Members of the ISEP Board of Directors elected or re-elected members to a new Executive Committee. The two-year term began July 1, 2024, and continues until June 30, 2026:
Chair Leigh Cole, J.D.
Chair, Education Practice, Dinse P.C. | Board Member
Leigh Cole joined the ISEP Board in 2021 because she is passionate about education, business and internationalization. She currently chairs the Education Practice at Dinse P.C., a Vermont-based law firm and is the Immigration Counsel to Hirschfeld Kraemer LLP, an employment boutique law firm in California. She has served on many regional and national boards, including the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Vermont Council on World Affairs. Ms. Cole received her JD degree from the Albany Law School of Union University and her undergraduate degree from Cornell University.
Vice Chair Joël Gallegos, M.A.
Associate Provost for International Programs, University of North Carolina Charlotte | Board Member
Joël A. Gallegos is Associate Provost for International Programs at UNC Charlotte where he oversees campus-wide internationalization efforts. He is a regular presenter and panelist at international education conferences and currently serves as a trustee for the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA). He is also a board member at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as well as Charlotte Sister Cities. Gallegos has formerly served on the boards of directors of several international education organizations including NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). He joined the Board in 2021.
Past Chair Bill Clabby, M.A.
Deputy Chief Global Affairs Officer (Retired), University of California, Irvine | Chair | Executive Committee
A Returned U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer and linguist, Bill Clabby has 40 years experience living, learning and teaching abroad, and building alliances for universities and global organizations. He most recently served as Deputy Chief Global Affairs Officer at the University of California, Irvine and as Associate Vice President for Global Initiatives at St. Edward’s University. He joined the ISEP Board of Directors in 2014.
Secretary Terhi Mölsä, MSocSc
Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation | Secretary | Executive Committee
With over early 30 years of professional experience in higher education internationalization, Terhi Mölsä served in various capacities at the University of Tampere and Finnish Ministry of Education agencies prior to joining Fulbright Finland where she became the Executive Director in 2002 and the CEO of the new Fulbright Finland Foundation in 2016. A consultant, trainer, and curriculum developer on strategic leadership and management in international education, Mölsä serves on boards and leadership positions both in Finland and internationally. An ISEP alumna (Finland to United States), she joined the ISEP Board in 2018. Mölsä is a graduate of the University of Tampere (M.Soc.Sc. and B.A.)
Treasurer ‘Dimeji Togunde, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Global Education and Professor of International Studies, Spelman College | Board Member
Dr. ‘Dimeji Togunde serves as vice provost for global education and professor of international studies at Spelman College, where he provides leadership for the design and implementation of the College’s Strategic Planning on campus internationalization (2017-2022) and the institutionalization of the 2016 Quality Enhancement Plan known as Spelman Going Global! Professor Togunde received both his Bachelor and Masters’ degrees in demography and social statistics from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, and a Ph.D. in Development Sociology from Cornell University. He joined the ISEP Board in 2020.
In addition, ISEP’s Board elected Dr. Hilligje van’t Land as the Distinguished Advisor to the Board for a two year term beginning July 1, 2024:
Hilligje van’t Land, Ph.D.
Secretary General, International Association of Universities
Dr. Hilligje van’t Land serves the global higher education community as Secretary General of the International Association of Universities (IAU) – a global NGO with UNESCO Associate Status that fosters higher education’s key role in societal transformation. A strong believer in the importance of international cooperation and intercultural understanding, Dr. van’t Land has developed multilateral projects related to higher education and beyond. She holds a Ph.D. in comparative francophone literature, speaks six languages, and publishes regularly on higher education issues of relevance locally and globally.
And finally, ISEP’s Council of Advisors elected Lillian Fuata, University of the South Pacific, as its next Chair-elect. She will serve one year as Chair-elect, one year as Chair, and one year as Past Chair.
Council of Advisors Chair-elect
Lillian Fuata
Manager, International Office, The University of the South Pacific | Council Member
Lillian joined the University of the South Pacific as an intern in 2008 and since then has held various positions within the university. She served as the International Students Officer before being appointed Manager of the International Office, where she oversees projects and partnerships with Japan, US, Europe and other parts of the world.
Please join the ISEP Community in congratulating these volunteer leaders who will shepherd to organization over the coming two years.
ISEP’s international Board of Directors is composed of individuals from higher education, non-profits, foundations, and the private sector, all of whom have personal interests in international student mobility for academic and cross-cultural learning.
ISEP’s Council of Advisors consists of equal numbers of international and U.S. representatives from the ISEP Community who work at ISEP institutions. They provide guidance on current institutional priorities and student needs.
ISEP is a not-for-profit educational community dedicated to helping students overcome academic and financial barriers to study or intern abroad. Made up of more than 300 member and affiliate higher education institutions in over 50 countries, the ISEP Community works together to provide students immersive, affordable and life-changing programs. Our students develop highly desirable skills for life and future employment as well as achieve a transformative self-confidence that only comes from an authentic experience in another country.
Media Contact: Melody Stratton at 703-504-9973 or mstratton [at] isep.org.
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