CEA's Story
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CEA Advantage
As students and universities grow ever more cognizant of the key role study abroad plays in gaining the knowledge, skills, and experience that characterize globally competent and employable graduates, CEA is positioned to support these needs. We’re here to help universities internationalize their institution, education, students, and faculty through a range of academic programs and services. We pride ourselves on offering exemplary service to students throughout the study abroad experience, from our attentive Admissions Counselors and Site Specialists to our innovative implementation of instructional technology and local knowledge on-site.
We integrate a rigorous process of internal and external quality review into our academic programming, and provide professional development opportunities for our faculty. By choosing CEA, you gain an experienced partner in study abroad who provides you with the value-added toolbox you need to support your internationalization efforts. As our global network grows, we look forward to collaborating with you and your team to advance the future of study abroad.
To request more information, contact your Regional Director or call 1-877.449.2775.
CEA provides life changing academic experiences
Studying abroad is more than just an academic experience — it’s a life experience. A CEA education abroad expands the boundaries of your education and transforms the world into your classroom. With many destinations around the world, CEA offers a balance of academics and adventure to thousands of students each year. Where will your learning take you?
Founded on a Promise
Brian Boubek’s undergraduate study abroad program in France changed his life… but he also knew the experience could have been better. That’s why Brian created CEA: to ensure that students enjoy seamless support, from the moment they first consider studying abroad to the day they return home again (and beyond!) Almost 20 years later, Brian’s goals—creating a simple pre-departure process, facilitating high-quality academic programs, offering opportunities for meaningful cultural engagement, and preparing students for a global workplace—still inform everything we do at CEA.
Our Philosophy
Since 1997, CEA has maintained one simple philosophy: To provide high-quality international academic programs and services. For students and universities, that means support through each step of the study abroad experience, from start to finish. Along the way, students learn to adapt and communicate across cultures. They earn credits toward graduation while gaining skills that enhance their employability.
Our Vision
Enhance the Employability of 35,000 CEA Students by 2025.
Our Mission & Values
The mission of CEA is to create and facilitate opportunities for academic achievement, global competence, and personal growth through quality international education.
Increasing Access To Study Abroad
At CEA, we strive to increase students’ access to the life-changing benefits of study abroad. Through scholarship funding, partnerships, academic and non-academic programming, and student advising, we help students from underrepresented groups take their education global.
Increasing Access Through Funding
We commit more than $2 million to our scholarship and grant programs each year, including a CEA Diversity scholarship that awards students up to $2,000 toward study abroad costs.
Increasing Access through Partnerships
Strategic partnerships within higher education help us reach a broader student population, often by utilizing non-traditional channels. For instance, we’ve developed a program that provides first-generation students with grants and awards to cover the cost of obtaining their first passport. We also connect with students through our partnership with Sigma Lambda Beta, a traditionally Hispanic fraternity.
Increasing Access through Custom & Faculty-led Programs
We partner with faculty to create short-term, faculty-led programs that resonate with a broad spectrum of diverse students. Examples include programs for first-generation students to San José, Costa Rica and Rome, Italy; a program that explores Paris’ LGBT culture; and programs designed specifically for STEM students.
Increasing Access through Peer Advising
Our Mobile Journalist (MOJO) and Alumni Ambassador programs allow students to connect with their peers while they’re abroad and when they return to their home campuses. Both programs allow prospective students to reach out to a familiar face and ask questions about the realities of life abroad.
Increasing Access through Safe Zones
Our initiative to train U.S. and international staff through the Safe Zone Program helps ensure that students feel comfortable asking CEA staff anything…even the difficult questions. For instance, if a student needs to know about gender-neutral housing options, Safe Zone training empowers CEA sta-to provide answers within a safe space, making that student’s study abroad experience more inclusive, comfortable, and enriching.
Martha Johnson, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Martha Johnson is the Executive Vice President and Provost for CEA Study Abroad and CAPA: The Global Education Network combined organization.
She has worked in education abroad since 1991, including onsite at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and as the Study Abroad Coordinator at Leeds Metropolitan University in Leeds, England. She managed institutional relations for several U.S.-based educational organizations and consortia including Regent’s College in London and AustraLearn previous to going to the University of Minnesota in 2001.
From 2009-2022, Martha served the Assistant Dean for Learning Abroad at the University of Minnesota and oversaw one of the largest education abroad offices in the U.S., sending over 4000 students abroad annually. She played a key leadership role in the highly successful and internationally recognized Curriculum Integration initiative, as well as developing the Career Integration project and subsequent conferences.
Martha holds a PhD in American Studies with an emphasis in drama and the performance of gender, race, and cultural identity from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. Martha has presented and chaired numerous sessions and workshops at national and international conferences, served on a variety of education abroad program boards, and authored articles and chapters for publications including Frontiers and NAFSA guides and resources. She previously served in leadership roles and chaired multiple committees in NAFSA, the Forum on Education Abroad, Diversity Abroad, the Global Leadership League, and the Fund for Education Abroad. She is currently serving a term as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Forum.
Martha Johnson is the Executive Vice President and Provost for CEA Study Abroad and CAPA: The Global Education Network combined organization.
She has worked in education abroad since 1991, including onsite at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and as the Study Abroad Coordinator at Leeds Metropolitan University in Leeds, England. She managed institutional relations for several U.S.-based educational organizations and consortia including Regent’s College in London and AustraLearn previous to going to the University of Minnesota in 2001.
