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.
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Team Members
Catrina DeBord
Northwestern University
Chair, Region V
Catrina has been in the field of international education for over 12 years and received her BA in International Relations, International Studies, and Italian from University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MS in Communication from Northwestern University. She studied abroad in France and Italy and has...
Kelly Wagner
University of Michigan
Chair-elect, Region V
Kelly Wagner is currently the Program Manager for Global Engagement and Education Abroad at the University of Michigan International Center. Kelly has worked in the international education field for more than six years, and also has several years of experience working in the non-profit development...
Matthew Schneider
MJSchneider Consulting
Past-chair, Region V
With over 18 years of experience in education, Matthew Schneider has been a leader in the development of both domestic and international student success. He has increased international student enrollment, developed academic partnerships and dual degree programs with colleges and universities all...
Megan Couch
Carroll University
Conference Chair, Region V
Maria Oriti
National Louis University
Conference Chair, Region V
Maria Oriti currently serves as the Coordinator for the Office of International Student & Scholar Services at National Louis University in Chicago. Her career in International Education began in 2005 with teaching English as a Second Language for two years in Italy. She continued teaching ESL upon...
Ashton Troxel
University of Michigan
Conference Chair Designee, Region V
Ugo Buzzi
University of Michigan
Treasurer, Region V
Jemma Lund
University of Wisconsin Green Bay
KC IEL Liaison, Region V
Jemma Lund is the Assistant Director of Study Abroad at the University of Wisconsin- Green Bay. Before working in higher education, she taught English conversation and speaking skills to students and adults in Ankara, Turkey. She has presented in local events on intercultural communication...
Karin Christophe Brown
One Earth Evaluations
KC IEM Liaison, Region V
An enthusiastic world traveler, meticulous researcher and devoted international educator, Karin founded One Earth International Credential Evaluations in 2010. With nearly 20 years of experience in international student recruitment, university admission and credential evaluation, Karin is expertly...
Katie Burke
IES Abroad
KC EA - Short-Term and Faculty-Led Programs, Region V
Katie joined IES Abroad in 2014. As Associate Director, she is responsible for overall operations, onboarding, reporting and the management of two Customized & Faculty-Led Program Managers as well as the Student Services team (four CP Coordinators and one temporary staff member). She received her M...
Karli Webster
Marquette University
KC EA Liaison- Semester programs, Region V
Karli Webster has been the Manager of Education Abroad and Associate Director of the Office of International Education at Marquette University since October 2014. Prior to this position, she was the Director of Study Abroad at Kansas State University and earlier a Program Manager in the Officer of...
Chamu Gowrishankar
Wayne State University
KC ISSS Liaison, 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...
Kari Henquinet
Michigan Technological University
TLS Liaison, Region V
John Prescott
University of Michigan
Regulatory Ombudsperson - Student
John Prescott is an International Student & Scholar Advisor at the University of Michigan (U-M Ann Arbor). John's chief responsibility is immigration advising with F-1 and J-1 students as well as J-1 scholars. He currently serves Region V as the Regulatory Ombudsperson for student issues, and is...
Bob White
Masuda Funai
Member at Large, Membership Engagement Committee and Regulatory Ombudsperson - Scholar, Region V
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...
Lauren Nehlson
Elgin Community College
Community College Representative, Region V
Lauren Nehlsen, PhD, is the director of international education and programs at Elgin Community College and provides oversight and leadership for international student and scholar services, study abroad, faculty and administrator exchange, the International Student Homestay Program, and...
Emlyn Torres
Northwestern University
Advocacy Coordinator, Region V
Emlyn Torres is an International Student and Scholar Advisor at Northwestern University experienced working with F-1 and J-1 students, J-1, H-1B, E-3 and TN scholars. She serves as Region V Advocacy Coordinator and was recognized as the 2016 NAFSA Advocate of the Year. Emlyn is an experienced...
Katerina Roskina
China Credential Services
Exhibitor Coordinator and Wisconsin State Rep, Region V
Katerina Roskina is the CEP Workshop Dean for International Credential Evaluation Workshops. Roskna is the exhibitor coordinator for Region V, and the owner and senior evaluator at China Credential Services. Her professional interests are credential evaluation and research, integration programming...
Alissa Lane
Grand Valley State University
Communications Coordinator, Region V
Alissa Lane has a master’s degree in education from Grand Valley State University and a bachelor’s degree in art and graphic design from Michigan State University. Her experiences studying abroad in China, the Czech Republic, and England led her to pursue a career in international education. Alissa...
Scott Manley
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...
Marc Davidson
Associate Director International Programs and Services
Illinois State Representative, Region V