The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) champions volunteer leadership in NAFSA and supports initiatives that cultivate, recruit, and orient volunteer member-leaders for the association. Its work supports NAFSA's strategic objectives by working to ensure effective governance, leadership, communication, and coordination of policies and procedures for leadership.
Members of the LDC help to:
- Identify and vet prospects for non-board elected positions according to Rule IV of NAFSA's Standing Rules.
- Encourage members from underrepresented constituencies (e.g. geographic, organizational, demographic, etc.) to get involved in volunteer leadership.
- Promote the value of volunteering and member leadership as a way to build one's career, to share one's expertise, and to contribute to the advancement of international education.
- Create and maintain resources for the recruitment and orientation of member-leaders, in coordination with the knowledge communities, regional teams, and other committees.
Members of the LDC serve a two-year term. They are expected to maintain NAFSA membership and attend NAFSA Annual Conferences during their appointment. In order to prevent a conflict of interest, current LDC members are not eligible for elected positions but may stand for election to the Board of Directors.
Leadership
Roopa Rawjee, EdD
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Illinois State University
Chair, Leadership Development Committee, Inaugural Mentor, NAFSA RISE Fellows
Roopa Rawjee is executive director of the Office of International Engagement and senior international officer at Illinois State University (ISU). Prior to becoming responsible for all internationalization efforts at ISU, she served as primary designated school official (PDSO), responsible officer...
Franny Henkel
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The University of Kentucky
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Franny Henkel is a Senior Student Immigration Specialist at the University of Kentucky where she has been part of the International Student & Scholar Services team since 2011. She has served in leadership roles in NAFSA at the regional and national level, including Region VI Chair Stream and Academy...
Amy VanSurksum
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Studyportals
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Amy VanSurksum has worked in international education in the US and UK for more than 20 years, with experience in international student advising, international enrollment management, and study abroad at both the secondary and post-secondary education levels. An avid NAFSA volunteer and leader, Amy...
Mariette Thomas, MA
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Loyola University New Orleans
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Mariette Thomas is the Director of the Center for International Education at Loyola University New Orleans. She has also worked Tulane University, ArtCenter College of Design, Babson College, IFSA-Butler and ISA. Thomas has been active in NAFSA for 20 years, has held leadership positions at regional...
Jose Martinez
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University of the Incarnate Word
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Jose Martinez serves as the Director of International Student and Scholar Services at the University of the Incarnate Word, where he brings over 15 years of expertise in international education. He has extensive experience working with international students, scholars, visiting groups, and secondary...
Tina Rousselot de Saint Céran, MBA
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Georgia Institute of Technology
Member-at-Large, Leadership Development Committee
Tina Rousselot de Saint Céran is the director of strategic communications and initiatives for Georgia Tech-Europe. She previously served as the director of international student and scholar services at Georgia Tech and Clemson University. Tina holds an MBA from Clemson University and a bachelor’s...
Heidi Gregori-Gahan, MA
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International Programs at University of Southern Indiana
Heidi Gregori-Gahan has been active in the field of international education for more than 40 years. As Associate Provost for International Programs at the University of Southern Indiana (USI), she developed and managed a comprehensive unit responsible for international recruitment and retention, the...
Brian Seilstad, PhD
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Al Akhawayn University
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Brian Seilstad received his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University's department of Education/Teaching and Learning with a focus on Multicultural and Equity Studies. Currently he works at Al Akhawayn University as the Director of the Office of International Programs. Prior to the Ph.D., he received his...