scholars Office. Andrea brings experience and knowledge in the area of developing collaborative cross-campus programming with orientation, residence life, career services, health services, and academic support units. She specializes in F-1 and J-1 student immigration advising, policy and system development, and intercultural training. In addition, she has experience in immigration processing for faculty and researchers in H-1B specialty worker and J-1 scholar exchange categories.

Andrea holds a Master of Arts in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociology from Eastern Nazarene College. She is a frequent presenter at professional conferences regionally and nationally. Andrea is a current member of NAFSA Region XI Government Regulations Advisory Committee (GRAC). Previous professional leadership positions include: NAFSA International Student/Scholar Regulatory Subcommittee (ISS-RP), NAFSA Trainer Corps, and curriculum team member for the “J-1 Beginners” Continuing Education Program (CEP).

Andrea spent her childhood and high school years in Portugal, including Lisbon, Coimbra, and Terceira Island in the Azores. She also lived and worked in Bucharest, Romania. Andrea and her husband Cristian have two daughters. Andrea is a Girl Scout leader and theater enthusiast. She enjoys traveling globally and exploring the New England coastline.