Derek Shepard, Regional Director - Southwest

As Regional Director for the Southwest region, Derek works closely with institutional partners in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas to support their internationalization efforts. He coordinates with CEA CAPA’s partners on international study abroad, internship programs, and the development of custom and faculty-led programs. Derek brings over 10 years of university-based study abroad and experiential education development experience to the Regional Director role. Prior to joining the University Relations team at CEA CAPA, Derek was at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he advised students and developed faculty-led programs. Derek holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Washington State University. After studying abroad senior year in India, Derek served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ratchaburi, Thailand where he worked in the education and government sectors to support Thai educators and students. Derek is passionate about the transformational nature associated with studying and interning abroad and is excited to partner with CEA CAPA’s institutional partners to design, build, and implement new and innovative international programming.