Shannon Bedo, Chair

Shannon Bedo is the Director of International and Veteran Student Services at Houston Baptist University, where she leads efforts for recruiting, admissions, immigration, and programming for the international and veteran student population. She has previously served at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas A&M University, as well as in the private sector. She has a Masters of Agricultural Education and a Bachelors of Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University, where she also studied abroad in both Vietnam and Tunisia. Shannon is an active member of NAFSA and the Trainer Corps, currently serving as the dean of F-1 Beyond the Basics e-learning course, and was on the chair stream of the Houston Forum from 2018-2020. She is also the Chair-Elect for Study Texas, serving on the Board since 2018. Shannon was named NAFSA’s 2020 Advocate of the Year and is actively involved in educating Congressional representatives and their staff on issues important to international education. She currently serves on NAFSA’s Region III Leadership Team as the Advocacy Representative.

Cynthia Martinez, Past Chair

Cynthia Martinez is the Executive Director for the Office of International Programs at The University of Texas at Tyler (UTT) in Tyler, Texas. She oversees International Student and Scholar Services, Study Abroad, Intensive English Language Institute, and Passport services. Prior to serving at UTT, Cynthia was the associate director of International Engagement at Texas A&M International University. She earned her master’s degree in Sociology and bachelor’s in Criminal Justice at Texas A&M International University.

Jennifer Davis, At Large

Jennifer Davis serves as the Director of International Studies at Texas A&M University-Texarkana.  This role leads global engagement efforts to enhance the university’s internationalization endeavors.  She focuses on expanding the global mindsets of students, faculty, and the community by overseeing international student recruitment and retention, study abroad development, and the intensive English program. 

Davis completed her M.A. in International & Intercultural Communication at the University of Denver.  She is currently enrolled in Lamar University’s Ed.D. program focusing on global educational leadership.

Jodi Nelms, Chair Elect

Jodi Nelms has worked within international education for over three decades. She has lived and worked on every continent, except for Antarctica, and is passionate about multiculturism. Jodi directs the Language and Culture Center at the University of Houston (UH) and is an inaugural member of the recently formed International Student Advocacy and Advancement Team (ISAAT) at UH. She currently serves on the board of the University and College Intensive English Program consortium (UCIEP) and as a Commissioner for the Commission on English Language Accreditation (CEA).

lin larson, secretary

Lin Larson is the Director of Student Recruitment in the Dean’s Office, College of Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington. In this position, Lin is charged with creating and implementing a recruitment strategic plan to grow and diversify the college significantly by 2025. In her 20+-year career in international recruitment and admissions, she has worked in 4 institutions of higher education, all with varying admission requirements for all academic programs. Lin has presented on aspects of international student recruitment and admissions, credential evaluation, ethical practices and institutional policies at NAFSA, NACAC, WACAC, International ACAC, AACRAO and EducationUSA Forum. She is a co-author in NAFSA’s 2017 publication, Managing A Successful International Admissions Office.

Justin Ball, Treasurer

Justin R. Ball is currently serving as the Director of Global Exchange Center at Sam Houston State University. Before joining SHSU, Justin was the International Student Coordinator at Navarro College for 8 years. He has now been with SHSU for over 9 years. His duties include serving as the PDSO/RO for SHSU, SEVIS monitoring, immigration advising (F-1, J-1, and H1-B), authorizing all international travel by SHSU representatives, coordinating OPT/CPT workshops, editing the SHSU International webpage, and overseeing Study Abroad. Justin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University – Commerce, a Master of Science degree in Family Studies from Amberton University. Justin earned his Education Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University – Commerce in 2018.

Ximena Fuentes, at-large

Ximena Fuentes Gates serves as the Director of International Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment at Texas Tech University.  Ximena’s role focuses on leading efforts for recruiting, admissions, immigration, and sponsored students’ program for the international undergraduate student population. She has previously served at the University of Texas marketing athletics department, as well as in the private sector. Ximena was an international student athlete and has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, Management, and International Business from the University of Texas at El Paso. She received her Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from UTEP in 2014.

heather catton, at-large

Heather Catton is the Director of the Office of International Programs at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). She oversees international student recruitment and services, study abroad programs, and on-campus internationalization activities. She has been involved in international education as an exchange student in France, Tunisia, and Indonesia and as an English teacher in Taiwan, and has also worked in Washington, DC and abroad with an international NGO focusing on health practices and social marketing. She has been at SFA for 19 years, the last 12 with international programs, first as an ESL instructor and currently as director. She earned a master’s degrees in French and southeast Asia Studies from Ohio University.