Studying abroad isn’t just about passports and packing lists - it’s about people. This fall, our team has been racking up frequent flyer miles and name badges from California to Costa Rica, attending conferences across the world to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the ever-evolving world of international education. And let’s be honest: there’s something magical about being in a room full of people who care deeply about global learning (and who also know how to navigate a hotel breakfast buffet like pros). 

Academic Integration & Career Readiness 

Let’s talk about the future - because students are thinking about it, and so are we. From pre-med to pre-law to “I’m still figuring it out,” our team is helping students connect their global experiences to real-world career goals. 

• Dr. Martha Johnson (Chief Academic Officer and Provost) co-hosted Career For All: Career Integration Across the Curriculum with Dr. Christine Anderson and Dr. Nikki Letawsky Shultz (University of Minnesota) at the DA Global Impact Conference. The session spotlighted how program design can support career skills for students pursuing graduate studies and beyond - think internships, shadowing, research, consulting, and more. 

• Kelsey Eihausen (Regional Manager), Allison Capasso (Sr. Career and Internship Specialist), and Madison A. Pastrick (TCU) presented Revising EA Advising Framework to Empower Today’s Students at NAFSA Region III. It was like a GPS to help students navigate from 'study abroad' to 'career-ready' without taking a wrong turn into 'what-am-I-doing-with-my-life' land. 

• Amber Kettmann (Regional Director) joined Paulina Brouder (University of Missouri-Columbia) at NAFSA Region IV to present Campus to the World: Transforming Advising through the IDEAS Grant, showing how grant-funded initiatives can make advising more inclusive and impactful. 

• Megan Randall (Director of Career Development Initiatives) hosted a lively panel: Exploring Emerging Models of Experiential Learning Beyond Internships alongside colleagues from Oregon State, Colorado State, and the University of Minnesota at the Forum’s Careers, Internships, and Global Learning (CIGL) Conference in San José, Costa Rica. The session explored creative options including consulting projects, global health shadowing, volunteering, and undergraduate research - all aimed at expanding access and helping students connect global experiences to career goals.  

  

   

  

Student Services & Support 

Behind every successful study abroad experience is a support system, and our team is working hard to make sure that system is thoughtful, inclusive, and student-centered. 

• Jessica Jones (VP of Institutional Relations) brought the real talk to NAFSA Region XI with Bravery Required: Why Uncomfortable Conversations Are Essential in International Education, and she also hosted the Caregivers MIG Open Meeting. These sessions created space for honest dialogue and community care – two things that we all need more than ever! 

• Kylie Radz (Student Engagement Coordinator) teamed up with Jordan Kaiser (Chapman University) at NAFSA Region XII to present on returnee engagement - because yes, students come back from abroad (albeit kicking and screaming most of the time!), and yes, they still need us. 

• Mary Alice Haas (Regional Director) presented Creative Staffing Solutions: Funding, Support and Cross-campus Relations at NAFSA Region III, offering clever ways to stretch resources while keeping students supported. 

Professional Development & Inclusion 

And we’re not just supporting students - we’re also supporting each other. From introverts to neurodiverse professionals, our team is helping create spaces where everyone can thrive. 

• Emily Resnevic (Sr. Custom Program Developer) hosted the Rhode Island State Meeting and presented Quiet Confidence: Navigating Careers as an Introvert in International Education at NAFSA Region XI. Picture a room full of nodding introverts feeling very seen! 

• Kyle Cox (Regional Director) hosted a campfire-style dialogue on neurodivergence in study abroad at the DA Global Impact Conference. The room was packed, the conversation was rich, and the marshmallows were metaphorical. 

• Josh Coldagelli (Academic Services Administrator) co-presented with colleagues from MSU and North Park University at NAFSA Region V in Milwaukee, contributing to a dynamic session on study abroad career paths. 

A Community of Change-makers 

Beyond the podium, we’ve loved attending sessions led by our peers. The DA Global Access Network’s Global Impact Conference was a standout, offering a space for change-makers to swap ideas, share best practices, and build connections that go beyond business cards. This conference always inspires us to continue to advance our commitment to the work that matters most - equity, access, innovation, and meeting students where they are.  

All the Thanks and All the Lanyards 

Huge thanks to DA Global Access Network, NAFSA, The Forum on Education Abroad, presenters, volunteers, and everyone else that made this conference season one to remember. Thanks also to all our institutional partners for making these moments possible. Here’s to more learning, more laughter, and more lanyards in the future! 

To learn more about the CEA CAPA family of programs, please visit: Study Abroad Programs | Study Abroad Scholarships & Internships