Dr. Marina Markot is the Director of the Global Experience Office at Northeastern University, where she leads a dynamic team of dedicated professionals and spearheads the university’s ambitious efforts to expand education abroad through sustainable innovative programming. Dr. Markot has been active in international education for over 20 years and has held leadership positions at a variety of US institutions, including New England College, University of New Hampshire, University of Virginia, and Cornell University.
Dr. Markot holds a PhD in Linguistics and a BA/MA in Germanic and Romance languages and literature from Leningrad State University, Leningrad, USSR. She rose to the rank of Professor of English at St. Petersburg Law Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia before coming to the United States. As a former academic, Marina’s top areas of interest in the field of international education have been student learning outcomes, cross-cultural competency development, and curricular integration of education abroad.
Dr. Markot has presented on these topics at numerous international education conferences including NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Forum on Education Abroad, and WISE: Workshop on Intercultural Skills Enhancement. She served on the NAFSA Region XI team and as a NAFSA Academy mentor and co-authored an IIE Networker (Spring 2016) article “Internationalization Efforts at Cornell: The Experience of a Major Research University”.
Katie joins GEO from the Leadership Programs Office at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. Prior to her time at Cornell, Katie worked in various regional and global human resources roles in higher education, public accounting, and technology industries, managing the implementation of global policies and HR projects while supporting up to 375 staff in over 20 countries in each role.
Katie holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut where she was a Babbidge Scholar. Following her experience taking a Cross-Cultural Human Resource Management course during her semester abroad in Florence, Italy, Katie was inspired to design an individualized major that would lend itself to reframing her business coursework through the lens of psychological and sociological comparisons across cultures. Northeastern’s and GEO’s mission of creating meaningful global experiences for its students aligns with Katie’s desire to offer opportunities to engage with—and learn from—different perspectives, and she is thrilled to be a part of the GEO team.
Key Roles
Manages the director’s activities and calendar
Partners with the director to manage special projects and assignments
Administers the GEO Faculty Fellowship and associated Dialogue of Civilizations events
Supervises a team of GEO administrative assistants
Serves as the HR Key Contact for GEO staff (note: for DOC Program HR needs, please contact Lauren Pamas)
Before joining GEO at Northeastern, Jenna Garchar served as Associate Director of Faculty-led & Custom Programs at the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), where she ensured the ongoing development of the highest quality custom programs for over 350 member institutions and over 3,000 annual participants. She has a B.A. in French and Global Studies-Africa and a certificate in Global Leadership from Ohio University. As an undergraduate, Jenna joined a faculty-led program in Nha Trang, Vietnam and spent a semester studying in Dakar, Senegal. After graduation, she taught English in South Korea before joining CIEE in 2014. Jenna comes to Northeastern with a passion for international education and looks forward to creating high-quality, accessible programs for students.
Brittany joins GEO from the Advancement Office at Northeastern University. Prior to joining the GEO, Brittany worked to cultivate Northeastern’s relationship with international families, alumni and friends and explore their philanthropic interest.
Brittany holds a B.S. from Mount Ida College, which is now acquired by UMASS Dartmouth. Following her college experience, Brittany was able to dive right into the fashion field with merchandising, marketing and using the advancement of technology to take her to the ecommerce world of fashion. Over time, Brittany began to develop an interest in higher education, joined Northeastern, and has worked in the Office of Alumni Relations, Family Philanthropy team and International Advancement department. During this time, she explored the various cultures around the world and this sparked her interest to begin her M.Ed in Higher Education. Brittany is excited to meet with students, learn about the cultures in the Latin America region and support students during their journey to travel abroad!
Key Roles
Leads GEO's Scholarship programs
Global Co-op resource for GEO's Advising team
Holds info sessions, pre-departure orientations, and Welcome Back events
Guides students through goal setting, program application, course selection and other steps on their the way to their global experience
Advises students on a variety of global experiences in an assigned regional portfolio
After studying abroad in Italy and Ethiopia as an undergraduate student, Amanda developed a passion for traveling and learning about different cultures. During her senior year of college, she worked in the Center for International and Intercultural Studies at St. Lawrence University as the Italy Student Ambassador. Upon graduating from college, Amanda spent two years teaching English as a Foreign Language in China. She subsequently completed her Master’s degree in International Education Administration through Endicott College, spending summers at the Leysin American School in Switzerland. Joining Northeastern from a technology company, Amanda is excited to be working with students again and eager to share her enthusiasm for exploring new cultures.
Key Roles
Advises students on a variety of global experiences in an assigned regional portfolio
Guides students through goal setting, program application, course selection and other steps on their the way to their global experience
Holds info sessions, pre-departure orientations, and Welcome Back events
Jeff is from Phoenix, Arizona and studied abroad in Breda, Holland. He worked for seven years with education abroad providers and led student programs to England, France, Costa Rica, Cuba and Peru. He received his M.A. in International Higher Education from Lesley University in May 2016 and previously worked at the Global Education Opportunities (GEO) Center at the Colleges of the Fenway in Boston.
Key Roles
Advises students on a variety of global experiences in an assigned regional portfolio
Guides students through goal setting, program application, course selection and other steps on their the way to their global experience
Holds info sessions, pre-departure orientations, and Welcome Back events
Kristina joins GEO after serving as an advisor at the Office at Global Services at Northeastern. Prior to joining GEO, she advised primarily on post-graduate employment authorization for F-1 international students.
Kristina holds a B.A. from George Washington University in International Relations with a focus on Gender Studies and Anthropology. As an undergraduate student, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Amsterdam which is what initially sparked her interest in international education. Following the completion of her degree, she spent two years in Spain working as an English language assistant in bilingual schools in Andalucía and Madrid. While in Spain, she had the opportunity to travel throughout the country as well as many cities in Europe.
Following her time abroad, Kristina returned to the United States and completed a M.A. in International Higher Education and Intercultural Relations at Lesley University in nearby Cambridge. Kristina is passionate about facilitating international opportunities for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds and academic disciplines.
Key Roles
Advises students on a variety of global experiences in an assigned regional portfolio
Guides students through goal setting, program application, course selection and other steps on their the way to their global experience
Holds info sessions, pre-departure orientations, and Welcome Back events
Lauren joins the Global Experience Office at Northeastern from the Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange office at the University of Illinois, where she served as a coordinator and managed a portfolio of study abroad programs. As an undergraduate at Syracuse University, Lauren studied abroad in London, and returned to campus to serve as a global ambassador. Lauren continued her education at Syracuse University to receive a M.S. in Higher Postsecondary Education. While pursuing her master’s, Lauren worked at the International Student Services office at Syracuse University which further fueled her interest in international education.
Key Roles
Advises students on a variety of global experiences in an assigned regional portfolio
Guides students through goal setting, program application, course selection and other steps on their the way to their global experience
Holds info sessions, pre-departure orientations, and Welcome Back events
Primary liaison to GEO's student advisory council
Leads initiatives around mental health and well-being
Nora joins the Global Experience Office at Northeastern from the Education Abroad Office at Penn State University where she served as an Advisor and managed a portfolio of study abroad programs. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Connecticut where she studied abroad at the University of Wollongong in Australia and a M.A. in International Education from the School for International Training in Vermont where she participated on a field course in Barbados and Trinidad and interned at SIT Study Abroad. Nora’s international education experience includes teaching English in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, to international students in Boston, and traveling throughout Western Europe and the Americas. Nora’s study abroad experience inspired her to pursue international work, travel and further her education. She is passionate about connecting students to meaningful, life changing experiences and is excited to be part of the GEO team.
Key Roles
Advises students on a variety of global experiences in an assigned regional portfolio
Guides students through goal setting, program application, course selection and other steps on their the way to their global experience
Holds info sessions, pre-departure orientations, and Welcome Back events
Originally from Texas, Rachel began traveling at a young age and developed an enthusiasm for culture, people and languages. She studied International Studies at The Ohio State University, during which she attended four study abroad programs in her four-year degree, including an international co-op. Rachel then completed her Master's Degree with University College London, where she focused her dissertation on the impact of international education on students. Before joining Northeastern, she worked at Rice University as an International Advisor and Houston Baptist University as the Coordinator for International Student Services. Rachel loves how working for GEO combines her passions for students, cultures, education and travel.
Key Roles
Advises all incoming exchange students during their time at Northeastern
Manages the Incoming Exchange Program, including student applications, program logistics, orientation, cultural events and liaising with partner Universities abroad
Serves as GEO's main point of contact for TerraDotta and incoming international interns
Kerry graduated from Providence College with a B.S. in Global Studies and a double minor in Philosophy and Spanish. During her four-year experience at PC, Kerry was fortunate enough to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. While there, she immersed herself in the Spanish language and culture, participating in a homestay, internship, and various excursions throughout the country as well as Europe and Africa. After returning from her time abroad, Kerry served as the primary peer advisor to the Providence College Center for Global Education where she helped advise students on every part of their study abroad journey. Her experiences during her undergrad career have given Kerry a passion for helping students and have sparked a love of travel and global education that will last a lifetime.
Hillary Sabbagh joins GEO from Suffolk University, where she managed faculty-led programs, internships abroad, and advised for a cohort of study abroad students. Starting her career in international student advising, she has experience with immigration and advising for both inbound and outbound students and scholars. She has a BA in Spanish from Keene State College and an M.Ed in Educational Studies from Rivier University.
Hillary participated in language programs abroad in the Dominican Republic, Spain and Mexico. These programs were so impactful, she knew she wanted to devote her career to inspiring other students to have similar transformational experiences abroad. She is so excited to be a part of the GEO team and to work in creating meaningful, accessible programs for Northeastern students and faculty.
Key Roles
Develops and maintains GEO programs and partnerships in an assigned regional portfolio
Develops and cultivates strong sustainable relationships with university partners, program providers, and onsite vendors
Facilitates negotiations of partnership agreements and vendor contracts; develops program budgets
Conducts periodic evaluation of GEO partners and programs
Portfolio
Spain, Portugal, Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro
Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Maldives
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Pakistan
Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Molly joins GEO from Dominican University outside of Chicago, where she worked to create new global History and Honors curricula and taught in the Honors program. She has a B.A. in French Language and Literature from the University at Buffalo, and a Ph.D. in History from Rutgers University. Her work in global and interdisciplinary studies and curriculum innovation has taken her to diverse educational settings around the United States and the world.
After spending several transformative years studying and working in France and China, Molly is eager to use her intercultural knowledge, teaching, and research experience to help Northeastern faculty, staff, and students engage in meaningful global interactions. She is also committed to using global learning to foster inclusivity and democratize education.
Lane joins the GEO from Boston University School of Law, where she worked with international LL.M. students and managed their portfolio of study abroad programs. She has a B.A. from Colby College where she pursued a double major in Spanish and Music. During her undergraduate degree, Lane participated in study abroad programs to Salamanca, Spain and Kalimpong, India. Lane enjoyed her experience abroad so much that after graduating she returned to Spain to teach English in public secondary schools in Ciudad Real and Burgos through a program sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Education. She also has a M.Ed. in Educational Policy and Leadership studies from Boston University School of Education. Lane is passionate about international education and is thrilled to be a part of the GEO team, helping students to engage in meaningful study opportunities abroad.
Key Roles
Develops and maintains GEO programs and partnerships in an assigned regional portfolio
Develops and cultivates strong sustainable relationships with university partners, program providers, and onsite vendors
Facilitates negotiations of partnership agreements and vendor contracts; develops program budgets
Conducts periodic evaluation of GEO partners and programs
Meisha graduated from Northeastern University in 2012 with a B.S. in Political Science and minors in International Affairs and African American Studies. During her time at Northeastern, she participated in Dialogue of Civilizations to Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. After graduating, she returned as a teaching assistant for a Dialogue of Civilizations program to Grenada. She also has an M.S. in Global Studies and International Affairs from Northeastern. She enjoys traveling and learning about other cultures. She is also passionate about global education and loves working in an office that promotes valuable international experiences for students.
Key Roles
Develops and maintains GEO programs and partnerships in an assigned regional portfolio
Develops and cultivates strong sustainable relationships with university partners, program providers, and onsite vendors
Facilitates negotiations of partnership agreements and vendor contracts; develops program budgets
Facilitates negotiations of program contracts, budgets and agreements.
Conducts periodic evaluation of GEO partners and programs
Portfolio
China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan
Rosa graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a B.S in Business. Prior to working at GEO, she worked at the College of Computer and Information Science at Northeastern University. She is extremely passionate about international education and helping students receive international experiences. She has a love of travel and speaks Farsi and Turkish (Azari).
Key Roles
Develops and maintains GEO programs and partnerships in an assigned regional portfolio
Develops and cultivates strong sustainable relationships with university partners, program providers, and onsite vendors
Facilitates negotiations of partnership agreements and vendor contracts; develops program budgets
Conducts periodic evaluation of GEO partners and programs
Portfolio
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanatu, French Poylnesia, Tongo, New Caledonia, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Nauru, Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, American Samoa
India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Brunei, Timor-Leste
Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, Romania, Slovak Republic (Slovakia), Ukraine, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Russia, Poland
Bryan holds an Ed.D. and a M.Ed in higher education, both from Harvard University. Previously, he served as Associate Director of the Office of Global Affairs at Brandeis University. As a scholar of higher education, Bryan focuses on the history and internationalization of curricula and the rise of the modern research university. He is a New Civics Early Career Scholar at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a Sustainable Development Fellow with GVI: Global Vision International. A former Research & Scholarship Network Leader with NAFSA, Bryan is currently TLS Knowledge Community Coordinator, Content Team, 2020 and 2021 Annual Conference Committee, for NAFSA, and the co-editor of NAFSA’s Global Studies Literature Review
Key Roles
Builds and maintains an extensive familiarity with the Northeastern University curricula and GEOs partners curricula through research and communications with departments and colleges
Maintains and grows a comprehensive database of GEO partner unique strengths and available subject areas to inform Northeastern departments and administrators
Identifies gaps in Northeastern curricula and areas for enhancement
Creates and maintains a repository of best practices and creative solutions to curricular integration, and develops a system of sharing the best practices across the University
Acts as GEOs liaison to the academic departments and Colleges; helps develop advising tools integrating global experiences into degree progression, and ensures that GEO materials and advising practices accurately reflect curricular requirements and college policies
Kelly graduated in 2018 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Global Studies and Economics and minor in Asian Studies. Since graduation, she has worked at UNC-Chapel Hill in the Dean’s Office at the Gillings School of Global Public Health and most recently spent a semester working as a Program Assistant for the Honors Carolina study abroad program in London. Kelly has a passion for travel and experiencing other cultures. She is excited to be working with the GEO team at Northeastern and hopes to share her love of international education in order to help facilitate meaningful educational experiences for students abroad.
Haley graduated from Elon University in North Carolina with a B.A. in Arts Administration and Music and minors in Business Administration and Jazz Studies. During her time at Elon, she spent a semester studying at the Accademia Europea di Firenze in Florence, Italy. After her return, Haley served as both a Global Ambassador to the Global Education Center and the Tour Coordinator with the Elon Music Ambassadors. Haley loves travel, music, history, and sitting on the beach.
Ilia Xheblati brings a passion for digital technology and a curiosity for new, unimagined heights to the Global Experience Office. Ilia is a forward-looking advocate for emerging technologies who harnesses his inherent passion and curiosity to improve the business landscape, increase access to services, and enhance the overall end-user experience. As a Systems Analyst, his initiatives have improved the quality of student resources.
Ilia holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and holds Project Management Professional certificate from the Project Management Institute. He plans to merge the skills he’ll gain in the D’Amore-McKim School of Business’s MBA program with his ever-improving technological acumen, resulting in more opportunities to innovate across platforms and institutions in the future.
Sam graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Hispanic Studies and Theatre & Dance Studies. Drawn to working with students, Sam leveraged his experience with non-native English speakers and applied it to teaching at a state university (Uemasul) in Brazil as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant. There, Sam utilized his background in theater to redesign syllabi for various English courses, culminating in a public performance in English made by and for the students. More recently, Sam has been teaching creative theatre as an Educational Artist at Kid stock! Creative Theatre in Winchester, MA. Sam is interested in supporting international education opportunities and eager to bring his enthusiasm to this position in GEO.
Key Roles
Assist student with questions and technical issues related to study abroad courses
Process and update courses in the transfer credit system (TRS)
Reconcile and process transcripts from all study abroad programs
Enroll and withdraw students in study abroad courses
Jenny graduated in 2013 with a BS in Communication Studies from Emerson College. She then served two years in AmeriCorp’s Massachusetts Promise Fellowship as a Leadership & Civic Engagement Fellow and an Associate Enrichment Coordinator. In her second year of the Fellowship, Jenny took on the role of Public Relations Senior Fellow and managed the programs social media and marketing presence. During this time she completed the Non-Profit Leadership Institute program, designed for Fellows at Northeastern! She was then hired by her host site, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, to serve as the Student Life Specialist, charged with planning all events and managing communications for the Upper School and Collegiate Institute. Working in a Communications role for a student serving/educational organization has always been her goal - so she is excited to be serving in this capacity at GEO!