NAFSA's eleven regions welcome you to join us at the NAFSA All-Region Summit, a special virtual conference held October 4 - 22, 2021. Participants gain access to live and on-demand region-specific content, as well as shared activities and events. This first-ever combined regional event will provide participants with new learning, networking, and engagement opportunities.
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.
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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University of Michigan
Chair, Region V
Ashton Troxel is currently a Senior Intercultural Programs Advisor in the Center for Global and Intercultural Study at the University of Michigan. Ashton has worked in the international education field for more than six years. She received a B.A. in International Studies and French from Missouri...
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...
Jodi Simek
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
Regulatory Ombudsperson - Student, Region V
Jodi Simek is PDSO/RO at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. Jodi's involvement in NAFSA includes the NAFSA Region V regulatory liaison for international students, NAFSA trainer corps, and recipient of the 2015 Patti Jones Award for Outstanding Leadership in Region V. In addition, Jodi also...
Bob White
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Masuda Funai
Chair-Elect
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...
Scott Manley
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University of Michigan
Michigan State Representative
Scott Manley is an Assistant Director in the University of Michigan's International Center, and leads the International Student and Scholar Services. He is a past-chair for the Michigan Association of International Educators and NAFSA Region V, and a former KC ISSS representative and Regulatory...
Michaela Kendall
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IES Abroad
Illinois State Representative, Region V
Michaela Kendall is the Chair for the International Educators of Illinois and an Academic Process Specialist at IES Abroad. As an Academic Process Specialist, she acts as a liaison between the US-based staff and the IES Abroad Centers in Spain, South America, and Africa while maintaining program...
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...
Laure Bordas-Isner
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Wayne State University
Conference Planner Designee, Region V
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...