Who We Are & What We Do
It takes a mighty team to support program abroad advising for The University of Tennessee – a higher education institution with an undergraduate enrollment of over 25,000 per semester. This is why, in addition to our central office, there are coordinators embedded in colleges across campus who are ready to provide specialized advising to students based on college:
- Haslam College of Business | International Programs & Study Abroad (IPSA)
- Herbert College of Agriculture | Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture
Don’t see your college listed? No worries! Our dedicated team of staff and student peer advisors working out of the central office in the Center for Global Engagement are here to assist and guide UT students & their support network, faculty & advisors, and #VolsAbroad alumni, as well as our partners across campus and around the world. We are a collaborative team of experienced professionals with expertise in fields across the international education spectrum and students with a passion for global engagement.
Center for Global Engagement | Programs Abroad Office
1620 Melrose Avenue, G103 | Knoxville, TN 37996
O: 865-974-3177 | Web: http://programsabroad.utk.edu
Programs Abroad Roll Call
Tessa Takash
Program Coordinator
Advising Oversight:
- UT in Milan
- UT in Florence
- Exchange programs
- Direct programs
About me:
“All students should take advantage of the international experiences available at UT – whether they go abroad or engage right here on campus. These opportunities for intercultural engagement allow students to cultivate relationships with individuals unlike themselves; learn from other’s varied life experiences; and develop a sense of empathy and global responsibility.“
Christian Canizales
Program Coordinator
Advising Oversight:
- College of Arts and Sciences: Last Names A-L
- College of Nursing
- Undeclared/Exploratory
- College of Social Work
About me:
“From my time spent studying and researching abroad, I have realized the immeasurable benefits of international experiential learning. Studying abroad encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and rely on the personal, professional, and academic skills that you have collected over your lifetime.“
Lindsay Shope
Program Coordinator
Advising Oversight:
- College of Arts and Sciences: Last Names M-S
- College of Law
- Internships
- International Research
- Architecture and Design
About me:
Joshua Spurling
Program Coordinator
Advising Oversight:
- College of Arts and Sciences: Last Names T-Z
- College of Communication & Information
- Tickle College of Engineering
- Education, Heath and Human Sciences
About me:
“I am a firm believer that just one person encouraging another can open them up to stepping out of their comfort zone and taking a chance on something that can dramatically change their lives. As a UT and Programs Abroad alum, I am incredibly proud to be in a position where I can give back to our current Volunteers so that they can find their own life changing opportunities. It’s my passion to show others that engaging globally creates a deepened sense of connectedness, humanity, and an awareness that there is far more beyond our own perspective.“
Kate Scott
Director of Programs Abroad
Administrative Oversight:
About me:
Annalise Bryant
Assistant Director of Programs Abroad
Administrative Oversight:
- Departmental leadership
- Innovative program management and development
- Global strategic planning and visioning
- Global health and safety support
- Partnership development
- Compliance and best practices
About me:
“I believe our perceptions and beliefs are shaped by what we have seen and experienced, and we should be intentional about creating opportunities to see and experience as much as we can – see how others live and experience life, see how others communicate, celebrate, and engage cross culturally, and see how we can be different as a result. Going abroad gives us a glimpse into all of that, and it’s a true joy to help others experience the same!”
Gisela Goeritz
Financial Associate
Administrative Oversight:
- Program accounts
- Reconciliation
- Contract processing
- Vendor setups and payment
- Faculty travel
- Partnership agreements
- Student billing
About me:
“I love to support bringing study abroad travel on the way, so that faculty can show students the world, which I think is very important for their personal development.”
Meet the Team: Peer Advisor Edition
Lauren Dial (she/her)
- Senior from Edwardsville, Il
- Biomedical Engineering – Honors concentration
- UTK Engineering in London (Summer 2022)
About me:
“I am most excited to get more students involved and introduced to study abroad programs as well as help student start the process of living out their abroad dreams.”
#outofstatestudent #womeninengineering #askmeaboutAdele #facultydirectedprogram
Azaria Boyd (she/her)
-
- Senior from Memphis, TN
- Psychology major, Family and Child Studies minor
- UT Open Campus Semester with CIEE: London and Madrid (Spring 2023)
About me:
“I enjoy the thrill of life, fun adventures, and adrenaline! I am looking forward to sharing my newfound knowledge and experiences with other students who are looking to study abroad. I am excited to connect with students to help them navigate this life-changing journey. “
#CIEE #semesterstudyabroad #firstgenabroad
Jake Tasman (he/him)
-
- Senior from Marietta, Georgia
- Management major, Marketing minor
- UTK International Academic Internship: Hong Kong (Summer 2023)
About me:
“I am a very outgoing person who loves to make new friends. I’m very excited to help others wanting to study abroad and help give them the best experience.”
#internabroad #summerstudyabroad #firstgenabroad
Amelia Flavin (she/her)
-
- Senior from Reston, VA
- Marketing major, International Business minor
- UT in Barcelona with ISA (Summer 2023)
About me:
“I am most excited to be able to connect with other students about their study abroad experience and ease their worries of any concerns they may have!”
#HaslamAbroad #summerstudyabroad #UTinBarcelona #ISA
Christian DePriest (he/him)
-
- Senior from Nashville, TN
- Marketing major, Concentration in International Business
- USAC Netherlands: The Hague – Undergraduate Courses (Spring 2023)
About me:
“I’d like to try my best to provide the best knowledge for others to get as much value from their experience abroad as I did. Additionally, I’d like to invite others that are hesitant or avoidant of an experience abroad to learn about how extremely positive studying abroad can be.”
#exchangestudent #USAC #askmeaboutabroadmusicfestivals
Kate Henry (she/her)
-
- Junior from Nashville, TN
- English major, Spanish minor
- UTK Advanced Spanish Language in Alicante, Spain (Summer 2022)
About me:
“I am most looking forward to meeting people who share my love of travel and appreciation for the far reaches of the world. I am excited to work with the Vols Abroad team and recruit more students for programs that will surely change their lives!”
#hostfamilylove #studyabroadsophomore #facultydirectedprogram
Kendal Willis (she/her)
-
- Sophomore from Johnson City, TN
- Marketing major, Concentration in International Business
- UTK International Business in Germany (May mini-term 2023)
About me:
“I am so excited to share my own incredible experience abroad, so that it helps motivate more students to take this opportunity!”
#birthdayabroad #studyabroadfreshman #facultydirectedprogram