Each Gateway Gathering is made possible through the generous support of leading international education organizations. Our sponsors want to contribute to thought leadership, connect with targeted international education professionals, and encourage professional networking around a central theme or topic. Gateway Gatherings are designed in close collaboration with our sponsors.
Gateway International Group proudly allocates 3% of all revenue to support international learning and engagement. We have designated the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) as a recipient of these funds. FEA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented in U.S. education abroad.
Gateway International Group is a proud bronze sponsor and contributor to the 2025 Rainbow SIG.
The Rainbow Scholarship is awarded to deserving applicants who self-identify within the community. The Rainbow SIG has partnered with Fund for Education Abroad to create an endowment for the Rainbow Scholarship fund, which provides funding specifically for LGBTQIA+ students. All U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. institution of higher education and looking to study abroad are eligible to apply.
Dr. Anthony C. Ogden is a distinguished leader in the field of international higher education and the Founder and Managing Director of Gateway International Group. With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as an influential figure in the industry, specializing in education abroad, comprehensive internationalization, and global engagement.
Prior to founding Gateway International Group, Dr. Ogden made significant contributions to renowned institutions such as Pennsylvania State University, the University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, and the University of Wyoming. Across thee role, he has led offices related to international students and scholars, education abroad, global studies, and English language programs.
Dr. Ogden is a prolific author and scholar, having published numerous scholarly articles and co-edited several books on international higher education. His works cover topics such as scholar-practitioners, integrating education abroad into curricula, and comprehensive research on international education. He serves as an external reviewer for esteemed journals in the field.
An active member of professional organizations like NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Association of International Education Administrators, Dr. Ogden has also served on international boards focused on advancing higher education. He has taught at institutions including Pennsylvania State University, the University of Kentucky, and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
Drawing from his extensive international experience, Dr. Ogden has conducted program evaluations in over 25 countries, collaborating with organizations and agencies worldwide. He is highly sought after as a speaker, delivering seminars and workshops on international higher education globally.
As the Founder and Managing Director of Gateway International Group, Dr. Ogden continues to shape the field. His consultancy firm offers comprehensive services to institutions aiming to enhance their global engagement strategies, education abroad programs, and international partnerships. Driven by his passion for promoting intercultural understanding and global citizenship, Dr. Ogden remains dedicated to advancing international higher education and empowering institutions in navigating the complexities of an interconnected world.
Terence W. Miller has worked in senior international education positions for 24 years at Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Ramapo College of New Jersey. In those positions he oversaw recruitment, admission and immigration advising for undergraduate and graduate students; English as a Second Language Program; Education Abroad; Curricular and co-curricular programming; as well as strategic international partnerships. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Manhattan College, Bronx, New York and received his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University, Queens, New York.
He was a criminal defense attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y.; a human rights attorney in Chile during the dictatorship; and director of an international public policy office in Washington, D.C. He was the Legal Advisor and ex officio Board of Director member for the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) for eight (8) years. He is the recipient of the Timothy J. Rutenber Award from AIEA in 2017 and the Dorothy von Briesen World Citizen Award from International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2013. He co-authored with Rajika Bhandari “Harnessing Data to Lead Internationalization” a chapter in Leading Internationalization: A Handbook for International Education Leaders (Stylus Publications, 2018). He has presented at AIEA, Nafsa, FORUM, APAIE and EAIE conferences on an array of issues impacting the field of international education including strategic partnerships, risk management, international regulatory compliance in global operations, intercultural competence, and comprehensive internationalization.
Elizabeth Leibach has an extensive and diverse background in international admissions/recruitment, student/faculty advising, employment-based/student immigration services, and student success/development, retention and programming. Her career trajectory and path includes experiences and positions within large state, public and private institutions and an immigration legal practice. In her local community she served as the chair of the subcommittee on education, advocacy and communications for the Mayor’s International Affairs Advisory Commission in Lexington. Elizabeth has been a member of the NAFSA’s Trainer Corp since 2011 and has previously served on NAFSA’s Region VI team. At the national level she served on the ISS-RP Travel Subcommittee and as a NAFSA Whip representing Kentucky and Pennsylvania on the grassroots team. She was the first Whip to get a state resolution on international education passed in Pennsylvania, and she considers herself to be a passionate advocate for international education. Elizabeth is currently pursuing doctoral coursework in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation with a focus on international comparative education at the University of Kentucky. She recently presented a paper at the Comparative International Education Society’s (CIES) annual conference in April 2021. Elizabeth is a Fulbright grantee (2014) and currently serves as the director of the international student and scholar services at the University of Kentucky. She has been with UKY since June 2012.
David Clubb is a global leader, educator, entrepreneur, change agent, consultant, project manager, and program developer with nearly 30 years of transformative leadership experience, raising standards and realizing sustainable results around the world in places like Belize, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, India, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, and Switzerland.
He has been a visionary leader in global engagement and international education, working across all domains of international education – education abroad; Intensive English Programs (IEP); international student recruitment, admission, and retention; international student and scholar services; international partnerships; global/intercultural competency; and internationalization of the curriculum and co-curriculum – to develop and implement strategic initiatives that are data-informed, results-oriented, and aligned with best practices. He has served as a faculty member and in senior administrative positions at several institutions of higher education, including Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Colorado, and Norwich University (America’s oldest private military college). Most recently, David was a faculty member at Virginia Tech where he served as the Director of the Cranwell International Center, leading a wide range of strategic initiatives designed to position the university as more globally oriented and internationally connected.
In spring 2023, David transitioned into the private sector as the inaugural Executive Director of The Cranwell Foundation, a family philanthropy based in Blacksburg, Virginia, whose philanthropic priorities are locally grounded and globally minded, aligning well with the work David has done throughout his career in the broad area of global engagement, with a particular focus on connecting diverse people and organizations who work across languages, cultures, and borders to solve shared global challenges.
David earned a Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies. He also completed the MBA Essentials (MBAe) certificate program in the Center for Executive Education at the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. David is also a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy (Pittsburgh Field Office). He is a licensed Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and the Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory (ICS), and also administers the Global Competence Aptitude Assessment (GCAA).
Dr. Ling Zhang is an experienced higher education professional with a strong background in international recruitment, admissions, regulatory compliance, and student services. With over a decade of experience working across various institutional settings, Dr. Ling Zhang brings strategic insight and practical expertise to support institutions in enhancing their global outreach, improving student experiences, and achieving enrollment goals.
Dr. Ling Zhang serves as the Committee Chair of International Recruitment and Marketing for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and also serves on the Board of Directors of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC).
Marty Bennett is an award-winning international educator with a career spanning 30+ years. Marty has directed international admissions efforts at five different United States and England institutions, and traveled to recruit prospective students and their parents in 80 countries. Additionally, his significant time with EducationUSA, the British Council, and CollegeWeekLive provides a unique blend of experience with the complex world of international student mobility.
Steven Boyd earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Bridgeport.
After living in Latin America for 20 years, where he was employed as a teacher, translator, simultaneous interpreter and conference organizer, Mr. Boyd entered the field of higher education as an International Admissions Counselor at the University of Bridgeport. While there he worked in both domestic and international admissions as Director of Graduate Admissions, Assistant Director of the English Language Institute, and Director of International Admissions. Most recently, he worked at the University of New Haven as Executive Director of Graduate and International Admissions, overseeing all aspects of domestic graduate and international admissions. His leadership was key in preserving both institutions as leaders in international enrollment.
Mr. Boyd’s expertise lies in strategic international recruitment and market development, including the execution of armchair and in-country recruitment initiatives. He is highly skilled in the implementation of successful agent networks based on responsible ethical and professional practices, as well as the implementation of university-to-university partnerships. His university travels have taken him to 60 countries.
Mr. Boyd is Past President of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) and was a member of the AIRC Board of Directors from 2017-2020. Steve has been an active member of several organizations in the field of international education including NAFSA, AIEA, and EAIE.
He is a frequent presenter on strategic international recruitment and market development in India, China, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, and Asia at conferences organized by NAFSA, IIE, NACUBO, AIRC, IC3, EducationUSA Forum, ICEF, and others.
Gateway Service Areas:
– International student recruitment
– Agent network management
– International partnerships
– International admissions
Dr. Heidi Soneson has been professionally active in international education since 1983. She has held positions as Executive Director of Office of International Education and Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Education at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and Program Director in the Learning Abroad Center at the University of Minnesota, among other positions. In her university positions, she has been responsible for institution-wide international education initiatives, international student services, and education abroad programming. Soneson has served as chair of the NAFSA Education Abroad Regulatory Committee as well as the NAFSA Education Abroad Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee and member of The Forum on Education Abroad Council. Soneson has published and presented on a variety of study abroad topics, including study abroad for students with disabilities, visa regulations for US students, ethical visa advising guidelines, GLBT concerns, study abroad in non-traditional locations, and strategies for raising the visibility of study abroad offices on U.S. campuses. Soneson has been responsible for education abroad programs and partnerships in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, New Zealand, and Scandinavia.
Dr. Heidi Soneson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Comparative Literature from Clark University, a Master’s degree in German Literature from the University of Indiana-Bloomington, and a PhD from the University of Minnesota in German Literature with a focus on travel literature to non-traditional locations.
Martin Tillman is a nationally recognized expert, author and thought leader. As President of Global Career Compass, an international consulting practice, his work focuses on the impact of education abroad on student career development and employability. Formerly, he was Associate Director of Career Services (ret.) at the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. In his distinguished career, he has held senior leadership positions with pioneering international education programs.
Among his many publications, in 2020, he co-authored , “Employability: How education abroad impacts the transition to graduate employment,” in the Routledge book, Education Abroad: Bridging Scholarship and Practice. Marty’s blog, Global Career Compass, https://globalcareercompass.wordpress.com/about/, is widely read.
Martin has consulted widely for leading international education organizations and colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. In Tbilisi, Georgia and Harare, Zimbabwe, Marty served as a speaker specialist for the U.S. State Department Bureau of International Information Programs. He received a Fulbright award to Japan. The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership named him a Distinguished Fellow, and he was cited as a pedagogical pioneer in the field of cross-cultural education and service-learning in Service-Learning: A Movement’s Pioneers Reflect on Its Origins, Practice and Future.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook; M.A. from Colgate University in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education and an M.A. in Intercultural Management from the World Learning SIT Graduate Institute.
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.
Academic leader with extensive experience in best practices for comprehensive internationalization of higher education, including student and scholar mobility, partnerships, linkages, curriculum integration, assessment, and faculty engagement. Founding Chair of Bellarmine University’s Foreign Languages and International Studies Department, developed, implemented, and chaired Bellarmine’s Foreign Languages & International Studies Baccalaureate Degree and Minor in International Studies from 1995-2008. Founding Director of Bellarmine’s International Programs Office 1995-2020. As tenured Full Professor and SIO responsible for funding, international strategy and operations across all BU colleges, creating and managing 40+ active bilateral exchange partnerships for long term student and faculty exchanges, and 15+ annual faculty led short-term programs in Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and Latin America for study, internships, clinicals, student teaching, and service learning. Secured external funding for and guided the 5-year Internationalization QEP from 2008-2013 for the University’s SACS reaccreditation. Co-developer of an asynchronous on-line Intervention Pedagogy for students on long-term study abroad, with pre, during, and post programming with outcomes assessment. Recipient of numerous regional and national grants and awards. Research, publications and presentations focus on intercultural education, intervention theory, assessment, curriculum development and foreign language acquisition. Regular presenter at AAC&U, AIEA, NAFSA, EAIE, FORUM, ISEP, CIEE, IIE et al. Served or serving on the boards of AATG, AIEA, ISEP, CCSA, KIIS, CC-CS, Via Lingua, the KY Department of Education Standards Board, Asia Institute, Louisville Mayor’s International Advisory Council for three administrations, and numerous internal BU committees.
John Haupt is a seasoned international educator with more than 15 years of experience in the field. Before joining Gateway, he held a variety of roles in international education at institutions including Ohio University, the University of Kentucky, Rice University, Michigan State University, and the University of Arizona. In addition to his professional experience, John has conducted and published research on topics such as education abroad, transnational higher education, and international research collaboration.
He holds an M.A. in Linguistics from Ohio University, an M.A. in Diplomacy and International Commerce from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Arizona.
Whitney Longnecker is an international educator with nearly 15 years of experience in education abroad. Her expertise includes program development, program leader training, and traveler health and safety. Whitney enjoys giving back to the field by volunteering with NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad. Whitney holds a B.A. from Central College and an M.A. in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute. When not dreaming about traveling, Whitney enjoys cycling and trying new restaurants.
Jesús Rosario is a Strategic Partnerships Executive at Coursera. He works closely on projects aimed at helping promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and support alternative admission pathways for disadvantaged students. His work incorporates pursuing new partnerships, strategic business development, and designing solutions to support universities in online learning, student recruitment and retention, micro-credentialing, and internationalization.
Before his role at Coursera, Jesús served as a Regional Director at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, the QS World University Rankings publisher in London. He supported university leadership globally in understanding the methodology of international rankings and devising data-driven institutional development strategies. He also worked as a consultant supporting universities to increase international student recruitment and improve their branding among academic peers, students, and employers.
A seasoned leader in education abroad, Dr. Custodi specializes in evaluation and assessment, teaching and learning, curriculum and program development, faculty training and development, international institutional partnerships, and career integration initiatives. She has served in senior leadership roles at well-respected program providers throughout her 20+ years in education abroad, with a long track record of thought leadership in the field through presentations, publications, and colloquia, serving as Chair and member of numerous committees–currently the CIGL Conference Committee–and developing and launching collaborative bodies such as, most recently, the Forum’s Academic Leadership Community of Practice.
Gateway Service Areas:
School of Record
GlobalScope 360° – Education Abroad & Exchanges
Huajing Maske is an accomplished leader with over 20 year’s experience in international education. She excels in facilitating global partnerships, faculty and student mobility, international recruitment, and comprehensive internationalization.
Huajing received her DPhil (PhD) in Art History from Oxford University, England, her MA in International Cultural Exchange from Peking University, and her BA in English from Beijing’s University of International Relations.
Gateway Service Area:
International Regulatory Compliance
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.
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.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
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
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.
