About Region IV
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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.
2025 Region IV Election
The 2025 Region IV Election is now open! If you are a NAFSA member, please take a moment to cast your ballot.
Deadline: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Contact Us
Leadership Team
Jessica Lynn Hylton
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University of Missouri - Saint Louis
Past Chair, Region IV
Kristen Colbrecht
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University of Missouri
Chair, Region IV
Karla McCollum
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Iowa State University Foundation
Chair Elect, 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.
Jorona Johnson
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Drake University
Communications Coordinator, NAFSA Region IV
Barry Armstrong
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Drury University
Treasurer, Region IV
Elizabeth O’Brien
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Kirkwood Community College
Secretary, NAFSA 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...
Kerry Plath
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Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Treasurer - Elect, Region IV
Knowledge Community & Advocacy Representatives
Stephanie Rojas
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University of Northern Iowa
Education Abroad Representative, Region IV
Ben Hassman
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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
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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...
Morrell Whitley
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University of Missouri - Columbia
International Student & Scholar Services Representative, Region IV
Morrell is from St. Louis, where he attended Soldan International Studies High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and management information systems from Missouri University of Science and Technology. After graduation, he began his career in international education as an international...
Kathryn Gaylord-Miles
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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
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Missouri State University
International Enrollment Management Representative, Region IV
Erika Lees
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Northwest Missouri State University
Public Policy Representative, Region IV
State Representatives
Ava Deitrich
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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...
Maleeha Latif
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Minot State University
North Dakota State Representative, Region IV
Heather Reed
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Augustana University
South Dakota State Representative, Region IV
Andrea Barnwell
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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
Jemma Lund
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University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center
Conference Planner, Region IV
Jemma Lund is an Instructor-led Program Manager at the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center. She formerly was the Study Abroad Manager at the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay and has been working in the field since 2011. Before working in higher education, she taught English conversation...
Hannah Butt
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Maryville University of St. Louis
Conference Local Arrangements, Region IV
Hannah Butt is an accomplished higher education professional with a strong background in international student services, student engagement, and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Currently serving as the International Student Success Program Coordinator and Principal Designated School Official...