Senior International Officer (SIO) Council
As the only professional association dedicated to advancing internationalization at community, technical and vocational colleges, CCID promotes collaboration, capacity-building, and innovation in international education.
As part of CCID's leadership and governance, the SIO Council consists of Senior International Officers from each Board Member college, as well as up to three SIO at-large members. The SIO Council is an important body of educators and leaders that engages in planning, implementing and evaluating all activities, projects and programs by CCID.
Whether you are seeking to expand your leadership, deepen your impact, or contribute to national-level strategies for international education at community colleges, we encourage you to apply to join the SIO Council when nominations open in 2027.
As part of CCID's leadership and governance, the SIO Council consists of Senior International Officers from each Board Member college, as well as up to three SIO at-large members. The SIO Council is an important body of educators and leaders that engages in planning, implementing and evaluating all activities, projects and programs by CCID.
Whether you are seeking to expand your leadership, deepen your impact, or contribute to national-level strategies for international education at community colleges, we encourage you to apply to join the SIO Council when nominations open in 2027.
SIO Council Structure
The SIO Council meets quarterly but works closely with CCID staff throughout the year while simultaneously leading global education efforts at their institutions. The Council is instrumental in the organization’s success and takes part in exclusive special leadership development programs such as the Annual CCID Summer Institute and SIO Professional Development Day.
Members of the CCID SIO Council serve on special-focus committees that influence CCID activities, projects and programs:
Members of the CCID SIO Council serve on special-focus committees that influence CCID activities, projects and programs:
- Advocacy Committee - empowering educators at community, technical and vocational colleges in building, preserving and advancing international programs and initiatives, internally and externally.
- Conference Committee - ensuring a successful annual conference, including site location, theme, tracks, programming, plenary speakers, community engagement and evaluation.
- Mobility Committee - championing student, faculty and staff opportunities across borders, physically or virtually.
- Membership Committee - increasing CCID membership and a return on member investment through opportunities provided by the organization.
- Professional Development Committee - creating opportunities that advance the skills, network, recognition and tenure of CCID member college faculty and staff involved in global education.
​Professional Development for SIO Council Members
There are numerous ways in which the SIO Council both engages in, and facilitates, professional development opportunities.
CCID Summer InstituteMembers of the SIO Council convene every summer at a host college to reflect on CCID programming while planning what to offer for the upcoming year. Programs reflect the values and objectives relating to CCID’s mission and those listed within the Strategic Plan. The Council also engages in local learning and with international education staff and stakeholders within the host community during this event.
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SIO Professional Development DayIn recognition of the leadership and service that members of the SIO Council provide to the organization as well as their institutions, CCID began hosting a SIO Professional Development Day just prior to its annual conference starting in 2025. This special day includes an exploration of professional skills development, local culture, partnership opportunities and fellowship.
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Mentorship ProgramsMembers of CCID’s SIO Council engage in various activities to welcome and mentor other International Education Leaders. Whether at the CCID Annual Conference, via the CCID Member Engagement Hub or during other professional development events, CCID staff and leadership provide opportunities to connect members and stakeholders for the purpose of gaining knowledge and confidence within the field.
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Leadership Development ProgramsAs the field of international education evolves, so too does the need to keep pace with effective and transformational leadership. In consultation with the SIO Council and various stakeholders, CCID offers these opportunities to inspire and guide current and future leaders.
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SIO Council Representatives
The SIO Council currently consists of 24 representatives. The SIO Council Chair is elected annually and serves a term from Sept 1st to Aug 31st. See our Terms of Reference for more details regarding their roles and responsibilities.
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SIO Council Chair-Elect |
Dr. Sarah Wright
Director of International Education Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville, NC, USA 
Ms. Patrice Boulous
Director, Office of International Student Services Northampton Community College Bethlehem, PA, USA 
Dr. Margaret Hiebert
Coordinator of International Education State Center Community College District Fresno, CA, USA 
Mr. Jim Bensley
Director, International Services and Service Learning Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City, MI, USA |
Dr. Wendy Stewart
Vice President, International Programs & Extended Learning Green River College Auburn, WA, USA 
Ms. Stephanie Belmas
Director/Associate Dean, PDSO, RO Center for International Education Madison College Madison, WI, USA 
Ms. Samira Pardanani
Associate Vice President, International Education & Global Engagement Shoreline Community College Shoreline, WA, USA |
Dr. Normah Salleh-Barone
Vice President of Student Development Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, IL, USA 
Ms. Amber McKenzie
Assistant Dean of Global Education and Strategic Partnerships Spokane Colleges Spokane, WA, USA |
At-Large Positions
Each year, there is an open-call for SIO At-Large nominees. SIO At-Large representatives are Senior International Officers from CCID member colleges that elect to serve as an active member of the CCID SIO Council for a period of two years. No more than three SIO At-Large may serve at any given time.
The SIO At-Large opportunity is a terrific way for international education leaders from CCID member colleges to become a part of CCID leadership. It is also a way to enhance their professional development by joining a network of very experienced educators and administrators in service to an organization that is dedicated to advancing global education for community, technical and vocational colleges worldwide.
SIOs At-Large are expected to attend all SIO Council meetings, including the in-person meetings at the Annual Conference and The Summer Institute (locations TBD each year). Additionally, SIOs At-Large are expected to participate in the work of SIO Council committees.
The SIO At-Large opportunity is a terrific way for international education leaders from CCID member colleges to become a part of CCID leadership. It is also a way to enhance their professional development by joining a network of very experienced educators and administrators in service to an organization that is dedicated to advancing global education for community, technical and vocational colleges worldwide.
SIOs At-Large are expected to attend all SIO Council meetings, including the in-person meetings at the Annual Conference and The Summer Institute (locations TBD each year). Additionally, SIOs At-Large are expected to participate in the work of SIO Council committees.
Member-At-Large
Jen Sydow-Madoski Senior International Officer / Program Manager, Center for Global Engagement Maricopa Community Colleges Tempe, AZ, USA |
Member-At-Large
JoBen Rivera-Thompson Senior International Officer / Director, Marketing, Public Relations & International Outreach Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GA, USA |
Member-At-Large
Nicole Trevena Flores Senior International Officer / Department Chair - Social Sciences & Global Education Coordinator Southeast Community College Lincoln, NE, USA |
Reflections from our Previous At-Large Council Members
“As an SIO Member at large for the CCID board, the networking and connections within the field of Global Education at 2-year colleges has been invaluable. Learning best practices from colleagues committed to transformative global learning has been incredibly impactful for my career as well as the opportunities it has afforded Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.”
— Megan Grant, Manager of Student Involvement & International Programs, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, WI, USA
— Megan Grant, Manager of Student Involvement & International Programs, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay, WI, USA
“Holding an At-Large position on the CCID SIO Council connected me with a distinguished group of professionals who share my passion for internationalizing the community college experience. It also provided me with an opportunity to embed my own commitment to global citizenship into a national strategy, giving my work a purpose beyond my home campus. I highly recommend this experience; it provides not just a network, but a true (and enjoyable!) community dedicated to achieving a collective vision for engaging students with the world.”
— Jim Bensley, Director, International Services and Service Learning, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MI, USA
— Jim Bensley, Director, International Services and Service Learning, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MI, USA
“As an At-Large Member of the SIO Council while working at Jefferson State, I found the group dynamic of being part of a group of community college leaders engaged in international work incredibly rewarding. Information sharing between institutions, fulfilling the work of CCID to raise global engagement at community colleges, and learning about the work on the national level for community colleges was extremely enlightening, encouraging, and helped me with the development of internationalization at my own institution.”
— Stacye Thompson, PhD, Coordinator of International Student Services (Retired), Jefferson State Community College
— Stacye Thompson, PhD, Coordinator of International Student Services (Retired), Jefferson State Community College
Join the SIO Council
Are you a Senior International Officer at a CCID member college?
Senior International Officers are individuals responsible for the leading and facilitating international programs and/or global education at their college. The SIO may have varied titles unique to their campus.
You can play an active role in CCID by joining the SIO Council for one year. Serving in a “member at large” capacity, you will expand your professional network, cultivate ideas for high-impact programs, enhance your leadership skills and contribute to the success of an international organization.
The call for nominations is open from September to January, and selections are made in February. Self-nominations are welcome!
Senior International Officers are individuals responsible for the leading and facilitating international programs and/or global education at their college. The SIO may have varied titles unique to their campus.
You can play an active role in CCID by joining the SIO Council for one year. Serving in a “member at large” capacity, you will expand your professional network, cultivate ideas for high-impact programs, enhance your leadership skills and contribute to the success of an international organization.
The call for nominations is open from September to January, and selections are made in February. Self-nominations are welcome!
