The Forum on Education Abroad released the results of their Council elections late last month and among those elected was Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange Director Joy Phaphouvaninh. The Forum Council serves as part of the shared leadership of The Forum on Education Abroad, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, membership association recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission as the Standards Development Organization (SDO) for the field of education abroad.
"It is an incredible honor being elected for this leadership role and it strengthens my commitment to working within internationalization of higher education," Joy shared with Illinois International. "I am excited about the opportunity to engage meaningfully with other leaders in education abroad and together identify ways we can deepen the quality of our work across the field."
The Forum’s Standards of Good Practice are recognized as the definitive means by which the quality of education abroad programs may be judged. The Quality Improvement Program for Education Abroad (QUIP) and The Professional Certification for Education Abroad Program provide quality assurance for the field through use of the Standards in rigorous self-study and peer reviews for institutions and professional certification for individuals. Additionally, the Forum provides training and resources to education abroad professionals. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the Forum’s founding members.
“We are thrilled that Illinois will be represented on the Forum Council by Joy,” said Julie Misa, Associate Provost for Illinois International. “Joy brings a wealth of expertise in the area of study abroad. Her perspective on the importance of offering robust programs that comply with the Standards will be a real asset to the Forum Council. Likewise, she can translate what she learns through the Council to the University to allow us to adhere to best practices in education abroad.”
Joy assumed the position of Director of Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange in February 2018 after having joined the office in 2013. Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange is a unit of Illinois International that provides exceptional study abroad experiences through academically and professionally integrated pathways for Illinois students, faculty, and staff. As director, Joy collaborates closely with both on campus academic departments and international partners abroad to identify and develop education abroad programming that aligns with and complements academic learning goals. Previously, Joy worked at the City University of New York (CUNY) in New York, NY, and developed a variety of education abroad policies for the university system. She has a background in refugee and immigrant services in government and non-profit sectors, and studied abroad for an academic year in India. Joy earned her B.A. in Religious Studies and Asian Studies from Kenyon College and M.A. in Sustainable Development from the SIT Graduate Institute, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
"Members of The Forum Council have the privilege and responsibility of communicating the needs and interests of the greater field of education abroad and contributing in real ways to the development of resources and services through participation in working groups and committees," Joy added. "I look forward to advocating on behalf of different perspectives to ensure that initiatives worked on in the Forum positively impact the myriad stakeholders involved in education abroad."
Joy will serve on the Forum Council for a three-year term beginning on July 1, 2019.