2022 AIEA Leadership Academy for New Senior International Officers

Jennifer Evanuik is the Executive Director of the Office of Global Engagement at Central Michigan University. In this role, she oversees study abroad, international student and scholar services, and international agreements. She has held other roles in international education at Georgia Tech, Davidson College, and Providence Day School and has taught courses on intercultural communication at Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. She is active in professional associations including appointments on NAFSA’s International Education Leadership Knowledge Community and AIEA’s Professional Development & Engagement Committee. In 2014, Jennifer was selected for the Fulbright International Education Administrator Seminar in Korea. Evanuik holds a B.S. in French from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.Ed. in Social and Comparative Analysis in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ekaterina Gay is the Regional Assistant Director of International Recruitment/ Partner Relations at Miami University Regionals. Ekaterina developed MUR’s international office and internationalization efforts from the ground up. She specializes in building creative international partnerships leading the growth of MUR’s CIZN efforts. Gay is originally from Kyrgyzstan having studied and worked in Russia. Ekaterina holds a Master’s in TESOL and French from Penza State University in Russia, and an MBA from Miami University.

Nonceba Mbambo-Kekana is a Director of International Affairs and a Professor at the University of Limpopo. She is active in the International Education Association of South Africa and Internationalisation Directors’ Forum of South Africa and her interest is on issues of leadership and management of internationalization and the value of internationalisation to African universities particularly students. Mbambo-Kekana previously held the Executive Dean of Faculty and other academic positions. She holds a Masters in Physiotherapy Education from University of Pretoria and a doctorate in health education from University of Witwatersrand. Mbambo-Kekana passion in health education is in curriculum development and student training.

As a first-generation American, Fabiola Riobe has committed a career to international and education development. A natural leader, and woman of action, on the ground, championing equity in education, cultural diversity, and financial independence. In her previous roles, she led initiatives to launch new educational and assessment technologies. Recognized as a pioneer for African diaspora women in economic revitalization, Riobe serves as a mentor to numerous female entrepreneurs. 

In her current role, she brings together some of the world's leading education experts to foster the exchange of proven strategies and cultivate relationships within the education, business, and government sectors—Riobe's rich multi-cultural heritage and blended family lineage fuel her passion.

Thomas Tyner is the Senior International Officer and Executive Director of International Programs at California State University, East Bay. He leads the Office of International Admissions, International Student and Scholar Services, Study Abroad, International Recruitment and Partnerships, and the Global Academy. Prior to coming to California, he was director of International Programs and the English Language Institute of Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. He also worked in Istanbul, Turkey first as an instructor and then later as administrative director of the English as Foreign Language Department at Işık University. He has a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from Georgia State University, an M.A. in Education and Human Development with a concentration in ESL from the George Washington University and a B.A. in history from Wake Forest University. Tyner is in the incoming President-Elect for English USA and former Treasurer. He has also served on the executive board of UCIEP as communications representative.

Alice S. Yang is the Director for International Education at Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN). She oversees study abroad programs and inbound international programs, chairs the Global Education Advisory Committee, and serves as the Senior International Officer (SIO) for campus internationalization and the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) / Responsible Officer (RO) to support international student and scholar immigration services. Yang is the China Summer Program Director and teaches a course on Chinese Women and Society. She is an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator and offers intercultural training to study abroad students. Yang received her doctoral degree from the Comparative and International Development Education (CIDE) Program at University of Minnesota (UMN) and a master's degree in women's studies from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).