Our Advisory Council

Wendy Williamson, Director of Study Abroad at Eastern Illinois University, has helped thousands of students travel overseas. She holds an M.A. in Counselor Education and completed two assignments (four years) with the US Peace Corps in West Africa and South America. Williamson is the author of Study Abroad 101, and maintains blogs and social media outlets related to studies overseas.

Marc J. O'Reilly, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio and Chair of the International Studies Committee, specializes in international relations. Originally from Montreal, Canada, he holds a B.A. from McGill University, an M.A. from Ohio University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. Dr. O’Reilly is the author of Unexceptional: America's Empire in the Persian Gulf, 1941-2007 (Lexington Books, 2008).

Tara Braun, M.A. in Education, Administrative Certificate in Total Quality Management in Education, works with International Student Admissions at Ferris State University, serving as Michigan’s NAFSA Education Abroad state representative for three years. She currently conducts Education Abroad conference workshops for NAFSA while continuing to work with Ferris students from her Big Rapids office.

Dominic Palazzolo is an entrepreneur and business consultant in Tampa, Florida, with ties to the international community. As a former Gucci client development specialist, Palazzolo travelled between San Francisco and the major capitols of Europe meeting with textile and clothing manufacturers. He advises Panrimo’s cofounders on program evaluation, student and university relations, and new market development.

Elizabeth Heys trained students for European Union licensing exams in public relations and marketing while working as a columnist for the Prague Post. She holds an M.A. from Loyola University and assists with European internship development.