Academic Advisory
Board

Antonella DeMichelis, PhD

CHAIR

Antonella De Michelis is an architectural historian and has been active in international education for twenty years, making experiential learning her career focus. She is an Adjunct Professor of Art History and Visual Culture in the Department of Creative Studies at the University of British Columbia (Kelowna, Canada). Recent publications include Through Time and the City: Notes on Rome (Routledge, 2020) and a forthcoming contribution to The Cambridge History of the Papacy, vol. 4: Society and Culture (2025).

Sarah Abraham, PhD

Sarah Abraham is an experienced education abroad professional and educator who has worked in the field of international higher education for over a decade. As the Director of Academic Development for the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), she manages program development and review, academic integration, partner agreements, and Peace Corps Prep Program for the UC systemwide office. Her academic training is in anthropology, and prior to joining the field, she was an archaeologist for many years and conducted fieldwork in the US, Italy, and Peru.

Christine Anderson, PhD

Christine Anderson has worked in the field of education abroad for 25 years. She is the academic director at the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Center, where her work includes program and course development, faculty training, and teaching. Christine’s research explores intercultural learning on short-term study abroad programs, the impact of an education abroad experience on career competency development, and how an education abroad experience can increase resilience. She is on the editorial board of Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad.

Mark Eckman, MEd

Mark Eckman is the Executive Director of Education Abroad at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he oversees the operation of all undergraduate education abroad programs. He has worked at public and private institutions during his 15+ year career, and prior to joining UMass served as Director of Study Abroad at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Mark has presented at NAFSA, Forum, Diversity Abroad, and in webinar formats on topics ranging from emergency response to parent/family engagement, to financial literacy and business acumen.

Anthony L. Pinder, EdD

Dr. Anthony L. Pinder currently serves as the inaugural Vice Provost for Internationalization & Equity at Emerson College. Dr. Pinder’s three-decade career has been devoted to equity, access, and social justice, including internationalization roles at HBCUs and senior administrative appointments with the U.S. Peace Corps, the United Negro College Fund, and The African American Institute. Critical to Dr. Pinder’s work has been his leadership in facilitating climates of belonging for international students on U.S. campuses and creating greater awareness of how their intersectional identities affect their academic experiences.

Inge Steglitz, PhD

In an international education career spanning over 30 years, Dr. Steglitz currently serves as associate director of Michigan State University’s Office for Education Abroad. Among other topics, she has taught courses on intercultural communication and has written on a variety of topics. She recently co-authored a chapter in Mestenhauser and the Possibilities of International Education (2023; D’Angelo, O’Brien, Marty, eds.), titled “Walking with a giant: The influence of Josef Mestenhauser on everyday practice”. Inge has served on various NAFSA leadership committees, including chairing the 2016 Annual Conference Committee.