A Brief History of V.I.S.A.
Back in the year 2000, the International Student Centre (ISC) we know today did not exist. The current Director of the ISC, Mrs. Kim Moore was handling the affairs of the international students out of the Registrars office. UWindsor student Angela Khoo noticed how her workload was so overwhelming, and there was no support for her. Angela and her friends began volunteering for Mrs. Moore, and that group of people eventually formed the Volunteer International Students Assistance, or V.I.S.A. Angela became the head of the group, and V.I.S.A.’s first Coordinator.
From those humble beginnings, V.I.S.A. continued to expand over the next few years under the leadership of various Coordinators, dedicated Executives, and diverse groups of volunteers. But it was during two year leadership of Joanna Chan in the 2003-2005 period that V.I.S.A.’s current structure was brought in place. Her extraordinary efforts for the group are now recognized by the Annual Leadership Award for V.I.S.A. Executives being named in her honour.
Joanna’s efforts were continued on by Abu Arif in the 2006-2007 academic year, and then by Mallika Padmanabhan from 2007 to the end of 2008. The efforts of these two Coordinators expanded V.I.S.A.’s horizons and volunteer base. It was during that time that I became involved with V.I.S.A. as well.
At the beginning of 2009, Laura Prada became the next V.I.S.A. Coordinator. She ended her tenure at the end of August of the same year. After being the Assistant Coordinator under Laura during that time, I took over from her and continued on till the end of the 2009-2010 academic year. Lulua Mala succeeded me as Coordinator for the 2010-2011 year. The current Coordinator of the group is Mahek Ajmera, who began his term in December of 2010.
Cody Hall, the home of the International Student Centre
ISC Staff at Christmas, including Mr. Enrique Chacon (Santa), Mrs. Kim Moore and others
Abu Arif: V.I.S.A. Coordinator, 2006-2007
Mallika Padmanabhan, V.I.S.A. Coordinator 2007-2009 and Myself
