About Us

Increasingly international education leaders – in both large and small institutions – are realizing the importance of developing marketing and communications strategies to better engage and influence internal and external stakeholders. This has led to a substantial increase in the number of marketing and communications professionals supporting education abroad offices, marketing to international students, promoting their institution’s global reach, and managing communication channels that are multiplying globally.

The mission of the Marketing and Communications in International Education MIG is to:
  • Share knowledge, discuss and explore marketing and communication topics in international education to support NAFSA’s mission of advancing international education and exchange and global workforce development
  • Provide a platform and forum where professionals can share and access resources, best practices and case studies in marketing and communication to advance NAFSA’s mission of establishing principles of good practice, providing networking opportunities and advocating for international education
  • Develop national benchmarking so that schools can learn how to develop effective marketing and communications strategies and workflows
  • Provide assistance to marketing and communications professionals who are new to the field of international education

The M&C MIG was founded in April 2015 by Janka Pieper (Northwestern University) and Derrick Meads (University of Kentucky). NAFSA's M&C MIG Community Platform can be found here.

Meet the Leadership Team

Sophie Kells, Co-Chair
Communications Officer
Maastricht University
Samantha Nissen, Communications Manager
External Programs Coordinator
Northwestern University
Ben McKelfresh, 
Co-Chair
Marketing and Program Coordinator
Iowa State University
Anna Morris, Co-Chair
Account Manager
GoOverseas.com
Janka Pieper, Co-Chair
Director of Communications
Northwestern University

NAFSA Regional Representatives

Region II
Nikki Powers
Vice President of Communications
GoAbroad.com
Region V
Janka Pieper
Assistant Director of Communications
Northwestern University
Region VII
Megan Winzeler
Communications Specialist
NC State University
Region X
Penny Schouten
International Recruitment Manager
Bard College
Region XII
Emily Kirsch
International Marketing & Recruitment Coordinator
Humboldt State University
Anna Morris
Partner Success Director
GoOverseas.com

Past Co-Chairs

"Co-chairing the M&C MIG was a wonderful way to build community around the common interest of marketing and communication. This is an important area of focus for international education and I have no doubt this MIG will continue to grow. My favorite part of being involved in the MIG was working with my amazing co-chairs.”

Nikki Powers, Chief Commercial Officer, GoAbroad.com
"Marketing & Communications are most often only a piece of an international educator's busy workload.  The M&C MIG is a much needed resource and sounding board for professionals who have to figure out how to make the best use of their busy schedules while having the biggest impact!  Meeting like-minded professionals and sharing resources has been a huge benefit of being involved with this unique and timely MIG.” 

Emily Kirsch, International Marketing & Recruitment Coordinator, Humboldt State University