The Education Abroad Network Staff

Denita Acker, Campus Relations, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Denita has worked in the field of international education since 2006. Denita has experience in studying, living and working abroad, and is originally from Cape Town, South Africa. She earned her M.A. in International Studies from Old Dominion University where she was also a member of the Field Hockey team. She grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and has traveled and competed internationally in New Zealand, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Holland. Favorite Destinations: Knysna, South Africa, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and New Zealand.
Russ Alexander, Director - Programs and Development Russ was involved with the first group of US study abroad students to come to Australia in the late 1980s. He studied abroad as a high school student for a year in Tyler, Texas and a semester at Georgetown University in Washington DC. Russ graduated from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, where he also became the Associate Director for Study Abroad. Russ joined the Study Australia team in 2000 and now directs the programs in Asia and is responsible for the educational design elements of our Australian/South Pacific programs. Favorite Destinations: Sydney, Australia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Danelle Boone, Campus Relations Representative Danelle joins the Education Abroad Network, with ten years of experience teaching, counseling and leadership in higher education. Danelle has a Masters Degree in Counseling from California State University, Northridge, and a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from CSU, Chico. Her most recent experience was Assistant Director of Career Services at CSU, Long Beach, and prior to that served for eight years as a career counselor at UCLA. She has studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, as well as traveled extensively throughout the world for work and leisure. Her passion for international education, languages, cultures and people is what inspires her to encourage students to study, live and work abroad. Danelle is based in Los Angeles, CA and is a native of Northern California. Favorite Travel Destinations: Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Barcelona, Spain; Istanbul, Turkey; Hong Kong, China; Kyoto, Japan, and Sydney, Australia
Penny Camparone, Administrative Assistant Penny Camparone joined The Education Abroad Network as an Administrative Assistant in November 2008. Prior to working in the study abroad field, Penny served as a Senior Employment Recruiter at a local staffing agency as well as a Legal Assistant at a busy law firm. A graduate of Michiana College, Penny received an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies and is also certified as a Staffing Professional. When she’s not working, Penny enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends. Favorite Destinations: Las Vegas, Nevada; Riviera Maya, Mexico
Kieran Clarke, Resident Director, Melbourne Kieran was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. He graduated from La Trobe University, Melbourne with a Business degree which included two exchanges to the US - Ithaca College, NY in 2003 and University of Washington, WA in 2005. Kieran worked for La Trobe University within their International Programs Office for four years which involved extensive travel to Europe and North America, before moving to Sweden to undertake a Master of International Marketing and Brand Management at Lund University. He's passionate about international education and thinks that everyone should study abroad! Favorite Destinations: Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Berlin, Chicago, Seattle and New York
Nancy Clarke, Campus Relations Representative - Northeast Region Nancy has been a Regional Representative since 2006. She has lived abroad in Melbourne, Australia, and London, England. She has traveled in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire and a master's degree from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Favorite Destinations: Victoria Falls, Whitsunday Islands, New Zealand's South Island, Italy, Machu Picchu
Rachel Dorsey, Enrollment Coordinator Through Valparaiso University, Rachel spent a semester abroad in Cambridge, England, which led to her passion for international education and cross-cultural exchange. Since graduating with a BA in History and Secondary Education, Rachel has taught geography in a high school setting and has traveled extensively throughout Asia and Oceania. Prior to joining us an Enrollment Coordinator, Rachel spent a year teaching English in Okinawa, Japan and was a luxury travel consultant in Chicago. Favorite Destinations: Varanasi, India; Mui Ne, Vietnam; Lhasa, Tibet; Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Dr. Stephen M. Ferst, Director of Institutional Relations and Development Stephen joined The Education Abroad Network in 2009 as the first Director of Institutional Relations and Development after serving as the Director of Study Abroad at Rutgers University since 1997. Steve's first foray into international education was studying abroad in Haifa, Israel during 1987 and 1998. Upon graduating he immediately began working in the field and has held positions in recruiting, marketing, finance, and advising. In 2002 he was fortunate to serve as a Resident Director in England while living in the UK with his family. His extensive travels have taken him around the world many times. Favorite Destinations: Goa, India; Lewes, England; Koobi Fora, Kenya; and Saguaro National Park, USA
Ryan Friesen, Enrollment Coordinator Ryan graduated from Goshen College with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (History/Communication/Philosophy). In high school, he spent three weeks in Bielefeld, Germany and during his time in college, spent a semester in Chengdu, China. Here he studied Chinese and teaching conversational English. Ryan spent a semster in Washington DC as an intern in the Asia Pacific Division of the Federal Aviation Administration and with the International Gateway. He loves traveling to new places both in the United States and abroad, and feels that travel is a great equalizer of human experience. Favorite destinations: Cologne, Germany; Emei Shan, China; Colorado Springs, USA; Eli, Minnesota, USA
Lauren Gabell, Manager Marketing; Resident Director, Melbourne Lauren studied abroad at Boston College in 1997, which led to a desire to work in study abroad. Since graduating from Monash University in 1998, she has worked for the study abroad offices at Monash and Deakin University. At Deakin University she was responsible for developing the study abroad program, and marketing the university in Europe, North America and Thailand. A position which required extensive travel throughout these regions. Lauren joined Study Australia in 2005 as the Resident Director in Melbourne. Favorite Destinations: Bergen, Norway; Melbourne, Australia; Northern Thailand; Chicago, USA
Matt Hankins, Resident Director, Sydney Matt moved from Iowa to Sydney in 2002 and he is now an Australian resident. He graduated from Macquarie University in Sydney with a degree in Primary Education. Matt studied abroad for a semester in Chile and has travelled extensively throughout Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. Favorite Destinations: Machu Piccu, Peru; Krabi, Thailand
Peter Heimerstrom, Manager Information Technology Peter has been working for us since 1998 and has lived abroad in Australia. He is responsible for development, implementation and operation of our information systems and technology solutions. Peter is based in Sweden. Favorite Destinations: Western Australia, Greece
Sean Lennon, Director A Director and co-founder of The Education Abroad Network and Study Australia, Sean has been a resident of Perth, Western Australia since 1993. Sean worked with International students attending the University of Notre Dame Australia and previous experience includes senior roles in within the human resources consulting industry in both Australia and The USA. He earned a BA and MSA from the University of Notre Dame (Indiana), and is member of NAFSA and The Forum on Education Abroad. Favorite Destinations: Sydney, Australia; Milan, Italy; Singapore; Dublin, Ireland
Amanda Lord, Campus Relations Representative - West Coast Region Amanda has been working in the field of International Education since 2002. She is originally from Rhode Island, and now resides in Hermosa Beach California where she is the West Coast Campus Relations Coordinator for The Education Abroad Network/Study Australia. Her experiences living in Australia in high school, as well as undergraduate and graduate school, led to her desire to make International Education her career. She completed her master’s degree at the University of Rhode Island in the College Student Personnel program and enjoys working with and advising students about the many exciting options for studying abroad. Favorite Destinations: Taghazout, Morocco; Beirut, Lebanon; Faro, Portugal; Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Karen McBride, Campus Relations Representative Karen has worked in the field of international education since 2004 with experience living, studying, working, and volunteering abroad. She has studied abroad in Costa Rica, Scotland, and interned at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. Karen is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Antigua, West Indies (2002-04) and is originally from San Marcos, Texas. She earned a B.A. at the University of Texas at Austin, an M.A. at Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is currently working on an Ed.D. in International Higher Education at the University of Minnesota. Favorite Destinations: Glasgow, Scotland; Florence, Italy; Antigua, West Indies; Jinja, Uganda
Melissa Medich, Outreach Coordinator Melissa is serving as The Education Abroad Network's new Outreach Coordinator. Melissa attended Saint Mary's College where she studied History, Anthropology, and Business. Her love of learning led her to pursue a master's degree in Anthropology at Ball State University, which she received in 2009. For her graduate work Melissa traveled throughout Europe, participating in several archeological, cultural, and historical research programs. While in graduate school Melissa gained experience in international education through her work as a Graduate Assistant at Ball State University's Center for International Programs. Melissa is an avid traveler – having lived, studied, and worked abroad many times in her life. From her work as an archaeologist in Romania to her summer as a lecturer for pre-collegiate program in Western Europe, Melissa is always up for an adventure. Along with her work at The Education Abroad Network Melissa also teaches in the Anthropology Department at Saint Mary's College. Favorite Destinations: Rome, Italy; Assisi, Italy; Fiesole, Italy; Pompeii, Italy; London, England; Transylvania, Romania; Budapest, Hungry; and Athens, Greece.
Dea Olivier, Resident Director, Queensland Dea has been working for Study Australia part-time since 2008. Dea grew up in South Africa and lived in Namibia for two years before moving to Australia in 2002. While in high school, she spent three months living in Hamburg, Germany. She earned a Biomedical Science and Honours degree from Griffith University on the Gold Coast, and is now studying to become a pharmacist. Dea has also travelled to the United States, England, Singapore and Malaysia. Favorite Destinations: Hobart, Fremantle and Heron Island, Australia; Okavango Delta, Botswana, Swakopmund, Namibia and Stellenbosch, South Africa
David Platt, Director of Global Service Learning and Resident Director, Perth Dave has worked extensively in service-learning and community engagement both in Australia and in the United States with a significant focus on developing community partnerships and creating dynamic learning experiences for students. He currently teaches courses in Community Development and Human Rights at both the University of Notre Dame Australia and Curtin University of Technology. A native of Massachusetts, Dave has resided in Perth, Australia, since 1997. He earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame and an MA from the University of Portland. Favorite Destinations: Kathmandu, Nepal; Wanaka, New Zealand; Istanbul, Turkey
Chris Shepherd, Director Chris has been the Director for the U.S. operations since 1995 and co-founded The Education Abroad Network and Study Australia, LLC. He has twice lived abroad in Australia and has traveled extensively throughout Australia and Africa and has visited New Zealand, China, Greece and numerous countries within Southeast Asia. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a member of NAFSA and The Forum on Education Abroad. Favorite Destinations: Capetown, South Africa; Santorini, Greece; Fremantle, Western Australia
Rita Veron, Enrollment Coordinator Rita brings more than five years of experience working in higher education to The Education Abroad Network. She has studied abroad twice, living in Rome, Italy and San Jose, Costa Rica. She also has served as a volunteer tutor for adult ESL students. A Chicago native, Rita has been fortunate to travel to parts of Asia, Africa, Central America, Europe, and North America. She holds a B.A. in Romance Languages and Literatures (focus in Spanish and Italian) from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S. in Journalism from Roosevelt University. Favorite Destinations: Rome, Italy; Cinque Terre, Italy; Seville, Spain; and Chicago, USA
Sarah Wayne, Senior Enrollment Coordinator Sarah has been an Enrollment Coordinator since 2006. She lived abroad in Japan for four years where she worked as a Language Instructor and Cultural Educator. She has traveled throughout Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Russia, Italy, France, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and China. She graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with Bachelor of Arts in French, Modern Foreign Languages, and International Studies. Favorite Destinations: Lake Kizakiko, Nagano Prefecture, Japan; Chamonix, French Alps; Lillehammer, Norway; Rotorua, New Zealand

In addition, The Education Abroad Network utilizes several Program Representatives and support staff in the United States and overseas to help administer and market the programs. All of the support personnel have previously studied, lived, or worked abroad and can provide unique insight into the study abroad experience.

The Education Abroad Network Staff

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