Committees and Working Groups

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.
Consensus Body: Group of individuals that is responsible for voting on matters requiring action as provided in our standards development procedures.
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: Call for Volunteers

Committees for 2026-2027

Annual Conference

Deadline to Apply: March 6, 2026

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 online meeting, primarily in April, May, August, and September.

Expected Deliverables: Selecting conference theme and creating Call for Proposals; reviewing session proposals; assistance on-site.

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 April and May preparation for the call for proposals; Several hours will be required for proposal review after the August deadline. Committee members are expected to have institutional support to attend the conference.

The Annual Conference 2027 will be held March 10-12 in New York.

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Working Groups & Committees for 2025-2026

Click on each title below to learn more about each working group and committee.

Working Groups

Artificial Intelligence in Education Abroad

Co-Chairs:

Sasha Perugini, Director, Syracuse University Florence and Director of Global Innovation, Syracuse University Abroad
Miko McFarland, Director of U.S. Partnerships and Operations, Expanish – Cultural Immersion Programs

Description: This working group brings together a small team of Forum members who are interested in exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support and improve the work of staff and faculty in education abroad. The group will identify realistic, ethical, and effective ways AI can be used across operations, teaching, and communications—especially with limited time and resources.

Expected Deliverables:

A practical, easy-to-use one-pager that offers clear tips on how AI tools can support the work of education abroad professionals. The document will include suggestions for responsible use in both administrative and academic contexts.
(Potential) Pre-Conference workshop in Nashville
(Potential) Session at the conference in Nashville

Special skills or expertise needed: Experience in education abroad operations and/or teaching, in either/both US or non-US based contexts. AI expertise and use of tech tools for administrative and teaching purposes is preferred.

Timeline: Deliverable completed by February 2026 with potential to present at the Forum Annual Conference in March 2026.

Estimated Time Commitment: Meet bi-monthly from September to February. In addition, work on the assigned tasks. Final deliverable to be shared with the Forum in February 2026.

Time/Dates of Meetings: All meetings are proposed for 10:30 a.m. Eastern every other Monday.

September 8, 2025
September 22, 2025
October 6, 2025
October 20, 2025
November 3, 2025
November 17, 2025
December 1, 2025
December 15, 2025
January 12, 2026
January 26, 2026
February 9, 2026
February 23, 2026

Preferred Number of Participants: 4–5 professionals with some understanding of the world of generative AI.

First Generation Students in Education Abroad

Co-Chairs:

Charlene Chester Jerome, Assistant Dean of Administration & Outreach at Morgan State University
Maureen Gordon, Director of Office of Global Engagement at Temple University

Description: First-generation students, those first in their family to attend college/university, are poised to embrace international education experiences. First-generation students are a distinct group, given their context and experiences, unique strengths, barriers that disproportionately impact them, concerns related to equity and access, potential academic and personal outcomes, and community building. It is important for the field of education abroad to view these students as a priority population, as the number of first-generation students increases. As practitioners, we have an opportunity to foster family familiarity with education abroad and specifically support first-generation students in navigating financial planning, enhancing awareness of available programs and application steps, and building confidence in cultural and language preparedness. This group of students can succeed academically, personally, and professionally with the help of focused resources, mentorship, and institutional awareness.

Expected Deliverables: This working group will develop a series of guidelines or promising practices that education abroad professionals can use to guide and support first-generation students. The working group will present initial findings at the 2026 Forum Annual Conference.

Special skills or expertise needed: None. Individuals with lived experience as a first-generation study abroad student, and non-education abroad faculty/staff professionals with expertise/experience in supporting first-generation students are encouraged to apply.

Timeline: September 2025 through April 2026

Estimated Time Commitment: 1.5 hour working meeting per month and approximately 1 hour independent asynchronous work per month.

Meeting Days/Times: Second Thursdays monthly from 10-11:30 am Eastern time:

September 11, 2025
October 9, 2025
November 13, 2025
December 11, 2025
January 8, 2026
February 12, 2026
March 11-13, 2026 Annual Conference
April 9, 2026

Consensus Body

Standards Development

Description: As the Standards Development Organization (SDO) for the field of education abroad, The Forum on Education Abroad is responsible for maintaining a Consensus Body that is responsible for: voting on approval of proposed revisions to the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad; voting on approval of reaffirmation of the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad; and, other matters requiring Consensus Body action as provided in our standards development procedures.

Expected Deliverables: When a vote is called on updates or revisions to the Standards, members of this body are expected to review the proposal and vote within 30 days. Voting is repeated until consensus is reached among members, which can take several rounds of voting. These votes can take place at any time.

Special skills or expertise needed: We welcome applications from any stakeholders who are directly impacted by the Standards of Good Practice and seek to balance representation on the Body from the following interest categories: U.S. Education Institutions; Education Institutions outside of the U.S.; Education Abroad Provider Organizations; Professional Associations, Service Providers, Charitable Organizations, General Interest Governing Bodies of The Forum on Education

Timeline: Consensus Body Members serve 5 year terms with possibility of renewal

Estimated Time Commitment: 1 hour orientation meeting at start of term; 1-3 hours of proposal review time plus deliberation for each round of voting

Meeting Days/Times: An orientation meeting will be scheduled with new members once confirmed

Committees

Annual Conference Planning

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.

2025-2026 Members:

Sara Easler, The University of Tennessee (Chair)
Brigitte Anderson, University of Pikeville
Raquel Alexandra Arouca, University of Missouri
Megan Avellana, The University of Texas at San Antonio
Jeff Badger, Council of American Overseas Research Centers
Sara Botsch, Austin Peay State University
Christy Brady, University of Kentucky
Megan Buntin, Northeastern University
Christian Canizales, Georgia State University
Theresa Castillo, Pellissippi State Community College
Sarah Chenworth, CRCC Asia
Michele Domenech, Gaston College
Giti Farudi, Xavier University of Louisiana
Chrissie Faupel, Appalachian State University
Irma Gibson, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU)
Nick Gozik, Elon University
Rhonda Gregory, Volunteer State Community College
Kim Griffin, APUNE
Kathleen Griffiths, Uwtsd
Gabriela Guzman, Pima Community College
Aparajita Jaiswal, CILMAR, Purdue University
Abbey Jones, Northern Virginia Community College
Azim Khan, GlobalEduBridge
Chelsea Kindred, Academic Programs International (API)
Thomas King, Southwest Tennessee Community College
Justin Kumamoto, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Bethany Kuwitzky, Texas Tech University
Nikki Letawsky Shultz, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Laura Livermore, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Angela Luedke, UNC Wilmington
Vaidas Lukosius, Tennessee State University
Jillian Madden, Vanderbilt University
Raven McKenzie, College of Southern Nevada
Kamryn Moore, Saint Louis University
Vanessa Nichol-Peters, Marist Italy
Stephanie Rojas Miller, University of Northern Iowa
Tammy Rosner, University System of Georgia
Yasamin Sharif, CEA CAPA
Kirsten Sheppard, Maryville College
Kimberly Strozewski, North Carolina State University
CJ Tremblay, Alethea Global Cooperative (Past Chair)
Joshua Ull, EF Education First International, Ltd.
Aisling Wakefield, University College Dublin
Tracy Weber, Bryn Mawr College
Xia Zhang, Alabama A&M University
Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad, [email protected]

Award Selection

Description: This committee is responsible for vetting submissions, selecting winners, and preparing the winners for their participation in the annual conference for The Forum’s signature awards, including: Award for Excellence in Education Abroad Curriculum Design (for course designers/instructors), Award for Academic Achievement Abroad (given to students), Award for Advancing the SDGs through Education Abroad (for institutions) and the Peter A. Wollitzer Award (which 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 committee will divide into subcommittees specializing in individual awards for portions of this work.

Expected Deliverables:

Encourage/recruit nominations of awards.
Review and select winners for each award.
Assist with the promotion and celebration of finalists and winners.
(For some members of the committee) Prepare students/faculty for sessions delivered during The Forum’s Annual Conference.
(For some members of the committee) Present the award winners during online and/or in-person awards ceremony during The Forum’s Annual Conference.

Length of Term: 1 awards cycle

Time Commitment: Approximately 4-5 hours per month from September through November during the nomination review period immediately following deadlines; December through March will depend on each committee member’s assignment, and can range from 1-4 hours per month plus any time spent at the Annual Conference.

2024-2025 Members:
Wollitzer Award Committee:

Margaret McCullers, IFSA (Institute for Study Abroad)
Charlene Chester Jerome, Morgan State University
Bianca Schonberg, University Of Houston - Clear Lake
Darren Gallant, Bates College
Joy Phaphouvaninh, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad, [email protected]

Award for Advancing the SDGs through Education Abroad Committee:

Kira Espiritu, The American College of the Mediterranean - Institute for American Universities (chair)
Ketja Lingenfelter, Penn State University
Lisa Munson, New Mexico State University
Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad, [email protected]

InnovateEA Selection Committee:

Carolyn Becker, CEA CAPA Education Abroad
Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad, [email protected]
Nicole Fuls, University of Florida
Brian Henry, Global Leadership League
Kelly Holland, AIFS Abroad
Martha Johnson, CEA CAPA Education Abroad
Wendy Lombardo, Arcadia Abroad
Emily Merson, AIFS Abroad
Karen Miller, Johnson County Community College
Tullia Nguyen, Toronto Metropolitan University
Jesse Phillips, Dickinson College
Kyle Rausch, University of Illinois Chicago
Katie Ridley, Institute for Study Abroad
Chris Thompson, COMPEAR
Melissa Torres, The Forum on Education Abroad
Popi Triantafyllidou, College Year in Athens
Charlene Chester Jerome, Morgan State University

Award for Academic Achievement Abroad Committee:

Monya Lemery, Southwestern University (chair)
Yeana Lam, University of California EAP (Education Abroad Program)
Lillian Read, AIFS Abroad
Margaret Ogg, Wayne State University,
Amelia Dietrich, The Forum on Education Abroad, [email protected]

Award for Excellence in Education Abroad Curriculum Design:
Reviewers for this award are part of the Teaching and Learning Awards & Resources Committee.

Careers, Internships, And Global Learning Conference Planning

Description: The Careers, Internships, and Global Learning Conference Committee works closely with Forum staff in generating the call for proposals, recruiting proposals, and scoring submissions to create the content of the conference. Committee members are expected to attend the conference in Lisbon October 11-13, 2026.

Expected Deliverables: Providing feedback on call for proposals, encouraging proposal submissions, reviewing and scoring session proposals.

Length of term: October 2025 – October 2026

Time Commitment: Time commitment varies from month to month; committee members will be asked to devote around 2 hours in October in preparation for the call for proposals. Several hours will be required for proposal review in late January and early February.

2025-2026 Members:

Aaron Klein, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University (Chair)
Opeyemi Adetola, Colorado State University 
Elisheva Aneke, Emory University
Casey Clements, Colorado State University
Andrea Custodi, ISEP Study Abroad
Keandrys Dalton, Southern University and A&M College
Cynthia Engel, Oregon State University - Cascades
Elizabeth Erbeznik, Worldstrides Higher Education
Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad
Genesis Jardinico, The Forum on Education Abroad
Craig Kench, AES Experiential Living and Learning
Karen Miller, Johnson County Community College
Kate Moore, Global Career Center
Nicole Letawsky Shultz, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Destiny Oppe, IES Abroad
Alina Opreanu, Georgia Institute of Technology
Megan Randall, CEA CAPA Education Abroad
Kathleen Sensabaugh, James Madison University
Stephanie Spirk, University of Pittsburgh
Sarah Whitaker, Michigan State University
Christine Wolf, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Europe, Middle East, and Africa Conference Planning

Description:
The Europe, Middle East, and Africa 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 online meeting, primarily in September-October 2025, January-February 2026. Committee members are expected to attend the conference in Lisbon, Portugal: October 14-16, 2026.

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

Length of Term: September 2025-October 2026

Time Commitment: Time commitment varies from month to month; committee members will be asked to devote 2-3 hours/month in September and October in preparation for the call for proposals; Several hours will be required for proposal review after the January 2026 deadline.

2025-2026 Members:

Hilal Al Mamari, Takatuf Scholars Program (Oman)
Lindsay Allen, AEP: Academic Experience in Prague/AAUP (Czech Republic)
Bridget Banaszak, Franklin University (US)
Heidi Barends, EDU Africa (South Africa)
Michael Baum, FLAD, Luso-American Development Foundation (Portugal)
Megan Buntin, Northeastern University (US)
Ashley Courney, Columbia University (US)
Isabelle Crist, Vanderbilt University (US)
Oussama El Addouli, IES Abroad (Morocco)
Cynthia Engel, Director, Career Design Center, Oregon State University (US)
Sydney Fetkenhauer, Kansas State University (US)
Katie Ford, Williams College/AASAP (United Kingdom)
Jessica Francis, Wake Forest University (US)
Kim Griffin, APUNE (Spain)
Heather Harris, Arabic Language Institute in Fez (Morocco)
Jonathan Kaplan, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Retired) (Israel)
Shinsaeng (Shinn) Ko, Emory University (US)
Katie Lopez, University of Michigan School of Social Work (US)
Janine Ludwig, Dickinson in Bremen/AASAP eV (Germany)
Christiane Magnido, Middlebury C.V. Starr School in Cameroon (Cameroon)
Marco Marino, Sant'Anna Institute (Italy)
Ignacio Messana, Florida State University/EUASA (Spain)
Hila Nevo, Tel-Hai College (Israel)
Alegra O'Donoghue, CET Academic Programs (US)
Ana Cristina Perdigão, National Agency Erasmus+ (Portugal)
Monica Perez-Bedmar, Slu.madrid (Spain)
Aurélie Perrier, Academic Programs Abroad/APUAF (France)
David Puente, WorldStrides (Spain)
Otilia Reis, Portuguese Fulbright Commission
Fabrizio Ricciardelli, Kent State University Florence Center/AACUPI (Italy)
Mary Alice Soriero, CEA CAPA (Spain)
Samila Sosic, Miami Dade College (US)
Trung Tran, University of California Education Abroad Programs (Italy)
Popi Triantafyllidou, CYA (College Year in Athens) (Greece)
Erin Tschupp, Accent Global Learning (UK)
Sean Walpole, VACorps (South Africa)
Elizabeth Frohlich, The Forum on Education Abroad
Genesis Jardinico, The Forum on Education Abroad

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.

2024-2025 Members:

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

Sonali Patnaik, CIEE
Melissa Torres, The Forum on Education Abroad, [email protected]

Institute on Health, Safety, Security and Risk Management 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 helps generate prospective plenary speakers, generate session proposals, review session proposals, and generate prospective sponsors.

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.

2025-2026 Members:

Jordan Viars-Whisinnand, Assistant Director, Global Health & Safety, Duke University (Co-Chair)
Margaret Wiedenhoeft, Executive Director, Center for International Programs, Kalamazoo College (Co-Chair)
Andrea Drake, Executive Director of Global Safety and Security, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Vice-Chair)
Patrick Barker, Director of Health, Safety, and Security, WorldStrides Higher Ed
Lishanthi Caldera, Safety Abroad Advisor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Benjamin Cluff, Global Security Advisor, Brigham Young University
Matthew Cullinane, Director of Global Health, Safety and Security, Michigan State University
Kevin Dostal Dauer, Director of International Health, Safety, and Compliance, University of Minnesota
Samuel Gras, Associate Director, Global Safety and Security, Boston College
Jeff Heerdink-Santos, Director of International Experiences, Indiana University
Vanessa Hoi Wan Ho, Assistant Director, Undergraduate Travel Safety, Columbia University
Kevin Kugel, Associate Director, Health, Safety & Security, Boston University
Theodore Maleas, Head of Student Life and Safety, The American College of Thessaloniki
Larry Pickner, Director, Office of Global Education, Boston College
Kim Priebe, Associate Director, International Health, Safety, and Crisis Management, University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP)
Adam Rubin, Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Education Abroad, University at Buffalo
Namita Shetty, Head of Global Alliances, iEXP360
Alicia Stanley, Senior Director of Student Mobility and Global Safety, Grinnell College
Laura Strohminger, Chief Program Officer/Vice President of Student Affairs, Institute for Shipboard Education/Semester at Sea
Kelly Trail, Director of Higher Education & Assistance, Allegiant Global Partners: a HUB International Company
Amelia Dietrich, Ph.D., Senior Director for Research & Publications and Managing Editor, Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, The Forum on Education Abroad
Genesis Jardinico, Events & Conferences Manager, The Forum on Education Abroad

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

Current Members:

Christian Canizales, Georgia State University
Emily Gorlewski, Wesleyan University
Stacey Hansen, University at Albany
Theresa Heath, St. Olaf College
Tanisha Jones, Texas Education Agency
Sarah Knight, Peace Corps
Kayla McGuire, CEA CAPA Education Abroad
Katherine M. Meyer, University of Kentucky
Jennifer Nativo, Institute for American Universities (IAU) and The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM)
Zachary Nowak, IES Abroad
Guanglong Pang, Michigan State University – Broad College of Business
Mayara Luiza Pereira, NYU Florence
Michele Riley, Purdue University
Mary Alice Soriero, CEA CAPA Education Abroad
Takeo Suzuki, The University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Amelia Dietrich, The Forum on Education Abroad, [email protected]

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

2024-2025 Members:

Eowyn Greeno, SIT Experiment
Meghan Mason, Denison University
Rebecca Bakersville, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jennifer Murray, Bard College
Elena Quarti, University of New Haven
Jeanette Owen, American Council
Diana Cordoba, Costa Rica Global Learning Programs
Mandy Brookins, Forum on Education Abroad

Teaching and Learning: Awards and Resources

Charge: This committee has responsibilities associated with the Award for Excellence in Education Abroad Curriculum Design (for course designers/instructors) and for The Forum’s revised Education Abroad Teaching and Learning Toolbox now hosted on the Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad journal platform.

For the Curriculum Award, members vet submissions, select winners, and prepare winners for their participation in The Forum’s annual conference.

For the Toolbox, members serve as peer reviewers evaluating program models and case studies submitted to the Teaching and Learning Toolbox section of The Frontiers journal site.

Length of Term: One year

2024-2025 Members:

Madalina Akli, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Todd Goen, Virginia Military Institute
James Illingworth, Institute for Study Abroad
Jeanette Owen, American Councils for International Education (chair)
Stephanie Tilley, Prairie View A&M University

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

Click here to submit an idea

Committees, Consensus Body, and Working Groups