Team Type: IFSA Strategic Advisory Council

Biography Katsuo Nishikawa is the Director of the Center for International Engagement and Associate Professor of Political Science. His academic work explores how individuals shaped by non-democratic regimes develop positive attitudes toward political participation and democracy. While his primary research focuses on Mexico’s evolving democratic landscape, he is also engaged in studies on Latino immigration—specifically…

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Biography Dr. Stephen Appiah-Padi is the Director of the Office of Global Education at Bucknell University. He has over 25 years’ experience working with universities and colleges in Canada and the US in faculty and administrative positions. In his current position, he directs Bucknell University’s study abroad programs, including study abroad partnerships and portfolio management,…

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Biography Nick J. Gozik is Dean of Global Education and Assistant Professor at Elon University. Previously, he held positions in international education at Boston College, Duke University, New York University, and the University of Richmond. He has taught at New York University, Boston College, Lesley University, and the School for International Training.  Nick has conducted research…

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Biography Susan Lochner Atkinson is currently the Distinguished Associate Director for Advising in International Academic Programs at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She oversees student services, diversity and inclusion, individual health/safety issues, and curriculum integration. Previously Lochner Atkinson served a study abroad coordinator at University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire and a study abroad assistant at the…

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Biography Dr. Jenny Lei Elsey identifies as a 1.5 generation Taiwanese-American and is a first-generation college student. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Student Success at Seattle Pacific University. She brings over 20 years of experience in higher education and has worked extensively with study abroad, service-learning,…

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Biography Scott Carpenter is an Associate Dean in the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE) at Columbia University. Scott is a member of the UGE senior staff, overseeing Columbia-approved programs and developing programs at Columbia’s center in Paris at Reid Hall, in addition to providing leadership on other strategic initiatives. In 2020, he helped establish…

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Biography Danielle Scugoza is the Senior Associate Director of Affiliated Programs in the Office of Global Education (OGE) at Georgetown University. In her role, Danielle provides administrative and programmatic oversight of study abroad activities, manages and mentors the OGE Advising team, oversees the program development and review procedure, and cultivates and maintains Georgetown’s institutional partnerships. International…

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Biography Lauren Ruszczyk has more than 15 years of “hat-wearing” experience in the field spanning responsibilities from student advising, program development, change management, DEI, fundraising, budgeting, risk management, outreach, and enrollment management. As the Senior Associate Director of Education Abroad at the University of Maryland, she directs a fantastic team of 10 staff and activates…

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Biography Jill Reister is the Assistant Director of Programming at the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center, overseeing affiliate programs and supervising a large team of program advisers. Prior to joining the Learning Abroad Center in 2015, she worked at the University of Cincinnati for more than a decade. Jill holds a doctorate in educational…

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Biography Katie Radande is a seasoned higher education professional with more than 16 years of experience, specializing in international education and study abroad programs. She holds an Master of Education in Globalization and Educational Change from the prestigious Lehigh University College of Education’s Comparative and International Education program. Katie Radande began her career in the…

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