NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group Cohorts

The following is a list of practitioners from NAIS member schools who have participated in the NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group since the inception of the program in 2015-16. All schools and titles are for the year of participation. To view the current cohort of NAIS Global Ambassadors and to learn more about the program, click here. 

2023-24 School Year:

The following experts are participating in the 2023-24 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they are focusing on global education and international student programs:
  1. Regina Allen, Director of International Admissions, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, PA
  2. Robert Fish, Dean of Global Studies, PDSO, The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
  3. William Fluharty, Director of Strategy and Innovation and Director of the Nexus Center for Global Studies, Cape Henry Collegiate, Virginia Beach, VA
  4. Cecilia Nipp, Director Global Relationships & Cultural Exchange, Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Dallas, TX 
  5. Jennifer Walrod, Director of Global Education, The Harker School, San Jose, CA
  6. Kelly Willis, Director of Global Studies, Lower School Spanish Teacher, Charlotte Latin School, Charlotte, NC

2022-23 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2022-23 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they are focusing on international student programs:
  1. Kate Blackburn: Director of International Enrollment, Mid-Pacific Institute, Honolulu, HI
  2. Katy Oh: Coordinator of International Student Education & Programs; Coordinator for Global Engagement & Education; Admissions Coordinator, Friends Central School, Wynnewood, PA

2021-22 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2021-22 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on global education and international student programs:
  1. Karina Baum: Director of Global Education, Buckingham Browne & Nichols, Cambridge, MA
  2. John Hughes: Director of Experiential Education Programs | History Department | The Joshua L Miner Ropes Course Director | Executive Director of The Lawrenceville School Camp, The Lawrenceville School, Lawrenceville, NJ
  3. Christa Knudsen: Director of International Programs, Marshall School, Duluth, MN
  4. Jane Lacoste: Assistant Director of Admissions, International Admissions, Lake Ridge Academy, North Ridgeville, OH
  5. Kelly Neely: Humanities Department Co-chair | Director of Global Studies | Winterim Coordinator, Brimmer and May School, Chestnut Hill, MA
  6. David Thompson: Director of International Programs, Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT

2020-21 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2020-21 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student retention strategies and the future of international student programs:
  1. Shane Foster: President, The Barstow School, Kansas City, MO
  2. Ted Hill: Head of School and President of the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation Group, Chadwick International School, Incheon, South Korea
  3. Christine Holloway: Chief of Staff, Director of International Programs, Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News, VA 
  4. Mark Siegel: Assistant Headmaster, Delphian School, Sheridan, OR

2019-20 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2019-20 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student recruitment and admissions; international student retention and support; and global education:
  1. Trish Anderson: Director of the Isdell Center for Global Leadership, Pace Academy, Atlanta, GA
  2. Tene Howard: Director of Global Programs and Community Engagement, Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY
  3. Kristen Mariotti: Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, Greenfield, MA
  4. Quentin McDowell: Associate Head of School for External Relations, Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA
  5. Robert McGuiness: Assistant Head of School, Global Education, Appleby College, Oakville, Canada 
  6. Angela Yang-Handy: Dean of Global, Experiential and Community Engagement, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Gill, MA

2018-19 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2018-19 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student recruitment and admissions; international student retention and support; and global education:
  1. Nicole Biggie: Director of Admissions, St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury, VT
  2. Melissa Brown: Director of Diversity and Global Education, Upper School Spanish, Holton Arms School, Bethesda, MD
  3. Michael House: Director of Enrollment Management, Maumee Valley Country Day School, Toledo, OH
  4. Lynda Ann Loring: Director of International Student Programs, Director of English Immersion, Humanities Teacher, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, Rabun Gap, GA
  5. Kila McCann: Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Fountain Valley School of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO
  6. Matt Nink: Executive Director of the Global Youth Leadership Institute and Executive Director of the Stuart Center for Global Leadership, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest, IL

2017-18 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2017-18 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student topics including F-1 visa regulations; homestay and residential life; recruitment, admissions, enrollment and retention; student support; current and emerging markets and trends:
  1. Metta Dael: Director of International Admission, Northfield Mount Hermon, Mount Hermon, MA
  2. Dean Fusto: Head of School and President, Brandon Hall School, Atlanta, GA
  3. Andrew Garlinski: Director of International Student Recruitment, Director of ESL, Shattuck-St. Mary's School, Farribault, MN
  4. Tara Inman: Dean of Students for Global Education, DSO, Darlington School, Rome, GA
  5. Amanda Miles: Associate Director of Admission, International Admission Coordinator, PDSO, Dana Hall School, Wellesley, MA
  6. Ann Vogel: International Student Coordinator, Global Summit Coordinator, Charles Wright Academy, Tacoma, WA

2016-17 School Year:

The following experts participated in the 2016-17 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group, and they focused on international student topics including F-1 visa compliance; homestay and residential life; and recruitment, admissions, enrollment and retention:
  1. Joshua Clark: Director of Admissions and PDSO, Hawaii Preparatory School, Kamuela, HI
  2. Randy Doss: Director of Admissions and PDSO, Greensboro Day School, Greensboro, NC
  3. Katharine McBride: DSO, Beaufort Academy, Beaufort, SC
  4. Kevin Merges, Executive Director of Global Education Programs, Director of the Innovation Center and PDSO, Rutgers Preparatory School, Somerset, NJ
  5. Jennifer O'Connor: Director, Office of Services for International Students and PDSO, Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA
  6. Jennifer Smith: International Student Coordinator and PDSO, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH

2015-16 School Year:

In 2015-16, NAIS piloted the program with the first cohort of NAIS Global Ambassadors, and they focused on topics and developed resources related to global education/international mindedness and international student programs:
  1. Melinda Bihn: Head of School, French-American International School, San Francisco, CA 
  2. Charlotte Blessing: Director of Global Education, Lakeside School, Seattle, WA
  3. Chantal Duke: Executive Assistant, Visa Manager and PDSO, The Awty International School, Houston, TX
  4. Gerard Gonnella: Director of International Student Program, Associate Director of Admission and Financial Aid and PDSO, The Wardaw-Hartridge School, Edison, NJ
  5. Chai Reddy: Director of the Wo International Center, Punahou School, Honolulu, HI