Nicole Gowdy

Biography

Nicole Desjardins Gowdy is the Senior Director of Study Abroad at Pomona College in Claremont, California. In this role, she oversees outbound study abroad in 62 programs in 35 countries, including five programs administered by Pomona College. Approximately half of Pomona College students participate in study abroad.

Nicole’s work at Pomona College is inspired and informed by her previous work directing and facilitating summer community service and semester-long internship programs in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean for college, gap year, and high school students as well as serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon.

Nicole has contributed to national efforts to support diversity and inclusion, health and safety, and student development in study abroad through presentations, advocacy, and membership in national task forces and working groups. She joined the IFSA NAC Executive Committee in 2021 and currently leads the Committee’s Inclusive Excellence sub-committee.

Nicole has a Master of Arts in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute in Brattleboro, Vermont, and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.