Kenya, a senior in Mechanical Engineering, is an international student from Trinidad and Tobago. During her first year at Northwestern, she took an interest in German, taking several classes in the intensive beginner sequence. That same freshman year, she traveled to Germany for the first time in Summer 2019 through Northwestern’s Berlin: Global City in the Center of Europe program. Having found a connection with Germany and German as a language, Kenya returned to Hannover, Germany in the Summer of 2021, where she completed a 10-week Mechanical Engineering research internship through the DAAD RISE program. Kenya enjoys encouraging others to study abroad and is an active member of the German Undergraduate Advisory Board (GUAB) student group. She also enjoys crafts, completing puzzles, and watching reality tv.

Ron joined the Residential Services team in May of 2020 and serves as the Assistant Director of Community Standards and Residence Life Operations. In this role, Ron oversees all residential student conduct efforts and supervises four Residence Directors. Prior to Northwestern University, Ron served as the Complex Director for the Undergraduate Residential Center at Emory University with collateral assignments in Residential Student Conduct and Special Events/Traditions. He also has previous professional experience in residence life at George Washington University, Stony Brook University, and Belmont University. In his free time, Ron loves to travel and has quite the international travel resume as he has traveled to over 40 countries and nations since the age of 25. Additionally he is an avid travel social media influencer and group trip planner ranging from retreats, friend trips, educational excursions, and bachelor/ette celebrations

Born and raised in Aurora, Colorado, Derek has always valued the power of global collaboration and advocacy. Throughout college he had heard many stories about studying abroad but was deterred by costs and conflicting thoughts about what it means to travel the world as a Black individual. However, during his senior year at Colorado State University, he raised money to participate in an eco-tourism trip to Panama. He was hooked ever since! Experiencing the Black Diaspora first-hand has transformed Derek’s life and fueled his passion for working in Higher Education with students from all backgrounds. Now, having traveled to 4 of the 7 continents, he aims to share his experiences with students and emphasize the beauty of being a Black adventurer!

Norvell joined the Global Learning Office in July of 2021. A native Chicagoan, Norvell’s interest in international education was sparked during educational trips abroad as a Chicago Public School student. After years of working in university student services, Norvell assumed the role of Community Engagement Manager for an international exchange and travel nonprofit. Norvell would further his involvement in international communities by first moving to Bangkok, Thailand then to Montreal, Canada to teach English. Additionally, Norvell worked in compliance for Greenheart International ensuring international students were treated fairly in employment across the United States. Norvell holds a bachelor’s degree in History from Roosevelt University and a master’s degree in Education Administration: Higher Education Leadership from the University at Albany SUNY. He has a particular interest in making international education more accessible and equitable.