Six New Members to Join Board of International Educators Association

WASHINGTON, October 17, 2007 - Six leaders in international education from across the country will join the board of directors of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in January. NAFSA's board, composed of six officers and 12 members, guides the work of the association. Six board positions are filled each year - four through an association-wide election, and two through election by the sitting board.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world's largest professional association dedicated to international education. With nearly 10,000 members, NAFSA seeks to increase awareness of and support for international education and exchange in higher education, government, and the community, believing that citizens with international experience and global awareness are crucial to U.S. leadership, competitiveness, and security.

The newly elected members of the NAFSA Board of Directors are:

• John K. Hudzik, Michigan State University
  NAFSA President-Elect (board term begins Jan. 2008; presidency begins Jan. 2009)
  With a long academic career at Michigan State University, Dr. Hudzik currently serves as the Vice President for Global Engagement and Strategic Projects. Prior to this appointment he served as dean of International Studies and Programs. Dr. Hudzik has also served in leadership roles in a variety of international organizations, including the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), the Midwest Universities Consortium for International Activities, USAID Higher Education for Development, and Australian Education International.
  
  
• DeDe Long, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
  NAFSA Vice President, Public Policy and Practice
  Ms. Long is currently the Director of Study Abroad and International Exchange at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. She has held a number of state, regional, and national positions of leadership with NAFSA and other professional organizations committed to promoting international educational exchange. As a strong advocate for the field, her recent efforts led to a resolution signed by Governor Mike Beebe to encourage international education and ensure that Arkansas students and future leaders will be prepared to meet the challenges of a global society.
  
  
• Masume Assaf, Pennsylvania State University
  Member, NAFSA Board of Directors
  Ms. Assaf, currently the Associate Director of International Student Services at Pennsylvania State University, has served the field of international education for more than 25 years. Working to advance international exchange, she has held numerous leadership roles with NAFSA and other organizations, including the United Nations Association, the Central Pennsylvania Fulbright Association, and the International Hospitality Council.
  
  
• Ellen H. Badger, Binghamton University - State University of New York
  Member, NAFSA Board of Directors
  Ms. Badger is the Director for International Student and Scholar Services at Binghamton University. With more than 20 years of service to the university, she has contributed significantly to the campus' international efforts, which received national recognition as the recipient of the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization in 2005. Ms. Badger has also held previous leadership positions with NAFSA, and was awarded the James O'Driscoll Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to the field in the New York/New Jersey region.
  
  
• James A. Cooney, Colorado State University
  Member, NAFSA Board of Directors
  Dr. Cooney is currently the Associate Provost and Director of International Programs at Colorado State University. Previously, at Harvard University, he was Executive Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and Dean for international programs at the Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Cooney was an AFS student to Austria and a Fulbright Scholar to Germany. He has served on the AFS Board of Trustees as well as on the New England Fulbright Board. In 2003, he received the Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
  
  
• Robert R. Gosende, State University of New York
  Member, NAFSA Board of Directors
  Mr. Gosende currently serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for International Programs at the State University of New York. He comes to the field of international education as a career diplomat, having spent more than 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. Mr. Gosende's overseas experience includes tours of duty in Libya, Somalia, Poland, and Russia. He also held positions with the Department of State's Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau and the U.S. Information Agency. He received presidential awards from Presidents Bush and Clinton for his service as USIA's Director for African Affairs and as the U.S. Ambassador to Somalia.