Director
University of Pennsylvania
Lily Zhang is the Director of Advising, Compliance, IT, and Operations at ISSS at the University of Pennsylvania. With over two decades of experience in international education, she is a seasoned leader dedicated to advancing global engagement and supporting international students and scholars.
In her role, Lily oversees ISSS’s daily operations, leading teams in immigration and cultural advising, institutional policy development, communications, front-line support, and IT. She provides expert guidance to students, scholars, and the campus community on immigration, travel, and adjustment matters, while ensuring full SEVIS compliance. As Penn’s PDSO and RO, she also designs programs that promote international student and scholar integration into Penn’s diverse community.
Lily is known for her strong leadership and strategic management skills, successfully driving operational efficiency and innovation. With a Master’s degree in Computer Science, she is also an accomplished technology architect, pioneering the use of information technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to streamline processes, strengthen cybersecurity, and enhance immigration support services. Her expertise in AI has been transformative in making services smarter, more personalized, and more accessible for international students and scholars.
Her passion for international education is rooted in the belief that it is a catalyst for building global understanding and lasting relationships. Lily’s leadership combines strategic planning, project management, technology application, talent development, and intercultural communication to create impactful, future-ready services.
Whether you are a student, scholar, educator, or administrator, Lily welcomes conversations about how AI can revolutionize immigration support and elevate the international education experience.