CEA CAPA Institutional Relations Directory
Institutional Relations Leadership
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Aaron Yerkes
Aaron joins the CEA CAPA team after spending 19 years at the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA). He served the organization through a variety of roles, most recently as the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Engagement, where he managed their nationwide recruitment team and custom program division. Prior to serving as the AVP for Institutional Engagement, Aaron served as the Field Director, Great Lakes Region and Enrollment Manager, where he was responsible for increasing program participation, growing the number of affiliated programs, as well as expanding the base of sending institutions across a 9-state region. He also served as the Senior Program Advisor for programs in the U.K. and New Zealand, where he actively engaged with students, parents, and advisors to educate them on programs that fit students’ academic needs, as well as exploring ways to remove barriers to make students’ dreams of studying abroad a reality.
Aaron is a graduate of Butler University and holds a BS degree in Finance. During his undergraduate experience, Aaron studied abroad in London, England at Birkbeck, University of London. His time abroad was so transformative for him that he wanted to devote his professional career to promoting life changing, international experiences to other students.
When Aaron is not advocating for students to learn abroad, he can be found planning his next travel adventure and spending time with his family. He is an avid hiker, skier, and golfer, and enjoys seeing live music and collecting vinyl records. Aaron is also very active in his community, engaging and volunteering with a number of organizations throughout his community, specifically with the Indiana Humane Society, Second Helpings, and Newfields.
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Paul Hopkinson
A native of Massachusetts, Paul is based in Austin, Texas, having joined CEA CAPA in 2018. He oversees a talented team of Regional Directors working with institutional partners in the central US. Paul has focused his career working with students and administrators in higher education. Prior to CEA CAPA, Paul served as a Bilingual Admission Counselor and Academic Advisor at St. Edward’s University, Director of Internships and Service-Learning at International Studies Abroad, and Director of Institutional Relations with EF College Study Tours. Paul also served as an AmeriCorps volunteer and has led service-learning projects to Peru. He holds a dual B.A. in Spanish and Communication from Stonehill College and earned his MA in Spanish from Texas State University. When he's not on an airplane visiting institutional partners, Paul enjoys eating brisket at barbecue spots around Texas, walking his Boxer, and rocking out at live music venues with his wife and daughter.
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Stacy McKay Benander
Based in the Naples, Florida, Stacy is a veteran of the international education field. Prior to joining CEA CAPA, she served for 15 years as the Founder and President of Athena Study Abroad. She received the Enlightened Employer Award at the Women in International Education (WIE) Awards in Berlin, Germany, has been named twice to the Forty Under 40 list for business professionals (in both Columbus, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania), and was named the recipient of NAFSA Region VI's esteemed Leo Dowling Award of Excellence. Stacy served as a Founding Executive Team Member of the women's leadership and advocacy group the Global Leadership League, has served on NAFSA's Trainer Corps, and was a founding member of the Global Learning Collective. She has also served as the Director of the International Office at Ohio Dominican University and was an International Student and Scholar Advisor at The Ohio State University. Stacy earned her MA degree in Educational Policy and Leadership (Social and Cultural Foundations) from The Ohio State University, and her BA degree as a double-major in Spanish and Communications/Public Relations from John Carroll University.
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Tim Boubek
Tim Boubek is the Vice President, Institutional Relations - West. CEA CAPA established its Institutional Relations department to serve as a vital resource to enhance university outreach efforts throughout the U.S. Tim leads the team of CEA CAPA West Regional Directors to foster collaborative relationships with university partners, and provides U.S. institutions with a keen knowledge of CEA CAPA operations, from student recruitment, admissions, and planning through their time abroad and return to their U.S. campus.
Tim brings many years of study abroad experience to the position, having served previously in several operational capacities at CEA CAPA. A current member of NAFSA, he graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement - Criminal Justice and a minor in Business Administration. He earned a certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Phoenix.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- AIEA: Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA)
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Institutional Relations Team
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Amber Kettmann
Amber has spent the last 15+ years in various roles within education abroad and was thrilled to join the team at CEA CAPA in 2021 in her role now as Regional Director, primarily in the Rocky Mountain states. Prior roles have ranged from student advising at two different institutions, as well as recruitment, faculty-led program development, institutional relations, and business development at international education organizations as well as student travel companies. She has been actively involved in NAFSA mentor programs, conference committees and presentations, and is a huge supporter of NAFSA’s annual Advocacy Day. Amber holds a BA in Clinical Counseling in Addictions from Keene State College in NH and a Masters of Leadership in Higher Education from North Central College in IL, where she was fortunate enough to spend some time in Brazil for work on her thesis on Cultural Immersion and Learning Outcomes in Short-Term Faculty-Led Programs. Originally from New England and a former part-time Alaskan, Amber now calls Colorado home with her husband and two fur babies and very much enjoys any opportunity to travel, specifically when it can involve a new brewery, the next culinary adventure, or any rooftop or mountain top anywhere at all.
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Ashley Hiers Ganes
Prior to joining CEA CAPA, Ashley worked for the Consortium for Global Education, a faith-based, international education organization based in Atlanta. From 2013-2015, she lived in Nigeria doing logistics work for a missions organization, an experience that greatly contributes to her passion for international education. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Ashley has had the joy of working with institutions in the Southeast United States as Regional Director with CEA CAPA since 2017. Ashley holds a degree in Business Management from Southeastern University and an MBA from Florida Gulf Coast University. In her non-working time, she can often be found road-tripping to visit family or friends, hiking, or eating the world’s most delicious food, pizza.
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Derek Shepard
As Regional Director for the Southwest region, Derek works closely with institutional partners in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas to support their internationalization efforts. He coordinates with CEA CAPA’s partners on international study abroad, internship programs, and the development of custom and faculty-led programs. Derek brings over 10 years of university-based study abroad and experiential education development experience to the Regional Director role. Prior to joining the University Relations team at CEA CAPA, Derek was at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he advised students and developed faculty-led programs. Derek holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Washington State University. After studying abroad senior year in India, Derek served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ratchaburi, Thailand where he worked in the education and government sectors to support Thai educators and students. Derek is passionate about the transformational nature associated with studying and interning abroad and is excited to partner with CEA CAPA’s institutional partners to design, build, and implement new and innovative international programming.
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Erin Pendle
Based in Seattle, Erin works closely with study abroad advisors, administrators, and faculty at higher education institutions in the West/Northwest to support student growth through international study and internship opportunities. Erin also coordinates with CEA CAPA’s campus partners to develop custom and faculty-led programs.
Erin brings over 10 years of university-based study abroad experience to the Regional Director role. Prior to joining the Institutional Relations team at CEA CAPA, Erin was at Georgetown University where she managed undergraduate programs in Spain and Latin America and served as the NAFSA Consular Affairs Liaison to the Spanish consulate in Washington, D.C.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Master in Teaching degree, both from the University of Washington in Seattle. After spending her junior year abroad in Granada, Spain, and later working as a teacher in London, Erin knew that her path as an educator would be centered in intercultural development. She feels incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many dedicated professionals who are committed to making transformative international opportunities accessible to every student.
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James LaRue
James has been with CEA CAPA for over five years, starting out as an intern and now working as a Sales Operations Analyst. Outside of CEA CAPA, James volunteers as a Donation Coordinator for Alex Victory's Legacy and volunteers on archaeological excavations.
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Jon Jorgenson
Based out of Wisconsin, Jon Jorgenson works with our university advisors, faculty and staff to support student exploration, advising, and registration processes, in addition to identifying ways CEA CAPA can help its university partners be more successful in internationalizing its curriculum. Prior to joining CEA CAPA Jon studied abroad in Spain and China plus worked at Expeditors International, PMT Corporation, RAM Center, and Red Wing Shoe Co. Jon's travels have taken to 27 different countries, and he is most looking forward to visiting Hungry next. Jon holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business and Spanish from Minnesota State University – Moorhead. Jon advises first time international travelers that: "Studying abroad is magical. Make the most of your time while abroad plus stay true to yourself and your goals. Your time abroad will fly by quickly and if you experience it to the fullest it will be most rewarding, challenging, exciting and fulfilling time of your life."
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Kate Theisen
Prior to joining the university relations team, Kate worked as an admissions counselor in the Enrollment department, advising students from all over the country on CEA CAPA Programs. She helped students through the enrollment cycle and made sure they were confident and prepared to study abroad.
Kate received her BS in Business Administration and Economics with a minor in German from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She studied abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, where her passion for travel and international education grew. Kate then returned to help students at her home campus study abroad on a variety of faculty-led and exchange programs all over the world. Kate believes that studying abroad is an impactful experience that pushes students outside their comfort zone and teaches them how to learn in a totally new environment. She believes study abroad programs lead young people to gain many skills they can use in their careers after college graduation, and she’s proud to be a part of the team that helps them participate in study abroad.
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Kira Rysiewicz
As a Partnership Director based in Indianapolis, Kira’s role is to work closely with study abroad advisors, administrators, and faculty at CEA CAPA’s partner institutions to support student growth through study and internship opportunities, grow the number of affiliated programs, and coordinate with them to develop custom, faculty-led programs. Prior to joining CEA CAPA, Kira spent 5 years at the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA), where she served in several university relations roles, most recently as the Field Director for the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Prior to entering the field of international education, she worked in Greek Life at her sorority’s national headquarters. Kira obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Journalism, and Leadership Studies from Bradley University and her experience studying abroad for a semester in Granada, Spain furthered her love of travel and language learning. Kira is passionate about equity and making sure study abroad is accessible to all students. Her advice to students considering study abroad is to not be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, be endlessly curious, ask questions, and remember that cultural differences are what make our world a better place.
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Laura Madden
Based out of Los Angeles, Laura works closely with faculty and staff from CEA CAPA’s institutional partners and the Institutional Relations Team to help our partners achieve their internationalization goals.
With 15+ years of diverse experience in international education, from international student support and teaching to study abroad management and business development, she has a holistic understanding of the field and is an enthusiastic champion for innovative programming to meet the unique needs of higher education institutions and their students.
Laura obtained her Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business and Marketing from DePaul University and her Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Laura studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Madrid, Spain during her undergraduate studies, and conducted field research in Havana, Cuba during her graduate studies. Laura taught and worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which launched her career in international education and where she discovered how her study abroad opportunities had exponentially enriched her career, and her life.
Laura is a passionate international educator and thoroughly enjoys the opportunities to create programming that builds globally competent graduates, an increasingly important endeavor for higher education. When she isn’t working or planning her next travel adventure, Laura thoroughly enjoys exploring the cultural, environmental, and culinary diversity of Los Angeles.
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Matthew Borlik
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Matthew Janus
Matt Janus' role at CEA CAPA is to oversee CEA CAPA's institutional relationships with schools in the Western United States. Matt and his team work closely with university advisors, faculty and staff to support the student exploration, advising and registration processes, as well as to identify ways in which CEA CAPA can assist in the success of the campus' agenda for internationalization.
Prior to joining CEA CAPA, Matt worked as a Mortgage Consultant at Countrywide Loans and as a National Accounts Manager at Alansis Corporation. Matt obtained his Bachelors of Arts in Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz (Calif.). While there, he studied abroad in Morelia, Mexico and Barcelona, Spain. His next anticipated adventure will be a tour through Southeast Asia, with extended stays at each notable surf spot.
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Matthew Lawson
Matt joined CEA CAPA in 2019 as a Program Manager. Following promotions to both the Senior Program Manager and Team Lead—Program Management, CEA CAPA Programs roles out of Boston, MA, Matt moved to Washington, D.C. to join the Strategic Engagement team in 2022. Matt now works as the Regional Director - Mid-Atlantic and supports college and university partnerships in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Matt's prior experience is heavily grounded in student-facing advising, with experience in academic, internship, and visa advising support. Matt received his BA in Political Science from Dickinson College, where he studied abroad and away in Bologna, Italy, and Washington, D.C.
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Olivia Jackman
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Randeep Kullar
Randeep Kullar is a Partnership Director with a focus on Diversity Initiatives. In her current role, she develops new and expands on current institutional partnerships at CEA CAPA. Randeep spent the first part of her career developing global internship programs and supporting students on their professional and study abroad journeys at UC Berkeley. She transitioned to supporting international institutions in creating customized experiential learning programs with CIEE and then transitioned back to UC Berkeley, this time to support adult learners with their career journeys. She returned to international education in 2021 by joining CEA CAPA. Randeep holds a M.S. in Counseling with a focus in Higher Education and Career Counseling from San Francisco State University and a B.A. in History with a minor in Education from University of California, Davis. During her professional career, Randeep has been committed to improving access to higher education and helping remove barriers faced by underrepresented populations. She has contributed to a variety of publications and served on committees with Diversity Abroad, NAFSA, and the Global Leadership League.
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Rebecca James
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Richard Shu
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Sara Fulmer
As a Regional Director based in South Carolina, Sara works closely with study abroad advisors, administrators, and faculty at higher education institutions in the South to support student growth through study and internship opportunities. Sara also coordinates with CEA CAPA’s campus partners to develop custom, faculty-led programs. Prior to joining the Institutional Relations team at CEA CAPA, Sara worked in international admissions for a total of 6 years at the University of South Carolina Aiken and Clemson University. Sara holds an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University and a B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from Clemson University. Sara participated in 2 short-term study abroad programs in Russia and Cyprus. Through these experiences, she realized her passion for working in international education, wanting to provide these same experiences to other students. She feels incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many dedicated and passionate professionals who are committed to making life-changing international opportunities accessible to every student.
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Sean McCarthy
Based in Cleveland, OH, Sean works closely with institutions in the Midwest to support their education abroad efforts. Born in Ireland to an Irish father and American mother, Sean moved to the US at a young age and has had a passion for everything international since. Before joining CEA CAPA, Sean worked at the University of Dayton for seven years, working with students going abroad to China, international students coming to the US, and institutional partners. Most recently, Sean managed institutional partnerships in the US and Canada for an international student recruitment EdTech platform. Sean earned a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science as well as an M.S. Ed. in Higher Education Administration, both from the University of Dayton. During his undergraduate degree, Sean also studied abroad in Costa Rica. His personal and professional international travels have taken him to countries around the world, including China and the United Kingdom. Sean's passions include making international experiences accessible to all learners as well as discussing ways for students to connect their international experiences to their career goals. When not at work, you can find Sean spending time with his rescue dog, completing his latest home DIY project, or planning his next trip abroad.
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Sean Williams
Based in Boston, Sean conducts university relations with colleges and universities across New England and the Northeast. After a decade of corporate experience in law, finance, and technology at Goulston & Storrs, John Hancock, and Financial Times Interactive Data, Sean dedicated his career to the fields of international education, experiential learning, and global professional development in higher education. Over the past 20 years he has held several leadership roles in university relations, employer relations, global internship program management, and international student services at EUSA Academic Internship Experts, Intrax Cultural Exchange, and CEA CAPA Education Abroad. Before joining CEA CAPA, Sean was also an Assistant Director of Career Services for The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University, where he counseled students pursuing opportunities in global affairs and international business around the world and lead the development and instruction of their Professional Development Program course. Sean has a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Connecticut College, spent his junior year abroad at New College, Oxford University, and pursued graduate studies in the Economic History of Africa, Asia, and Latin America at London School of Economics. Sean also has an Executive Education degree in Non-Profit Management from Columbia Business School. In his free time, Sean enjoys running, biking, listening to Jazz, and spending time with his family and friends on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod during the summer months.
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Seth Weil
Based in Philadelphia, Seth works closely with colleges and universities to identify ways in which CEA CAPA can support campus internationalization efforts. He is responsible for building new partnerships along with supporting efforts to expand existing institutional partnerships. Seth also serves as the chair of the CEA CAPA JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) committee. With 10+ years of experience in education abroad administration, Seth has worked in the areas of student advising, program development and management, and university relations. Seth graduated from Juniata College with a B.S in Biopsychology and spent a semester of his junior year studying in Newcastle, Australia. He also participated in two short-term programs in the Dominican Republic and Cordoba, Argentina. Through these experiences, he developed a passion for working in International Education, wanting to provide these same experiences to other students. Seth has traveled to over 20 countries and has been on every continent except Antarctica. His favorite experiences while traveling involve trying new cuisines and building a global network. When he is not working you can find Seth in the kitchen, working on his pottery, planning is next adventure or spending time on the water.
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Tom Durigan
Based in Providence, RI, Tom Durigan is an experienced professional and native New Englander who joined CEA CAPA in June 2023 to reenter the study abroad field and work closely with institutions throughout the Northeast.
Tom began his career in international education as a Student Advisor for Athena Study Abroad where his passion for international travel and love of honest conversation combined together to create a role that helped guide undergraduate students to choose an overseas program that would best complement their career aspirations.
Most recently, Tom served as an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission and Transfer Coordinator at Roger Williams University, located in Bristol, RI. During his six years with RWU, Tom worked with students and families from across the country and world with recruitment events being hosted in over 10 states, 7 countries, and 4 continents.
Tom holds a degree in both Sociology & Spanish from Duquesne University where he spent part of his junior studying at the Universidad de Salamanca, in Salamanca, Spain.
When he is not behind his laptop or traveling to partner institutions, Tom stays active playing in both soccer and beach volleyball leagues while always finding time to disconnect and enjoy time on the shores of Rhode Island with friends and family.
CEA CAPA Department List
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