Ron Cushing

About Ron Cushing

I am an International Education professional with over 20 years of experience that includes expertise in all aspects of international student and scholar services and recruitment. This includes serving as the Principle Designated School and Responsible Officer for SEVIS programs, submitting employment petitions and permanent resident petitions, certifying payments made to guest speakers and performers, certifying eligibility to claim tax treaty benefits, verifying the employment eligibility of international workers, and making export control certifications. I have experience developing and managing a comprehensive international recruitment plan and shaping a university-wide vision that enhances brand recognition world-wide. My experience is at a large, multi-campus, urban research university with premier colleges of Medicine, Music, Engineering and Business. I have trained hundreds of international office staff on immigration regulations through my consulting service, Immigration Concepts. Fundamentals of Foreign Student Advising is my flagship program and is the most comprehensive training program for Designated School Officials in the field. I have served as the Student-Scholar Regulatory Representative for NAFSA Region VI and have made over one hundred presentations at professional conferences, including NAFSA; AIEA; the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC); Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU); and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Counselors (AACRAO). Most recently I wrote the U.S. Student Visa and Immigration Policy section for the AIRC Professional Development Manual. This section provides senior recruitment agency managers and their counseling personnel with information about the financial certification and I-20/DS-2019 issuance process, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), applying for a student visa, F-1 and J-1 student employment, and taxation issues.

Experience

1. Advisory Partner

   Academic Assembly, Inc

   Jul 2018 — Present · US

   I serve as an Advisory Partner for Academic Assembly, Inc. providing training and consulting services for institutions of higher education. My role within Academic Assembly is to provide SEVIS training for Designated School Officials and Responsible Officers, provide training on filing employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, TN, O) and immigrant petitions (green cards), and provide guidance on taxation, withholding and I-9 completion. I also provide advice on developing international recruitment plans and managing global recruitment agency networks.

Education

• University of Cincinnati

  Bachelor's degree

  1985 — 1989

• University of Cincinnati

  Master's degree

  1989 — 1991