10 Questions with Jack Sterbis
Meet Jack Sterbis, Assistant Director of International Faculty and Scholars
With 11 years of direct experience working with visiting faculty and scholars, Jack is not only an immigration expert, but also a steward of professional development. He handles simple and complex immigration matters for both visiting faculty and scholars and their sponsoring departments. Jack educates departments on best practices of immigration, employment, and tenure. He also builds personal connections with those he advises, often times helping them realize their professional trajectories. In short, he makes it possible to retain top international talent at the UA. Prior to beginning his career in higher education, Jack toured the world as a musician and studied music in Los Angeles, where he was inspired to continue his education. He later embarked on a full scholarship program at the UA School of Music, where he graduated with a degree in Percussion Performance. A native of Chicago, Jack enjoys performing, writing, and recording music in his spare time.
10 Questions….
Where is your favorite place to travel? Domestically, the mountains with my brother and our snowboards. Internationally, I would love to go to Japan again. Kampai!
Where would you love to visit? Brazil for the drums! And Argentina. I would love to snowboard on another continent.
Who’s your favorite celebrity? Chris Cornell
What is a fun fact someone might not know about you? I am a musician. Drums are my life.
What is your favorite type of food? Japanese. Sushi and Ramen, please!
What is your favorite thing to do in Tucson? Play live music (drums) with my friends.
Where is your favorite place on campus? Centennial Hall. I enjoy taking my parents to a show or two every year.
What is your favorite thing about working with OGI? Working with my team and others to help our foreign friends advance their education, careers, and lives.
How can you help OGI colleagues? I have lived in Tucson for more than 25 years and have worked at OGI for more than 11 years, so I know a lot about the inner workings of the university and the entire area. I also interact with federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, and the Department of State— so I can also be helpful in that regard.
What is your typical day like? Lots of emails, phone calls, and meetings. Throughout the week, I meet with J-1 Scholars/H-1B employees about immigration matters, career goals, and changes to their immigration status. I also meet with sponsoring departments to provide them with immigration guidance and to assist them with international faculty matters.