Heidi Dysinger Budget and Financial Assistant Biography: Heidi began her employment at Michigan State University in 2010 in the Department of Geological Sciences. She received strong training and mentoring that led her to a two-level promotion and increased responsibility.
Heidi joined the Office of Study Abroad team in 2016 as an assistant in the Business Office. She works with program coordinators to process payments for education abroad programs, and assists faculty directors with the preparation and processing of their travel authorizations and advances. Heidi then works with them when they return from abroad to reconcile their expenses.
Natalie Kohler Program Coordinator Biography: Natalie Kohler coordinates education abroad programs for the College of Business, James Madison College, and the College of Law.
Natalie is from Columbus, Ohio and attended The Ohio State University earning her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus in Security Studies, Foreign Policy, and International Relations. She participated in short-term study abroad programs in China and Egypt before spending a full term in Brazil. Living with a host family and learning Portuguese in Brazil offered the opportunity to embrace a new culture and way of life. Through these experiences, Natalie developed a love and respect for international education and travel.
After graduation, Natalie served as a Study Abroad Coordinator at Ohio State before moving to Chicago in 2010. She completed a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration & Policy at Northwestern University in 2013 where she continued her work in education abroad before joining Michigan State University in May of 2016.
Natalie believes that the best ways to engage with a new culture are through food, music, and making mistakes in a foreign language. She views education abroad as a profound opportunity for students to develop empathy, self-reliance, and problem solving skills while experiencing personal growth. She is dedicated to helping students achieve these outcomes and have a positive impact in the global community.
Sherry Martinez-Bonilla HR/Office Manager Biography: Hired at MSU in 1996, Sherry Martinez-Bonilla has progressed from an entry-level clerical position to professional management, responsible for all aspects of the main office operations. Sherry assists with scheduling office meetings, retreats and on-going professional development activities for the office, and coordinates planning and hosting OSA visitors and delegations. She facilitates purchase requests and is the go-to person for matters related to maintenance, telecommunication and recycling. She also assists with coursework and transcript processing, and contract processing.
As part of her management role, Sherry serves as the primary liaison to HR and ISP for personnel issues, supervise the federal work/study student staff and support OSA leadership on personnel matters. She assists with staff searches and provides general on-boarding support of all new hires.
Sherry also assists with the smooth and efficient operation of the Freshman Seminars, including processing applications, responding to students and parents, and scheduling on-campus logistics.
Kelsey Pink Budget and Financial Accountant Biography: Kelsey Pink, Office of Study Abroad Budget and Financial Accountant, is responsible for overseeing the development, approval, and implementation of all faculty-related program budgets, including the preparation of travel advances and the reconciliation of programs upon return. Kelsey maintains reports regarding financial activities associated with education abroad programming and works closely with a team of program coordinators to develop, implement, and streamline processes and procedures related to program budgeting.
Originally from Troy, Michigan, Kelsey graduated from Michigan State University with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting. After spending a few years in public accounting serving as a tax accountant at Plante & Moran, PLLC, she came back home to her alma mater and joined the Office of Study Abroad in November 2016.
Biography: Lauren Russell provides clerical and student application support for the colleges of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arts and Letters, Engineering, and Music. She is responsible for stewarding student applications through the entire process, from initial application through to return from abroad. Lauren also works to process course approval forms and transcripts for partner programs.
Lauren is a graduate from Michigan State University with Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and World Politics. As an undergraduate, Lauren studied at La Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador for a semester.
Nick Schrader Program Coordinator, American Semester Program Biography: Nick Schrader, Program Coordinator for The American Semester Program (ASP), is responsible for inbound, non-degree seeking study programs, student advising, program development and international student recruitment. Nick maintains communication with external and international partners while also coordinating socio-cultural programs for ASP and exchange students.
Originally from Sturgis, Michigan, Nick is a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and Global & International Studies. During his time as an undergraduate, Nick participated in a semester-long study abroad program at the Universidad de Burgos in Burgos, Spain and a summer program at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso in Valparaíso, Chile.
At MSU, Nick gained on-site experience in Japan, supporting a Freshman Seminar Abroad (FSA) program. This experience helped him in coordinating and leading FSA programs to both Iceland and New Zealand. Prior to his transition to ASP, Nick maintained a program portfolio for the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain.
Biography: Jean-Paul Sewavi came to MSU from the University of Dayton where he worked as the Programs Manager for Education Abroad for several years. Prior to joining the University of Dayton, he served as a study abroad advisor at the State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY –New Paltz) for over four years where he developed expertise in planning and managing study abroad and exchange programs. Jean-Paul’s primary responsibility at MSU is the administration of education abroad programs offered through the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as serving as liaison with the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement and initiatives related to community engagement abroad.
With over 14 years of experience in education abroad program management, Jean-Paul brings invaluable experience and expertise in managing faculty-directed study abroad and global service-learning programs. Jean-Paul holds a Master’s degree in Multicultural and International Management from the School for International Training and he has extensive experience working and living in Africa.
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First-year (Freshman) Seminars Abroad
