Joanna Regulska, Vice Provost and Dean, UC Davis Global Affairs

Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean of Global Affairs and distinguished professor of gender, sexuality and women’s studies at the University of California, Davis, has led large-scale programs that transform institutions, establish partnerships, and substantially improve global services for over 30 years. In 2022, she was honored with the Charles Klasek Award for outstanding service to the field of international higher education from the Association of International Education Administrators. A respected scholar, Regulska’s research concentrates on women’s political activism, grassroots mobilization, decentralization, democracy and democratization, with a focus on Europe and the Caucasus.

Gary S. May, Chancellor, UC Davis

Chancellor Gary S. May is a highly engaged leader with a passion for helping others succeed. He believes success is best judged by how we enhance the lives of others. Throughout his career, he’s championed diversity, equity and inclusion in both higher education and the workplace. He developed nationally recognized programs that attract, mentor, and retain underrepresented groups in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. In 2015, President Obama honored him with the Presidential Award for Excellence in STEM Mentoring. May earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering and computer science at UC Berkeley.  

Maritza Davis, Vice President, Experiences and Social Responsibility, The Sacramento Kings

As Vice President of Experiences & Social Responsibility for the Sacramento Kings, Maritza Davis blends business strategy with community impact, leading initiatives in health, education, social justice, and sustainability. She advises executives, coaches, and players on leveraging the power of sports to drive meaningful change. With the NBA and Sacramento Kings as global brands, Davis leads initiatives that extend beyond the court, using sports as a catalyst for civic engagement, equity, and innovation. She has helped shape programs that influence communities worldwide, demonstrating how business and social responsibility can create lasting impact. An entrepreneur who launched her own company in her early 20s, Davis applies an entrepreneurial mindset to purpose-driven experiences that resonate on a global scale. Her expertise in experiential events and activations continues to fuel her passion for creating transformative connections. A Sacramento State alumna, Davis exemplifies how business innovation and social responsibility intersect—transforming industries and communities alike.

Ximena Ospina, Ed.D., International Educator

Ximena is an advocate of transformative, equitable and mindful global education, with a diverse background and experience within social change organizations and higher education institutions. She is a firm believer that through restorative justice, innovation, compassion, and collaboration, our world can take progressive steps to heal and strengthen our global community. In May 2024, Ximena completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, centering her work on the notion of "generational dreaming", which vibrated throughout the co-creators' cuentos (stories). Her dissertation is titled: The Latinx/e Student Cuentos of Rupture to Nurture: Understanding the Study Abroad Reentry Experience through Generational Dreaming.  

Banicia Chatkara, International Student Advisor, Services for International Students and Scholars, UC Davis

Banicia earned her B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley in 2014, and completed her M.A. in International Policy and Development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in 2018. Some of her global learning experiences include a semester abroad in Florence and a trip across the Balkans to study and assess post-conflict peace-building. She has worked in refugee resettlement and immigration services, and speaks (to varying degrees) Hindi, Arabic, Italian, Spanish. 

Dr. David Wick, Associate Professor and Chair International Education Management, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Dr. David Wick worked for over 24 years at four U.S. universities and a youth exchange organization to support international education. Now, as Associate Professor and Chair of International Education Management and French at the Middlebury Institute, he teaches graduate courses on educational equity and social justice, student learning and development, program design and assessment, and other topics. He researches and publishes on equity and inclusion in international education. Wick has held elected and appointed leadership roles with NAFSA, Diversity Abroad, and the Forum on Education Abroad.

Ramina Murshudova, Program Coordinator, Global Learning Hub, UC Davis

Ramina is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with extensive experience in international education. Before joining the Global Learning Hub, she managed the U.S. Government’s exchange and educational programs for the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan. A recipient of the U.S. Government Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship, she holds a Master’s degree in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont, USA.  Murshudova has coordinated the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Youth Leadership Programs at American Councils in Azerbaijan and interned at San Francisco State University. Ramina has presented at TEDx and taught Public Speaking at ADA University.

Teagan Felknor-Edwards, Executive Analyst, California Conservation Corp

Sydney Low, MA in International Education Management Candidate, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Bill(y) Robertson-Geibel, Assistant Teaching Professor & Associate Director of Experiential Learning, Sixth College, UC San Diego

A global scholar and practitioner, Bill(y) Robertson Geibel is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Associate Director of Experiential Learning at Sixth College. In this role he oversees and teaches within the college's experiential learning program and works to develop educational programming and partnerships that provide students with real-world learning opportunities including study abroad, internships, and community engagement. As an academic, Bill(y)'s teaching and scholarship lies at the intersection of globalization, diplomacy, and higher education. Prior to joining UC San Diego, Bill(y) worked at UCLA's International Institute, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the US State Department as a Fulbright scholar in Kirikkale, Turkey.

Scott Palmer, Prestigious Scholarship Advisor, UC Davis

Scott Palmer has served as the Prestigious Scholarship Advisor at UC Davis (UCD) since 2013 and is the FPA for the campus.  He recruits and advises candidates for 30+ nationally competitive fellowship with recipients of the Boren, CLS, Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, Gates-Cambridge, Gilman, Goldwater, Marshall, Payne, Pickering, Rangel, Schwarzman, and Voyager programs along with numerous finalists.  UCD has been recognized multiple time as a Top Producer for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship during Scott’s tenure.  Notable growth in UCD applications for Fulbright has led to 80 applications being selected in the past decade.

Claudio Castaneda, Manager of Partnerships, Diversity Abroad

Claudio Castaneda (he/him/el/lui), Manager of Partnerships at Diversity Abroad, possesses a unique blend of global experience and diverse skill sets. With nearly a decade in Italy, he gained a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and transferable skills through art history and visual arts studies at CSUS and NABA, Milan. His career includes roles in the art sector, educational technology, and business, focusing on DEIB initiatives. Claudio is passionate about sharing insights on leveraging global experiences to enhance mentorship connections, understand transferable skills, and navigate various fields in our interconnected world.

Ken Barnes, Assistant Director, UC Davis Career Center

Ken Barnes is an assistant director at the UC Davis Career Center, and sees students interested in a variety of areas including international opportunities, student employment and Liberal Arts and Business. He graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Political Science, and is an active member of the Robla School District Board of Education. He is an also an accomplished sci-fi author.

Claudio Castaneda, Manager of Partnerships, Diversity Abroad

Claudio Castaneda (he/him/el/lui), Manager of Partnerships at Diversity Abroad, possesses a unique blend of global experience and diverse skill sets. With nearly a decade in Italy, he gained a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and transferable skills through art history and visual arts studies at CSUS and NABA, Milan. His career includes roles in the art sector, educational technology, and business, focusing on DEIB initiatives. Claudio is passionate about sharing insights on leveraging global experiences to enhance mentorship connections, understand transferable skills, and navigate various fields in our interconnected world.

Mike Hower, Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact

Mike Hower is a sustainability communication expert with over 15 years of experience bridging journalism and communication strategy. As the founder of Hower Impact, a boutique consultancy, he specializes in helping large companies like Mars, Snapchat, The North Face, and others transform complex sustainability initiatives into resonant narratives that capture attention and drive meaningful engagement. A UC Davis 2009 alum, Mike graduated with a double major in political science and history. While at Davis, he wrote for The California Aggie newspaper, participated in the UC Washington program and worked at the ASUCD Coffee House.

Jaclyn A. Kirkwood, Program Director, Clutch

Jaclyn A. Kirkwood is a seasoned Director of Operations and a career Marine Corps veteran with over 25 years of experience across diverse sectors. Known for her strategic leadership and operational expertise, she excels in enhancing projects with efficiency, performance and profitability. Jaclyn's robust military background has honed her skills in team empowerment and navigating complex challenges, leading to significant organizational improvements. Her career is marked by critical roles in safeguarding contracts, reducing attrition and leading transformative healthcare, IT and leadership initiatives. Dedicated to creating environments where teams excel, she drives sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Ana K. Celis, UC Davis Fellow, Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

For the last seven years, Ana has worked for nonprofits, government and the private sector in the fields of subterranean ecosystem conservation and cave archaeology. Ana currently serves as director and Founder of Karst Lab México, fostering capacity-building projects for ecosystems conservation in small-scale communities. Since 2022, she collaborates with Western Kentucky University and Mammoth Cave National Park to strengthen U.S.-México partnerships in Cave and Karst Science. Ana advocates to reduce the gender gaps in science, leading scientific diving training for female students willing to pursue careers in water sciences.

Ximena Ospina, Ed.D, International Educator

Ximena is an advocate of transformative, equitable and mindful global education, with a diverse background and experience within social change organizations and higher education institutions. She is a firm believer that through restorative justice, innovation, compassion, and collaboration, our world can take progressive steps to heal and strengthen our global community. In May 2024, Ximena completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, centering her work on the notion of "generational dreaming", which vibrated throughout the co-creators' cuentos (stories). Her dissertation is titled: The Latinx/e Student Cuentos of Rupture to Nurture: Understanding the Study Abroad Reentry Experience through Generational Dreaming.  

Bill(y) Robertson-Geibel, Assistant Teaching Professor & Associate Director of Experiential Learning, Sixth College, UC San Diego

A global scholar and practitioner, Bill(y) Robertson Geibel is an Assistant Teaching Professor and the Associate Director of Experiential Learning at Sixth College. In this role he oversees and teaches within the college's experiential learning program and works to develop educational programming and partnerships that provide students with real-world learning opportunities including study abroad, internships, and community engagement. As an academic, Bill(y)'s teaching and scholarship lies at the intersection of globalization, diplomacy, and higher education. Prior to joining UC San Diego, Bill(y) worked at UCLA's International Institute, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the US State Department as a Fulbright scholar in Kirikkale, Turkey.

Christopher Pavia, Geospatial Information Systems Manager, EP Carbon

During college, Christopher studied abroad in Berlin, Germany for a year and a half. After graduating from Berkeley with Bachelors in Environmental Science, German, and a Geospatial Information Systems Minor, Christopher spent another year in Germany via the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX). Returning to the U.S. in 2014, Christopher started as a GIS Analyst at EP Carbon, building numerous international forest conservation projects to benefit local communities. Christopher is now a remote GIS Manager at EP Carbon, where he manages ongoing international afforestation and reforestation carbon projects, oversees GIS analyses using satellite imagery and public data, provides QA/QC oversight, and mentors analysts.

Alfred Boll, Executive Director, UC Davis Global Learning Hub

Alfred (“Fred”) Boll is the newly arrived Executive Director of the UC Davis Global Learning Hub. In his previous position at the U.S. Department of State he oversaw units that support global education domestically and internationally, including “EducationUSA” and the American Spaces network of cultural centers. He also served as a lecturer and mentor in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s experiential study away program, Wisconsin in Washington. His professional experience includes significant work in the INGO sector. Boll holds an MA in Latin American and Iberian Studies, a JD, and a doctorate in international law. He has specialized knowledge and experience in international humanitarian law and international human rights and a working knowledge of twelve languages.

Kathleen Fullerton, Associate Vice President and Director of State Government Relations, University of California Office of the President

Kathleen Fullerton is the Associate Vice President and Director of State Government Relations at the University of California Office of the President. UC’s State Government Relations office represents university positions on legislative, budgetary and policy matters. Kathleen has over 20 years of experience working in state government, starting with an Assembly internship during her senior year at UC Davis. Kathleen has bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology from UC Davis and a master’s degree in public administration from USC. Kathleen played field hockey at UC Davis and continues to participate in endurance sports. She lives in Sacramento with her husband Andy (also an Aggie) and daughters Keira and Elise.

Jolynn Shoemaker, Director, Global Affairs

Jolynn Shoemaker is the Director of Global Engagements in Global Affairs at UC Davis. Shoemaker has a background in international law, human rights and peace and security. She is a recognized expert on Women, Peace and Security with extensive experience in non-governmental organizations in Washington DC. She also served in the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense and in the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. She holds a J.D. with a focus on international law, an M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown University and a B.A. from UC San Diego.