Biography: Opal Leeman Bartzis provides leadership for the Center for Global Learning and Innovation and units within the center, including the Office for Education Abroad, the American Semester Program and Exchanges, the Global Youth Advancement Network and the Japan Center for Michigan Universities. Opal chairs MSU’s Advisory Council on Education Abroad and the Faculty Learning Community for International Student Success and is a member of the Risk and Security Assessment Committee and International Strategic Enrollment Management Group. Prior to MSU, Opal held various positions over her 20 years at the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University, most recently as Vice President for Academic Affairs and including three years as Resident Director in Ireland. She has served NAFSA in a variety of capacities, including Region VI Chair, Indiana State Representative, NAFSA Academy Coach, and currently as Co-Chair of the Peace, Justice & Citizen Diplomacy MIG. Active in the Forum on Education Abroad, Diversity Abroad, and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), she is a frequent presenter and workshop trainer at international education conferences. Opal earned her doctorate in adult, higher and community education at Ball State University with her dissertation on the development of culturally sensitive instructional practices through student teaching abroad. She also completed doctoral certificates in college and university teaching and community college leadership, and she holds an MA in history and Honors BA in German from Butler University. Her research and publication areas are inclusive pedagogy, global teacher education, academic ethics across cultures, appreciative advising, and sustainability in education abroad. She studied abroad in Switzerland, Russia, and Lithuania, and spends as much time as possible with family in Greece.

Biography: Cheryl Benner is the Communications Manager and oversees the marketing and communication activities for the office. She’s responsible for printed publications and digital communications, as well as event coordination, community outreach and student recruitment, including supervision of the Peer Adviser program and management of the Education Abroad Advising Center. Cheryl has co-presented at the local and regional levels on interactive media, education abroad for under-represented student populations, and the effective use of technology in student advising. She holds a BA in Advertising from MSU and brings almost 30 years of experience in outreach and marketing at a large public institution. When not on campus, Cheryl can be found cheering on the DeWitt Panthers, MSU Spartans and the Green Bay Packers and loves spending time with her family.

Biography: Angie Boldrey is the Financial Services Coordinator and responsible for overseeing the development, approval, and implementation of all program budgets. She works with program coordinators and directors, making sure financial needs are met before, during and after their program’s completion. Additionally, works to secure payments to vendors and assists with budgeting and reconciliation of the education abroad enrollment. Prior to arriving at MSU, Angie worked in business management at a local law firm, finance and data management at a political consulting firm, and many varied areas in the Michigan legislature. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and lives in Okemos with her husband, two teenage daughters and retired greyhound named Dude.

Biography: John Bonnell is Capacity Development Specialist with Michigan State University’s Global IDEAS. He designs and implements capacity strengthening programs with and for faculty at MSU and at partner universities. His fields of expertise include international and comparative education, higher education in developing countries, organizational change, and faculty and leadership development. He has conducted educational research and development projects in numerous countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Prior to joining MSU, John served for four years as a faculty member and head of department at a private university in Kenya. John earned a PhD from MSU in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education, with specializations in African Studies and International Development. John has co-lead institutional capacity development initiatives for the Global Center for Food Systems Innovation (Innovation Scholars Program), the Borlaug Higher Education for Agricultural Research and Development program, and the Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research, Capacity and Influence.