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
Amanda Yusko
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The Ohio State University
Chair, Leadership Development Committee (2025)
Yusko is the program manager for the Student Immigration Team at The Ohio State University where she serves as a DSO/ARO and manages advising efforts for more than 7,000 international students. She has been very involved with NAFSA, serving in several capacities at the regional level as well as...
Roopa Rawjee, EdD
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Illinois State University
Chair-elect, 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...
Adam Julian
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IDP Connect
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Adam is a Partnerships Director for IDP. Prior to his role with IDP, Adam worked in international student and scholar services, and international enrollment management for universities in the U.S. Adam has been a NAFSA member since 2006 and has served in numerous member leader roles. He resides in...
Masume Assaf
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Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Masume Assaf retired from Penn State after 40+ years in February 2023, where she worked as the assistant vice provost of international student and scholar advising. Assaf co-authored the original workshop “NAFSA F-1 Regulations for Beginners” with Linda Gentile as well as a revised electronic...
Ali Maghoo
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Australian American Chamber of Commerce
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Committed to nurturing cross-cultural ties, I am Ali Maghoo, currently serving as the Director of Memberships and Cultural Activities at the Australian American Chamber of Commerce. With a foundation as the Study Abroad Director at the University of Houston Downtown, my professional voyage...
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...
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...