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Meet the Team

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:

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 (She/Her)

Senior 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 (He/Him/Él)

Senior 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 (She/Her)

Program Coordinator

Advising Oversight:
  • College of Arts and Sciences: Last Names M-S
  • College of Law
  • Internships
  • International Research
  • Architecture and Design

 

 

 

About me:

“It was always my dream growing up to go and see the world. I have been blessed to have the international experiences that I’ve had so far. Whether studying, interning, or exploring abroad, these international experiences are life-changing. I love being able to provide the same incredible opportunities to students and helping them discover the amazing possibilities that are available to them.”


 

Joshua Spurling (He/Him)

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.


Rachel Bornstein (She/Her)

Program Coordinator

Advising Oversight: 

  • Herbert College of Agriculture

 

 

 

 

 

 

About me: 

“What I love about the field of international education is the profound impact meaningful engagement across cultures has on how we view our international neighbors and how the world views Americans, as well as its capacity to build more empathy and understanding for both those from other countries and the diverse communities within our own. My experiences abroad have developed my self-awareness about my intersecting identities as a female Asian-American adoptee and ignited my curiosity to better curate services that meet the needs of our diverse students, guiding me towards a path of once receiving meaningful global education to now architecting meaningful experiences for others.”

 

Kate Scott (She/Her)

Director of Programs Abroad

Administrative Oversight:

 

 

 

 

 

 

About me:

 


 

Annalise Bryant (She/Her)

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 (She/Her)

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 study abroad 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)

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)

 

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)

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)

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)

 

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)

 

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)

 

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


Gianna Rotellini (she/her)