Below are brief biographies of those selected for the NAFSA 2012 national slate. If you would like to learn more about the process, please visit the introductory page.
President and Chair of the Board of Directors
Fanta Aw, PhD
Fanta Aw, PhD, is assistant vice president of campus life at American University, where she heads intercultural services and programs and the international student and scholar services office. Aw advises university senior leadership on campus internationalization, and on matters of diversity and inclusion. She presents often on international student services and programs and campus internationalization efforts. Aw is a frequent presenter and trainer for NAFSA, the U.S. Department of State, Institute of International Education, and other international educational organizations. She received her MA in public administration with a focus on organizational development and her PhD in sociology from American University. Her areas of specialization include transnational migration, international education, and intercultural communication. Aw joined the NAFSA Board of Directors in 2009.
Current Professional Position
Assistant Vice President of Campus Life and Director of International Student and Scholar Services, American University
Vice President for Member Relations
Sandy Soohoo-Refaei
Sandy Soohoo-Refaei has been an active member of NAFSA for more than 25 years. She has served in many volunteer and leadership positions within the association, most recently as chair of the Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services, and is a frequent presenter at both the regional and annual conferences. She enjoys connecting with fellow members and strives to reach out to new members as a colleague and mentor. She is the associate director of international programs at Linfield College in Oregon. Her primary responsibilities include advising international students and scholars, serving as the college's principal designated school official and responsible officer, administering study abroad programs, managing budgets, and coordinating short-term programs with the English Language and Culture Program staff. Soohoo-Refaei has traveled extensively around the world and has participated in the Baden-Württemberg Seminar, Fulbright IEA program, Eduespaña, Semester at Sea, and the Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication in recent years.
Current Professional Position
Associate Director of International Programs, Linfield College
Board of Directors Member-at-large
Simon Adams, PhD
Simon Adams, PhD, is the executive director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect. Adams has previously worked with governments and civil society in South Africa, East Timor, Northern Ireland, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere. He is the author of four books and numerous academic articles with a focus on international conflict. Adams studied at the University of Witswatersrand in South Africa and at the University of New South Wales in Australia, where he received his PhD. He is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at the Harvard Business School. Adams was executive dean of arts & sciences at the University of Notre Dame Australia and received a distinguished service medal from the university in 2007. He served as pro vice chancellor (international engagement) at Monash University and as vice president of its South African campus between 2008-2010.
Current Professional Position
Executive Director, Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect & Senior Research Fellow at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Mell Bolen
Mell Bolen is director of the study abroad program at Princeton University. Previously, she served as president of BCA Study Abroad from 2006-2010, where she oversaw development of a new strategic plan and refocused the organization on its peace and justice mission. Bolen also served as associate director and then director of international programs at Brown University from 1992 to 2005. She has been a key figure in the professionalization of international education over the past decade and has served in key positions with NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad, as well as being active in the Association of International Education Administrators, the European Association for International Education, and the Center for Women's Intercultural Leadership, and is a noted expert on outcomes assessment in international education. Bolen served as the chair of the Annual Conference Committee for NAFSA's 2009 annual conference in Los Angeles. She has an MA in international education from Lesley College and is pursuing her PhD in American Civilization at Brown University.
Current Professional Position
Director of Study Abroad, Princeton University
Art Dunning, PhD
Arthur Dunning, PhD, is vice chancellor for international programs and outreach at the University of Alabama System. He advises the chancellor on opportunities to further build international programs, strengthen academic and research partnerships, and expand economic development initiatives. Dunning was most recently vice president for public service and outreach at the University of Georgia (UGA). His responsibilities included institutional leadership for public service and outreach activities across the campus, around the state, and internationally. Prior to assuming his position at UGA in 2000, he was senior vice chancellor for human and external resources for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Additionally, he was a tenured full professor in the Institute of Higher Education on the Athens campus. Prior to his 27 years of service in Georgia, he served seven years in administrative and faculty positions at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. Dunning earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from The University of Alabama.
Current Professional Position
Vice Chancellor for International Programs and Outreach, University of Alabama System
William R. Holmes, DBA
William R. Holmes, DBA, is dean of the faculty of business at Sheridan Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Sheridan, Holmes served as executive director of the undergraduate program in the Faculty of Business Administration at Simon Fraser University. He has had an extensive career in business education and banking across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Holmes is a certified management accountant, a certified human resource professional, an associate fellow with the Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance, and a member for the Trust Companies Institute of Canada. He holds a doctor of business administration from the University of Southern Queensland, a master of business administration from the University of British Columbia, and master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Waterloo.
Current Professional Position
Dean, Faculty of Business, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Meredith M. McQuaid, JD
Meredith M. McQuaid, JD, is the associate vice president and dean for international programs for the University of Minnesota system, where she promotes the global dimensions of teaching, research, and engagement across all colleges and campuses of the university. She works with the president, vice presidents, chancellors, deans, faculty, and staff to create global opportunities; expand international and interdisciplinary components of teaching, research, and public engagement activities; recruit and support international students, faculty, and staff; and facilitate development of critical interdisciplinary and international partnerships important to the university's strategic plan. McQuaid earned her BA in linguistics (1981) and her JD (1991) from the University of Minnesota. Her work and interests have taken her around the world in a number of traditional and nontraditional capacities. McQuaid joined the NAFSA Board of Directors in 2010, and has served as president and chair of the Board of Directors since 2011.
Current Professional Position
Associate Vice President and Dean, International Programs, University of Minnesota
Debra W. Stewart, PhD
Debra W. Stewart, PhD, is the president of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the leading organization dedicated to the improvement and advancement of graduate education in the U.S. and around the world, where she has served since 2000. Prior to joining CGS, Stewart was vice chancellor and dean of the graduate school at North Carolina State University. She also served as interim chancellor at UNC-Greensboro (1994) and as graduate dean and then vice provost (1988-1998) at NC State. She serves on the ETS Board of Trustees, the International Advisory Board of the Freie Universität Berlin, and the International Board of the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Stewart has written on a wide array of higher education issues. She lectures on higher education, research, and global competitiveness at major universities and education organizations in North America, Australia, the United Kingdom, China, Russia, and continental Europe. She is the author or coauthor of numerous scholarly articles on administrative theory and public policy. Stewart received her PhD in political science from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, her master's degree from the University of Maryland, and her BA from Marquette University.
Current Professional Position
President, Council of Graduate Schools
Chair-elect, Leadership Development Committee
Ravi Shankar
Originally from India, Mr. Shankar has been in the field of international education for nearly 20 years. His experience and skills have been honed by working at various types of institutions—small professional schools, community colleges, and major research institutions. He is currently the director of the international office at Northwestern University. Prior to joining Northwestern University, he served as the director of the international center at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL. He has served as the legacy CAFSS/Community College Representative to Region V; member of the NAFSA Membership Committee; regulatory ombudsperson for Region V; served as the Chair for Region V; committee member for NAFSA's Diversity Mission Statement task force; chair of the Task Force to develop NAFSA's Case Management Tool for RegBuds (now NAFSA's Issue Net/Get Liaison Help) and has presented at numerous regional and annual conferences.
Current Professional Position
Director, International Office, Northwestern University
Chair-elect, Membership Committee
Leah Newell
Leah Newell's 20 years of professional experience span responsibilities for international student and scholar services, education abroad and training at Historically Black, polytechnic, liberal arts, and Hispanic-serving institutions, a community college, and non-profits. Ms. Newell has served as a NAFSA staff member, an AFS student, a Peace Corps volunteer and a Fulbrighter to Japan and Germany. She holds a BA in women's and men's Studies from the University of Southern California and an MA from the School for International Training in International Management. Ms. Newell is a private consultant currently working with Diversity Abroad in the development of resources and training for professionals committed to diversity and equity in global education.
Current Professional Position
Private Consultant, Diversity Abroad
Chair-elect, Knowledge Community for Education Abroad
Kelly Marton
Kelly D. Marton has served as the director of study abroad for IEP at Jacksonville University (JU) since August 2011. In this role she works closely with senior faculty and administration on campus to create and integrate education abroad opportunities for all JU students. Prior to this, Ms. Marton held the associate director of study abroad position at Duquesne University and was responsible for administering, reviewing, and advising for their portfolio of programs worldwide. She also brings five years' experience of study abroad marketing and outreach, as well as a year of on-site programming and student administration abroad.
Current Professional Position
Director of Study Abroad, IEP at Jacksonville University (JU)
Chair-elect, International Education Leadership Knowledge Community
Penelope Pynes, PhD
Dr. Penelope J. Pynes leads the internationalization efforts at the University of North Carolina- Greensboro (UNCG) as associate provost for international programs. Since 1995, Dr. Pynes has worked to promote student/faculty exchange at UNCG and in the state. Owing to her background in German, she piloted the Baden-Württemberg state-to-state program, which led to the establishment of UNC's systemwide exchange program housed at UNCG. She particularly enjoys presenting workshops in the areas of leadership, intercultural communication, strategic planning, and student exchange. She holds an MA in German from the University of Alabama and a PhD in Germanic linguistics from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Current Professional Position
Associate Provost for International Programs, University of North Carolina- Greensboro (UNCG)
Chair-elect, International Enrollment Management Knowledge Community
Jim Crawley
Jim Crawley is director of university enrollment and advising services for ELS Educational Services, Inc. Prior to ELS, Mr. Crawley was at Grand Valley State University, preceded by Central Michigan University. At both institutions, he started their international recruitment efforts and increased enrollment using a combination of tours, independent travel, and collaboration with EducationUSA. Mr. Crawley just finished his three-year term in the Region V chair stream, having served previously as the Region V ADSEC (now IEM) representative. He presents regularly at the state, regional, and national level, and continues in leadership roles at the state level.
Current Professional Position
Director of University Enrollment and Advising Services, ELS Educational Services, Inc.
Chair-elect, Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services
Ravi Ammigan
Ravi Ammigan serves as assistant director at Michigan State University, where he manages international programming, outreach, and communications for the Office for International Students and Scholars in light of advancing internationalization on campus and in the community. He has held a variety of NAFSA leadership and volunteer roles, namely with the Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services, the Leadership Development Committee, and the Region V team. A native of the island of Mauritius, Mr. Ammigan first came to the United States as an international student himself after living and studying in Zambia. He holds a BA in business and management information systems from Kendall College and an MA in organizational communication from Michigan State University.
Current Professional Position
Assistant Director, International Students and Scholars Office, Michigan State University
Chair-elect, Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community
Sue Mennicke
Sue Mennicke completed her graduate and undergraduate degrees at the University of Minnesota and has been in the international education field for more than 15 years. Ms. Mennicke began her career in education abroad as a student at the University of Minnesota and then served as assistant dean for intercultural learning at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. September 2011 marked the beginning of her current position as associate dean for international programs at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. Ms. Mennicke has been active in the field over the last two decades, serving in a number of leadership positions both within NAFSA and within the broader field. She brings a wealth of management experience and has continued research interests that revolve around the intersection of international education in the liberal arts.
Current Professional Position
Associate Dean for International Programs, Franklin and Marshall College