CIIE Staff

Headshot of Amanda Johnson

Amanda Johnson, Ph.D.

Director

mjohn275@kent.edu
215 White Hall
330-672-0563

Amanda Johnson, director of the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education, is a leader and global educator in international higher education initiatives. Over the past 15 years, Amanda’s work has spanned the globe. She has worked in universities in Ecuador and South Korea and developed international university partnerships and federally funded capacity-building programs at Virginia Tech. Before joining Kent State, she was the executive director of the University of New Hampshire Global Student Success Program. She received her Ph.D. at the College of William and Mary in Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership, where she focused her research on higher education change in Ecuador. She has a Masters in TESOL from Eastern Michigan University and a BA in History from Hollins College, an all-women’s college in Roanoke, Virginia. Amanda is a first generation college graduate, a passionate advocate for liberal arts education, and a champion of sustainability practices in global education programming.


Rose Onders Headshot 2020

Rose Onders

Special Assistant

ronders@kent.edu

Rose Onders is the Special Assistant in the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education. Rose serves as a catalyst for the advancement of international and intercultural education which aligns with the University’s global education goals. The Center serves faculty, scholars, domestic and international students, and other members of KSU and other communities. 


Noura Al-Khafif

Noura Al-Khafif

Graduate Assistant

nalkhafi@kent.edu

Noura Al-Khafif is a graduate assistant for the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education and a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Kent State University. As a Muslim Arab American, Noura utilizes her cultural background to promote diversity and inclusion. Noura aspires to become a mental health counselor serving marginalized populations, especially Arab American communities. She aims to break the stigma around mental health and promote mental wellness for diverse backgrounds through culturally informed care.


Muazzam Abdu

Muazzam Abdu

Graduate Assistant

mabdurak@kent.edu

Muazzam Abdu is a graduate assistant at the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education and a graduate student in the Master of Education in Special Education program at Kent State University. Originally from Uzbekistan, she has lived in Japan for the past 8 years. With 6 years of experience in the education field, Muazzam has gained insight into teaching approaches across diverse cultures. Fluent in 5 languages, she aspires to become an Early Intervention Specialist. Her multicultural background equips her to support students and families from diverse backgrounds effectively.