Vania Adams is a dynamic Assistant Professor of Finance and Economics at Elmhurst University. For the last three years, she has led the School of Business Study-Away excursions to Bulgaria, Malaysia, Singapore, and, in January 2026, will lead more than 20 students to Australia and New Zealand. As a global traveler and native of Bulgaria, Adams has helped students expand their international perspective in commerce, culture, and community. She is also co-founder and CEO of Adams Insurance Group.
Nicoletta Boik
I’m a BSN candidate at Elmhurst University, Class of 2026, and an inductee of five honor societies. Committed to compassionate, evidence-based care, I plan to become a DNP-prepared Family Nurse Practitioner. My research explores improving healthcare for autistic individuals and peer-led mental health support for adolescents, reflecting my dedication to inclusive, holistic care across the lifespan.
Lawrence Brown
Lawrence Brown (LB) is a leadership development expert, executive coach, and speaker who serves as the Director of the MBA Program at Elmhurst University. With a passion for developing inclusive leaders, LB brings a wealth of experience from his work with Fortune 500 companies, universities, nonprofits, and public agencies. He currently holds the Howard L. Willett, Jr. Distinguished Chair for Research in Business and Economics.
Stephanie Brown
Stephanie Brown is the Director of International Student & Scholar Services at Northern Illinois University. She's worked in the field for over 12 years and served as Chair of IEI from 2015-2017. She is PDSO and processes the H-1Bs for the university. She earned a master’s degree in Human Rights & International Relations from Roehampton University in London. She's loves connecting her studies in human rights to her work in International Affairs through advocacy and student programming.
Brenda Cuellar
Brenda Cuellar Spedale is the Director of International Student Services at Concordia University Chicago, serving as PDSO, RO, and adjunct faculty. She has worked in international higher education for 10 years specializing in F-1 and J-1 immigration advising, recruitment and retention, and international partnerships. Brenda studied abroad in Rwanda, India, Morocco, and Mexico and is passionate about welcoming students and guiding students to opportunities abroad.
Steven Duke
Steven Duke has worked in education abroad and global education for the last 25 years. He has directed three study abroad offices and loves working with students and faculty who lead programs abroad. He has taught history and international studies courses at four institutions.
Nereida Encina
Nereida Encina is the Director of International Enrollment at Dominican University, serving also as a DSO and board member of both Study Illinois and International Educators of Illinois (IEI) consortiums. With over a decade of experience in higher education, areas of expertise include recruitment, international admission and enrollment, F-1 advising/programming, partnerships, and support to English language learners. Nereida is also the liaison to the ELS Chicago program housed on DU's campus.
Kayti Everette
Kayti Everette is a Program Advisor at IES Abroad, where they support students through the pre-departure process, helping them cultivate cultural understanding and prepare for immersive international experiences. Prior to this role, they served as an Orientation Leader and International Admissions Counselor at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where they worked with international stakeholders, facilitated programming to address topical student concerns, and created pathways for students to build community and belonging in their host environment. With a BA in Latin American Studies and Educational Policy from Knox College, and dual Master’s degrees from the University of Galway—an MA in Culture and Colonialism and an MS in Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security—they bring both a practical and theoretical lens to their work in global education. Their professional and academic focus centers on post-colonial studies, identity development, and the transformative potential of intercultural exchange.
Katherine Haan
Katherine Haan is the Director of the Global Engagement Office (GEO) at Chicago State University. She is an experienced higher education professional with a demonstrated history of working in the international higher education industry, specializing in F and J regulation enforcement. In her current position as Director of GEO, she oversees international student services, education abroad, and internationalization efforts on campus.
Dawn Hougland
Dawn Hougland is a Credential Evaluator with Educational Perspectives, NFP. Prior to her current role, she held university positions as a DSO/RO, International Advisor, and International Admissions Counselor.
Brynne Shannon Frazer
Brynne is a Customized Program Manager for IES Abroad in Chicago, IL, working with faculty and study abroad offices to develop customized and faculty-led programs in Central Europe. Prior to joining IES Abroad, Brynne previously held positions as a Senior Program Manager and Program Manager at International Studies Abroad (ISA) and The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) by Worldstrides. She has experience working with students traveling to Asia Pacific, Spain, and Costa Rica, guiding them through every step of the application and pre-departure process. She spent a semester studying abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand and a year teaching English in Thailand.
Rachel Krein
Rachel serves as Director of Strategic Communications & Operations in the Office for International Students & Scholars at WashU, where she helps to shape strategic direction through website development, communication planning, and budget management. She has held positions in ISSS and IEM as PDSO and RO at Northwestern, Bradley, SIU Edwardsville, and Illinois State. Rachel is a proud alumna of the NAFSA Academy and a past leader in both NAFSA Region V and International Educators of Illinois.
Tony Marotta
Tony is currently the Director of Global Engagement at Elmhurst University, a role that encompasses International Student Services, Study Abroad/Away, and overall internationalization of campus. In the past, Tony also had roles in IEM, Housing, DEI, Ivolvement, and Leadership. In addition, Tony is currently the President of International Educators of Illinois. Tony focuses his efforts on connecting and supporting students and institutions across the globe.
Sara McGuinn
Sara McGuinn is Associate Director of Global Engagement Programs in the Global Learning Office at Northwestern University. She advises students interested in studying abroad in sub-Saharan Africa, manages multiple Northwestern programs, and works with inbound international exchange students. Prior to Northwestern, she taught ESL at the College of Lake County. Currently she is also pursuing her PhD in International Relations at the SIT Graduate Institute.
Jennifer Mok
Jennifer Mok is a Program Manager Associate in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Northwestern University. She has over a decade of experience in international education and currently spends her time supporting international faculty and staff on their work visa adventures and doing battle with supporting software systems. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, artistic pursuits, advocating for DEIJ/B initiatives, and sticking her head in a very good book.
Colleen Keefe Poungsiri
Colleen Keefe Poungsiri is one of the mentorship coordinators and an International Student Adviser in the Office of International Affairs at the University of Chicago. Colleen has been in the field of international education for the last 5 years and spent 20 years before that in higher education from fundraising to Student Affairs.
Bryce Sedbrook
Macey Schondel
Macey is a California native currently based in Chicago. She was always enthusiastic about traveling so it was a no-brainer to study abroad in college. Her semester in Ireland inspired her to begin working at her campus study abroad office, which eventually translated into a full time job advising students at IES Abroad. Macey loves to work with students and is very lucky to be focused on programs in Ireland and the UK so even more students can have the life-changing study abroad she did.
Priya Shah
Priya Shah is the Associate Director of International Recruitment at North Central College. In this role, she travels the world talking to future North Central College students, including future English Language Institute students. Before moving into this position, she was the Lead Instructor in the English Language Institute at the College, so working with future English Language Institute students is one of her favorite parts of her job. In addition to international recruitment, Priya also works in outreach to the local Indian American community in the Chicagoland area with the goal to build a relationship between North Central College and the Indian American community.
Gina Tremmel
Gina has extensive experience in international education and higher education. Some of her past roles include admissions and visa support for study abroad programs, overseeing US-based programs for international students, and international student advising. Currently, she is an Assistant Director of Global Program Management at Chicago Booth Executive Education where she manages global programs and works with participants from all over the world.
Kevin Tribe
A Chicago native, Kevin graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2014 with a BA in American Studies and a master’s degree in Education in 2016. After multiple years of teaching, Kevin obtained another master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy Program from Northwestern University 2020. He has been a member of the Global Learning Office at Northwestern University for multiple years and currently serves as a Senior Program Coordinator.
Esteban Torres-Medina
Originally from Mexico, raised in Southern California, but currently residing in Chicago. Esteban has worked at Educational Perspectives, a credential evaluation agency, since 2021 and manages the daily operations of the Evaluations department. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from San Francisco State University and an M.A. in English Studies - Critical Theory from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Passionate about equal access to education and opportunities in the U.S. for all.
Dr. Amy VanSurksum
Amy has worked in international education at US and UK institutions for over 25 years. She is an active volunteer-leader with NAFSA and UPCEA, and a regular presenter at NAFSA, AIEA, AIRC, and other organizations. Her expertise includes international enrollment management, student service, study abroad, and leadership. She holds an M.S. in Cultural Anthropology from North Dakota State University and a EdD in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from St. Cloud State University.
Aline Vivirito-Valais
Originally from France, Aline earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Foreign Cultures, Languages, and Literature from Nantes Université and studied abroad in the U.S. twice. She worked at a study abroad center helping American students integrate into French culture and later taught in France. She now serves as Senior Program Coordinator at NU's Global Learning Office, overseeing programs across the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and Europe.
Danielle Vogel
Danielle Vogel is Associate Director for Student Services in the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Northwestern University. She advises F or J students, maintains department relationships, and assists with policy and compliance management. Previously, She has also advised J-1 scholars and Alien Physicians, managed H-1B petitions and lead large-scale cultural programs. She received a Master's degree in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University.
Stella Wang
Stella Wang is the Senior Assistant Director of Academic Programs at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME), where she oversees initiatives supporting undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students. Her portfolio includes international and domestic admissions growth, large-scale academic events, faculty partnerships, and diversity and inclusion initiatives such as Lunar New Year and AAPI Heritage Month.
Bob White
Bob White is a partner in the Immigration Group of Masuda Funai in its Schaumburg, Illinois office. Bob has been practicing exclusively in the employment-based immigration area for more than 30 years. Bob was previously Chapter Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) Chicago Chapter. He was also a member of AILA National’s Verification Committee and SSA Taskforce. He was also Chair of NAFSA: Association of International Educator’s Region V. Bob is currently Chair of the AILA National’s DOL Liaison Committee. He is also a member of the AILA National’s Student Visa Taskforce. Bob was selected as 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Immigration (Chicago) by the Best Lawyers publication.
Mark Zajac
Mark Zajac is the Systems Analyst for WashU’s OISS, where he manages software platforms and oversees projects in operations, compliance reporting, and data analysis. Mark has worked for 10 years in international ed, previously serving as a SEVIS Coordinator at Northwestern, an International Student Advisor at Illinois Tech, and a Fulbright ETA in Munich, Germany. He earned his BA in Global Studies and German from North Central College and his MA in Public Policy from Northwestern.