Education Abroad Advisory Council

Education Abroad has convened an advisory council made up of faculty and administrators from across the University, whose purpose is to offer feedback on policy and program initiatives and to act as a reflective body – offering diverse viewpoints on the challenges and opportunities present in global engagement throughout Penn State.  The primary work of the council involves reviewing new program proposals and making recommendations to the director of Education Abroad, the assistant vice provost for Global Learning, and the vice provost for Global Programs on the proposals’ merit.

Specific examples of the council’s intended work include the following:

  • Program Proposal Review: The council’s primary responsibility is to review proposals for new programs (semester-long, short-term, and faculty-led) and make recommendations to leadership on approval/denial.
  • Policy Decision Feedback: The council offers feedback on policy considerations.  These deliberations include topics such as program suspension due to low mobility or how to incentivize global learning outcomes in short-term program development.
  • Strategic Direction Guidance: The council offers direction on strategic objective priorities.  This includes a review of Global Programs’ strategic plan and assessing benchmarks related to Education Abroad performance.  Key goals for Education Abroad remain increasing access and inclusivity for under-represented students in learning abroad as well as encouraging and supporting curricular integration initiatives across Colleges and Campuses.

Advisory council members typically serve for 1-2 years and are either selected by Global Programs leadership to serve or are nominated by their own unit leadership. Those who are interested in serving or who would like to be considered for an appointment on the council should contact Brian Brubaker, Assistant Vice Provost for Global Learning.

Education Abroad Advisory Council Members

  • Peter Butler, Associate Dean for Education, College of Engineering
  • Robyn Chotiner, Adjunct Instructor of Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State New Kensington
  • Tanya Furman, Professor of Geological Sciences, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  • Angela Jeon-Huh, Director of Global Programs, Penn State Abington
  • Aris Karagiorgakis, Professor of Psychology, Penn State Fayette
  • Annalise Mara, Undergraduate Student in College of the Liberal Arts and Smeal College of Business, Education Abroad Peer Adviser
  • Curt Marshall, Coordinator of Multicultural Programs, College of Arts &Architecture
  • Heather McCoy, Teaching Professor of French, College of the Liberal Arts
  • Jeffery Sharp, Associate Dean for International Programs, Smeal College of Business
  • Dennis Shea, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Outreach, College of Health and Human Development
  • Martha Strickland, Associate Professor of Education, Penn State Harrisburg

Education Abroad Staff

  • Brian Brubaker, Assistant Vice Provost for Global Learning (Chair)
  • Briana Casey, Academic Services Manager for Education Abroad (ex officio)
  • Tineka Lebrun, Manager of Advising for Education Abroad (ex officio)
  • Kate Manni, Director of Education Abroad (ex officio)