Making Your Traveler Management Software Work for You

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Making Your Traveler Management Software Work for You
Beer_Andie (1)

When I first started working at my new university, they had just made the switch from paper application files to traveler management software (TMS). Since that time (2 years ago), we have switched again. Personally, I hate technology, yet like most people in the modern day, I am tied to it. It is impossible to live your life, let alone do your job, without the newest tech. Education abroad is no different. So this summer, while you are shopping for your new TMS, here is my advice as someone who lived through two technology transitions: 


1. Learn from your friends. Benchmark. 
The biggest issue with all TMS systems is that while the systems have functionality, we as users do not necessarily have the knowledge or the experience to use the system for ALL the functions offered. Not to mention there seems to be no similarity between how my university uses a TMS and all other education abroad offices in the country.  

When I made the switch, I did not just take the word of the TMS salespeople. Talking with other universities and getting their authentic reviews helped make that decision. Even more, it helped me figure out what we were doing right and see opportunities for improvement. Find your friends who will talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly.

2. Get to know your university’s IT team. 
I cannot speak tech; it has never been a strong suit. I found through these two TMS transitions that the more I know my IT team, the better off I am working with the TMS. Some universities are blessed to have a dedicated IT person to manage their software. If that is not you, find your IT champion. Now when something goes wrong, I can have my IT champion speak directly to my TMS. It saves me time…and it saves everyone the confusion of listening to me trying to explain the issue with my limited tech-talk! 

3. Utilize your software for all its functionality. 
We have spent too long at my university only using the TMS for application materials. Now, I use my TMS for every step of the pipeline. I spent a lot of time when I first got started learning how to use every aspect of my software system.  I use it to create email campaigns, collect student information at every event, and for reporting. I use my TMS to help me with data informed decision making. I can track attendance, email open rates, enrollment vs. withdrawal, and pull detailed reports on all of these. Keeping it all in one place allows you to look at how a student makes their way from email to event to application to abroad.  

In a lot of ways education abroad travel software is still new. However, the software is getting smarter and the functionality is getting better. Do your research, put in the work at the front end, and do not be afraid to switch it up if your TMS is no longer serving the needs of your university. 

About the author: Andie serves as the Associate Director of Learning Abroad at the University of Houston (UH). In addition to overseeing the office’s strategic goals and planning, she also oversees faculty-led programs and risk and safety management. She has an M.Ed. in Student Development and Leadership, where she focused her studies on education abroad curriculum and development. She is currently finishing up her PhD at UH in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies with a focus on International Education.

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Episode 29: Cultural Lens on U.S. Higher Education: Analyzing International Perceptions of 'Anti-Woke’ Discourse

Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.

Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.

Speaker Biography:

Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.

Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.

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Mark Beirn

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An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.

Specialization Areas:

– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development

 

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Stephen Appiah-Padi​

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Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.

Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.

At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.

Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.

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Rosa Almoguera

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Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.

Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.

Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.

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