All sessions will be in 2520D University Capitol Centre (UCC); the concurrent sessions will be in 2520D & 2520B UCC. Map of UCC building.

8:30 – 8:40 a.m. (CDT), Welcome Remarks
Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs, University of Iowa

8:45 – 9:45 a.m. (CDT), Keynote 
Ana M. Rodríguez-Rodríguez, associate dean for academic affairs and graduate student success, University of Iowa Graduate College, and associate professor of Spanish and Portuguese in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - read more here

9:45 – 9:55 a.m. (CDT), Break

9:55 – 11:10 a.m. (CDT), Peer Mentor Programs: Exploring Approaches
Caroline Omolesky, assistant director, Global Engagement, Ohio State University
Anna Nordhaus, international engagement coordinator, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Vivian Ta, director of grad success – recruitment & retention, Grad Success Center, University of Iowa

How do you help students adjust to life on campus and navigate the hidden curriculum through peer-to-peer interactions? Through a mix of panel and roundtable discussions, we will explore definitions of mentorship, how to establish equity in the mentorship context, and how to set students up for success in cross-cultural interactions.

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (CDT), Building Community, Not Just Program
Marina Uehara, director for student engagement, University of Minnesota
LeeAnn Jones, assistant director, International Student Life, Indiana University 
Iesha Sturgis-Jackson assistant director, International Student Life, Indiana University

Join us in a lively discussion and presentation of building community on campus, tapping into campus partners and leveraging connections with specific examples from Indiana and Minnesota.

12:15 – 12:50 p.m. (CDT), Lunch provided & 2027 Summit Announcement

12:50 – 1:20 p.m. (CDT), Campus Tour (optional)
Led by Amisha Kearney & Zhuolun Li, MA students in higher education and student affairs, University of Iowa

*Note: Please wear comfortable walking shoes - the tour will include going through the hill in the middle of campus. 

1:30 – 2:15 p.m. (CDT), Concurrent Sessions

• Session #1: Adviser to Adviser Strategies for Working Smart 
  Megan Layng, international student adviser, Pennsylvania State University
  Davina Kittrell, senior international student adviser, Pennsylvania State University

  How would you rate your efficiency and organization on the job?  If there is room to grow, we have some tips and tricks to share from Penn State Global Advisers. If you glean just one trick, you will raise your score.

• Session #2: From Data to Decisions: Making the Assessment Cycle Work
  Teri Schnelle, director, projects and partnerships, Office of Vice President for Student Life, University of Iowa
  Shuhui Lin, international education program and student affairs advisor, University of Iowa

  This presentation walks participants through the full assessment cycle—from clarifying goals and learning outcomes to gathering evidence, analyzing results, and using data to inform action. Each section includes practical, hands on opportunities to apply concepts and strengthen meaningful, continuous improvement.

2:20 – 3:20 p.m. (CDT), Concurrent Sessions

• Session #1: Welcome, Connect, Thrive: Orientation and Transition Support for International Students
  Brandon Paulson, associate director, ISSS, University of Iowa
  Ryan Radebaugh, assistant director of student services, ISSS, Northwestern University

  International student needs are evolving - and orientation and transition support must evolve with them. In this collaborative small group discussion and roundtable, participants will share challenges and success stories while discussing opportunities to foster connection, belonging, and resilience during the critical early weeks of international students’ U.S. journey.

• Session #2: Managing Expectations and Hard Conversations: Easier Than Explaining Your Immigration Status at the Airport
  Jennifer Taylor, director, international faculty and staff services, University of Wisconsin - Madison
  Gina Antonatos, senior international faculty/scholar advisor, ISSS, Rutgers Global

  This session uses humor and real world scenarios to explore why difficult conversations feel so intimidating—and how to make them far less painful. Participants learn practical strategies for setting clear expectations, navigating emotionally charged discussions, and addressing misunderstandings before they escalate. Through relatable examples, the presentation offers tools to communicate with confidence, reduce friction, and build trust in both professional and personal settings. It’s an engaging, fast paced hour designed to leave people feeling more prepared, more grounded, and far less anxious about the conversations they’ve been avoiding.

3:20 – 3:35 p.m. (CDT), Break

3:35 – 4:50 p.m. (CDT), From Vision to Impact: Designing Engaging Programs Using Local Resources and Institutional Strengths
Ryan Radebaugh, assistant director of student services, ISSS, Northwestern University
LeeAnn Jones, assistant director, International Student Life, Indiana University
Ezinne Okey, international training and programming specialist, University of Illinois
Jake Koelzer, program manager & advisor, University of Michigan

International student programming is shaped by place, institutional culture, and shifting global realities. In this interactive roundtable session, participants will discuss how local environments, campus strengths, and structural constraints influence what programs are possible and what students need most. Through guided small-group prompts, attendees will explore how evolving student priorities, wellbeing, belonging, career development, and geopolitical uncertainty are redefining high-impact programming. The session will conclude with a peer exchange of signature programs and adaptable ideas participants can take back to their campuses.

4:55 – 5:30 p.m., Open Discussion & Group Photo 

5:30 p.m., Dinner on your own
 

All sessions will be in 2520D University Capitol Centre (UCC).

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. (CDT), Career & Professional Development for International Students
Jane Sitter, senior international career consultant, University of Minnesota
Jennifer Teitle, assistant dean for graduate development and postdoctoral affairs, University of Iowa
Meng Xiao, career counselor, University of Iowa

TBA - Session Description

9:35 – 10:35 a.m. (CDT), Supporting International Students’ & Scholars’ Mental Health
Venn Jemkur, international student success navigator, University of Nebraska – Lincoln 

Julius Owusu Afriyie, international student success navigator, University of Nebraska - Lincoln 
Tianyi Xie, associate director and director of outreach and prevention services, University Counseling Service, University of Iowa

Michael Fletcher, director, University Counseling Service, University of Iowa  

This roundtable/small group discussion session aims to explore strategies to enhance inter-departmental collaboration and provide community level intervention for international student mental health during an increasingly turbulent time.

10:35 – 10:50 a.m. (CDT), Break

10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. (CDT), Working With Student Employees and Student Leaders
Melissa Murray Baltus, assistant director for global engagement, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Iesha Sturgis-Jackson assistant director, International Student Life, Indiana University 
Anna Nordhaus, international engagement coordinator, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Allison Streckenbach, transitions coordinator, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Kacha Fischer international engagement coordinator, University of Wisconsin – Madison 

In this session, we will talk about different challenges of working with student leaders and student employees and also share ideas and solutions with each other.  This session will be mostly discussion focused and participants can also bring questions they would like to discuss with their Big Ten peers.

12:05 – 12:15 p.m. (CDT), Closing