The Leadership Development Committee (LDC) champions volunteer leadership in NAFSA and supports initiatives that cultivate, recruit, and orient volunteer member-leaders for the association. Its work supports NAFSA's strategic objectives by working to ensure effective governance, leadership, communication, and coordination of policies and procedures for leadership. 

Members of the LDC help to:

  • Identify and vet prospects for non-board elected positions according to Rule IV of NAFSA's Standing Rules.
  • Encourage members from underrepresented constituencies (e.g. geographic, organizational, demographic, etc.) to get involved in volunteer leadership.
  • Promote the value of volunteering and member leadership as a way to build one's career, to share one's expertise, and to contribute to the advancement of international education.
  • Create and maintain resources for the recruitment and orientation of member-leaders, in coordination with the knowledge communities, regional teams, and other committees. 

Members of the LDC serve a two-year term. They are expected to maintain NAFSA membership and attend NAFSA Annual Conferences during their appointment. In order to prevent a conflict of interest, current LDC members are not eligible for elected positions but may stand for election to the Board of Directors. 

Katie Tudini, MA

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Katie Tudini
The University at Buffalo
Chair, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Katie Tudini, MA, is the assistant vice provost and director for international student services at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. She spent many years in Atlanta, Georgia, working at Georgia Institute of Technology, where she served as the assistant director of international student...

Anize Appel, EdD

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Photo of Anize Appel
Moravian College
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Anize Appel, EdD, is the Executive Director for the Center for Global Education (CGE) and Associate Dean for Study Abroad at Moravian University (MU). Appel develops, manages, and implements the strategic vision of the department including study abroad/away, is responsible for International Student...

Orlina Boteva, MEd

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Photo of Orlina Boteva
University of Maine
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Orlina Boteva is Director of International Programs at the University of Maine. Boteva oversees international recruitment and admissions, education abroad, and international student and scholar services. She has 15 years of experience in the higher education sector in Maine. Boteva served as the...

Peter Briggs

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Photo of Peter Briggs
retired, NAFSA Life Member
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Peter Briggs retired as Director of Michigan State University's Office for International Students and Scholars in 2014 following 40 years in the field of international education. He held numerous leadership positions with NAFSA and was honored with the Homer Higbee Award and Life Membership.

Ebony Majeed

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Ebony Majeed
Hampton University
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC); Academy Coach
In July 2023, Ebony returned to her Alma Mater, Hampton University, to serve as the Director of International Students, Scholars, and Programs. She is excited to support the University and its 10-Year Strategic Plan, which includes internationalization of student experiences and academics. Prior to...

Amanda Poppe

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Amanda Poppe photo
Institute of International Education (IIE)
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Amanda Poppe is the Senior Program Manager, International Student Recruitment for the Institute of International Education (IIE). She has 10+ years’ experience in International Higher Education working in New York, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.. She served as NAFSA Wyoming State Representative, was...

Cristiana Kunyczka, EdD

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Cristiana Kunycka
Montclair State University
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Cristiana Kunyczka serves as the Assistant Vice President for Global Engagement at Montclair State University. She has a master’s degree in Global and International Education from Drexel University and a doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University. As a strategic...

Frances J. Santiago, PhD

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Frances Santiago photo
University of Puerto Rico- Mayagüez Campus
Member at Large, Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Frances Santiago has a PhD from the City University of New York – Graduate Center (1998). She is a professor of French and Francophone Literatures at the UPR-Mayagüez Campus since 1996. She became the PDSO and ARO for her campus in 2013. She served as Puerto Rico State Rep in the NAFSA Region VII...

Krista McCallum Beatty

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Krista McCallum Beatty photo
Michigan State University
Chair-elect, Leadership Development Committee
Krista McCallum Beatty has worked in international education for more than 25 years. McCallum Beatty has served in various regional and national level leadership positions in NAFSA, including as chair of the Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KC ISSS) and chair of...

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