The NASPA International Symposium facilitates the advancement of global discussion and worldwide understanding of student affairs and services. A key International Symposium goal is to invite and explore new perspectives, and to create new connections to bridge international boundaries. In doing so, the International Symposium expands NASPA’s objective of providing professional learning opportunities to support preparedness for the realities of an increasingly globalized society. The International Symposium benefits those working in an international student service setting, as well as practitioners interested in further developing their global competency skills.

The planning committee has developed a two-day schedule meant to engage and inspire action. You'll start Saturday setting the stage for the rest of the weekend, engage with our keynote speaker, and connect with colleagues through networking opportunities. On Sunday, you will engage with experts who will be sure to motivate and inspire you through small group dialogues, breakout sessions and panel discussions. Topped off with plenty of networking opportunities, the NASPA International Symposium will provide you with motivational ideas, actionable steps, and opportunities to connect and learn from your peers.

Dr. Jill L. Creighton (she/her/hers), serves as the Associate Vice President for Global Operations with the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA), where she will be leading teams in three global regions (the Americas, Asia/Pacific, and Europe) to build robust study abroad experiences for college students around the world. She has spent her career in student affairs and international education, working to create connections between student affairs theories and international practice. 

Prior, Creighton worked in campus-based student affairs leadership roles as the Chief Student Affairs Officer | Dean of Student Affairs at Duke Kunshan University (DKU), a world-class, liberal arts, Sino-U.S. cooperative joint venture university in Kunshan, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. In her role, Dr. Creighton headed all aspects of the student affairs portfolio, inclusive of 11 departments, balancing elements of U.S. and Chinese student affairs models to meet the needs of a highly diverse student population representing over 70 countries. 

Dr. Creighton served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students / Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, USA where she oversaw the Office of the Dean of Students, the Center for Community Standards, Housing and Residence Life, the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Health Promotion, and Student Care Case Management on the WSU Pullman campus, as well as support campus life efforts on all WSU locations across the multi-campus system. 

Creighton has also led as the Assistant Dean of Students for Conduct & Operations at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, USA where she supervised the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, the university food security taskforce, and operations and assessment for the Office of the Dean of Students. In addition, she worked at New York University where she led student conduct efforts at 14 global locations across six continents. Prior, Creighton held student affairs roles at the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

In professional service to the higher education profession, Creighton currently hosts and co-produces NASPA’s podcast, SA Voices from the Field. The show strives to provide free and accessible professional development for student affairs professionals across the globe. Creighton contributes to the NASPA Global Division’s advisory board and served 3 terms as the NASPA Region V Public Policy Division representative on the Region V Advisory Board and the Public Policy Division national board. 

She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Central Washington University and her Master of Education in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University. She earned her Doctorate in Public Administration at West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she wrote her dissertation on Study Abroad and Liminality: Examining U.S. Undergraduate Students’ Risky Behavioral Choices Betwixt and Between Borders. Creighton is a proud dual U.S. and Irish national.

Dr. Jason Pina serves as New York University’s Senior Vice President for University Life. He previously served as Vice President for University Life and Global Engagement and Chief Strategy Officer for Global Programs and University Life. Dr. Pina provides strategic leadership to NYU’s Division of Student Affairs, composed of 13 departments and over 600 employees. In addition, Dr. Pina supports student life at 12 global sites in 11 countries as well as degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. For almost 30 years, he has collaborated with faculty, professionals, and student colleagues to improve campus environments and student life.

Before NYU, he served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Ohio University, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Bridgewater State University, and Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students at the University of Rhode Island.

Dr. Pina is a leading voice on leadership in student affairs and diversity. His work with colleagues has been recognized by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Insight into Diversity, EverFi, and NASPA. He co-edited AVP: Leading from the Unique Role of Associate/Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and contributed several chapters. In addition, he assisted in revising the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies and Rubrics. Dr. Pina was a former NASPA Board of Directors member from 2017-2020 and Chaired the 2019 & 2020 NASPA Annual Conferences. In 2022, NASPA recognized his lifelong commitment to higher education with the Pillar of the Profession award.

Dr. Pina holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Occidental College, a master's and an educational specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University.

Russell Martin currently works in student life at Franklin University Switzerland, a small US/Swiss accredited institution in the Italian-speaking region in Switzerland. Before Franklin, Russell worked with Northeastern's NUin program in Greece and in various student life roles at the University of Arizona and Ithaca College.