Meet Our Team

ISSS Director/PDSO/RO

Bettine Hoff Hermanson is a proud member of the Center for Global Education and Experience (CGEE) team at Augsburg, and have been in the role as the Director in the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office since 2020. In this role, Bettine is responsible for the leadership and coordination of advising services for international students and scholars and the admissions for exchange students, as well as provide academic, personal and emotional support for international students during their studies at Augsburg. She is the primary liaison with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, representing the university in matters pertaining to F-1 international students and J-1 exchange students and scholars.

Bettine’s main focus is to support international students in achieving their academic goals, navigating our university, experiencing cultural transition, and developing intercultural leadership skills. In addition, she serves as a liaison to the International Student Organization (ISO) and the International Mentor Program.

Over the last 10 years—as an employee of Augsburg University—Bettine has taught in the Cross Cultural and Language Department (Norwegian), as well as planned and executed annual international events like Nobel Peace Prize Forum and the Human Rights Forum, ensuring that important global perspectives and challenges are highlighted, discussed, and brought to campus.

Bettine holds a B.A. in Sociology from St. Olaf College (as an F-1 student), and a B.A. in Social Work from Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (HiOA) in Norway (currently known as OsloMet). She is currently finalizing her Master of Arts in Leadership.

Bettine uses she/her/hers pronouns.

ISSS Program Assistant/Mentor Leader/International Orientation Leader

Email: jirilloc@augsburg.edu

Chiara Jirillo Mellace (she/her) is an international student from Italy who has started her experience at Augsburg University back in August of 2022. She is majoring in New Media, minoring in Graphic Design, and Communication Studies which has allowed her to be an intern for CFN (Communication Studies, Film, and New Media) and a student worker for the Art and Design department.

She is currently working as the ISSS Program Assistant, helping her peers through advising and personal support, and takes care of anything related to international students such as weekly emails, events and orientation.

Gan-Erdene Bat-Erdene (he/him/his) is an international student from Mongolia currently studying Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Communications and Psychology at Augsburg University since August 2022. In addition to his studies, Gan-Erdene is actively involved on campus. He serves as an ISSS Program Orientation Leader, a Sports Medical Assistant, a PASS mentor, and an International Student Mentor.

His commitment to helping others navigate university life and fostering a sense of community underscores his dedication to both academics and student support at Augsburg.