Academy coaches are volunteer members who work with a cohort of six trainees. They represent a broad range of expertise and have worked in the field of international education for more than five years. Coaches work with their trainees to develop the trainees' learning plans and guide them as they navigate the world of international education, including NAFSA. They also advise trainees on workshop and session selections at the annual and fall regional conferences. Each coach is trained to be knowledgeable in six coaching skill sets:
- Knowledge of the Academy
- Marketing and Recruitment
- Building a Cohort
- Supporting Trainee Development
- Professional Tools
- Facilitating Learning
Become an Academy Coach!
Access to coaches' experience and knowledge is one of the greatest benefits for trainees. The coaches provide professional guidance and direction to trainees while they receive a broad overview of international education through a variety of workshops. Note: You must be a NAFSA member to serve as a coach for the NAFSA Academy.
Applications for 2024 Academy Coaches have closed. We will accept applications for 2025 Academy Coaches April - June, 2024.
Academy Coach Testimonial
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"I’ve truly enjoyed seeing my trainees grow professionally. My coaching experience has also contributed to my own personal and professional development in many ways. I look forward to seeing all my outstanding trainees graduate from the Academy in December, and I look forward to serving again in 2021! The growth each of my trainees demonstrated this year shows just how valuable the Academy is." - Loveness Schafer, 2020/2021 Academy Coach.
Chair/Chair Designates
Todd Goen
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Virginia Military Institute
2023 Academy Chair
Todd Lee Goen is Director of International Programs and Senior International Officer at Virginia Military Institute where he oversees education abroad, international student and scholar support services, and strategic planning for campus internationalization. Prior to VMI, Goen held full-time...
Kira Espiritu
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University of San Diego
2024 Academy Chair
Kira Espiritu is the Director of the Office of International Studies Abroad at the University of San Diego. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in international education and has been a longtime NAFSA member. Kira oversees the development of all undergraduate study abroad programs at the University...
Shannon Ingleby
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Kirkwood Community College
Conference Planner, Region IV; Academy Chair Designate 2024
Shannon Ingleby is the Associate Director of International Student Services at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA. She started her career in International Education while teaching and living in China. After living overseas for three years, she understands the difficulties of moving to a...
2023 Academy Coaches
Cody Tornow
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Washington State University
NAFSA Academy Coach, Region I
Currently, I am the Assistant Director for International Retention at Washington State University having moved up from the Lead International Student Advisor at WSU. Previously, I spent 5 years in South Korea as a student, teacher, and as an administrator as a District Coordinator for the Korean...
John Hildebrand
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Colorado State University
Academy Coach, Region II
I've served as a Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor at Colorado State University since 2017 and previously worked as an International Student Advisor at Southern Utah University. I have over 10 years of experience working in international education and draw on this diversity of...
Janel Dumbre
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SABIC
Communications Liaison, Region III; Academy Coach, Region III
Janel Dumbre holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. She has been a professional in the field of international education since 2004. She is currently an academic advisor at SABIC’s Scholarship Program in Houston, Texas. Prior to this, she worked at Rice University in...
Miho Patani
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University of St. Thomas
Academy Coach, Region IV
Miho Patani is Assistant Director at the Office of International Students & Scholars at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, where she serves as a primary immigration advisor for more than 500 international students and scholars. Miho has more than 10 years of extensive experience in...
Tyler Morkin, MA
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Academy Coach, Region V
Tyler Morkin currently works as SEVIS Coordinator at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He serves as Academy Coach for NAFSA's Region V and was previously the network leader for NAFSA's International Student Advising Network (ISTA). Prior to joining U-M, Tyler worked in a similar...
Nicola Kille
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University of Akron
Academy Coach, Region VI
Nicola Kille joined the University of Akron in May 2017 as the Executive Director of the Center for International Students and Scholars. Her primary area of responsibility is that of support for all international students at Akron (from English language learners to PhD/Law students) from admission...
Anna Hayes
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Duke University
Academy Coach, Region VII/Poster Chair, Annual Conference Committee
As Director of Global Health and Safety at Duke University, Anna provides strategy and vision for risk assessment, mitigation, health and crisis preparedness, faculty leader training, and response plans for undergraduate programs and students undertaking Duke-sponsored travel domestically and abroad...
Rachel Scholten
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Loyola University Maryland
Academy Coach, Region VIII
Rachel Scholten is Director of International Admission at Loyola University Maryland where she manages international recruitment, credential evaluation, and admission at the undergraduate level. Prior to this position she worked in international admission at Kent State University, Ohio University...
Emilie Buse
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Academy Coach, Region X
Emilie Buse is the Assistant Director of International Services for Students and Scholars at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She maintains and develops the software system Terra Dotta and ensures that student data is accurate, advises and counsels students regarding immigration matters, processes...
Emily Ostenson
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University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Academy Coach, Region XI
Emily is the Assistant Director of Education Abroad in the International Programs Office at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her role focuses on leading enrollment management, outreach, programming, and curriculum integration for exchange and third-party programs. She is a graduate of the...
Emily Kirsch, PhD
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UCLA Extension
Academy Coach, Region XII
Dr. Emily Kirsch is passionate about the field of international education and believes in the power of cultural exchange to bridge divides and forge connections. She brings a deep background in strategic international marketing, recruitment, admissions, and immigration to her role at UCLA Extension...
Robb McCollum
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Southern Utah University
Academy Coach, National
Robb McCollum serves as Director of the American Language & Culture Center at Southern Utah University. He works with his faculty and staff to provide English language support services for international students, to train English language teachers, and to support campus initiatives in...
Barbara Velázquez
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Metropolitan Community College
Academy Coach, Pan-Regional Cohort
Velázquez has worked at Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in Omaha, Nebraska, for over 30 years, and has served as the Coordinator of International/Intercultural Education since 1991. Her current College responsibilities include intercultural education programming across a 3-campus community...
2024 Academy Coaches
Shauna Walsh
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Belmont University
Academy Coach
Shauna Walsh is currently the Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services at Belmont University and serves as the PDSO and RO for their F-1 and J-1 population. Shauna has worked with international students since 2009 and has worked in many functional areas including admissions...
Kim Steinmetz
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Johnson County Community College
Academy Coach
Kim Steinmetz oversees the International and Immigrant Student Services (IISS) office at Johnson County Community College (JCCC). She supports staff and students in all aspects of immigration advising and educational support. Kim joined the IISS team in spring 2016. Prior to her work at JCCC, Kim...
Loveness Schafer
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Louisiana State University
Academy Coach, Region III
Loveness Schafer is the 2024 Region III Academy Coach. Schafer is associate director of international services in the Office of International Programs at Louisiana State University and A & M College in Baton Rouge. She has worked for LSU since August 2000. She manages LSU’s Exchange Visitor Program...
Tiffanie Loeb Schneider
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Concordia University - St. Paul
Academy Coach
Tiffanie is the Director of International Student Services and PDSO at Concordia University, St. Paul. Her role focuses on overseeing recruitment as well as immigration advising, academic advising, and programming for international students. Tiffanie is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Educational...
Andelys Bolaños
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St. Norbert College
Academy Coach
Andelys Bolaños is the Director of International Recruitment and Admissions at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. In this role, Andelys develops and manages the international recruitment and marketing strategies along with facilitating outreach and partnerships, credential evaluation, and...
Franny Henkel
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The University of Kentucky
Academy Coach
Franny Henkel has been a Student Immigration Specialist for F-1 and J-1 students at the University of Kentucky since 2011. She provides support for Undergraduate, Graduate, and ESL students so that they can maintain immigration status and abide by government regulations. Before coming to UK, she...
Valerie Slate
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The University of North Carolina
Academy Coach
Valerie Slate is the Director of Global Programs, for the MBA Program at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. She has over twenty of experience working in international education at both large state universities and a small private college. Valerie has an Interdisciplinary Master’s degree from Texas...
Ebony Majeed
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Hampton University
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC); Academy Coach
In July 2023, Ebony returned to her Alma Mater, Hampton University, to serve as the Director of International Students, Scholars, and Programs. She is excited to support the University and its 10-Year Strategic Plan, which includes internationalization of student experiences and academics. Prior to...
Omobonike Odegbami
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Hamilton College
Academy Coach
Omobonike Odegbami is the inaugural Director of International Student Services at Hamilton College, NY. She is a culturally competent leader with over 20 years of experience creating impactful change in higher education. Throughout her career, Omobonike has demonstrated a commitment to excellence...
Emily Ostenson
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University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Academy Coach, Region XI
Emily is the Assistant Director of Education Abroad in the International Programs Office at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her role focuses on leading enrollment management, outreach, programming, and curriculum integration for exchange and third-party programs. She is a graduate of the...
Travis Pentz
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University of California, San Francisco
Conference Chair, Region XII; Academy Coach
Travis has held education abroad positions at several public universities in California, in both the UC and CSU systems. As an Adviser and Study Abroad Manager he has supported students studying in all regions around the globe, and has worked across campuses and university systems to help develop...
Robb McCollum
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Southern Utah University
Academy Coach, National
Robb McCollum serves as Director of the American Language & Culture Center at Southern Utah University. He works with his faculty and staff to provide English language support services for international students, to train English language teachers, and to support campus initiatives in...