Region VII Leadership Team

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2025 Region VII Election

Voting Opens October 15, 2025

Caroline Cully Garbers

Kathie Stromile Golden

I am excited at the potential to serve as the Chair-Elect-Elect. I am a firm believer and supporter of the role NAFSA plays in international education. Also, I believe that Region VII is at the forefront of supporting our colleagues who serve the students in our region. I have participated in NAFSA Region VII since entering the international education field full time in 2014. Since 2019, I have been a NAFSA member. Starting in 2020, I served as the Region VII Conference planner and helped navigate the team through COVID as well as planning a return to normal operations. Also, I have served in NAFSA Trainer Corps and participated in various webinars and trainings put on by NAFSA.

You can read more about Caroline's background and qualifications here. (PDF)

Letter of Interest (PDF)

My interest in the position is grounded in years of involvement with Region VII's leadership team, a keen understanding of what has been, what is and what is needed to continue to sustain and grow Region VII in all of its operational aspects. Beyond my passion for international education and Region VII, I have more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education as well as civic and professional organizations that will serve both myself and the region well. As can be seen from my CV, I have a wide-range of experience that also reveal continuous professional growth and development, leadership experiences that include fundraising, partnership activities and cross-national connections.

You can read more about Kathie's background and qualifications here. (PDF)

Sarah Stevens

Georgetown University

Chair, Region VII

Sarah Stevens (she, her) is the SEVIS Manager & International Student Advisor at Georgetown University’s Office of Global Services. Sarah’s case load includes supporting new international students during the pre-arrival time period and international alumni after graduation, in addition to advising...

University of West Florida

Past-Chair, Region VII

Rachel Hendrix has been active in the area of international education for more than 19 years and serves as a regional leader with NAFSA: Association of International Educators and past chair for the Florida Association of International Educators. She currently is a board member with Gulf Coast...

Mississippi Valley State University

Chair-Elect, Region VII

Dr. Shivakumaraiah is the Executive Director of International Relations and Assistant to the Provost at Mississippi Valley State University. He has over 17 years of professional experience in the area of international education and student affairs at public land grant, private and HBCU institutions...

University of Central Florida

Conference Planner, Region VII

Nicole has been with the University of Central Florida since January 2021 as an International Program Advisor. She began her first full time role in international education as the International Student Advisor at Truman State University in 2017. She also held the position of FAIE 2022 Conference...

Alabama-Korea Education and Economic Partnership

Conference Planner Apprentice, Region VII

Akali Fulmer has worked with diverse organizations and institutions, helping to design and implement programs that connect students, educators, and professionals across borders. Her expertise spans international student recruitment, study abroad program development, and education policy advising...

Clemson University

Treasurer, Region VII

Beth Lorenz joined Clemson University as the Director of Global Engagement in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business in September 2023. She has worked in the field of international education for over 15 years and started her career in Region VI with her first role as the Study Abroad...

Cumberland University

Communications Coordinator, Region VII

Born and raised in Hungary, Dr. Györgyi Mihályi is the Director of the Palla Center for International Programs and serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) at Cumberland University. She holds degrees in Education from the University of Szeged and in Business and Marketing from Kent...

LewerMark Insurance

Sponsorship & Strategic Partnership, Reg VIII; Treasurer, Reg VI; Development, Reg VII

Josh Petter, who 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 advising existing and new schools on risk management and insurance for inbound and outbound students. He...

Davidson College

Registrar, Region VII

Lauren Stikeleather is the Associate Director of Education Abroad & Away at Davidson College in North Carolina, where she happily coordinates faculty-led programs, develops on-campus programming, and collaborates on exciting updates to study abroad materials and processes. Her previous experience...

Florida International University

2-Year College Representative, Region VII

Kelly Poppen is the Director of International Student & Scholar Services at Florida International University. She has worked in the field of international education for nearly 20 years, with positions in both study abroad and international student services, at institutions including Miami Dade...

Mississippi Valley State University

HBCU/MSI Representative, Region VII

Kathie Stromile Golden, Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mississippi Valley State University, has more than 40 years of experience in higher education. During her tenure at MVSU she has served as Director of International Programs/Assistant to the President’s Office, Professor...

Belmont University

Education Abroad (EA) Knowledge Community Liaison, Region VII

Dr. Marissa Chandler is the Director of Study Abroad and Belmont USA at Belmont University, where she oversees the operations and management of these areas. Prior to coming to Belmont, she was employed at Austin Peay State University for 27 years, where she provided leadership for International...

Jacksonville State University

International Enrollment Management (IEM) KC, Region VII; Member at Large, Member Engagement Comm.

Ingrid Galinat is the Director of the Jacksonville State University (JAX State) International House and Programs in Alabama. She is an International Educator with over 20 years of experience, a relationship builder for international recruitment, partnerships and exchanges, global engagement...

Queens University

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Knowledge Community Liaison, Region VII

Kristin Tokic is the Assistant Director for International Student Services at Queens University of Charlotte. With nearly two decades of experiences in education, she has spent the last five years dedicated to international student and scholar services. Kristin oversees visa processing for...

University of North Carolina Charlotte

Teaching, Learning & Scholarship KC and International Education Leadership KC, Region VII

Dr. Yongling Gorke is the assistant director in the Office of International Programs and an adjunct professor of Chinese in the Department of Languages and Culture Studies at UNC Charlotte. She has taught various Chinese courses at UNC Charlotte and led multiple short-term study abroad programs such...

Vanderbilt University

Regulatory Ombudsperson for Scholar Issues, Region VII

Radhika Reddy began working for Vanderbilt University’s International Student & Scholars Services (ISSS) in 2005. Presently, Radhika serves as an International Student & Scholar Adviser working with F-1 and J-1 students and scholars and financial advising for the Iranian Student Association and...

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Regulatory Ombudsperson for Student Issues, Region VII

William serves as the Director of International Student and Scholar Services at the University of Tennessee. He has worked in multiple areas of campus internationalization. His approach emphasizes a perspective that values campus partnerships, synergy of efforts, and the utilization of technical...

University of Florida

Florida State Rep, Region VII

Christine Voigt currently works at the University of Florida English Language Institute, where she is the Student Life and Special Programs Coordinator. Since starting there in 2011, Christine has also held the roles of instructional faculty, curriculum coordinator, and DSO. In addition to working...

Oglethorpe University

Georgia State Representative, Region VII

Dr. Marisa Atencio has a 20+ year career with roles at both private and public institutions across IE functional areas. In 2018 she shifted from ISSS leadership roles and return where her IE journey started. As the inaugural Assistant Dean and Director for Global Education at Oglethorpe University...

Western Carolina University

North Carolina State Rep, Region VII

Robert J. Van Pelt is the Assistant Director for Education Abroad and Exchanges in the Office of Global Engagement at Western Carolina University. He holds an M.A in International Higher Education from Boston College and a B.A. in Economics from Guilford College. He has been working in International...

Universidad del Sagrado Corazón

Puerto Rico Rep, Region VII

Sofía López-Ferrer is the Coordinator of Student Mobility and Internationalization of the Center for Professional and International Experiences (CEPI) at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (Sagrado) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she is also the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO). She has...

Coastal Carolina University

South Carolina State Rep, Region VII

Carrie Taylor is the Senior Director, International Recruitment, Admissions, and Student and Scholar Services and PDSO/RO in the Center for Global Engagement at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from...

East Tennessee State University

Tennessee State Rep, Region VII

Chasity Drew is the Associate Director and PDSO/RO of Intl. Enrollment & Services at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where she brings over a decade of experience in international education and eight years specifically in the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) field. A...

Region VII Leadership Team

Region VII