IPO Staff Appointed NAFSA Leadership Roles

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Several staff members in UMass Amherst’s International Programs Office were recently appointed to leadership positions with NAFSA: Association of International Educators. NAFSA is the world's largest professional association dedicated to international education. With over 10,000 members, NAFSA strives to increase awareness of and support for the contributions of 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.  

Director of education abroad Mark Eckman was named to the national Education Abroad Regulatory Practice Committee beginning in Jan. 2021 and running for two years. The committee identifies best practice related to regulatory issues (e.g. Title IX, financial aid) requiring action in the field of education abroad.

Director of international health, safety and security Andrea Campbell Drake was appointed to the national Education Abroad Knowledge Community.This volunteer-run group works to sustain and develop resources, tools, and model practices for professional development in the field. The term for this appointment is Jan. 1, 2021 to Dec. 31, 2022.

Education abroad advisor Emily Ostenson was appointed as the secretary of the Region XI (New England) Leadership team, beginning Jan. 2020 and running for three years. International scholar and student advisor Nichole Hunley has also been appointed to the Region XI team as the regulatory ombudsman for scholar issues (beginning January 2021, running for three years). The Leadership team organizesthe annual regional conference and provides programming and general support for the region in all knowledge communities.

“I am delighted that so many IPO staff have been recognized for their expertise and leadership by their peers at NAFSA.  It is a testament to their talents and to UMass’s commitment to global education and I am confident that our professional community will be served very well through their efforts,” says Kalpen Trivedi, associate provost for international programs.

These appointments come after Trivedi was recently elected to serve in the chair stream for the International Education Leadership Knowledge Community. In July, director of international student and scholar services Kenneth Reade was appointed to serve on the Government Regulatory Affairs Committee (GRAC).