ISEP Study Abroad is pleased to announce the appointment of six new members to the Board of Directors and seven new members to the Council of Advisors, effective July 1, 2026. ISEP’s Board of Directors is composed of global representatives 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. The Council of Advisors consists of international and U.S. representatives from the ISEP Community who work at ISEP institutions and provide ISEP guidance on current institutional priorities and student needs.
“At a time when international education is navigating rapid change and growing complexity, strong governance and diverse perspectives are more important than ever,” said John Lucas, Ph.D., ISEP President & CEO. “We are honored to welcome these accomplished leaders to ISEP’s Board of Directors and Council of Advisors, as we continue advancing our mission to make transformative global learning accessible to more students worldwide.”
ISEP’s newly appointed Board of Directors members are:
Erich Dietrich, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Clinical Professor of History, New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi
Erich Dietrich researches, publishes, and teaches on the history and internationalization of higher education, equity in access to higher education, and affirmative action policies in a comparative, international context. Dietrich is also co-director of the Study Away and Global Education (SAGE) Research Project at NYU, which includes CASSIE (Consortium for Analysis of Student Success through International Education), a federally-funded, quantitative research project that expands the empirical evidence on international education and student outcomes with data from over 40 colleges and universities.
Erich holds a Ph.D. in History of Education from New York University, an M.A. in Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a B.A. in English Literature from Carleton College.
Angie Edwards
Director of International Student Engagement, Davidson College
Angie Edwards directs international student engagement and support services for Davidson College’s population of more than 200 students from 60 countries, while supervising Assistant Directors and managing the department’s operational budget. She also serves as a key member of the Student Life leadership team, advocating for international student needs and contributing to division-wide strategic initiatives. Angie earned both her Master of Science in Higher Education Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Texas A&M University.
Cédric Guern
Communication & International Relations, Université de Caen Normandie - Université des Antilles - EUNICoast European Alliance
Cédric Guern has over 30 years of experience in international higher education across France and the United States. He last served as Communication & International Relations Officer for the Université des Antilles’ Office of International Cooperation, where he coordinated the Work Package on Internationalization of the European alliance EUNICoast. He previously spent close to three decades at the Université de Caen Normandie, where he led international communication, developed a dedicated support center for international students and researchers and grew the university’s institutional presence and network at international education events such as NAFSA.
Pardis Mahdavi
Executive Director, University of California, Berkeley Executive Leader Academy
Pardis Mahdavi designs innovative leadership development programs that help higher education executives navigate institutional transformation and organizational change. She is also founder and CEO of MyUni, an education technology company leveraging artificial intelligence to expand access to learning and build meaningful educational credentials. Pardis earned her Ph.D. in sociomedical sciences and anthropology, and two master’s degrees (in anthropology and international affairs, human rights) from Columbia University; and she earned her bachelor’s degree in diplomacy and world affairs from Occidental College.
Jay Minert
Associate Director, Strategic Study Abroad and Outreach, University of California, San Diego
In his current role, Jay Minert promotes and increases access to global academic opportunities for students of all backgrounds and majors. Prior to joining UC San Diego, he served as an Academic Advisor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, a Student Affairs practitioner at UC Santa Cruz, a Peace Corps Recruiter in Seattle, and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Belize, Central America. He is the recipient of two Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) awards. Jay earned his master’s degree in education at UC Santa Cruz and his bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology at The Evergreen State College.
David Yu
Professor of Finance, NYU Stern & Shanghai, and Chairman & Managing Director, AAVA Group
David Yu is Chairman and Managing Director of AAVA Group, a global valuation and advisory firm. His work spans AI, energy, infrastructure, aerospace, aviation, transportation, technology, real estate, hospitality, healthcare/biotech, and education, including serving as a Professor of Practice in Finance at New York University, Shanghai. David earned his Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Nottingham School of Business, an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business, and an M.S, in Systems Analysis and Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University.
ISEP’s newly elected Council of Advisors members are:
Jorge Iván Sánchez Beltrán
Director for International Relations, Universidad Icesi
Jorge Iván Sánchez Beltrán serves as Director for International Relations at Universidad Icesi in Cali, Colombia, where he leads the university’s global engagement strategy and international partnerships. His career has included leadership roles in Colombian higher education, government, and international relations, with experience advancing student mobility, intercultural collaboration, and institutional partnerships. Fluent in Spanish, French, and English, Beltrán brings extensive experience in international education across Latin America and Europe, with a strong commitment to expanding equitable global learning opportunities.
Shally Fan
Director of Academic Links (Global), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shally Fan directs global academic partnerships and mobility initiatives at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, overseeing international collaborations in both research and education. During her more than two decades of experience in international higher education, she has played a key role in advancing CUHK’s global engagement strategy. Fan brings extensive expertise in international partnerships, strategic alliances, faculty and student mobility, and multilateral exchange networks throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Byron Johnson
Professor of Music and Director of Global Programs, Alcorn State University
Byron Johnson serves as Professor of Music and Director of Global Programs at Alcorn State University, where he leads international partnerships and expands global learning opportunities for students and faculty. A former international student himself, Johnson is passionate about increasing access to transformative international experiences that prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world.
Vieri Marotta
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Florence University of the Arts
Vieri Marotta oversees student affairs, enrollment management, and international partnerships at Florence University of the Arts, where he works to expand access to immersive, community-engaged study abroad experiences. Since joining the institution in 2018, he has led global recruitment efforts and strengthened international collaborations.
Frances J. Santiago
Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services, University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez
Frances J. Santiago serves as Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez, where she supports international students, scholars, and exchange programs. A professor of French and Francophone Literatures, she has spent more than a decade advancing internationalization initiatives while serving as the university’s Principal Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer.
Santiago is an active leader within NAFSA and brings extensive expertise in international student services, regulatory compliance, and global mobility.
Michael Shaver
Executive Director, International Strategy, Widener University
Michael Shaver serves as Executive Director of International Strategy at Widener University, where he leads the university’s global engagement efforts, including international partnerships, international student recruitment, and study abroad programs. Throughout his career, he has advanced international education across higher education and government, bringing a global perspective to institutional strategy and student mobility.
Prior to joining Widener, Shaver served as Regional Manager for the U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA program at the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, overseeing 54 advising centers across 21 countries. He also managed the international office at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.
Witold Wolny
Director of Global Education, University of the Pacific
Witold Wolny is Senior International Officer and Director of Global Education at the University of the Pacific, where he leads institutional internationalization efforts and oversees global education initiatives. During more than 20 years in international higher education, he has developed strategic partnerships across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East while leading comprehensive study abroad and international programs. A tenured associate professor, Wolny has served in leadership roles with AIEA and VIE and is a member of the European Cultural Parliament.
About ISEP Study Abroad
ISEP is a nonprofit study abroad partner dedicated to providing students of all backgrounds around the world with access to transformative international academic experiences. Learn more at https://www.isepstudyabroad.org/.