Herbert study abroad coordinator connects students with life-changing global learning opportunities
Where are you from, and how did your education and career lead you to the Herbert College of Agriculture?
After watching Taiye Selasi’s TED Talk, “Don’t Ask Where I’m From, Ask Where I’m a Local,” I’d say I’m local to Charlotte, North Carolina, but I’ve also felt at home in London and Sierra Leone. With my mother from Sierra Leone, my father from North Carolina, and frequent trips to London to visit family, I developed a love for travel at an early age. I considered a gap year before starting college to travel, but instead began at North Carolina State University’s European Center in Prague. After that semester, I chose to major in international studies to continue going abroad.
As an orientation leader and through roles in student engagement, I discovered my passion for working with students and promoting study abroad, which led me to pursue a master’s at Texas A&M in student affairs with a focus on study abroad.
During my master’s, I served as a TA in South Africa and observed a program in India. After graduating, I applied widely and landed at Herbert. I knew it was the right fit because I enjoy every part of study abroad—from developing programs and recruiting students to supporting them abroad and seeing their growth afterward.
What are some of your responsibilities as the Study Abroad Coordinator for the Herbert College of Agriculture, and what does a typical day look like for you?
While my typical day is usually filled with lots of emails about student recruitment and answering questions, the days I enjoy most are when I get to visit a class to share the international opportunities at UT Knoxville, from faculty-led programs to semesters abroad, research or internships.
I also enjoy highlighting Herbert’s generous study abroad scholarships and occasionally accompanying students on faculty-led programs. Most of all, like when I was an undergrad, I love telling students how study abroad can positively impact their career goals and their experience in college.
Herbert has a goal of having 50 percent of its students graduate with an international experience. Why is this goal so important, and how are you helping move the needle toward it?
While some Herbert students may go on to work internationally, most will stay in the U.S., working with people from a variety of backgrounds who have different perspectives. Studying abroad prepares them to engage in their careers in a multifaceted way, and research shows that students who participate in study abroad or experiential learning have higher starting salaries, stay on track in the degree process, and graduate on time.
Herbert values giving our students the best education to prepare them for the real world. We’re not here to get them a job; we’re here to help them pursue a fulfilling career, and study abroad is part of that process. Herbert partners with the Programs Abroad Office and the Smith Center for International Sustainable Agriculture to develop faculty-led programs for Herbert students.
What is the most fulfilling aspect about the work you do?
The most fulfilling aspect of my job is seeing students transform after their experience abroad.
What inspired you to pursue a career in study abroad and international education, and how did your own experiences abroad shape that path?
My semester abroad in Prague at NC State’s European Center launched my career in international education. The experience was cultural, academic, and inspiring. Plus, it helped me grow in my independence and perception of the world. A great Czech culture teacher encouraged us to explore on weekends, and it sparked my desire to continue experiencing other cultures. I originally thought I’d be a diplomat, but it felt too political for me, so I chose international education as a career that allows me to travel and share those experiences with others.
Can you share a memorable moment or success story from helping a student find and fund the right study abroad program?
There are so many memorable moments from helping students go abroad. From Fall 2025 to Spring 2026 I awarded more than 70 scholarships. One story that sticks with me is of a student who grew up in a city and had never seen the stars. On a recent Costa Rica study abroad program, they saw stars for the first time. I believe that student’s experience of seeing stars in Costa Rica is going to push them to continue to engage in agriculture and preserve rainforests and other natural habitats. For that student, seeing the stars set in motion their career goals.
What advice would you give to students who are interested in studying abroad but feel unsure or intimidated by the process?
I would tell them to drop by my office or book a meeting with me using my scheduling link! I might see them during a class visit, but if they’re nervous, they can always email me or visit the Programs Abroad Office website to see all the programs UT Knoxville offers.
I always tell students the sooner they start thinking about going abroad, the easier it is to fit it into their degree plan. We want students to have a successful study abroad experience and gain credit from it, so we do our best to work with them to make sure it’s an attainable goal. They can even talk to their academic advisor about it or go to a faculty member who leads study abroad – many people at UTIA can offer guidance and advice.
When you think about the phrase “Grow Global,” what does it mean to you, and what do you hope students take away from their time abroad?
I hope students take away from their time abroad a new perspective about their class topic whether that’s construction, food science, agricultural business, One Health, or landscape design. I hope that they see their major through a new lens and can apply new ideas to their course topics. I also hope they realize how interconnected the world is and become more prepared for their career.
What do you like to do outside of work and/or what is a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues may not know?
Outside of work, I like to hang out with my two rabbits, Sookie and Kalypso.
