Biography: Katharine (Kitty) Douglass-Harris serves as the Fiscal Officer and Administrative Business Analyst for JCMU-East Lansing. She holds a bachelor's degree in Comparative Ethnic & American Studies and Japanese Language & Literature from The Ohio State University, and a master’s degree in the Humanities and East Asian History from John Carroll University in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

Kitty arrived at MSU in 2007, serving first as Program Development Assistant and Outreach Coordinator at the Asian Studies Center before moving to JCMU in late 2010. Kitty specializes in education grant administration (proposal phase and post-award management) and curriculum development/internationalization. She currently serves as the Endowment Chair for the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Board.

Kitty lives in East Lansing with her husband, two sons, one dog, and three cats.

Biography: Leydi M Egan is a Senior International Student & Scholar Advisor with OISS. She grew up in Merida, Mexico and has a background in Psychology from her studies in Mexico. She moved to Michigan in 2005 and since then she has earned her ESL certificate and Associate’s Degree from Lansing Community College and a B.A. in Human Resources from Michigan State University. Having had the opportunity to live and study in a different country from her own, she developed a passion for working with people from different countries and cultures. Leydi had three years of professional experience in the HR field until she decided to work more with students by teaching GED classes to Migrant seasonal farm-workers in both English and Spanish languages. In addition to this she collaborates as a Program Leader with the International Engagement in Mexico (IEM) study abroad program, which takes MSU students to Mexico during the MSU spring break to work on service learning projects in the local communities. Her passion for higher education and working in a global and multicultural environment grew even more, leading her to start and eventually complete a Master’s Degree in Higher Education from MSU.

Leydi is also interested in creating a more diverse and inclusive environment in her community and helping people around the world to feel welcomed and cared for. She enjoys participating in and promoting events that empower women, and foster cultural and educational enrichment. Through work and personal traveling, she has had the privilege to visit Edinburgh, Scotland, London, England, and Panama City, Panama as well as several cities in her native Mexico. She would love to travel more to other countries to get to know other customs and cultures.

Biography: Chad Frost is the Senior Program Coordinator for the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU), overseeing all programming and activities in collaboration with staff and faculty in Hikone, MSU’s International Studies & Programs, and JCMU consortium partners. He also represents JCMU to external stakeholders, including government and private sector collaborators.

Chad’s passion for intercultural learning and the Michigan-Shiga relationship began at age 15 through the Michigan-Shiga High School Exchange and grew during his internship on the Michigan Boat via Lansing Community College’s Japan Adventure program. After transferring to Michigan State University, he studied abroad again through JCMU’s Summer Intensive Japanese Language program and earned a B.A. in East Asian Languages & Cultures with a focus on Japanese. Chad draws on his experiences as a first-generation college student, transfer student, and JCMU alum to support prospective and admitted students. He serves in leadership roles on the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Board and is currently pursuing an M.A. in Strategic Communication at MSU.

Outside of work and studies, he enjoys walking his dog, camping, bowling, and spending time with family and friends.