Born in Brownsville and raised in Mexico, Samantha brings more than 20 years of experience in international education to her position as Director of International Admissions and Student Services. Ms. Lopez previously served as Manager of International Student & Scholar Services with the Office of Global Engagement at The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College. Samantha is well-versed in federal and state regulations related to immigration, employment, and educational opportunities for students and scholars.
Among her many accomplishments, Samantha has been an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators (the leading professional organization in the field of international education) for more than 9 years. Samantha is a recipient of the “Outstanding Service Award to International Education” for her work in demonstrating outstanding performance of a sustained and serious nature of national impact based on her success in winning a Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeal (BALCA) case with the U.S. Department of Labor in 2011.
Her professional interests include international education, immigration regulations, and research about student services at higher education institutions. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her two sons Carlos and Alejandro, reading, serving the community, and exercising. Ms. Lopez received both a bachelor's and master's of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College. Ms. Lopez has presented at conferences and is the recipient of numerous scholarships. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Higher Education Teaching at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.