» Center for Global Education Staff Bios

E-mail: kbeavers@chapman.edu
Phone: (714) 289-2020

Kristin Westervelt Beavers (M.A.) Director, ventured into international education soon after she arrived at Chapman University in 2001 from Oregon. Originally hired to manage academic domestic internships, she soon found herself developing the university’s first stand-alone summer international internship program. One location grew quickly to five sites in Europe and Asia Pacific so she transferred to the Center for Global Education as Assistant Director and program manager for international internships and exchange programs. Currently, she oversees strategic planning and operations for the Center for Global Education and manages inbound and outbound exchange programs. She served on the International Council of Advisors for the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) for six years, holds membership in NAFSA, Forum on Education Abroad, Diversity Abroad and Global Leadership League, presents at regional and international conferences and served on the WIVA subcommittee of NAFSA to develop “Best Practices for Vetting Partners and Developing Opportunities Abroad.” For Chapman, she serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group on the Status of Women. She holds a Master of Arts in Management from the University of Redlands and speaks enough French to get herself in trouble.

E-mail: jebner@chapman.edu
Phone: (714) 997-6629

Jodi Hicks (M.A.) began her career at Chapman University in 2011 at the Center for Global Education. Her motivation to pursue a career in international education started with her first study abroad experience in London and second experience in Thailand as an undergraduate student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (2005). She participated in a short-term abroad program in Tanzania while obtaining her Master of Arts in Social and Cultural Analysis of Education from California State University Long Beach (2013). Jodi was selected to serve on the Diversity Abroad Task Force - Race & Ethnicity for the 2019 academic year. Jodi is a member and former Co-Chair of the International Communities Advisory Group at Chapman. Jodi has served as content chair for the Lessons from Abroad Los Angeles Conference since 2014. She has traveled to over 40 countries. Jodi was awarded the Fulbright Taiwan International Educators Seminar in March 2018. Her favorite travel item for any international trip is a sarong.

E-mail: lawson@chapman.edu
Phone: (714) 744-7858

Jean Lawson joined the Center for Global Education in 2011 after working in the Career and Professional Development. She brings expertise in the areas of student relations, office management, financial analysis, development of organizational procedures, guidelines and customer service. Before coming to Chapman University, she worked in business, financial accounting and provided administrative support to corporate executives. Jean received an Associate of Arts degree in Accounting, and Business Administration degree in Marketing from California State University, Fullerton. Furthering her commitment to personal growth and development, she acquired a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman with a Certificate in Organizational Development. Jean’s natural ability to collaborate and build relationships with colleagues allows her to effectively meet the needs of students, providers, faculty, staff and parents within our community. Outside of work she loves to SUP, power walk, paint with watercolors and travel!

E-mail: ldiaz@chapman.edu
Phone: (714) 289-3139

Loren Lee Diaz, MBA has been a Chapman panther since 2007 and graduated in the class of 2011 with a B.S. in Business Administration (emphasis in Marketing) and minor in Public Relations. She has studied abroad at the International College of Management, Sydney in Australia. She first worked for the Center for Global Education as a Peer Advisor in 2010. Diaz has experience in finance, accounting, technical operations, digital communications, marketing, and customer service from previous roles at Warner Bros. Studios. In 2018, she received an MBA from the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics. Her passion for overseas exploration began after participating in a Spanish language immersion and homestay program in Málaga, Spain during high school.

E-mail: mchughes@chapman.edu
Phone: (714) 997-6830

McKenna Hughes (M.A.) has been a fierce advocate for global education since her first trip abroad to Japan in 2008 with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. While earning her Bachelors of Arts in English and Linguistics at the University of Virginia, she traveled abroad on several occasions including a semester studying at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. After graduation, McKenna continued her global pursuits by teaching English in France where she learned the value of intercultural competency and a flexible attitude. Determined to dedicate her career to international education, McKenna then earned a Master of Arts in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Before coming to the Center for Global Education, McKenna worked in Paris, France with the Middlebury School in France supporting students as they adjusted to their new home, school, and internship abroad. In her free time, McKenna enjoys reading a good book, crafting, long walks, and, of course, traveling.

Daniel, born and raised in Alhambra, CA, studied Global Studies and Spanish at UC Santa Barbara. Having previously studied abroad in Argentina and taught English in Costa Rica and Colombia, he returned to California to study Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at USC where he focused his research on first-generation Latino men in education abroad. His hobbies include soccer, Settlers of Catan, and hanging out with friends. Daniel’s favorite movie is Kindergarten Cop, favorite soccer player is Paulo Dybala, and if he could have one superpower it would be to fly so he did not have to spend money on any more airplanes.

E-mail: kaybrooks@chapman.edu
Phone: (714) 997-6857

Kayla Brooks has been a Chapman Panther since 2014, and graduated in May 2018 with a B.A. in Strategic Corporate Communication along with two minors in Dance Studies and Psychology.  She is currently attending graduate school through Brandman University to receive her MBA with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership. Her passion for traveling the globe began in high school during her first international trip to Europe. Kayla hopes that one day she will have visited as many countries as possible, and to give back to communities around the globe that are in need of help. She enjoys dancing, reading, Disneyland, going on new adventures, and traveling. Her favorite place to travel to is Paris, France, and the next destination on her list Brussels, Belgium.