The Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship (TLS) Knowledge Community focuses on crosscultural competence, curriculum internationalization, engaging graduate students, faculty development, intercultural training, learning experiences of students at all levels, and scholarly research aimed at advancing the field.
Mission Statement
Equipping NAFSA members and other educators with the knowledge, research, and skills they need to engage in, encourage, and support positive change practices that results in the infusion of international, intercultural, and global knowledge into the ethos and outcomes of their own work and, more broadly, the work of their institutions and organizations.
To accomplish its mission, TLS:
- Identifies and makes accessible, within and beyond NAFSA, new and existing theoretical and empirical knowledge that improves practice.
- Brings innovative people, concepts, structures, and ideas to NAFSA conferences and other educational programming.
- Works with others to identify gaps in research and professional knowledge and engages the membership in filling those gaps.
- Promotes dialogue that motivates scholars, educators, practitioners, and administrators to collaboratively internationalize their organizations.
Connect with the Community
Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Network
Explore the network geared toward scholar-practitioners, faculty, researchers, and students.
Innovative Research in International Education
This award recognizes new and innovative research that demonstrates an impact in the field of international education.
Submissions are open through February 10, 2026.
Leadership Team
North Idaho College
Chair, Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC)
Dilnoza Khasilova, PhD, is the director of the Adult Education Center at North Idaho College and currently serves as the Chair-elect for NAFSA's Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC). She is a founder of the Volunteer World Language and Culture program (alumni initiative...
Go Global NC
Past-Chair, Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC)
As the executive director for Go Global NC, Meredith Henderson provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction to the organization; builds and leads local and global collaborative efforts to optimize global engagement; and oversees programs for educators and policy, community and business...
Washington State University
Chair-elect, Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community
Kate Hellmann, PhD, is a faculty administrator and researcher in the field of international education and TESOL. She has a PhD in Education with a focus on International Education and a Master's in Applied Linguistics. Spanish is her second language. She researches faculty experiences with...
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Coordinator, Programs and Resources (TLS KC)
Weijia Li is a Clinical Professor of International Higher Education Leadership and the Director of Global Higher Education (GHE) Program at University of Wisconsin-Madison. The GHE is a master’s program specialized in training future international student advisors, study abroad advisors...
University of Wyoming
Intercultural Communication & Training Coordinator (TLS KC)
Amy Corrinne Roberts is a professor in the School of Teacher Education at the University of Wyoming. She holds a graduate degree in Intercultural Communication and Applied Linguistics from Portland State University and a PhD in Education from Indiana University. Her research in international...
Northeastern University School of Law
2026-27 Annual Conference Committee Member, TLS KC
Whitney Wotkyns is the Director of LL.M., Study Abroad, International Student Services, and the Visiting Scholar program at the Northeastern University School of Law as well as a scholar practitioner and communications expert with years of experience in teaching, research, and administration. She...
The Pennsylvania State University
Curriculum Internationalization Coordinator on the TLS KC
Elliot Hirshon is A Study Abroad Advisor At Penn State's Smeal College Of Business. Previously, he taught and managed ESL programs at Juniata College and at Surrey International Institute in China, and also in Turkiye and India. He earned his BA in International Relations from Tufts University, and...
Wake Forest University School of Law
Research & Scholarship Coordinator (TLS KC)
Elenora (Ellie) Haag, EdD, has been working for over 15 years in international education, managing international programs, partnerships, and agreements, including faculty-led study abroad programs, and working with sponsoring agencies such as Fulbright/IIE. She's been a NAFSA member since 2011...
Subcommittee Members
Intercultural Communication and Training (ICT) Subcommittee Members
- Derek Bradley, Grove City College
- Sharece Bunn, EdM, Peace Corps
- Fernando Rodriguez-Barberet, University of Connecticut
- Pakiza Shirinova, EdS Kent State University
- Takeo Suzuki, EdD, University of Tennessee - Chattanooga
- Yuanqi Wang, EdD, Vanderbilt University
Internationalizing Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum (ITLC) Subcommittee Members
- Jane Bitok, PhD, Kenyatta University
- Janet Gao, EdD
- Megan Jones, Drew University
- Ryan McLemore, MA, ISEP Study Abroad
- Elisa Queenan, PhD, Porterville College
- Jaime Diaz Uribe, Universidad Simon Bolivar
Research and Scholarship (RS) Subcommittee Members
- Julie Baer, MEd, Institute of International Education
- Ashleigh Brown-Grier, PhD, Howard University
- Shawna Farrell, PhD, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Patricia Gibson, Soka University of America
- Elizabeth Langridge-Noti, PhD, University of California - San Diego
- Wing-Kai To, PhD, Bridgewater State University
Regional Liaisons
Regional Liaisons
- Region I: vacant
- Region II: vacant
- Region III: vacant
- Region IV: vacant
- Region V: vacant
- Region VI: Cami Ross, MBA, Case Western Reserve University
- Region VII: Yongling Gorke, PhD, University of North Carolina - Charlotte
- Region VIII: Jana Jaffa, EdD, Penn State University
- Region X: Nodira Pirmukhamedova, MA, The City University of New York (CUNY)
- Region XI: Ruby Cheng, EdD, Brown University
- Region XII: Patrick Agullana, MA, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments for the TLS KC team, please contact us.
