CONTACT
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Email: sonja.lind@csusb.edu
LinkedIn: /sonjalind/ |
QUALIFICATIONS
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- Experience working as a study abroad program administrator for over five years
- Experience providing data-driven international student support
- Experience teaching English as a second language for over five years
- Experience living in six countries and traveling to six continents
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EDUCATION
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Ph.D. in Education | Graduated 2014
University of California, Irvine
Dissertation Topic: Supporting international students in the U.S. |
M.A. in English | Graduated 2008
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Emphases: Teaching English (TESL), Rhetoric and Composition |
Certificate in TESOL | Completed 2002
Trinity College London, UK |
B.A. in English Literature | Graduated 2002
Newbold College, Bracknell, UK |
California State University, Los Angeles
March 2017
– September 2019
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Education Abroad Coordinator | California State University, Los Angeles
- Orchestrated the daily operations of a study abroad program serving over 250 students per semester, in addition to supervising 4-6 assistants.
- Accelerated outbound applications by 193% and study abroad scholarship applications by 40-200%; for the first time in Cal State LA history, over 100 students study abroad
- Served as the Alternate Responsible Officer, annually assisting over 70 exchange students (J-1) from over 20 countries with immigration, enrollment, admissions, housing
- Co-created and co-led pre-departure orientations for all outbound students
- Co-hosted Study Abroad Homecoming for all recently-returned outbound students
- Developed and led a first-ever online orientations for inbound exchange students
- Oversaw the development of first-ever mentor program for international students, including co-hosting afternoon tea meetings and weekend hikes
- Recruited, selected, and trained 4-6 student assistants; evaluate all assistants through bi-annual performance evaluations and regular one-on-one and staff meetings
- Planned and hosted study abroad fairs, with 100-500 students attending each
- Delivered bilingual (Spanish and English) presentations at family orientation
- Assisted 15 faculty in developing itineraries and proposals for study abroad programs
- Conducted IRB-approved longitudinal research project on first-generation students who study abroad, with multiple faculty and four research assistants; presenting at NAFSA 2019
- Oversaw articulation between Television and Film department and University of Worcester
- Initiated new partnership between Cal State LA and Universidad de las Américas Puebla
Instructor, Seminar in Comparative and International Education January – May 2018
Charter College of Education
- Taught M.A. course EDFN 5060: Seminar in Comparative and International Education
- Covered issues in comparative and international education (e.g., globalization, language policy, gender equity, international student mobility, refugee education)
- Observed in February 2018 as “an organized and effective instructor who draws from her own experience as an international educator”
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Schreiner University
July 2014
– March 2017
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Coordinator, Changing Global Society | Schreiner University
- Created first centralized study abroad program at Schreiner University
- Overhauled previously unorganized system, writing travel policy, creating pre-departure orientations and post-trip reflection sessions, and managing trip budgets
- Doubled study abroad participation rates among students in two years
- Hosted monthly cultural events like Diwali, Korean New Year, and Día de los Muertos to increase campus internationalization; 30% of all students attended
- Chaired Student Travel Committee and served on Diversity Committee
- Established and maintained social media to market programs: student blog, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and Instagram profile
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University of California, Irvine
September 2008
– June 2014
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Ph.D. Scholar | School of Education
- Conducted the university’s first and only dissertation on identifying and supporting the needs of international undergraduate students
- Conducted qualitative interviews and focus groups with 15 Asian undergraduate students
- Selected, trained, and evaluated research assistants
- Presented results to campus stakeholders for international student support
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Co-Founder, International Students Committee | Associated Graduate Students (AGS)
- Co-founded university’s first international student committee
- Collaborated with graduate center in planning international graduate student orientation
- Planned the annual global talent show, “One World Concert”
- Evaluated international student surveys and wrote campus-wide reports
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International Graduate Student Mentor | Graduate Division
- Mentored incoming international graduate students on matters beyond immigration concerns, including adjusting to the U.S., using public transportation, and career support
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Student Organization Officer | International Club (iClub)
- Developed and promoted social and cultural events to engage international students, hosting 1-3 events per month on and off campus
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ESL Instructor | International Programs, UC, Irvine Extension
- Taught English Conversation and Culture courses to non-matriculated international students (e.g., Reading and Writing; Idioms and Vocabulary; English Through Film)
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Student Diplomat | Olive Tree Initiative (OTI)
- Traveled on a diplomatic student trip to Turkey, Armenia, and Georgia to speak with leaders such as journalists, nonprofits, and think tanks about the Armenian Genocide
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California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
September 2006
– June 2008
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Freshman English Teaching Associate | Department of English and Foreign Languages
- Developed curriculum and taught Freshman English I and Freshman English II
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Teaching Associate Mentor | Department of English and Foreign Languages
- Mentored three Teaching Associates instructing Freshman English, on teaching techniques and curriculum development
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Writing Tutor and Mentor | Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
- Assisted first-generation undergraduate students with academic writing and study skills
- Received a College Reading and Learning Association Level 1 Tutor Certificate
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South Korea
February 2003
– February 2006
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EFL Instructor | Sahmyook University
- Taught undergraduate English language courses to university freshmen
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Teaching Staff Coordinator | Sahmyook University
- Supervised nine full-time instructors in teaching, grading, and course design
- Liaised between Korean administrators and instructors
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SELECTED CONFERENCES and PUBLICATIONS
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Cultures of Support: Student Affairs and International Undergraduate Students | March 2015
- Presentation, 2015 NASPA Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Cultural Competence: Understanding and Interacting with Other Cultures | November 2014
- Workshop, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Kerrville, TX.
How Your Students’ Cultural Backgrounds Affect Classroom Interactions | November 2013
- Education 143BW: Math and Science Classroom Interactions, UC Irvine.
Exploring the International Undergraduate Experience | March 2013
- Panel, 2013 TESOL Conference, Dallas, TX.
Interactions and Support on an International Center Facebook Group | March 2012
- Poster, Doctoral Student Forum, 2012 TESOL Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
Thinking Like a Traveler | June 2011
- Workshop, El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Santa Ana, CA.
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TRAVEL
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- Lived in Norway, Kenya, Canada, England, South Korea, and the U.S.
- Traveled to 47 countries and 6 continents
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LANGUAGES
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English (fluent), Spanish (intermediate) |
HONORS and AWARDS
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- Dean’s Award for Outstanding Service, August 2018, Cal State LA
- Global Leadership Certificate, May 2014, University of California, Irvine
- Pedagogical Fellowship, 2010-2011, University of California, Irvine
- International Merit Scholarship, Cal Poly Pomona
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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- NAFSA Management Development Program, May 26-28, 2019
- Mapping Short-Term Education Abroad Programs Certificate, NAFSA, August 2018
- Mexico as a Study Abroad Destination Workshop, U.S. State Department, May 22-25, 2017
- Health, Safety, Security and Risk Management, Forum on Education Abroad, May 11, 2017
- Five semesters of Spanish language classes; auditing Advanced class in Spring 2019
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