Advisory Board

Mission Statement

CEA Study Abroad's Advisory Board is composed of leaders in the field of international higher education that support the organization's strategic direction and assist in achieving its long-term and programmatic goals.

The Advisory Board serves as counsel on issues of future initiatives, higher education, and student advocacy. Board membership is voluntary and by invitation of the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer of CEA. CEA strives for board members who reflect the diversity of the colleges and universities, students, and alumni affiliated with CEA’s academic programs and institutions.

No less than eight members represent the board at any given time, with at least one representative from CEA’s School of Record, serving in an ex-officio capacity. Board members serve for three years with the option to extend membership by an additional three years, based on the discretion of CEA and other board members. The board meets formally at least twice a year to discuss, propose, and vote on matters up for consideration by CEA, including:

• The undertaking of future projects
• The launching of approved initiatives
• Matters pertaining to higher education
• Student's health, safety and wellbeing
• Other issues of common interest

Board Members

CEA’s Advisory Board facilitates continuous improvement of our overall operations, seeks out growth opportunities, identifies innovative learning opportunities, enriches the student experience to enhance cross-cultural awareness and global competency, and adheres to the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad as established by The Forum on Education Abroad. Board members are selected based upon their years of experience in the field, levels of expertise, areas of interest, and commitment to the field of education abroad.

Miguel E. Ayllon, Ph.D.
Director of Study Abroad
University of Missouri

Opal Leeman Bartzis, Ed.D.
Executive Director of Education Abroad; Interim Director, Global Youth Advancement Network
Michigan State University

Meredith Blumthal
Director of International Programs, College of Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Mario Thomas Gaboury, J.D., Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
University of New Haven

Martha McGivern, Ph.D.
Director of Study Abroad
DePaul University

Patrick Morgan
Chief International Safety Officer
University of Michigan

David L. Mothersbaugh, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate and International Programs
University of Alabama

Leslie Ann Smedley
Senior Advisor - Global Experiences Office
University of Pittsburgh

Kelli Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Student Success
Binghamton University

Cari Vanderkar, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost for International Programs
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Emelee Volden
Director of the Office of International Education
University of Denver

Christian Wilwohl, Ed.D.
Dean of Global Education
Providence College