Message from the Co-chairs
2025 has been another eventful and impactful year in the field of education abroad, and the importance of connecting, collaborating, and supporting one another through our PLC cannot be overstated.
We are fortunate to benefit from the deep knowledge and expertise within our community. Over the past year, the Education Abroad PLC and its sub-groups delivered numerous knowledge-sharing presentations and webinars on key topics such as climate action and the SDGs; expanding access, diversity, and inclusion; building intercultural competence; pre-departure, re-entry, and wraparound supports; and data and metrics. Events like our Education Abroad PLC Breakfast at CBIE 2025 further strengthened our networks and relationships.
None of this would be possible without the dedication and leadership of our sub-group co-leads. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and for generously sharing your time and expertise. We also extend our gratitude to all members for your active engagement in our monthly meetings, the Hub, our annual conference, regional gatherings, and more. Your participation enriches our collective learning and ensures that important conversations continue to move our field forward.
As we both transition out of our leadership roles, we want to express how deeply grateful we are for the opportunity to serve this community. It has been a privilege to support such an engaged and thoughtful group of colleagues. We are genuinely excited to see where the PLC will go under new leadership and have every confidence that the momentum built over the past years will continue to grow. Although we are stepping back from the co-chair roles, we remain committed to the PLC and will continue to be involved and supportive in any way we can.
As we look ahead to 2026, we know the Education Abroad PLC will remain committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive space where we can celebrate successes, share challenges, and connect meaningfully. We are grateful for your dedication and look forward to another year of learning, growth, and shared accomplishments.
Sincerely,
Colleen and Shay
Purpose
The Education Abroad Professional Learning Community (EA PLC) provides a forum for professionals in the fields of education abroad and global learning to share resources, ideas, successes, and challenges in a supportive environment. It also aims to identify and work to address the needs of those facilitating education abroad at our respective institutions.
Mission
Facilitate the role of education abroad professionals at educational institutions across Canada, create an informed and effective support network and forum of discussion amongst education abroad professionals Speak on behalf of the Canadian education abroad community and their institutions for the purpose of providing information to CBIE that supports its advocacy efforts.
Objectives
The goal of the Education Abroad PLC is to:
- Establish tools and resources that encourage the free exchange of ideas and information between professionals involved with education abroad (EA) programs at different institutions/organizations
- Encourage the sharing of resources and best practices within the EA PLC community
- Develop and/or promote education and training for education abroad professionals
- Support research activities in the field of education abroad
- Work cooperatively with agencies supporting student mobility
- Identify and work to address the needs of those facilitating EA at our respective institutions
- Initiate discussion on the development of support services for EA programs in Canada
- Collect and disseminate information that aids with advocacy for financial support for EA initiatives
- Support and promote the internationalization of Canadian campuses through EA programs
- Raise education abroad in Canada to a high-profile issue within our institutions and organizations, including CBIE and its partners
Steering Committee
Colleen Packer
Colleen Packer
Director,
Global Learning,
University of Calgary
Shabnam (Shay) Ivkovic
Shabnam (Shay) Ivkovic
Director,
International Strategic Initiatives,
Co-Operative & Experiential Education,
University of Waterloo
Stasa Andric
Stasa Andric
Manager,
Global Engagement,
Capilano University
Elissa Cressman
Elissa Cressman
Manager,
Safety Abroad,
University of Waterloo
Kira Johnson
Kira Johnson
Study Abroad Coordinator,
University of New Brunswick
Zhi Jones
Zhi Jones
Associate Director,
Global Learning Services,
University of Alberta
Ana Koonjean
Ana Koonjean
Program Officer,
Faculty-Led and Global Experiences,
Toronto Metropolitan University
Colin Kutchyera
Colin Kutchyera
Accreditation and Graduate Studies Analyst,
Lakehead University
Ada Lee
Ada Lee
Global Learning & Partnerships Manager,
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Brian Rochat
Brian Rochat
Instructor,
Business Management & Leadership,
Red River College Polytechnic
David Rodriguez
David Rodriguez
International Exchange & Mobility Advisor,
Dalhousie University
Mila Sokolyanskaya
Mila Sokolyanskaya
Global Education Coordinator,
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Ruth Wax
Ruth Wax
Manager, Education Abroad,
Univeristy of Victoria
Overview of Membership
443 Members
From 401 members in 2024, the EA-PLC membership has increased, with 42 new members joining in the past year
Members by Province/Territory
Events & Initiatives
hosted webinars
hosted webinars
welcomed guest speakers
welcomed guest speakers from senior leadership positions, industry and academia
presented at CBIE2022
hosted in-person sessions during CBIE2024 and the Western Regional Meeting
Special Thanks
Thank you to our sub-group co-leads past and present for sharing your knowledge and your time and your passion for our field. Thank you to the CBIE staff, especially Sophie Jodouin, for your support, and to Larissa Bezo for your leadership.
A special thank you to all of our guest speakers for giving your time and expertise to our community, and to the Canadian Higher Education Travel Safety Network for your continued collaboration.
We are also grateful to our members for your active participation in EA Connect sessions, sub-group gatherings, the Hub, our annual conference, regional events, and more. You are the reason we do this, and your engagement helps us all to learn and grow, further enhancing our field.
