Tell us a little about your journey in education abroad.
I was the kid who collected stamps and coins and corresponded with a dozen pen pals worldwide. My international interests led me to study in Spain for a year and pursue two degrees in Spanish literature. In graduate school, I was hired to do administrative work for a study abroad program and fell in love with helping students through the experience. After graduation, what started as a part-time position turned full-time when I was hired as the program’s first non-faculty resident director. I learned a lot during my tenure onsite with students, all of which gave me a strong foundation for a career in EA.
Incredibly, I only discovered NAFSA and the EA profession as a resident director. Because I was based internationally, I learned everything about the field through NAFSA publications. When I finally attended a conference, I felt awkward and lonely. Someone told me that the best way to meet people was to get involved. I proposed my first conference session with a graduate school friend, and I held my first leadership positions in a state-level EA organization. I later served on the NAFSA Region VII team, the NAFSA trainer corps, and several NAFSA and Forum committees. In the mid-2010s, I had the privilege of serving in the chair stream for NAFSA’s EAKC. I’ve worked in EA for over thirty years, through 9/11 and its aftermath, terrorism, and SARs, and now through a global pandemic. As a field, we’re all a bit bruised right now, but I’m heartened to see that EA professionals remain committed to improving and doing better, whether it’s sustainability, access and inclusion, or health and safety.
What is your definition of leadership and how was it created/has it changed?
As a leader, I see myself as a facilitator. I want my team to have what they need to be successful, whether it’s a clear vision of our mission, a set of goals to achieve in the short- and long-term, or resources. Early in my career, I tried to lead by example, so would pitch in to show that no task was too big or small. Today my responsibilities are such that I’m more useful as a strategist and advocate for my team so they have what they need to learn and grow in their work.
What are some things you learned from your leadership roles in NAFSA and in the field?
With each role, I found myself surrounded by incredibly talented and hard-working peers, from whom I’ve learned the mechanics of developing conference schedules and curricula, the power of strategic planning and execution, and the nuance necessary to manage a volunteer team. The skills I developed in my EA leadership roles helped me perform my day job more effectively.
What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a leadership role with NAFSA?
· Be willing to start small and build your experience. Conduct informational interviews with leaders to learn about their pathways. Volunteer for a committee or working group. Start an EA network in your area. Chair a conference session.
· Build relationships with colleagues across your organization and in the field. I look back in amazement at what my early NAFSA network has accomplished and how many times our paths have crossed in various hiring processes and leadership roles.
· Learn where you are, regardless. Careers are not linear and can take unexpected turns. Look for the lessons and seasoning that come with each new experience and find ways to maximize whatever your present circumstances offer.
· Stay rooted in your day job. At the end of the day, NAFSA leadership is volunteer work. You’ll benefit and grow in incredible ways, but don’t forget the work that pays your bills. Giving your best at your day job will help you stay grounded in substance and practice, which will make your NAFSA work more informed and authentic.
What is on your calendar today?
A call with an international partner, an embedded travel course consultation, meetings with the academic deans and a lawyer, and perhaps the most fun activity, a zoom tour of a potential new rental property in Paris.