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
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-Elect & Conference Chair, Region V
Ashton Troxel is currently an 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 five years. She received a B.A. in International Studies and French from Missouri Southern...
Kelly Wagner
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University of Michigan
Past-Chair, 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...
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...
Rachel Krein
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Bradley University
Registrar, Region V
Rachel Krein currently works at Bradley University as director of graduate and international admission, which includes serving as PDSO and RO for the University. She has an MS in college student personnel administration and graduated from the NAFSA Academy in 2015. Rachel serves as the registrar for...
Karin Christophe Brown
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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
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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
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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...
Kari Henquinet
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Michigan Technological University
TLS Liaison, Region V
Kari Henquinet is a principal lecturer in anthropology at Michigan Technological University. She teaches in the Social Sciences Department and Pavlis Honors College, and co-leads the Global and Community Engagement team of IDEA Hub. Her research is on international development and humanitarianism...
Kaitlin Loomis
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University of Michigan
KC ISSS Liaison, Region V
As an international student and scholar advisor at The University of Michigan, Kaitlin serves F and J status holders from over 130 countries. She takes a proactive approach to advising, intentionally offering challenge and support while being mindful of mental health and well-being. Kaitlin holds a...
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
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 Nehlsen
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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...
Alissa Lane
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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
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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 Wayne State University. In addition to her daily advising responsibilities as a DSO and ARO, she advises TN and H-1B employees and regularly organizes events for WSU's international community. She has presented on various...
Miranda Panzer
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University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Wisconsin State Representative, Region V
Miranda is the International Student & Scholar Advisor, PDSO/RO, at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Wisconsin. She has a M.S.Ed., Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 2012 and a B.A., German Studies, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in...