About Region IV
Image
NAFSA Region IV is one of NAFSA's 11 geographic regions. Each region is governed by an elected chair and a team of representatives from the various NAFSA professional sections and educator groups.
Interested in joining the NAFSA Region IV Team? View job descriptions for all NAFSA Region IV team positions.
Contact a regional team member based on their position responsibilities. Contact information can be found on the NAFSA member directory.
Contact Us
Leadership Team
Kristen Colbrecht
Image
University of Missouri
Past Chair, Region IV
Karla McCollum
Image
Iowa State University Foundation
Chair, Region IV
Karla McCollum, Director of Development for International Engagement for the Iowa State University Foundation, has over 15 years of international experience which encompasses the fields of international admissions, recruitment, diplomacy, and now advancement.
Elizabeth O’Brien
Image
Kirkwood Community College
Chair Elect, Region IV
Elizabeth O’Brien is the International Program Coordinator at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In her role, Elizabeth supports international students studying at Kirkwood on grant sponsored programs in addition to creating on-campus programing to support internationalization efforts...
Jorona Johnson
Image
Drake University
Communications Coordinator, NAFSA Region IV
Kerry Plath
Image
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Treasurer, Region IV
Knowledge Community & Advocacy Representatives
Paulina Brouder, PhD
Image
University of Missouri
Education Abroad Representative, Region IV
Dr. Paulina Brouder brings over two decades of experience in international education and student mobility to her role as director of study abroad and international partnerships at the University of Missouri. Since joining International Programs in 2008, Dr. Brouder has been instrumental in expanding...
Ben Hassman
Image
University of Iowa
Teaching Learning & Scholarship Representative, Region IV
Ben Hassman is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Rhetoric Department at the University of Iowa. He approaches teaching from an experiential interculturalist perspective, working to build classrooms where students create knowledge out of diverse groups of students genuinely engaging...
Lingru Kong
Image
St. Charles Community College
Community & Two-Year Colleges Representative, Region IV
Lingru Kong is the DSO and Advisor for International Student Services at St. Charles Community College (SCC). As a former international student who began her education at SCC before earning a degree from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Lingru understands the needs of international students...
Jeanne Pizarro
Image
Washington University in St. Louis
International Student & Scholar Services Representative, Region IV
Jeanne Pizarro is a Senior International Student Advisor at Washington University in St. Louis. Her passion for international education and intercultural exchange began when she studied abroad for a year as an undergraduate student. She has over 15 years of experience working professionally in...
Kathryn Gaylord-Miles
Image
University of Minnesota
International Education Leadership Representative, Region IV
Kathryn Gaylord-Miles has been in the field of international education for 15+ years, with experience in international student and scholar services, international enrollment management and teaching English to speakers of other languages. She is currently the Associate Director for Student Advising &...
Patrick Parnell
Image
Missouri State University
International Enrollment Management Representative, Region IV
Patrick Parnell serves as the Director of International Services at Missouri State University. His passion for international education began as an exchange student in high school, spanning over two decades to his current role in higher education. His professional background encompasses education...
Tammy Orahood, MA, EdD
Image
Washington University in St. Louis
Public Policy Representative, Region IV
Tammy Orahood, MA, EdD is the Director of Global Programs for the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis where is works with all aspects of global education including global immersion courses, international student support and programming, global teaching and learning, and international...
State Representatives
Ava Deitrich
Image
University of Northern Iowa
Iowa State Representative, Region IV
Ava Deitrich is the Student Services Coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Through her role, she supports students by coordinating and running in person orientations, cultural events, volunteer programs, and assists with the everyday needs of the student population she...
Brooke Richards
Image
University of Central Missouri
Missouri State Representative
Andrea Barnwell
Image
University of Minnesota
Minnesota State Representative, Region IV
Andrea is a Student Advising Team Lead at the University of Minnesota (UMN), in the International Student and Scholar Services office. In this role she advises F-1 and J-1 students on immigration regulations pertaining to their visa status. Prior to coming to UMN, Andrea had been in the field...
Conference Team
Kristen Carranza
Image
University of Missouri - Columbia
Conference Shadow - 2026
Kristen Carranza (B.A., English and Spanish, and MEd, Educaitonal Leadership and Policy Analysis) is the International Coordinator at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Kristen has experience working and studying abroad in Peru, South Korea, China, Mexico, Kyrgyzstan, and other locations. She has...
Haylee Zhou
Image
Washington University in St. Louis
Conference Shadow - 2026
Haylee Zhou is an International Student Advisor at Washington University in St. Louis, where she advises and supports up to 1,400 F-1 and J-1 international students and their dependents. As a former international student, Haylee is dedicated to contributing to international education and advocating...
Edyta Cichon
Image
University of Northern Iowa
Conference Registrar
Ben Hassman
Image
University of Iowa
Teaching Learning & Scholarship Representative, Region IV
Ben Hassman is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Rhetoric Department at the University of Iowa. He approaches teaching from an experiential interculturalist perspective, working to build classrooms where students create knowledge out of diverse groups of students genuinely engaging...