Staff Achievements

October 2024

Antonia Lortis & Claire Volna

Co-Presented "A Friendly Intro to Google Analytics GA4" at the NAFSA Bi-Regional (IV and V) Conference 

August 2024

Lindsey Lahr

Completed the Mental Health Advocate Training/Certificate

May 2024

Ashley Metz

Completed the CAPE Coaching Skills Training Program

Molly Green

Completed the Racial Justice Training Program

April 2024

BJ Titus

Presented, OSAC Academia Sector Committee Conference, The Impact of Students’ Diverse Identities on Health and Safety in Education Abroad

March 2024

BJ Titus

Presented, The Forum on Education Abroad Conference, More Than Words: Centering Institutional Values in Strategic Operations

Christine Anderson & Lindsey Lahr

Lindsey Lahr

Presented, The Forum on Education Abroad Conference, Integrating Sustainability and the SDGs into Global Programs

February 2024

Ann Hubbard, Lindsey Lahr, & Molly Green

Co-Presented "Sustainability in Education Abroad" (MSAP: Minnesota Study Abroad Professionals Meeting) 

Nathan Jacobson

Completed UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

Molly Green & Jemma Lund

Co-Presented "Return, Reflect, Reconnect: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Opportunities After Study Abroad" (Tate Conference) 

Jessica Hartnett, Maria Mantey & Molly Green

Co-Presented "Remote to In-Person Global Internships: Training for the Hybrid Workforce" (Internationalizing the Campus & Curriculum Conference)

January 2024

Ashley Metz

Co-presented, "Non-Traditional Study Abroad Locations" (MSAP In-Person Presentation)

Molly Green

Became a UofM Mental Health Advocate

December 2023

Molly Green

Completed UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

October 2023

BJ Titus

Presented, Global Inclusion Conference, Marketing via a DEI Lens: A Pragmatic Application of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Kate Meyer

Earned the Certified Professional designation from the Forum on Education Abroad

September 2023

Emily Newhall

Became Co-chair of Communicators Forum Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

Nathan Jacobson

Became a UofM Mental Health Advocate

June 2023

Kate Meyer

Received Lily von Klemperer Award (NAFSA 2023 Expo & Conference)

May 2023

Jemma Lund

Completed the UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

Scott Daby

Completed the Business Process Improvement Certificate through the UofM College of Continuing and Professional Studies

April 2023

Ashley Metz

Elected to UofM's Academic Advising Network (AAN) Board - 2 year term

Maria Mantey

Co-Presented, "We're Doing our Best: Innovating, Adapting & Evolving" (MSAP: Minnesota Study Abroad Professionals Meeting)

March 2023

Antonia Lortis, Emily Newhall

Co-Presented, "Marketing via a DEI Lens: A Pragmatic Application of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion" (Forum on Education Abroad Conference)

Dr. Jill Reister, Peggy Retka

Co-Presented, "Proactive strategies for mental health abroad: A Public Health approach" (Forum on Education Abroad Conference)

February 2023

Antonia Lortis

Became Co-chair of NAFSA Marketing & Communications MIG (Member Interest Group)

Dr. Jill Reister, Jackie Gmiterko

Co-Presented, "Rebounding Globally: Examining post pandemic enrollment trends and student needs" (MSAP, Virtual Presentation)

January 2023

Christina Dunbar

Completed the UofM Racial Justice Training Program 

Jemma Lund

Joined NAFSA Region IV team (MN State Representative)

Dr. Jill Reister

Contributor in the E-Book Mid-Career Professionals in International Education, Edited by Thomas V. Millington, M.A. and Abi Cavazos, Ed.D. (Published through the Forum on Education Abroad)

Jemma Lund

Co-Presented, "Diversity Case Studies " (National Student Exchange Conference)

Tony Fussy

Served as a member of the University Senate, the Compensation and Benefits Committee, and the Rules Committee

December 2022

Lindsey Lahr

Completed the Supervisory Development Course through the UofM Office of Human Resources Leadership & Talent Development

November 2022

Dr. Jill Reister, Bradley Titus, Tim Dohmen

Co-presented, "An Intro to Working in Education Abroad" (MSAP-EA Monthly Meeting)

Jackie Gmiterko

Outstanding New Professional Award for Region IV NAFSA

Pashoua Vang

Presenter, “Education Abroad & Accessibility” (NAFSA Region IV and VII Bi-Annual Conference)

October 2022

BJ Titus

Presenter, Global Inclusion Conference, Advancing Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Minnesota

Dr. Jill Reister

Presented, "Reality Check: Programs outside of Western Europe Aren't Rebounding as Quickly—Is That a Problem?" (IES Conference)

Dr. Jill Reister

Presented, "Engaging students in prioritizing their mental health and wellness abroad" (NAFSA IV Regional Conference)

Dr. Jill Reister

Presented, "Proactive strategies for mental health abroad: A Public Health approach" (NAFSA IV Regional Conference)

Pashoua Vang

Panelist, “Career Advancement and Belonging in International Education & DEI” (Global Inclusion Conference)

Pashoua Vang

Poster Presenter, “Hmong American Perspectives: Unpacking Why Heritage-Seeking Programs Matter” (NAFSA IV Regional Conference)

Pashoua Vang

Co-Presenter, “Global Access: A Renewed Partnership to Expand Equitable Access Abroad” (NAFSA IV Regional Conference)

September 2022

Christina Dunbar

Completed the UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

July 2022

Tony Fussy

Appointed Chair Elect of the Civil Service Consultative Committee

June 2022

Pashoua Vang

Awarded 'Best Poster' in International Education Research, “Hmong American Perspectives: Unpacking Why Heritage-Seeking Programs Matter” (NAFSA Expo & Conference)

May 2022

Dr. Jill Reister

Became a UofM Mental Health Advocate

March 2022

Dr. Jill Reister

Co-presented, "Proactive Strategies for Student Mental Health Abroad" (MSAP, Virtual Presentation)

Paula Haeder

Became a UofM Mental Health Advocate

February 2022

BJ Titus

Co-author, Deepening Impact through Inclusive Excellence in Education Abroad, “Training ‘American’ Identity: Histories, Constructions and Complexities

November 2021

Peggy Retka

Panelist, “Powering Inclusion and Equity Abroad: Sustaining Accessibility” (Scottsdale Community College, Virtual Presentation)

Peggy Retka

Co-Presented, “Strengthening Support for Students with Disabilities” (MSAP-EA Monthly Virtual Meeting)

October 2021

Pashoua Vang

Presented, “Exploring Hmong American College Students’ Motivations for Studying Abroad on Hmong Studies Programs” (Global Inclusion Conference)

Maria Mantey

Completed the UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

September 2021

Vanessa Walton

Nominated for Charlotte Striebel Equity Award 

July 2021

Peggy Retka

Co-Presented, “Global Access: A renewed partnership to expand equitable access abroad” (Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) National Virtual Conference)

Peggy Retka

Co-Presented, “Restarting Study Abroad with Disability Inclusion Post COVID-19” (The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) Joining Hands Virtual Symposium)

Zach Mohs

Co-Presented, "Challenges and successes in supporting student mental health & wellness” (the Forum on Education Abroad Virtual Workshop)

June 2021

BJ Titus

Invited Speaker, IFSA Dialogue Let’s Talk for UK Universities (Exploring American Identity: Histories Construction & Complexities)

April 2021

Maria Mantey

Received E-Learning Instructional Design and Development Certificate from Oregon State University; final project: "Choose Your Own Adventure: Japan," online course designed for second grade students

Paula Haeder

Co-Presented “The Revolving Door of International Education: Identifying why we attract, retain, and lose top talent in the field” (the Forum on Education Abroad Virtual Conference)

March 2021

BJ Titus

Invited Speaker, US State Department session (Learning Abroad: Using Our Powers for Good: Creating Greater Diversity, Inclusion and Access in a COVID Normal)

February 2021

Jackie Gmiterko

Completed UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

Tami Jauert, Ashley Metz, and BJ Titus

Co-Presented, "A Data-driven Approach to Building a Diverse Pipeline in International Education" (MSAP: Minnesota Study Abroad Professionals Meeting)

Dr. Christine Anderson

Panelist, “Virtual International Internships: Developing Digital Professionals,” (IDEAS Webinar)

Dr. Christine Anderson

Presented, “Virtual International Internships” (University of Nebraska)

January 2021

BJ Titus

Panelist, MSAP meeting (Internationalization's Privilege in Higher Education)

December 2020

BJ Titus

Moderator, NAFSA Collegial Conversation (Intersection Between International Education and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)

October 2020

BJ Titus

Moderator, Regional XII virtual NAFSA Conference (Education Abroad Town Hall Meeting)

Jemma Lund

Presented, "Communicating with Internal & External Partners during the COVID-19 Pandemic" (NAFSA Region V Virtual Conference)

Dr. Christine Anderson

Co-Presented, “NACE Viewpoint: Preparing Global Professionals” Virtual presentation (in the NACE 2020 Viewpoint Virtual Series Presentation)

August 2020

Dr. Christine Anderson

Co-Presented "CAPA Conversations: Career Integration - Global Learning and the Impact on Employment" (Virtual presentation)

Ashley Metz

Co-Presented, “Results of a Survey Measuring Demographics of Education Abroad Professionals" (2020 NAFSA eConnection Virtual Poster Fair)

April 2020

Vanessa Walton

Co-Presented, “Don’t Pack a Pest for Academic Travelers: Minimizing the Spread of Invasive Species Through Travel & Fostering Environmental Sustainability,” (the Forum on Education Abroad Virtual Conference)

Dr. Jill Reister

Presented, “Beyond the Brand: Marketing Diverse Destinations for a Sustainable Future” (the Forum on Education Abroad Virtual Conference)

March 2020 

Dr. Christine Anderson, Lindsey Lahr, Ashley Metz, Dr. Jill Reister, Maria Wentworth

All co-authored articles in “Career Integration: Reviewing the Impact of Experience Abroad on Employment, No. 3.” The journal highlights information and sessions from conferences as well as essays that further illuminate the impact of experiences abroad on careers. 

February 2020

Ilya Kravchik and Emily Newhall

Co-Presented, "Avatars Engage Gen Z" (Internationalizing the Curriculum and Campus Conference)

Peggy Retka

Co-Presented, “Increasing Access to Learning Abroad” (Internationalizing the Curriculum and Campus Conference)

Dr. Christine Anderson

Co-Presented, “Techniques for Enhancing Learning Abroad” (University of Minnesota Internationalizing the Curriculum and Campus Conference)

Timothy Dohmen

Co-Presented, “The Value of High Impact Practices on Career Readiness” (University of Minnesota Internationalizing the Campus and Curriculum Conference)

January 2020

BJ Titus

Elected as the Chair Stream (Chair-elect, Chair, Past Chair) of the Education Abroad Knowledge Community at NAFSA

Invited Speaker, Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute (Contemporary Diversity & Inclusion Considerations: the US Perspective)

Jemma Lund

Served as a member of the NAFSA Region V Team & Executive Board

December 2019

BJ Titus

Panelist, NAFSA Collegial Conversation (Education Abroad: Best Practices for Onsite Staff Overseas)

Jessica Hartnett

Completed Master of Public Affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs with a specialization in Global Public Policy

Dr. Jill Reister

Completed the UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

October 2019

Ashley Metz

Co-published article, “Data-Driven Suggestions for Diversifying the Education Abroad Profession” in The Global Impact Exchange: A Quarterly Publication of Diversity Abroad (Diversity Abroad)

BJ Titus

Chair & Presenter, NAFSA Regional (Working Across Generations in Education Abroad), Selected as Regional Highlight

September 2019

Emily Newhall

Completed the UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

BJ Titus

Invited Speaker, Syracuse University (Exploring Identity in Education Abroad)

August 2019

Emily Newhall 

Served on the UofM Communicators Forum Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Lindsey Lahr

Completed UofM Equity and Diversity Certificate

June 2019

BJ Titus

Panelist, “Emotional Support Animals Abroad,” (NAFSA Collegial Conversation)

Ashley Metz

Appointed to CAPA Advisors Council

Antonia Lortis, Ilya Kravchik, and Emily Newhall

Received the 2019 GoAbroad Innovation Award for Innovation in Marketing & Digital Media

May 2019

BJ Titus

Invited Speaker, “Exploring Identity in Education Abroad,” (NY6 Study Abroad Retreat) 

April 2019

BJ Titus

Panelist, “Heritage Seeking in Education Abroad,” (NAFSA Collegial Conversation)

March 2019

Timothy Dohmen

Presented/Panelist, “Learning to Leverage Experiences Abroad: Career Readiness, Internships & Learning Abroad” (College of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Education Advisors Conference)

BJ Titus

Presented, “The Rise of Diversity & Inclusion Roles in International Education,” (Diversity Abroad Conference)

Zach Mohs

Co-presented, “Empowering Women in the Education Abroad Field: What Men Can Do,” (the Forum on Education Abroad 15th Annual Conference)