Celebrating Remarkable Leaders in Study Abroad at Our 2025 Annual Conference

Celebrating Visionaries from Whitman College, Lehigh University, Amherst College, and University of Missouri - Columbia

For the past 75 years, we've witnessed the transformative power of global education. This year, at our first-ever international Annual Conference in Vienna celebrating our 75th anniversary, we were proud to honor four remarkable individuals whose work has significantly advanced study abroad. With great pride, we presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, Professional Development Award, and Volunteer of the Year Award to leaders who have helped shape the future of international education.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Susan Holme, Whitman College

We are thrilled to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Susan Holme who—prior to her retirement in May—was the Senior Director of Off-Campus Studies & International Student and Scholar Services at Whitman College. Over the course of her more than 30-year career, Susan impacted hundreds, if not thousands of students.

During her tenure she oversaw study abroad and international students, leading study trips to China and Taiwan in addition to advising. A long-standing member of the Forum on Education Abroad and NAFSA, Susan has made active contributions to our field and served on advisory boards of several national study abroad providers. Her leadership and accomplishments are reflected in the record-breaking number of Whitman students who studied off campus in the Spring of 2024.

Professional Development Award: Katie Radande, Lehigh University

Katie Radande, Director of Study Abroad at Lehigh University, is the recipient of this year’s Professional Development Award for her tireless efforts in supporting funding for students studying and interning outside of Europe. Throughout her time in the field, Katie has been a friend and ardent supporter of IES Abroad, building a strong partnership with us to serve Lehigh students’ study abroad needs.

Katie is well-known in the field for her thoughtful and intentional leadership, prioritizing teamwork and collaboration. She values individuals and is steadfast in her support of each and every student, fellow study abroad staff, and the other faculty and staff on-campus.

Volunteer of the Year: Janna Behrens, Amherst College

Janna Behrens, Associate Dean and Director of Global Education at Amherst College, is a valued collaborator with IES Abroad.

She has served on our Program Planning Committee for the past two years, and has been instrumental in the success of our Fall Ball Amsterdam program.

Volunteer of the Year: Dr. Paulina Brouder, University of Missouri – Columbia

As a valued partner of IES Abroad, Dr. Paulina Brouder, Director of Study Abroad and International Partnerships at University of Missouri – Columbia has been integral to our enrollment growth, making efforts to expand the reach of IES Abroad and IES Internships’ program access across campus departments.

She has served on our Conference Planning Committee for two years and has attended our familiarization trips and site visits to our Centers. She is known for her welcoming generosity.

These honorees exemplify what it means to lead with heart, vision, and dedication. Their achievements have not only strengthened their home institutions but have also enriched the broader study abroad community—and we are proud to celebrate their extraordinary impact.

At IES Abroad, we remain committed to fostering transformative global experiences. Recognizing these leaders reminds us why our work matters and inspires us to continue building a more inclusive, connected world through education.

We can’t wait to see who our 2026 Partner Award Winners will be! Next year, our Annual Conference will be back in Chicago and we hope you can join us. Registration will open in the new year.

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