International Education Week: November 18-22, 2024 International Education Week (IEW), is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences. Agenda Featured Speakers Find Out More The agenda for the week is below. There are a variety of international and local events being held throughout the week.Monday, November 18, 2024Global Impact Local Outcomes: Higher Education’s Role in Supporting the United Nations SustainableDevelopment GoalsVirtual - RSVP Here11:00 AM to 11:45 AMInternational TriviaVirtual - RSVP Here12:00 PM to 1:00 PMTuesday, November 19, 2024CCID at CSN: The State of International Education at Community CollegesVirtual - RSVP Here11:00 AM to 11:45 AMEducation Abroad 101Student Union Room 123West Charleston Campus12:00 PM to 1:00 PMLife after Studying Abroad: Student and Faculty PanelStudent Union Room 130West Charleston Campus2:00 PM to 3:00 PMWednesday, November 20, 2024Careers with the Department of StateStudent Union Room 130North Las Vegas Campus11:00 AM to 12:00PMTwo Countries / Two Continents What they Share & What Sets them ApartMulticultural CenterWest Charleston Campus12:30 PM to 2:30 PMCultivating Global Connections: Entrepreneurship, Partnerships, and Future GrowthStudent Union Room 126 & 128North Las Vegas Campus1:30 PM to 3:00 PMThursday, November 21, 2024A Celebration of International PartnershipsJune Whitley LoungeNorth Las Vegas Campus12:00 PM to 2:00 PMFriday, November 22, 2024Priority Deadline for Spring & Summer 2025 CSN International Experiences Brian Akins, Director of Student Life and Leadership DevelopmentBrian Akins serves as the Director of Student Life and Leadership Development at College of Southern Nevada. He earned his undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Arizona. It is at University of Arizona that his affinity for the co-curricular experience was birthed. While excelling in the classroom, he held student leadership positions in student government, residence life, campus recreation, and multicultural affairs. Soon afterwards he attained his master’s degree in higher education administration that helped propel and prepare him for this rewarding career choice. His professional journey has taken him to institutions such as University of Michigan, University of South Florida Saint Petersburg, Texas Southern University, and now College of Southern Nevada. At each institution he has worked for, he has been recognized for my outstanding commitment to diversity, multiculturalism, advising excellence, and being a champion of the overall co-curricular experience. He admittedly excels in programming, advising student organizations, judicial affairs, supervision, leadership development, living and learning, and connecting students to the institution. He is thrilled to champion a vibrant student life and empowering the next generation of student leaders who have chosen College of Southern Nevada to further their education.Eric Garner, Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship DevelopmentEric Garner is the director of small business and entrepreneurship development at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN). In this role, he oversees all auxiliary programs related to small business development and entrepreneurship at CSN, including but not limited to, NV Grow, Blackstone Launchpad, Project SANDI, and Clark County TEAP. Reporting to the North Las Vegas Campus Vice President, and officed at the North Las Vegas Campus, Mr. Garner has over 24 years of higher education experience – serving three years at the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents office as an undergraduate student; alumni and scholarship coordinator for the CSN Foundation; and in various management roles at CSN over the years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His strong passion for education and entrepreneurship led him to start his own small business in 2020 and to begin working part-time as director of digital strategy for NV Grow that same year. In his free time, he enjoys being with family, traveling, and strength training. Francisco J. Marmolejo, Higher Education President of the Qatar FoundationFrancisco is the President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation (QF), overseeing eight universities at Education City in Doha. He joined QF in February of 2020 as an Education Advisor. From 2012 and 2020, he worked at the World Bank, leading higher education projects globally and in South Asia. Before that, he was the founding Executive Director of the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration at the University of Arizona and held various roles in higher education. He has extensive international experience, having worked in over 90 countries.Karen McBride, Executive Director Community Colleges for International DevelopmentKaren is a career international higher education professional with 20 years of experience and is the current Executive Director of Community Colleges for International Development. She studied abroad in Costa Rica and Scotland, interned abroad in Ireland, was an international graduate student in the United Kingdom and is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Antigua, West Indies). She earned her doctorate in Educational Policy and Administration for International Educators at the University of Minnesota and was a Fulbright Specialist in Thailand. She is also the Past Chair of NAFSA’s Education Abroad Knowledge Community and co-editor of Sustainable Education Abroad: Striving for Change. Raven McKenzie, Assistant Director of International ProgramsRaven McKenzie is the Assistant Director for International Programs at the College of Southern Nevada. She has extensive experience in international programs, from internationalizing the curriculum to the creation of international research and internship programs and the development of study abroad opportunities in partnership with faculty and program providers. Raven earned her Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and East Asian Studies from Rutgers University.Dr. Richard Kravchak, Dean of the School of Arts and LettersDr. Kravchak is an award-winning scholar and student-focused administrator with decades of experience serving students. His roles in education have spanned from K-12 teaching through leadership in higher education institutions, establishing a record of improving student success rates, boosting enrollments, and mentoring faculty. In addition to his work in higher education, Dr. Kravchak continues to be an internationally recognized oboe performer and pedagogue. Originally from New Jersey, he was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He has held academic and administrative appointments at Luther College, Moorpark College, the Los Angeles Unified School District, California State University Dominguez Hills, Marshall University and the University of Southern Mississippi. He has also shared the stage with some of the greatest musical artists of our time as well as appearing as an oboe soloist in Europe, Asia, and throughout the Americas, with over 100 musical compositions created specifically for him. More important to him than his career as a performer, Dr. Kravchak has had the privilege of participating in the education of thousands of students from kindergarten through the doctoral level, many of whom have their own stories of success — including professorships, success in business and the arts, K-12 teaching positions, and the personal and professional enrichment gained through the transformational magic of a college education. Dr. Kravchak holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, the Juilliard School, and Florida State University. For more information on nationwide events happening during IEW, visit https://iew.state.gov/. Agenda The agenda for the week is below. There are a variety of international and local events being held throughout the week.Monday, November 18, 2024Global Impact Local Outcomes: Higher Education’s Role in Supporting the United Nations SustainableDevelopment GoalsVirtual - RSVP Here11:00 AM to 11:45 AMInternational TriviaVirtual - RSVP Here12:00 PM to 1:00 PMTuesday, November 19, 2024CCID at CSN: The State of International Education at Community CollegesVirtual - RSVP Here11:00 AM to 11:45 AMEducation Abroad 101Student Union Room 123West Charleston Campus12:00 PM to 1:00 PMLife after Studying Abroad: Student and Faculty PanelStudent Union Room 130West Charleston Campus2:00 PM to 3:00 PMWednesday, November 20, 2024Careers with the Department of StateStudent Union Room 130North Las Vegas Campus11:00 AM to 12:00PMTwo Countries / Two Continents What they Share & What Sets them ApartMulticultural CenterWest Charleston Campus12:30 PM to 2:30 PMCultivating Global Connections: Entrepreneurship, Partnerships, and Future GrowthStudent Union Room 126 & 128North Las Vegas Campus1:30 PM to 3:00 PMThursday, November 21, 2024A Celebration of International PartnershipsJune Whitley LoungeNorth Las Vegas Campus12:00 PM to 2:00 PMFriday, November 22, 2024Priority Deadline for Spring & Summer 2025 CSN International Experiences Featured Speakers Brian Akins, Director of Student Life and Leadership DevelopmentBrian Akins serves as the Director of Student Life and Leadership Development at College of Southern Nevada. He earned his undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Arizona. It is at University of Arizona that his affinity for the co-curricular experience was birthed. While excelling in the classroom, he held student leadership positions in student government, residence life, campus recreation, and multicultural affairs. Soon afterwards he attained his master’s degree in higher education administration that helped propel and prepare him for this rewarding career choice. His professional journey has taken him to institutions such as University of Michigan, University of South Florida Saint Petersburg, Texas Southern University, and now College of Southern Nevada. At each institution he has worked for, he has been recognized for my outstanding commitment to diversity, multiculturalism, advising excellence, and being a champion of the overall co-curricular experience. He admittedly excels in programming, advising student organizations, judicial affairs, supervision, leadership development, living and learning, and connecting students to the institution. He is thrilled to champion a vibrant student life and empowering the next generation of student leaders who have chosen College of Southern Nevada to further their education.Eric Garner, Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship DevelopmentEric Garner is the director of small business and entrepreneurship development at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN). In this role, he oversees all auxiliary programs related to small business development and entrepreneurship at CSN, including but not limited to, NV Grow, Blackstone Launchpad, Project SANDI, and Clark County TEAP. Reporting to the North Las Vegas Campus Vice President, and officed at the North Las Vegas Campus, Mr. Garner has over 24 years of higher education experience – serving three years at the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents office as an undergraduate student; alumni and scholarship coordinator for the CSN Foundation; and in various management roles at CSN over the years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His strong passion for education and entrepreneurship led him to start his own small business in 2020 and to begin working part-time as director of digital strategy for NV Grow that same year. In his free time, he enjoys being with family, traveling, and strength training. Francisco J. Marmolejo, Higher Education President of the Qatar FoundationFrancisco is the President of Higher Education at Qatar Foundation (QF), overseeing eight universities at Education City in Doha. He joined QF in February of 2020 as an Education Advisor. From 2012 and 2020, he worked at the World Bank, leading higher education projects globally and in South Asia. Before that, he was the founding Executive Director of the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration at the University of Arizona and held various roles in higher education. He has extensive international experience, having worked in over 90 countries.Karen McBride, Executive Director Community Colleges for International DevelopmentKaren is a career international higher education professional with 20 years of experience and is the current Executive Director of Community Colleges for International Development. She studied abroad in Costa Rica and Scotland, interned abroad in Ireland, was an international graduate student in the United Kingdom and is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Antigua, West Indies). She earned her doctorate in Educational Policy and Administration for International Educators at the University of Minnesota and was a Fulbright Specialist in Thailand. She is also the Past Chair of NAFSA’s Education Abroad Knowledge Community and co-editor of Sustainable Education Abroad: Striving for Change. Raven McKenzie, Assistant Director of International ProgramsRaven McKenzie is the Assistant Director for International Programs at the College of Southern Nevada. She has extensive experience in international programs, from internationalizing the curriculum to the creation of international research and internship programs and the development of study abroad opportunities in partnership with faculty and program providers. Raven earned her Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and East Asian Studies from Rutgers University.Dr. Richard Kravchak, Dean of the School of Arts and LettersDr. Kravchak is an award-winning scholar and student-focused administrator with decades of experience serving students. His roles in education have spanned from K-12 teaching through leadership in higher education institutions, establishing a record of improving student success rates, boosting enrollments, and mentoring faculty. In addition to his work in higher education, Dr. Kravchak continues to be an internationally recognized oboe performer and pedagogue. Originally from New Jersey, he was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He has held academic and administrative appointments at Luther College, Moorpark College, the Los Angeles Unified School District, California State University Dominguez Hills, Marshall University and the University of Southern Mississippi. He has also shared the stage with some of the greatest musical artists of our time as well as appearing as an oboe soloist in Europe, Asia, and throughout the Americas, with over 100 musical compositions created specifically for him. More important to him than his career as a performer, Dr. Kravchak has had the privilege of participating in the education of thousands of students from kindergarten through the doctoral level, many of whom have their own stories of success — including professorships, success in business and the arts, K-12 teaching positions, and the personal and professional enrichment gained through the transformational magic of a college education. Dr. Kravchak holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, the Juilliard School, and Florida State University. Find Out More For more information on nationwide events happening during IEW, visit https://iew.state.gov/.