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
Academy Coach Applications
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 the 2025 Academy coach class are now closed. The next application cycle will open in the spring of 2025 for the 2026 Academy coach class.
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
Kira Espiritu
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University of San Diego
2024 Academy Chair
Kira Espiritu is the Assistant Provost for International Affairs and the Director of the Office of International Studies Abroad at the University of San Diego. She has over 20 years’ experience in international education and has been a longtime NAFSA member. Kira oversees the development of all...
Shannon Ingleby
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University of Iowa
2025 Academy Chair
Shannon Ingleby 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 new country and can also celebrate the many ways that living and studying abroad positively impacts an individual...
Aaron Clevenger, EdD
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Academy Chair-Designate 2025
>Aaron Clevenger is the Assistant Provost for International Education & Senior International Officer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he was previously the Dean of International and Graduate Admissions. He is an Adjunct Professor of Security Studies and International Affairs. Aaron has...
2025 Academy Coaches
Andrew Van Lew, MA
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University of Arkansas
Arkansas State Representative, Region III
My name is Andrew Van Lew and I am the Graduate & International Recruitment Coordinator at the University of Arkansas. I have served in this role for coming up on 2 years. Prior to this I served 5 years as a DSO and ARO in our university's International Students & Scholars Office. I am very...
Danielle Davis
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Virginia Tech
Academy Coach
Danielle Lee Davis has worked in international education for over 10 years, in a variety of roles across both education abroad and international student & scholar services. Incidentally, her very first university job was working in the English language lab as an undergraduate work-study. She is...
Dr. Drew Dexter Ross
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Arizona State University
Academy Coach
Dr. Drew Dexter Ross is the Director of International Student Advising in the International Students & Scholars Center where he works to support the immigration compliance for all F-1 international students at Arizona State University. Drew also enjoys working with international students to provide...
Darya Anoshei
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University of Washington Continuum College
Academy Coach
Darya holds the position of Admissions and Outreach Supervisor at the University of Washington's International & English Language Program. As someone who identifies with the Third Culture Kid (TCK) experience, she was raised within a diverse cultural and linguistic environment. Her dedication is...
Dulce Amor L. Dorado
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University of California San Diego
Academy Coach
Dulce Amor L. Dorado is the Director of Strategic Planning, Innovation, and Research in Student Health and Well-Being at the University of California San Diego. Prior to her current role, Dulce served in various leadership positions in international education. Her 25+ year career includes leading a...
Jennifer Gay
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International Volunteer HQ
Past Chair, Region II
Jennifer has over 20 years experience in a range of international education fields. She served as Senior International Officer at Fort Lewis College, as Director of Member Relations for ISEP Study Abroad, and currently is Director of Campus Partnerships for HQ Travel Group, the world's largest...
Jim Crawley
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Hope College
Academy Coach
Jim Crawley has been in international admissions and recruitment since 1995, having worked at Alma College, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University. He is currently the Director if Global Recruitment at Hope College, in Holland, Michigan. Jim has served in various volunteer...
Molly Heidemann
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Miami University
Academy Coach
Molly Heidemann currently serves as Director of International Student and Scholar Services at Miami University (Ohio) where she has supported the international student and scholar community since 2008. She began her career in international education at Indiana University in 2005. Molly became a...
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...
Omobonike Odegbami
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Hamilton College
Academy Coach, Region X
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...
Kimberly Hajec
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Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Academy Coach
I started my career in international education in 2007. I worked at various institutions in a variety of roles including international admissions & recruitment, immigration advising for F-1 & J-1 students, as well as J-1 Visiting Professors, Scholars and Interns. During my tenure in higher education...
Mireille McLaughlin
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Simmons University
Academy Coach
I participated in the NAFSA Academy as a mentee in 2009 and benefited immensely from the experience and would love to give back by serving as a Coach. I have a breadth of experience in international education including study abroad and academic advising, international student advising, international...
Naomi Ziegler
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Carleton College
Academy Coach
Naomi Ziegler is Associate Director of Off-Campus Studies at Carleton College where she works with Carleton programs, events, communications, non-Carleton programs, and student advising. She holds a PhD in Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota and...
2024 Academy Coaches
Shauna Walsh
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Belmont University
Academy Coach - Region 1
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. Tiffanie has presented at past NAFSA regional conferences and is looking forward to her first year as an Academy Coach!
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, Region X
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...
Tyler Morkin, MA
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University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Academy Coach, Pan-Regional Cohort
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...