AIFS and CIEE Announce New Cohort of Ping-Taylor Professional Fellows

AIFS and CIEE are proud to unveil the latest cohort of Ping-Taylor Professional Fellows, a development program created to fund participation at national conferences in the field of international education. 

The following six awardees, selected from a competitive pool of applicants, will each receive funding to cover the costs of attending the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo held May 28–31 in New Orleans, LA. 

The Ping-Taylor Professional Development Fellows are:

• Amy Williams, Global Education Advisor, Office of Global Engagement, University of Georgia 
• Danielle King, Program Associate, Office of Global Services, Georgetown University
• Dr. Leslyn Tonge, Dean, Division of Student Affairs, University of the Virgin Islands
• Lisa Ho, Associate Director, International & Off-Campus Programs, Ohio Wesleyan University
• Sesalee Harris, Assistant Director, Study Abroad, Office of International Education, The University of Texas at Arlington
• Zhana Welch, Program Manager, Global Learning Abroad, University of Maryland College Park

The Ping Taylor Professional Development grant pays tribute to the esteemed American educator Dr. Charles Ping, former chair of CIEE, and Sir Cyril Taylor, the founder of AIFS. This initiative was spearheaded by Jim Pellow, President, and CEO of CIEE, and Bill Gertz, President of AIFS. 

Together, they pledged $100,000 over three years to assist education abroad professionals in attending the annual conferences organized by NAFSA: Association for International Educators, the Forum on Education Abroad, and Diversity Abroad.

This prestigious program, now in its fifth year, continues to empower emerging leaders in the field of international education, offering them unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional advancement.

One of the hallmarks of the Ping-Taylor Fellowship is its emphasis on experiential learning and real-world application. Fellows are encouraged to apply what they learn during the program to their own work, whether it be designing innovative programs, advocating for policy change, or leading cross-cultural initiatives within their organizations. 

By empowering Fellows to take an active role in shaping the future of international education, CIEE is helping to ensure that the field remains dynamic, responsive, and inclusive.

Learn more about the program and partnership between AIFS and CIEE.

For program details please contact:

Stacy Benjamin, Director of Professional Development, CIEE

sbenjamin@ciee.org

Kelly Holland, Vice President, Institutional Partnerships, AIFS Abroad

kholland@aifs.com