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Co-Chairs

Austen Carpenter

Boston College Office of Global Education

Austen (she/her) is a Program Manager at the Boston College Office of Global Education, working with outbound students studying abroad in Great Britain and Northern Europe. In addition to advising, she works on a number of additional projects including university outreach, developing programming, and resources for pre-departure. Austen developed an interest in the field of education abroad during her study abroad experiences in Dublin, Ireland and in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. Prior to her current role, she worked at Boston College as a Graduate Advising Assistant and the University of Vermont as a Communications Intern in the Office of International Education. Austen holds a B.A in Political Science, History, and Classics from the University of Vermont and a M.A in International Higher Education from Boston College. In her free time, she can be found reading, running, cheering for Newcastle United, or exploring Boston.

Brian Sheffer

Northeastern University Global Experience Office

Brian holds a Bachelor’s degree from Sarah Lawrence Colleges and a Master’s from the School for International Training in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management. He spent a semester abroad in Cape Town, South Africa before serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras in public health. These experiences and his subsequent time at SIT were the catalyst to entering the field of Study Abroad. His current role as an Associate Director, Faculty-Led Programs at Northeastern University provides him the opportunity to work with both faculty and students to design and implement transformational global experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students. 

Brian was born in Massachusetts and considers himself a true New Englander with his passion for everything outdoors and his love of adventure. When not working, you can find him running, hiking, skiing, or riding his bike. 

Past Co-Chairs

  • 2024-2026
    • Samantha Lee, Office of Global Education at Boston College
    • Alicia Vinal, WorldStrides Higher Education
  • 2024
    • Peter McGovern, EdOdyssey
  • 2022-2023
    • Hillary Sabbagh, Office of International Programs at Stonehill College
    • Ash Trebisacci, Office of Study Abroad at Brandeis University
  • 2020-2021
    • Lea Girasole, EUSA Academic Internship Experts
    • Alyssa MacNiell, CAPA The Global Education Network 
    • Grace Twardy, Boston University Study Abroad
  • 2017-2019
    • Ilse Damkoehler, Boston University Study Abroad
    • Alisia Engle, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
    • Mary Struzska-Tyamayev, Simmons University
  • 2015-2017
    • Jessica Walsh, Boston University Study Abroad
    • Samantha LaCroix, EUSA Academic Internship Experts
  • 2013-2015
    • Michael Lucerto, EUSA Academic Internship Experts
    • John Crisafulli, Babson College