About Region V
NAFSA has nearly 9,000 members at 3,500 institutions worldwide, representing 94 countries. The organization is divided into 11 geographic regions, which provide the all-important grassroots strength of the association. Many opportunities for involvement, association activities, and leadership are found at the regional level. Each region is governed by an elected chair and a team comprised of representatives of the professional sections and interest groups.
2023 Region V Election
The 2023 Region V Election is now open! If you are a NAFSA member, please take a moment to cast your ballot.
Contact Us
Team Members
Chamu Gowrishankar
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Wayne State University
Past-Chair, Region V
Chamu Gowrishankar is the Assistant Director at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). Chamu’s responsibilities include overseeing OISS daily operations; advising and immigration services for students, scholars, staff, and WSU departments regarding federal regulations (F-1, J-1, H...
Ashton Troxel
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CEA CAPA
Past-Chair, Region V
As a member of the Custom Program Development Team, Ashton Troxel, works closely with CEA CAPA’s onsite teams to develop custom programming that meets the needs of partners and students. Ashton earned her Master of Arts in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of...
Laure Bordas-Isner
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University of Michigan
Conference Chair
Laure currently works as an international student and scholar advisor at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. She has been working in the field of international education for several years and has presented on various topics related to U.S. immigration and international education, both at local...
Bob White
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Masuda Funai
Chair
Bob White is a partner in the Immigration Group of Masuda Funai in its Schaumburg, Illinois office. Bob has been practicing exclusively in the employment-based immigration area for more than 26 years. Bob was previously chapter chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association's (AILA) Chicago...
Christine Bilfinger
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Michigan State University
Treasurer, Region V
Christine Bilfinger is an International Student Advisor at the Office for International Students and Scholars at Michigan State University, serving primarily the F-1 student population. Christine is a native of New York state and completed her Bachelors and Masters degrees at SUNY Stony Brook...
Mackenzie Bishop
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Virtual Internships
Advocacy Coordinator
Mackenzie (Kerby) Bishop works for Virtual Internships and is passionate about connecting students to valuable work-integrated learning experiences that are global in nature. Prior to joining Virtual Internships, she worked for ELS Language Centers helping international students become proficient in...
Jim Crawley
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Hope College
KC IEL Liaison, Region V
Jim has been involved in international recruitment for over 25 years. He has worked at both private colleges, and public universities in Michigan. At the national level, Jim has served as IEM Chair, and Member Engagement Committee Chair. This is Jim's fourth time serving on the NAFSA Region V team...
Josh Petter
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LewerMark Student Insurance
Exhibitor and Sponsor Coordinator, Region V
Josh Petter, has a master’s degree in Management, is a Consultant for Student Programs at LewerMark Student Insurance. Josh is responsible for NAFSA Regions V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XI and for advises existing and new schools on risk management and insurance for inbound and outbound students. Josh is...
Weijia Li
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
TLS Liaison, Region V
Weijia Li is a Clinical Professor of international higher education leadership and the Director of Global Higher Education Master’s Program, a graduate program specialized in preparing and training international student advisors, study abroad advisors, international admissions counselors, as well as...
Carmen Pitz
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
KC EA Liaison- Short-Term and Faculty-Led Programs, Region V
As the Assistant Director for Study Abroad Advising in International Academic Programs (IAP) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Carmen serves as the study abroad advisor for a small portfolio of faculty led programs including the Global Gateway Initiative, and the Summer and Global Launch...
Deya Ortiz
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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
KC EA Liaison- Semester Programs, Region V
Originally from Venezuela, Deya's experience with international education began when she studied English as a second language in the UK for several years. Additionally, during her undergraduate studies in the U.S., she participated in a faculty-lead study abroad and service-learning program, which...
Catherine Lee
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UW-Eau Claire
KC ISSS Liaison
Catherine Lee is the International Student and Scholar Coordinator and PDSO/RO at UW-Eau Claire. Her primary role is advising international students and scholars on immigration regulations and ensuring the institution is in compliance with federal regulations surrounding hosting international...
Brittany Widin
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The University of Michigan
Registrar
Brittany works as an International Student Advisor at The University of Michigan. Brittany enjoys the challenges of navigating complex immigration regulation and appreciates being able to serve as a guide for international students as they pursue their dreams in the U.S. In addition to her...
Brock Goldflies
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Scholaro, Inc.
International Enrollment Management KC Liaison
Brock graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He was a peer writing tutor while at UIC, where he worked with students from all over the world. He began as a credential evaluator at Scholaro in 2019. Brock is new to the NAFSA Region V...
Celia Cutler
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Washtenaw Community College
Communications Coordinator
Celia Cutler is the International Student Admissions Technician at Washtenaw Community College (WCC). She is the main point of contact for all F-1 applicants throughout the admissions process. Additionally, she serves the admitted F-1 student population through her role as a Designated School...
Tracy Nakajima
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Central Michigan University
Michigan State Representative
Tracy Nakajima is the Director of International Student & Scholar Services at Central Michigan University. She has an MA from Central Michigan University and a BA from Knox College. She has been a NAFSA member for more than 20 years and worked in the field of International Education for more than 30...
Erika Cuevas
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Fox Valley Technical College
Wisconsin State Representative
Erika Cuevas is the International Student Recruitment Coordinator and PDSO at Fox Valley Technical College. She has worked in a variety of roles in International Education for the last 12 years. She earned her master’s degree in TESOL from Edgewood College. In her free time, Erika enjoys spending...
Robert Morley
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Governors State University
Illinois State Representative