Stronger Together: Building an Inclusive Global ISEP Network

Join us for the virtual ISEP Coordinator Workshop to explore best practices, connect with fellow coordinators and ISEP staff, and discuss relevant topics in international education. The workshop is open and free to attend for staff and faculty (including student workers) from all ISEP Member and Affiliate institutions.

Colleagues from the ISEP global community will:

• Celebrate the power of partnership and a common vision in advancing global education
• Explore best practices through the lens of ISEP’s core values—Access, Diversity, Well-Being, Authenticity, and Collaboration
• Hear authentic staff and student perspectives
• Connect and collaborate with peers to strengthen our global community

Workshop Sessions

This year, all sessions will take place between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST. See below for a detailed daily schedule of events. Links to join the virtual sessions will be available here the week of the workshop.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6

2025 Keynote Speaker

Ben Levy

Pracademic, Researcher, and Higher Education Leader

Ben Levy is a pracademic specialising in higher education, decolonisation, and Indigenous epistemologies. A Ph.D. candidate at the University of Waikato (ISEP Partner), his research examines how national universities in Moana Oceania navigate regionalism and globalisation while remaining grounded in Indigenous values and national priorities.

With over twenty years of leadership experience in tertiary education across six continents, including roles at Ramapo College of New Jersey, the University of Otago, and the University of the South Pacific (ISEP Partner), he has advanced internationalisation strategies, developed postgraduate curricula, and shaped institutional frameworks that centre cultural and contextual responsiveness.

Mr. Levy contributes to academic journals and regional initiatives through editorial and advisory roles. His recent work includes UNICEF-funded education sector-wide policy in Samoa and publications on regenerative internationalisation, research methodologies, and sustainable development in Indigenous contexts. He is committed to advancing ethical, context-responsive educational futures that balance local sovereignty with equitable global engagement.

All presentation slides from last year’s 2024 Virtual Coordinator Workshop, Access for All: Empowering the Global ISEP Community, are available to view in this folder.

(https://isepcentral.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/External-Sharing/EhTGV4L7uFhHmb1SzJHdobgBIUte561m8C3LaR3OlCjIIA?e=yyc9YB) with Zoom recordings available by date below.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4

Time	Event
9:30 AM EST	Welcome and Workshop Opening John Lucas (he/him), President and CEO, ISEP Study Abroad John welcomes the entire ISEP community to join together as we prepare for an excellent workshop over the next two days. We invite the entire ISEP community to join us in kicking off the 2024 Coordinator Workshop together. View the recording on Zoom.
10:00 AM EST	“What Works?”- ISEP Advising in a Global Context Jolene Blackmon (she/her), University Relations Manager for North, Central & Southern Europe, Africa, & The Middle East, ISEP Study Abroad; Daniel Watson (he/him), University Relations Manager for U.S. West, Canada, Latin America, & Iberia, ISEP Study Abroad; Petra Rabitsch (she/her), Deputy Director and Programme Officer for outgoing ISEP students, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz; Stacey Neve (she/her), Study Abroad Program Manager, Montana State University; Silvana Paz Aravena Suazo (she/her), International Exchange Advisor, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Join us for a comparative discussion on advising practices across ISEP’s portfolio. Moderated by ISEP University Relations Managers, a panel of ISEP coordinators will share their advice and best practices on advising outgoing students. Afterwards, attendees will be broken out into groups to share and compare practices. This session is ideal for new ISEP coordinators and open to all. View the recording on Zoom.
11:00 AM EST	The Strengths, Differences, and Barriers of 1st Generation Students Study Abroad Experiences Graeson Dwyer (he/they), University Relations Manager for US Southeast, ISEP Study Abroad; Ruby Regina Benigno (she/her), Assistant Director, International Affairs, North Park University; Brooke Reed (she/her), Education Abroad Program Coordinator, Kennesaw State University The experiences that bring first-generation students to higher education are unique to them, from well before they consider college and through each step they take toward their finished degree. These circumstances and lived experiences also impact their potential study abroad experiences and shape how we, as advisors, support them through their decisions. This session will cover how to advise first-generation students, what support for them looks like at home and abroad, and the strengths and barriers that push or pull them away from our offices. Content will primarily focus on advising U.S. students who are the first in their family to attend higher education (first-generation). View the recording on Zoom.
12:00 PM EST	ISEP’s Newest Programs in Spain, Ghana, and Portugal Cynthia Engel (she/her), Director of Program Development, ISEP Study Abroad; Jesús Díaz Vidal (he/him), Director of the International Office, Centro Universitario EUSA We are thrilled to share our newest ISEP Direct programs: Summer in Ghana - Global Health, Study in Sevilla, and Study in Lisbon. Join us to learn more about these excellent offerings for your students. We invite the entire ISEP community to join us for this session. View the recording on Zoom.
1:00 PM EST	A Community of Riches for ALL students: MSIs in the United States Zach Tobin (he/him), Director of Member Relations for the United States, ISEP Study Abroad; Dr. Keshia Abraham (she/her), ISEP HBCU Consultant and Founder, Abraham Agency; Raquel Alvarez-Urrutia (she/her), Assistant Director of the Office of International Experiences, Texas A&M International University; Erik Macareno (he/him), Study Abroad Coordinator, Northeastern State University ISEP has a rich history working with diverse institutions in the U.S. Learn more about minority serving institutions (MSIs) that support a population with a high number of non-majority students. This session will help participants understand the history and purpose of MSIs, why MSIs are a welcoming environment for all students, and how non-U.S. ISEP members can leverage these locations to serve their own community of students in finding the perfect fit for their exchange. This session is ideal for coordinators working at non-U.S. institutions around the globe, both in outbound and inbound roles. View the recording on Zoom.
2:00 PM EST	Supporting Under-Served Identities Abroad Panel: What Students Need Today Rachel Brown (she/her), Student Services Supervisor, ISEP Study Abroad; Quiamony Gaskins (she/her), Student Services Officer, ISEP Study Abroad Joined by Amir Johnson (he/him) Morehouse College (US) to Abo Akademi University (Finland); Nedjine Doreus (she/her) – Loyola University New Orleans (US) to University of Johannesburg (South Africa); Diego Falcón Ríos (he/him) – University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras (US) to Universität Trier (Germany); Jayda Fowler (she/her) – University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (US) to Brussels School of Governance (Belgium) Come meet former ISEP students and hear about their challenges and reflections on their study abroad experiences. The purpose of the discussion is to hear from underrepresented students on how they succeeded on their programs while facing any adversities toward their identities along the way. Audience members can also suggest ways to reassess their advising practices to better serve today’s students. This session is open to all and will be especially helpful to U.S. Outbound coordinators and Inbound coordinators around the globe. View the recording on Zoom.
3:00 PM EST	DEI Through the Global Lens: A Cross-Cultural Conversation Chloe Green (she/her), Chair of ISEP’s Council of Advisors and Head of Study Abroad and Global Opportunities, University of Roehampton; Theresa Scott Kwakye (she/her), ISEP Resident Director, University of Ghana; Liliana Alcántara Head of Academic Exchange, Universidad La Salle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are words that many of us are familiar with. Even then it can sometimes feel difficult to pinpoint what these concepts mean in practice, let alone in other countries, cultures, institutions, and languages. Join panelists from ISEP Member Institutions to learn and discuss how DEI is practiced globally in this session. The entire ISEP community is encouraged to attend. View the recording on Zoom.
4:00 PM EST	Why Choose Latin America? Daniel Watson (he/him), University Relations Manager for U.S. West, Canada, Latin America, & Iberia, ISEP Study Abroad; Gabriela Ardito (she/her), Manager of Student Mobility, Universidad Del Salvador; Liliana Alcántara (she/her), Head of Academic Exchange, Universidad La Salle; Augusto Venceslau (he/him), Exchange Advisor, Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado Join us for a discussion featuring a panel of ISEP Coordinators from São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City as they explore the vibrant multicultural tapestry of their cities and institutions. This session will work to shift the narrative from the challenges often associated with large metropolises to highlight the unique benefits that their diverse communities bring to their students on an international program. Attendees will gain fresh perspectives on how to advise students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, on the benefits of studying in Latin America. This session is ideal for coordinators looking for schools with great chance of placement on exchange as well as schools that can support students from various identities (e.g., LGBTQIA+, Black students from the U.S., students from various religious backgrounds, etc.) View the recording on Zoom.
6:00 PM EST	Move the Mind and the Body: Empower Faculty, Empower Students via COIL/Virtual Exchange Della Burke (she/her), Member of ISEP’s Council of Advisors and Coordinator of Campus Internationalization, ITESO, the Jesuit University of Guadalajara; Mei Zhong, PhD (she/her), Director of COIL Programs, Head of International Studies Minor, Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Media Studies, San Diego State University; Steve Wills, PhD (he/him), Chair of History Department, Advisor for East Asia Studies Minor, Nebraska Wesleyan University; Motoko Kiuchi (she/her), Program Development Specialist, SDSU COIL Program Coordinator, San Diego State University Learn how Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)/virtual exchange empowers more faculty and more students to develop global perspectives and competencies. Three diverse ISEP member institutions share their experiences and answer your questions. This session welcomes ISEP Coordinators, university instructors and/or university leaders to participate. View the recording on Zoom.
8:00 PM EST	Unlocking Global Experiences: Short-Term Programs for Every Student Wendy Martinec (she/her), Director, Member Relations – Asia & Oceania, ISEP Study Abroad; Nicole Meanor (she/her), Assistant Director, Member Relations – Asia & Oceania, ISEP Study Abroad This session will highlight ISEP Study Abroad short-term opportunities available in June, July and January, showcasing existing programs and explaining the steps members need to take to have new programs considered for addition to the ISEP portfolio. It emphasizes ISEP’s commitment to accessible international education for all students. This session is targeted for coordinators from Asia and Oceania that support shorter term mobility programs (2-6 weeks) during academic holiday periods. View the recording on Zoom.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5

Time	Event
9:00 AM EST	Community Discussion - Cross-Cultural Communication and Expectation Management (Atlantic Option) Maria Mateu (she/her), Program Director Barcelona, ISEP Study Abroad We know that in order for students on our programs to be successful during their time abroad, it’s imperative that they adjust their cultural perspectives. As we see more students influenced by social media and other sources arrive on program with particular expectations of what their host community will be like, how do we manage their expectations and balance cross-cultural understanding between students’ home and host cultures? Join fellow ISEP Coordinators and ISEP staff to discuss in small groups as well as in a larger group debrief. The entire ISEP community is encouraged to attend. This session is offered twice during the workshop, with this particular timing intended to support our community members located in “Atlantic” time zones. View the recording on Zoom.
10:00 AM EST	Bridging the Gap: Supporting Students with Uncommon Needs Grace Glancy (she/her), Student Services Supervisor, ISEP Study Abroad; Laura Laamanen (she/her), International Coordinator, University of Jyväskylä This session intends to expand on the “ISEP In-Depth: Supporting Students with Uncommon Needs” session from August 2024. In this session, we intend to 1) expand on our ISEP Advising Best Practices for students with uncommon needs to focus on common limitations to organizing most frequently requested student program accommodations (mobility, learning, mental health, visual, hearing, etc.); 2) outline ISEP’s processes for collecting and disseminating accommodation information between the student, home university and host university; and, 3) have one of our international members share their experience accommodating students with uncommon needs and their advice for navigating institutional barriers. All ISEP coordinators are welcome. U.S. Coordinators may find this workshop particularly useful, with a focus on international members’ opportunities and limitations in this area. View the recording on Zoom.
11:00 AM EST	Access Granted: Empowering Disabled Pros in International Ed Katherine Haan (she/her), Director of Global Engagement Office and PDSO, Chicago State University; Melissa Gonnerman (she/her), OTR Imprlementation Engineer, Terra Dotta; Katie Wiggins-Gawlik (she/her), Assistant Director of Member Relations | U.S. Northeast & Midwest, ISEP Study Abroad Every person is only temporarily able-bodied. This session explores disability inclusion and advocacy in international education, emphasizing the empowerment of disabled professionals. Attendees will examine biases and improve accessibility in their offices, learning to advocate for themselves and colleagues. Participants will gain tools to balance needs, support others, and drive institutional change, fostering a more inclusive educational environment. All members of the ISEP community are welcome to attend. View the recording on Zoom.
12:00 PM EST	The Essence of Academic Training: Purpose, Process, and Benefits Jacqueline D'Amico Farah (she/her), Student Services Officer, ISEP Study Abroad Join us for an insightful presentation that will explore the fundamental definition and concepts of academic training for J-1 students inbound to the U.S., emphasizing its vital role in shaping student’s professional goals and skills. We will also discuss the application and approval process, J-1 visa regulations for Academic Training, the specific documentation needed, associated fees, and provide past examples. Ideal for inbound coordinators in the U.S. and outbound coordinators around the globe. View the recording on Zoom.
1:00 PM EST	Beyond Borders: Strategic Approaches to Marketing and Retaining Study Abroad Students Calie Dickey (she/her), Associate Director for Study Abroad, Butler University; Ashley Neyer (she/her), Director, Office of Study Abroad, Louisiana State University; Kirsten Sheppard (she/her), Director of Global Engagement, Maryville College This session will explore innovative strategies for increasing study abroad participation and retention through targeted marketing and programming development. Attendees will learn how to implement engaging events, such as application parties and major-specific advising guides, that simplify the enrollment process and build excitement. Proven techniques, including targeted events and resources, will be discussed to help create a sustainable pipeline of globally engaged students. All ISEP coordinators are welcome. Outbound coordinators may find this session particularly helpful. View the recording on Zoom.
3:00 PM EST	KEYNOTE: Disability Inclusion & Leadership: Striving for Excellence Mobility International USA (MIUSA) ISEP welcomes guest presenters from Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) to share about their work in making international exchange accessible to all and how you can make sure access is a key component of your work in international education. We invite the entire ISEP community to join us to close out the 2024 Coordinator Workshop together. View the recording on Zoom.
8:00 PM EST	Community Discussion - Cross-Cultural Communication and Expectation Management (Pacific Option) Nicole Meanor (she/her), Assistant Director, Member Relations – Asia & Oceania, ISEP Study Abroad; Kyung Hwan “Brian” Min (he/him), South Korea Program Advisor, ISEP Study Abroad We know that in order for students on our programs to be successful during their time abroad, it’s imperative that they adjust their cultural perspectives. As we see more students influenced by social media and other sources arrive on program with particular expectations of what their host community will be like, how do we manage their expectations and balance cross-cultural understanding between students’ home and host cultures? Join fellow ISEP Coordinators and ISEP staff to discuss in small groups as well as in a larger group debrief. The entire ISEP community is encouraged to attend. This session is offered twice during the workshop, with this particular timing intended to support our community members located in “Pacific” time zones. View the recording on Zoom.

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We greatly appreciate the following institutions and organizations who generously sponsored last year’s 2024 ISEP Virtual Coordinator Workshop!