SAF Staff
Leadership
Chairman & CEO
Dr. David Gray comes to SAF with a long history of innovation in the field of international education, having previously founded and managed two of the largest and most highly regarded study abroad programs for U.S. students: The Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University (1989-2005) and the Arcadia University Center for Education Abroad (1965-1988). He received his bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and has taught Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, Arcadia University, and Drew University.
President
Prof. John Belcher was named SAF President in December 2005. John Belcher is former Pro-Rector (Vice President) of the University of Westminster and has a distinguished career in international education and higher education administration both at the University of Westminster and Queen Mary College, University of London. John Belcher has also served as Chief of Public Affairs with the United Nations University and as a consultant to leading universities in the USA, Europe, and Asia. He is a founding board member of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) and has published extensively in the field of international education. Prof. Belcher’s academic background is in sociology and also has an interest in comparative higher education. He is a graduate of the universities of Nottingham and London and has taught in the UK, Switzerland, Japan, Thailand, and the USA.
SAF Headquarters - Indianapolis, Indiana
Vice President
Carol Carmody is a founding director of the Study Abroad Foundation. Carol began her career in international education in 1989 joining the newly established Institute for Study Abroad at Butler UniversityI. In addition to facilitating study abroad programs for American undergraduate students, Carol has experience with English language programs, international student recruitment, and US immigration regulations through her work with the American Cultural Exchange, Butler University, and Ball State University . She is a graduate of Colorado State University and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (M.Sc.) and studied abroad in Austria and Germany while an undergraduate student through the Institute for International Education of Students.
Business Account Manager
Mary Ann Stanley joined SAF in 2000. Mary Ann received a B.S. in Accounting from Ball State University and earned her Certified Public Accountant designation shortly thereafter. She began her career in public accounting with KPMG Peat Marwick and subsequently spent seven years working in internal audit and corporate accounting for Ball Corporation. Mary Ann traveled to Europe as a participant of People to People High School Student Ambassadors and enjoys traveling for leisure.
Program Coordinator
Molly Carmody began working with SAF in 2006. Molly graduated from Marian College with a degree in Art History and studied abroad at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Molly has a background in sales and marketing and has also worked abroad in Germany.
Program Coordinator
Fumie Ichikawa joined SAF in February 2009. Fumie earned her bachelor's degree in Management from Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan and her Master of Business Administration from University of Missouri, where she originally attended as an exchange student. Fumie is fluent in English and Japanese and has taught intermediate Japanese courses at the University of Missouri. Fumie worked in logistics and purchasing in the automotive industry prior to joining SAF.
Program Coordinator
Jen Mullin Espinosa began her work at SAF in July of 2009. She has an extensive background in international education including work at the Leo R. Dowling International Center and Office of International Services at Indiana University and the Earlham College Office of International Programs. Jen became interested in international education while working with English language learners. She worked in Quito, Ecuador as an English Literature teacher at Colegio Internacional SEK and in the Indianapolis Public School system as a bilingual language assistant. Jen holds an undergraduate degree in Art History and a M.S. in Higher Education Administration where her studies focused on international education. Both her degrees were awarded from Indiana University. Jen studied abroad in Athens, Greece as an undergraduate student. Jen is proficient in Spanish.
Program Coordinator
Melissa Trahyn began her work at SAF in February 2010. Prior to joining SAF, Melissa was at Butler University in the International Student Services Office and before that the American Language Academy. Melissa first began traveling while in university, where her first trip was to Tirana, Albania; she has traveled and lived extensively in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She first ventured out in international education to teach English in Baku, Azerbaijan at the International Learning Center (ILC) for one year right after graduating from university, then one year of teaching ESL and Music at the International School of Indiana. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University and a MS in Effective Teaching and Leadership with a focus in Instructional Technology from Butler University. She is fluent in Spanish and has studied Azerbaijani and Russian.
Student Accounts Manager
Chris Hartley began his work with SAF in May 2008 as a technology consultant and was hired as Student Accounts Manager in 2009. Chris came to SAF with a wide array of experience and knowledge. After completing his B.A. in Political Science at Beloit College, Chris worked as a program specialist in student life at Beloit. He then worked as a producer and journalist at a community radio station in Madison, Wisconsin and following this experience worked as an IT coordinator for post-Katrina disaster relief in New Orleans. Most recently he worked as a engineer in the healthcare field in North Carolina and worked abroad in Tanzania on a small-scale solar power project.
SAF Japan - Tokyo
Director
Brett Rumminger joined the SAF in July 2006 as Director of the SAF Tokyo Office. Brett is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earning a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a B.A. in East Asian Languages and Cultures. He has lived, worked, and studied in Japan for the past ten years. He has taught English at a junior high school, worked in the International Relations and Women’s Issues Department of Toyama Prefecture City Offices, and for the past six years Brett has worked for the JA Study Abroad Center as a student counselor and external relations manager. Brett spent one year studying at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Studies in Yokohama and an additional year at Waseda University as an international research student. Brett is proficient in Japanese.
Manager, University Relations & Program Development
Haruko Matsuda completed her undergraduate degree at Ochanomizu University in Tokyo and a subsequent Master’s Degree in Dance and Cultural Studies at the University of Surrey, England. She has worked as a counselor of study abroad programs and also gained valuable experience in public relations working at a business and medical college in Japan. Haruko joined SAF in March 2008.
Manager, Rikkyo University CIC Overseas Study Program
Shoko Ono, a graduate of Aichi Shukutoku University, joined SAF in March 2008. Shoko worked as an exchange program coordinator at Aichi Shukutoku University for five years, and subsequently completed a Master of Educational Studies (Leadership) at the School of Education, University of Queensland. In addition to her overseas study experience in Australia, Shoko also spent an academic year abroad in the United States as an undergraduate exchange student.
Manager, J. F. Oberlin University GO Program
Kumiko Omiya has been involved in international education and development since her undergraduate studies in Japan. Upon graduation from university, Kumiko worked in a non-profit organization as a program director for international youth exchange and cooperation. Kumiko completed a Master of Education, Health Promotion and International Development at the Institute of Education, University of London, after which she joined SAF in February 2007 with an aim to further the internationalization of Japanese students and contribute to the future development of Japan.
Program Coordinator, J. F. Oberlin University GO Program
Yuka Furuyama has been interested in foreign cultures and literature since she was a child, and upon graduation from high school ventured to England, where she completed an International Foundation Course at Queen Mary, University of London and an undergraduate BA Honors Degree in International Relations & Anthropology at the University of Sussex. As a student Yuka was active in international projects through UNICEF, and worked in the UK as a social leader at an international summer program for teenagers from throughout the world. Yuka joined SAF in October 2007 and is based on the campus of J.F. Oberlin University.
Program Coordinator, J. F. Oberlin University GO Program
Hisako Shiki joined the SAF GO Program Office in December 2009. As a student at Tokyo Metropolitan University majoring in Economics, Hisako spent a year as an exchange student at Macquarie University in Australia, and after graduation furthered her education by earning a Master's Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University. Hisako subsequently worked in Japan, Southeast Asia and Africa for various development programs, including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and at the Embassy of Japan in Ghana.
Senior Counselor
Yusuke Kikuchijoined SAF in November 2007. After completing a course of study at a college in Japan, Yusuke transferred to the United States and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics (TESOL) and a Master’s Degree in Linguistics (TESOL) at California State University, Fresno. As a master’s student, Yusuke worked as a Teaching Assistant for several Japanese and English as a Second Language courses, as well as courses in the field of Applied Linguistics.
Counselor
Wakako Dokai joined SAF in May 2009 after many years of experience in the field of international education. After graduating from high school in Japan, Wakako spent several years in California studying photography, and upon her return to Japan she put her overseas experience to use working as a counselor for both incoming and outgoing high school exchange students. At the same time, Wakako oversaw English language training programs and was responsible for the development of bilateral programs between Japan and Canada. Wakako is a licensed teacher in Japan, and has additional experience working for the Childhood Educational Department of Lego Japan, as well as valuable volunteer experience in teaching Japanese to refugees from around the world.
SAF Korea - Seoul
Director
Henry Oh joined SAF in April 2006 as Director of the SAF Korea Office. Henry is a graduate of Edith Cowan University in Australia earning a B.S. in Marketing and received his M.B.A. from San Diego State University in the U.S. Previously Henry was employed by ICEF, Germany and for many years he has been actively engaged in the field of international education with particular emphasis in university linkages, educational fair management and workshop development. He has researched the Korean market for international education in various European countries including the UK, Ireland and Spain as well as Asia-Pacific countries such as New Zealand and Singapore. Henry is proficient in Korean, English and Spanish.
Manager
Erica Jin joined SAF in August 2006 as Manager of SAF Korea. She is a graduate from Hong-Ik University earning a B.A. in English Literature and Language. Erica has since been engaged in the field of international education. She has worked for educational consulting companies in charge of student counseling and international marketing. In 2005, she was qualified by the British Council as an Educational UK Specialist. Erica is proficient in Korean and English.
Coordinator
Julie Kim joined the SAF in August 2007 as a Coordinator for the SAF Korea Office. Julie studied abroad St. Paul's International College in Australia and she is a graduate of Seoul Women's University, earning a B.A. in Japanese Literature and Language. In addition to her experience studying abroad, Julie's interest in International education led her to enroll in a TESOL certificate course which she completed in 2007. Julie will be in charge of student counseling and international marketing. She is proficient in Korean, English and Japanese.
Academic Counselor
Kimmie Kim began working for SAF in February 2009. She is a graduate of Sogang University with a double major in Business Administration and Sports Management. Kimmie spent one year abroad at Gonzaga University in the U.S. and an interest in education led her to enroll in the TESOL program at the TESOL Summer Institute. Prior to joining SAF, Kimmie worked in on-line marketing as well as teaching English for a private academy.
SAF Mainland China - Shanghai
Director
Daniel Shen joined SAF in September 2009 as Director of the SAF China Office. Daniel was Assistant Dean at Beijing Jiao Tong University's School of Software Engineering where he was responsible for the School’s international affairs office. Simultaneously, he was Assistant Director at the Office of National Software Engineering Schools at the Ministry of Education, China. Previously Daniel held positions in business in Australia and is an Australian citizen. Daniel's undergraduate degree is in telecommunications and from Beijing Information and Technology University. His masters degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia is in computer science
Manager
Tracey Tao joined SAF as manager in December 2008. Tracey holds a Master Degree in Education from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Software Development from RMIT. She is also a graduate of Xuzhou Normal University in China. Prior to joining SAF, Tracey was a project manager of academic partnership projects at EF China. Tracey has three years teaching experience as a subject tutor at the University of Melbourne before she returned to China in 2007. Currently, Tracey is serving as the vice president of Melbourne University Alumni Association Shanghai, and committee member of Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association Production Co. Ltd. Shanghai.
Account Manager
Jimmy Lang completed his undergraduate degree at Beijing Jiaotong University and then a Master’s Degree in Finance at the Euromed Marseilles School of Management, France. After graduation, Jimmy returned to China and joined SAF as account manager in April 2009.
Program Development Manager
Victor Lin joined SAF in December 2009 as program development manager in SAF Beijing Office. He's been engaged in international education after graduating from University of Paul Sabatier(Toulouse 3) in France, majoring in Ecology. He finished his undergraduate study at Pekin University earlier. He worked for Bonck Education Beijing, a foreign founded enterprise, mainly focusing on conducting cooperation programs such as Dual Degree Program between Chinese and American universities.
SAF Taiwan - Taichung
Director
Chin Ning joined SAF in August of 2008. Chin graduated from Concordia University with a B.S. in Biochemistry however, personal interests later drew her towards business and education. This interest eventually led her to start her own real estate and education consulting companies. Prior work experience also includes developing, marketing and coordinating programs for Chinese projects at McGill University. A native of Taiwan, Chin herself has spent many years abroad in various locations such as Libya, Malta, New York and Canada. Over the years she has become a natural advocate for study abroad and brings with her a deep appreciation for cultural diversity.
Volunteer Researcher
Dominque Luthringer joined SAF in November of 2008. Dominique graduated from the University of La Rochelle in France, with a degree in Languages applied to business (English and Chinese) and is currently working on her MBA at Feng Chia University in Taiwan. Her prior experience includes volunteer work with the American Field Service as both a program and recruiting assistant. Dominique studied abroad in high school to Hong Kong and at the university level to both Fudan University in Shanghai and Tunghai University in Taiwan.
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