Martine Angrand

A monthly showcase of the amazing staff who make the International Center a place where the UF community meets all its international goals!

Martine Angrand

For more than 20 years, Martine has been a steady, trusted presence at the University of Florida International Center, helping F-1 international students navigate not only complex regulations but also life in a new country. “Supporting our international students in ways that they can engage, acclimate, teach us while they're also being taught—and making sure to support their status,” she explains, is at the heart of her work.

Martine’s journey at the University of Florida began as a student assistant at UFIC while she was earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Early on, she discovered a passion for connecting with students from around the world—learning about their cultures, customs, and experiences. That passion turned into a career. In July 2005, she stepped into a full-time role as the first dedicated F & J Visas Insurance Advisor, then became an F-1 Advisor in January 2006. Over the years, she advanced through several positions supporting international students. Today, as Director of F-1 International Student Services, she leads with both expertise and empathy, helping international students remain compliant with immigration regulations while ensuring they feel supported and welcome.

Her work is grounded in constant change. “Regulations change; we read, learn, apply them, and do our best to help our students know that we’re always here to support them,” she says. That adaptability became especially critical in early 2020, with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shifting registration and physical presence requirements at the same time she was being promoted to Director.

Despite her deep knowledge, not every situation has a clear answer, which can be frustrating to students—and to her and her team as well. “I feel like the biggest challenges are when students really want that favorable or otherwise clear answer, and we can't give it to them because either the answer is no or legislation is pending or otherwise not addressed specifically in the regulations,” she shares. Even in those moments, her commitment remains the same: to provide accurate guidance and support students through uncertainty.

That consistency has earned her something invaluable: trust. “I care about people’s ability to trust in what I say—6,000 students, the ISS team, and over 20,000 UF employees are relying on that,” she says. “So yes, I take pride in being able to be reliable and trusted. Sure, I can make a mistake, but it is not for lack of due diligence.”

That reputation for reliability and dedication was recently recognized when Martine received a 2026 UF Superior Accomplishment Award—an honor that highlights her lasting impact on both students and colleagues across campus. For Martine, the award is a meaningful reminder that the work of supporting students truly matters. It reflects not only her individual efforts, but also the collaboration and dedication of the team she is fortunate to work with every day.

“Martine’s work is a crucial part of UF’s internationalization. She and her staff ensure that our international students are always up to date on rules and regulations and have a welcoming home here at UF. Balancing compassion and compliance, as well as an authoritative understanding of the landscape, Martine is truly a superior member of staff across the campus,” says Dean Marta Wayne about Martine’s well-deserved recognition. Martine’s humility makes it difficult to get her to say too much about what entitles her to the award, but she does say, with a laugh, “I've got a big ol' gator now on my desktop!” referring to the impressive trophy she earned.

Beyond policies and processes, Martine sees international education as a powerful exchange. “The ability to share experiences and cultures,” she says, is what makes the work meaningful. “There are some students who are in the U.S. who may never get to go to India or Turkey, so international students bring with them their experiences, their culture, their foods, and they share that here… academically or culturally, they better our campus.” She encourages students to make the most of those opportunities. “I think every interaction can be meaningful,” she says. “Engage beyond the circle of their specific international group or their specific academic major.”

One of Martine’s favorite memories as an F-1 Advisor dates to 2008, when she welcomed students and assisted a long line of F-1 students completing their in-person check-in requirements. While reviewing a student’s passport validity, she greeted him by saying his full name, which was quite long. The student was so surprised that she pronounced it correctly on her first attempt that he asked whether she had spent time in his home country or spoke his language.

He later sent her an email, which she still has, writing: “I was touched by your ability to pronounce my name correctly on the first attempt—thumbs up for that!! I have noticed that people here are very friendly, and this has helped me settle in well.”

Martine reflected, “Connections like that remind you why you do this work.”

Outside of work, Martine finds joy in the same sense of connection and creativity that defines her career. “A nice hot breakfast for my family on a weekend, reading, listening to music, crafting, the beach—those are how I recharge outside of work.” She also enjoys cooking Caribbean and international dishes, especially one of her favorite comfort foods: Haitian spaghetti.

Her approach to both life and work is simple and determined. When asked what she can’t do, her answer is immediate: “Fail to try! If I’m interested in it, I’m going to try to do it.” She describes the many crafts she’s involved in sewing, scrapbooking, crochet, and crafting with her Cricut. “If something interests me, I’ll give it a try. And if I haven’t yet, it’s either not something I’m drawn to—or it simply hasn’t crossed my mind.”

Through decades of service, countless student interactions, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right, Martine continues to shape the international student experience at UF—one conversation, one answer, and one act of support at a time.

Story by: Terrence Funke

UF Photos by: Christina Cozart