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
Kate Scott (She/Her)
Director of Programs Abroad
About me:
Annalise Bryant (She/Her)
Assistant Director of Programs Abroad
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
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.”
Tessa Takash (She/Her)
Senior Program Coordinator
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
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
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
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
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.”
Global Ambassadors
Jonah Dittes (he/him)
-
- Senior
- German and Linguistics major
- Duale Hochschule Baden-Wurttemberg Exchange (Academic Year 2022-23)
My time abroad taught me…
“Studying abroad gave me several educational experiences through traveling and friendships. In an abstract lens, I improved my communication, adaptability, and problem solving. On a more concrete level, I became a better German speaker, a traveler, and learned how to make it on my own in a completely new country.”
Hailey Evans (she/her)
-
- Junior from Cumming, GA
- Marketing major, Collateral in International Business
- ISA Athens, Greece: Business & Liberal Arts (Summer 2024)
My time abroad taught me…
“My experience while abroad was unforgettable. I made life long friendships while also experiencing so many new things. Being abroad forced me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things, whether it was new foods or new adventures. I learned so much about myself and experienced a lot of personal growth.”
Annie Grimes (she/her)
-
- Sophomore
- Finance and Accounting major
- UTK Haslam First-Year Experience in Costa Rica (Winter Mini 2024)
My time abroad taught me…
“Studying abroad in Costa Rica was the experience of a lifetime! Getting to experience life and culture outside of the U.S for the first time was eye opening. While visiting both local and global businesses I learned about sustainable and ethical business practices, human resources, management, and supply chain. I also learned about the Costa Rican culture by having my first salsa dancing lesson and going on a city tour of San Jose.”
Kate Henry (she/her)
-
- Senior
- English (Creative Writing) major, Spanish & Film minor
- UTK Advanced Spanish in Alicante (Summer 2022); USAC Scotland: St. Andrews (Spring 2024)
My time abroad taught me…
“I have learned how to be culturally conscious, how to connect across borders, and how to be self-sufficient away from my support network.”
Riley McCormick (she/her)
-
- Junior
- Industrial and Systems Engineering major, Business Administration & Engineering Management minor
- UTK Applied Human Factors and Art in Italy (Mini Session 2023)
My time abroad taught me…
“During my time abroad, I flourished in personal growth, allowing my curiosity to roam free. I was able to learn how to adapt to many new places and make deep connections with different people and cultures. I developed new feelings of independence and confidence within myself. I passionately believe that everyone should take the life-changing opportunity of studying abroad and I cannot wait to share my experiences while helping students plan and achieve their study abroad dreams.”
Kiera McIntyre (she/her)
-
- Senior from Marietta, GA
- Speech Pathology & Audiology major, Business Administration minor
- UT in Florence at Lorenzo de’ Medici (Summer 2023)
My time abroad taught me…
“Studying abroad was the most amazing experience of my life! I can’t wait to share my knowledge to help other students feel prepared for their own adventures. Let’s connect and make your study abroad dreams a reality!”
Olivia Moua (she/her)
-
- Senior from Loudon, TN
- Marketing major, Concentration in International Business
- SAI Programs – Florence University of the Arts (Spring 2024)
My time abroad taught me…
“To put it simply: studying abroad changed my life. It is no exaggeration to say this experience altered the way I now live my life. I was exposed to new perspectives, challenged every day, and given an opportunity to grow in my independence. Study abroad can be overwhelming, empowering, fun, scary, beautiful, and everything in between. It is where you can be immersed in different cultures while also demonstrating parts of your own culture. If I could do it all again, I would every single time. I am super excited to help others on this amazing journey of making the world our campus and I can’t wait to share this new-found knowledge!”
Alex Norwood (he/him)
- Junior
- Supply Chain Management major, Concentration in International Business, & Spanish minor
- UTK Student Success Academy in Puerto Rico (Mini Session 2023); UT in Barcelona with ISA (Spring 2025)
My time abroad taught me…
“My time abroad showed me the diversity of the Spanish language and inspired me to learn more about each country’s approach to the language. Stepping out of my comfort zone and forming new friendships with my cohort has been a highlight of my UT experience. I cannot wait to help other students explore their Programs Abroad options!”
Shelby Russom (she/her)
-
- Sophomore from Lebanon, TN
- Psychology (Child & Family Studies) major, Business minor
- UTK Academy for Global Scholars in Costa Rica (Mini Session 2024)
My time abroad taught me…
“Going to Costa Rica taught me new perspectives and how to handle new situations. I met a man named Fernando who worked on a coffee plantation and we discussed his life and how he came to work there. That, along with the other activities we did, taught me how different people will go through so many different things and how their locations affect the opportunities they have in life.”
Aadya Sharma (she/her)
-
- Sophomore from Memphis, TN
- Computer Science major, Business Administration minor
- I would like to study abroad in France for a semester!
My time abroad taught me…
“Living and traveling around India taught me the value of cultural diversity and adaptability. The vibrant culture expanded my worldview and enhanced my problem-solving skills. It deepened my empathy, open-mindedness, and appreciation for global interconnectedness, making me a more culturally sensitive individual.
I’m passionate about exploring diverse cultures, embracing new experiences, and learning from every adventure. While I haven’t studied abroad yet, I’m excited about the prospect and eager to share my enthusiasm and insights with students interested in international study from my experience living abroad. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow students and helping them navigate their own life-changing journeys.”
Morgan Smith (she/her)
-
- Junior
- Pre-Law major, Business Administration & Sociology minor
- UTK Intermediate Spanish in Seville (Summer 2024)
My time abroad taught me…
“Studying abroad taught me invaluable lessons about connection, Sevillan lifestyle, and the richness of their culture. It was a unique experience that promoted personal growth and understanding of myself and others. I want to encourage fellow students to take advantage of this opportunity to expand their horizons and appreciate different ways of life.”
Ava Trivanovic (she/her)
-
- Senior
- Animal Science major, Wildlife & Fisheries minor
- UTK Small Animal Veterinary Experience in Belize (Summer 2022); SIT Study Abroad Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology (Spring 2024)
My time abroad taught me…
“My time abroad taught me the importance of cultural exchange as it pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to adapt to new cultural norms, languages, and ways of thinking. Engaging with cultures so different than mine taught me the importance of open-mindedness and embracing new perspectives. I cannot express my gratitude for the experience to study abroad in both Tanzania and Belize as it incited tremendous personal growth and taught me more about myself than I ever could have imagined.”
Kiara Wilson (she/her)
-
- Senior
- Political Science major, Asian Studies minor
- The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Summer in Seoul (Summer 2023)
My time abroad taught me…
“My time abroad has taught me that there are more opportunities to step out of the box and do something extraordinary for myself. Learning more about a different culture and language showed me that there’s more to the world than anyone imagines and how different it can be.”