The Forum is grateful to the many professionals from across the field of education abroad whose active involvement in a wide range of projects and activities help us deliver content to serve the profession.

Committees: Groups contributing to recurring Forum efforts on a cyclical basis. Length of term of service varies by committee.
Working Groups: Project-based groups with finite start and end dates based around a particular project or deliverable.

Working Groups and projects start with ideas and recommendations from Forum members.

Join a Committee or Working Group

Check back in July for opportunities to volunteer for working groups and committees for 2023-2024.
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Click on each title below to unveil more details of current working groups and committees.

​Current Working Groups & Committees for 2022-2023

Working Groups

SUPPORTING TODAY’S ED ABROAD STUDENTS 

Description: This group will identify and gather resources to help EA professionals better serve and scale their services for today’s education abroad student, including students with disabilities and mental health challenges and students facing post-pandemic situations and social and political challenges.

Expected Deliverables:

1. A list of existing resources/best practices that can support EA services for today’s students.
2. A communication framework and/or strategy for effectively supporting students within the reality of their intended EA program.
3. A team building strategy and/or training to help prepare and develop EA offices to navigate today’s students within their regional and institutional environment.

Timeline: September 2022 – June 2023

Estimated Time Commitment: 2-4 hours a month, inclusive of monthly 1-hour meetings and asynchronous collaborative work.

​Special skills or expertise needed? Colleagues with experience and knowledge of arranging/providing learning accommodations, disability services, and mental health and psychosocial support services in higher ed/international ed contexts are especially encouraged to apply.
​
Members:

• Emelee Volden, University of Denver (Chair)
• Craig Rinker, Georgetown University
• Alexandria Johnson, Georgia State University
• Kyle Keith, Barcelona SAE
• Simona Boeva, London Metropolitan University
• Nancy Guimaraes, Inteli Institute
• Blythe Knott, Lewis & Clark College
• Coady Sierra, Cornell College
• Kimberly Sorlin, University of Delaware
• Monya Lemery, Southwestern University
• Stina Dufour, CEA Study Abroad
• Mandy Brookins, The Forum on Education Abroad, brookina@forumea.org

CLIMATE JUSTICE & EDUCATION ABROAD 

Description: This group will bring awareness and provide guidance to the field on Climate Justice and Education Abroad. Climate Justice views climate change as a civil rights issue that ties together critical topics facing education abroad stakeholders: social, economic, and environmental sustainability; equity, diversity and inclusion; and ethical community partnerships. This group will support the field in using diverse resources to promote Climate Justice.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Identify existing resources to support Climate Justice in education abroad
2. Identify grant opportunities to support Climate Justice in education abroad
3. Draft a checklist or resource for members that proposes no cost, low cost, and investment actions to support Climate Justice (open access pdf/webpage)
4. Develop grassroots marketing and social media campaigns to bring awareness to Climate Justice initiatives and share the group’s output

Timeline: September 2022 – March 2023

Estimated Time Commitment: approximately 1-2 hours per month for meetings; asynchronous – 2+ hours depending on subgroup/project.

​Special skills or expertise needed? 
No special skills or expertise are needed.
Colleagues in areas of the world that are disproportionally affected by climate change are strongly encouraged to apply.

​Members:

• Bianca Schonberg, University of Houston-Clear Lake (Chair)
• Devin Foxall, The School for Field Studies
• Christina Thompson, Barcelona SAE
• Angelo Pisano, Smith College
• Erica Jorgenson, University of Denver
• Ari Kramer, Brandeis University
• Kirsten Sheppard, Director of Global Engagement
• Alexis Wren, Costa Rica Global Learning Programs
• Jim West, Boston College
• Jennifer Wilkinson, London Metropolitan University
• Gregory Spear, Georgetown University
• Jonathan Hope, Advanced Studies in England
• Kelly Trail, University of Dayton
• Tylo Ward, University Studies Abroad Consortium
• Marina LaMastro, University of Richmond
• Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad, frohlice@forumea.org

FACULTY ENGAGEMENT 

Description: This group has formed to answer the following questions: How do we get more faculty engaged with Education Abroad? What is inhibiting faculty engagement? How can The Forum support faculty engagement? The group will review existing communication approaches, creating a welcoming environment, and identify necessary resources and programming. The group will develop a report of its findings and propose recommendations.

Expected Deliverables:
The report and recommendations will address:

1. Communications & Networking
2. Campus and organizations communications with faculty and academic units
3. Communications with unaffiliated faculty
4. Connecting education abroad to disciplinary associations
5. Creating a welcoming environment:
6. At the annual conference, such as creating a Faculty Track
7. Review Forum Website Language, Content and Organization
8. Developing relevant resources and programming – what currently speaks to faculty and what is needed

Timeline: September 2022 – May 2023

Estimated Time Commitment: one working meeting per month; 4 – 6 hours per month. Work will include virtual meetings and asynchronous work.

​Special skills or expertise needed? Appointed faculty with experience in global learning and/or education abroad and education abroad professionals tasked with faculty engagement

Members:

• Giselda Beaudin, Rollins College (Chair)
• Elena Corbett, AMIDEAST Education Abroad
• Stephanie Tilley, Prairie View A & M University
• Jennifer Evanuik, Central Michigan University
• Matthew Yates, California Lutheran University
• Veronica Castro, AGLOCAM Educational Logistics
• Erin French, Iowa State University
• Allison Terry, Principia College
• Pingchien Neo, University of Florida
• Chris Carroll, Florida State University International Programs
• Katherine Macfarlane, Northeastern University
• Ravi Raj, Authentica
• Jonathan Larson, Grinnell College
• Todd Goen, Virginia Military Institute
• Mary Price, The Forum on Education Abroad, pricemar@forumea.org

CHANGING NEEDS & REALITIES OF THE CURRENT
​& FUTURE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR

​Description: This working group will assess and advocate for the changing skills, career trajectory, compensation, retention strategies needed to support the modern international educator within the evolving landscape of global education.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Survey of professionals in the field to examine:
   1. Job titles and job responsibilities (written and unwritten)
   2. Skills/education
   3. Compensation
   4. Retention strategies
   5. Career growth
2. In addition to a survey, committee members will review of primary source document materials such as job descriptions, study abroad office org charts
3. Focus group to triangulate survey findings.
4. White paper outlining the findings and recommendations for how institutions and organizations can advocate for updated job descriptions, compensation levels, and successful retention strategies and paths for growth in the field.
   ​

Timeline: September 2022 – June 2023

​Estimated Time Commitment: Monthly 1-hour meetings throughout the academic year with additional asynchronous hours as needed for survey development, focus group organization/facilitation, and writing of white paper.

Special skills or expertise needed?  This group welcomes all levels of professionals, including graduate students in the field. The following skills and experiences will be particularly useful to driving this work forward:

• Strong writing skills
• Experience in survey design and research is a plus
• Professionals from a variety of institutions and organization types: public, private, MSIs, 3rd party, domestic-based, international-based institutional/organizations
• Professionals with experience hiring, supervising, and/or human resources

Members:

• Kyle Rausch, (Chair)
• Keshia Abraham, The Abraham Consulting Agency
• Nicole Fuls, University of Florida
• Wendy Lombardo, Arcadia University – The College of Global Studies
• Stephanie Levy, CIEE – Council on International Educational Exchange
• Jenna Garchar, Civitas Learning
• Deirdre Sheridan, National University of Ireland, Galway
• Melanie Mala Ghosh, Tufts University
• Miguel Ayllon, University of Missouri
• Sally Roberts, University of Maryland, College Park
• Amanda Kelso, Duke University
• Sara Dart, Education in Ireland
• Kate Simmons, DePaul University
• Jenn Rau, Queen Mary University of London
• Kelly Holland, AIFS Abroad
• Amelia Dietrich, The Forum on Education Abroad, dietrica@forumea.org

EXPANDING EDUCATION ABROAD ACCESS
​FOR NON-TRADITIONAL LEARNERS

Description: This group will investigate what resources and tools the field needs to expand education abroad access and communicate its value to non-traditional learners (veterans, online, adult, continuing education, grad students) and identify the stakeholders to bring into this work (career services, veterans affairs offices, DEI offices, Community college advisors, transfer and advising offices, workforce development stakeholders).

Expected Deliverables:
​
Phase 1:

1. Identify gaps in resources and tools needed to support administrators (i.e. through survey and/or focus group/s).
2. Develop a set of recommendations for the resources and tools the field needs to expand education abroad access and communicate its value to non-traditional learners.

Phase 2:
      3.White paper framing the problem, need, and opportunity for non-traditional learners in education abroad and outlining the recommendations.

Proposed Timeline: Phase 1, September 2022 – January 2023; Phase 2, January 2023 –June 2023

Estimated Time Commitment: Monthly 1-hour meetings throughout the academic year with additional asynchronous hours as needed for survey development, focus group organization/facilitation, and writing of white paper.

Special skills or expertise needed?
Colleagues with experience working in or collaborating with the following groups are encouraged to volunteer:

• Career services
• Veterans Affairs offices
• DEI/Access and Inclusion offices
• Transfer and Advising offices
• Community or Technical College Advisors
• Workforce Development Stakeholders
• Study Abroad Recruitment Professionals
• Professionals from institutions that serve non-traditional learners.

​Members:

• ​Hannah Kilgore, Trinity College Dublin (Chair)
• Joy Phaphouvaninh, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Joy Ellebbane, Bank Street College
• Angela Schaffer, Fund for Education Abroad
• Nancy Guimaraes, Inteli Institute of Technology
• Michaela Yisrael, CEA Study Abroad
• Sundi Musnicki, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Nicolette Dacke, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
• Emily Wheeler, University of Colorado Denver
• Danny Recio, Supportive Immersion Institute
• Greta Decker, Vassar College
• Heather Hodges, Trinity College Dublin
• Jennifer Teague, Purdue University Global
• Natasha Otto, Morgan State University
• Sarah Craver, Hunter College – CUNY
• Brian Henry, University of Denver
• Colleen Marchwick, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
• Marissa Lombardi, The Forum on Education Abroad, lombardm@forumea.org

Committees

AWARD SELECTION 

​Description: This committee is responsible for vetting submissions, selecting winners, and preparing the winners for their participation in the annual conference for both the Curriculum Award and the Award for Academic Achievement Abroad (given to students).

Expected Deliverables: Selection of winners; coaching of students for conference plenary

Length of Term: 1 awards cycle

​Time Commitment: approximately 5 hours per month from September through November + time spent at the annual conference (for selected members of the group).

Members:

• Adam Rubin, University at Buffalo (chair)
• Timothy Lynn Elliott, Brigham Young University
• Mary Parsons, IES Abroad
• Lucas Riddle, Bowdoin College. 
• Amelia Dietrich, The Forum on Education Abroad, dietrica@forumea.org

HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY & RISK MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE PLANNING 

​Description: The annual Institute on Best Practices for Health, Safety, Security & Risk Management is education abroad’s signature annual event focusing on the education abroad risk management issues faced daily by organizations and institutions. The Standards Institute Planning Committee is formed in September for the event the following June, and will include one Council member. The committee provides feedback on potential plenary speakers in September & October. In February, the committee reviews session proposals.

Expected Deliverables: Develop Call for Proposals, assist with recruitment of proposals, review of proposals, attend the Institute

Length of Term: 9 months, beginning in September

Time Commitment: approximately 3 hours per month + attendance at the Institute

Members:

• Maureen Gordon, Temple University (Co-chair)
• Christine Sprovieri, Brown University (Co-chair)
• Ashley Krutz, Florida State University
• Jason Kinnear, UNC – Chapel Hill
• Patrick Morgan, University of Michigan
• Jacleen Mowery, Temple University
• Kim Priebe, UNC Chapel Hill
• Julie Pollard, University of California Systemwide (UCEAP)
• Molly Roe, Susquehanna University
• Seth Tucker, Syracuse University
• Annika Turner, Tuck School of Business at Darmouth College
• Marissa Lombardi, The Forum on Education Abroad, lombardm@forumea.org

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 

​Description: This group will be asked to stay abreast of pending legislation or proposed revisions and renewals of existing legislation at the state and national level, provide feedback and updates on legislative issues, contribute to educating the field on the legislative process, and explain the impact of proposed legislation. The committee should include government relations professionals, education abroad professionals, and university communications professionals.

Expected Deliverables: This committee will work directly with Forum executive leadership in an advisory role.

Length of Term: 2 years

Time Commitment: approximately 2 hours per month, though this
will vary depending on proposed legislation.

Members:

• Gian Franco Borio, AACUPI – EUASA
• Asenith Dixon, CIEE
• Kathleen Grevers, Lorenzo de Medici Instituto

• Jackson Schmidtke, UW-Eau Claire
• Melissa Torres, The Forum on Education Abroad, torresme@forumea.org 

RESEARCH ADVISORY 

​Description: Serve as advisors to the Senior Director for Research and Publications in developing upcoming Forum research projects and data reports.

Expected Deliverables: Provide feedback on Forum data collection projects and collaborations as needed.

Length of Term: 2  years

Time Commitment: approximately 2 hours per month; 1 hour for monthly meeting, 1 hour for review of materials in preparation for the meeting

​Members:

• Louis Berends, CEA Study Abroad (Chair)
• Emily Gorlewski, Wesleyan University
• Marisa A. Gray, Morgan State University
• Martina Hamanaka Serizawa, London Metropolitan University
• Dennis McCunney, East Carolina University
• Paul Paparella, University of Virginia​
• Coryn Shiflet, Georgia Tech
• Maia Wellington Gahtan, Kent State University, Florence Campus
• Amelia Dietrich, The Forum on Education Abroad, dietrica@forumea.org​

STANDARDS RESOURCES 

​Description: The Standards Resources Committee performs an annual review of current member resources and finds new resources to fill existing gaps and timely needs in the field. One major focus for the current term will be on reorganizing current resources based on the new 6th edition of the Standards and continue to collect new resources for community colleges, minority-serving institutions (MSIs), historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and international organizations.

Expected Deliverables: Identifying and vetting new resources

Length of Term: 2 years

Time Commitment: approximately 1 hour per month

Members:

• Jeanette Owen, American Councils for International Education (Chair)
• Rebecca Baskerville, University of Nebraska – Lincoln
• Diana Cordova, Costa Rica Global Learning Programs
• Eowyn Greeno, WorldLearning
• Meghan Mason, Denison University
• Jennifer Murray, Bard College
• Hannah Parten, Wesleyan University
• Elena Quarti, University of New Haven
• Mandy Brookins, The Forum on Education Abroad, brookina@forumea.org

WOLLITZER AWARD ​

​Description: The Peter A. Wollitzer Advocacy Award honors a colleague who has been remarkably effective in influencing institutions of higher learning to understand and support education abroad through the promotion of The Forum’s mission and vision. The Selection Committee includes a representative from the Board of Directors (appointed by the Executive Committee of the Board), a representative from the Forum Council, and three members-at-large. Selection will occur in January, and the award will be presented at the Annual Conference.

Expected Deliverables: Recruitment of nominations; selection of winner

Length of Term: 1 award cycle

Time Commitment: approximately 2 hours per month from October to January

Members:

• Adam Rubin, University at Buffalo (chair)
• Jennifer Donaghue, The George Washington University
• Alberto del Río Malo, Reed College
• Jessica Sun, University of Pennsylvania
• Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad, frohlice@forumea.org

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

​
Description: The Annual Conference Committee works closely with Forum staff in deciding on the conference theme, creating the Call for Proposals, and reviewing session proposals to create the content of the conference. Conference committee members contribute via e-mail and teleconference, primarily in May, June, August, and September.

Expected Deliverables: Selecting conference theme and creating Call for Proposals; reviewing session proposals; assistance with plenary speaker identification.

Length of Term: 1 year; chairs serve a second year as Past Chair

​Time Commitment: Time commitment varies from month to month; committee members will be asked to devote 2-3 hours/month in May and June in preparation for the call for proposals; Several hours will be required for proposal review after the August deadline.

Members:

• Emily Gorlewski, Wesleyan University/Forum Council, ​Chair
• Francine  A'Ness, DartmouthUniversity
• Alejandra Barahona, Universidad VERITAS
• Andie Beer, University of Houston​
• Corey Blackmar, Emerson College
• Julia Carnine, Dickinson en France
• Sara Dart, Education in Ireland
• Eny  Di Iorio, LdM - Lorenzo de' Medici Institute ​
• Luis Kauachi, CAEI | Conference of the Americas on International Education
• Kate Manni, Penn State
• Tafadzwa  Muchopa, EDUAfrica
• Kelly Newlon, Washington State University
• Mary Parsons, IES Abroad
• Rebecca Pisano, CET Academic Programs
• Elaine Ramzinski, South Plains College
• Darja Saksida Bogataj, University of Ljubljana
• Girija Shinde, Volunteer State Community College
• Thomise Simpson, CIEE
• Carolyn Stevenson, Purdue University Global
• Ellen Stoddard, Northeastern University
• Jewell Winn, Tennessee State University
• David Yenerall, Perimeter College, Georgia State University
• Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad, frohlice@forumea.org

All Working Groups and Committee projects start with ideas and recommendations from Forum members.