The Forum on Education Abroad Announces 2026 Forum Fellows

The Forum on Education Abroad is pleased to announce the 2026 Forum Fellows: Kevin Omans, selected for the Forum Fellowship Program with MISTI, and Ta’Yanna “Tee” Dandridge, recipient of the Sara’s Wish Foundation Fellowship.  
 
These fellowships reflect The Forum’s ongoing commitment to supporting professional development and advancing equity, access, and innovation in global learning. 

​Kevin Omans: 2026 Forum Fellowship Program with MISTI 

​Kevin Omans is a recent M.A. graduate in Korean Studies from Yonsei University, with a B.A. in Global Affairs from George Mason University. He brings an international perspective shaped by study and teaching experiences across South Korea, Taiwan, Argentina, and Cyprus. As a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Cyprus, he worked with students from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds and developed a strong interest in identity and inclusion in education abroad. 

Through this fellowship, Kevin will participate in The Forum’s Professional Certification Accelerated Residency program and complete a full-time internship with MIT’s International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI), gaining hands-on training and mentorship.  
 
He is particularly interested in how institutions can better support diverse student populations and plans to apply his work with MISTI and training as a Certified Professional to help expand access to study abroad opportunities in his future career. ​
​

Ta'Yanna "Tee" Dandridge: 2026 Sara’s Wish Foundation Fellowship

​Ta’Yanna “Tee” Dandridge serves as Senior Research and Program Assistant and Designated School Official at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she advances global engagement and supports international student services. With nearly seven years of experience, her work focuses on program development, operations, and outreach. Tee is committed to broadening participation in experiences abroad and reducing barriers for underrepresented students. 
 
Tee holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in General Studies (Education) from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. As a Sara’s Wish Foundation Fellow, she will complete The Forum’s Professional Certification program and contribute to the development of health and safety-related resources for the education abroad community. As a Certified Professional, Tee will continue to build health and safety systems that anticipate risk and support student well‑being. 
 
These fellowships support The Forum’s efforts to empower early- and mid-career professionals with the tools and experiences needed to lead in the field of education abroad. We congratulate Kevin and Tee and look forward to the contributions they will make in the year ahead. 
 
Learn more about Forum Fellowships and join us in congratulating the 2026 Forum Fellows!