International Education Consultant
Dr. Tara Braun
About Me
Dr. Tara Braun has over seventeen years-experience in international higher education ranging from study abroad, international partnerships, international student services, enrollment strategy, recruiting, immigration, has served in the roles of PDSO and RO, and has worked with international student programming. As an active member of NAFSA, she has serves in leadership and training roles at a state and regional level, advocacy groups, and presents at numerous conferences. She is also a co-founder and Chair of Study Michigan. Tara has presented at many state, regional, and national conferences on international education topics.
Dr. Braun holds a Bachelor's in Business, a Master’s in Career and Technical Education, a doctorate of Higher Educational Leadership at Central Michigan University, and serves as the PDSO/ ARO and Director of International Admissions and Immigration at Calvin University.
Her dissertation work focuses on the re-acculturation experiences of Ghanaian students who studied in the United States. From this research, the main themes of the race concept of being African in the United States and being referred to as black, the need to provide increased international alumni networking, and providing departure programs that assist in the transition back home.
My Background
Education
Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University
Certificate in Total Quality Management in Education from Ferris State University
M.S., Career and Technical Education Post-Secondary from Ferris State University B.S., Business Management
Administrative Skills
Strategic international enrollment data reporting and analysis
Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO) with SEVIS
Creating effective communication plans for recruiting, admissions, and student services
Course development and administration
Aspects of international recruiting including fairs, agents, establishing relationships, networking, market research, and financial aid
Strategic enrollment planning and market development
Supervising staff, student assistants, agents, and regional recruiters
Budget reporting and analyzing cost effectiveness of international programs
Developing scholarship opportunities for education abroad and international applicants
Study Abroad faculty handbook, emergency planning, and risk management
Creation of dual degree layouts for international partner schools
Developing agreements with international high schools, colleges, and universities
International and domestic student advising
Networking and relationship building
Software such as SLATE, Salesforce, Banner, Colleague, Perceptive Content, and Workday
Crisis Management Training
Professional Organizations
International Association of International Counseling (IACAC)
Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
NAFSA Regional Representative for the state of Michigan 2010
NAFSA Education Abroad Trainer 2008 to 2009
Michigan Association of International Educators (MAIE)
MAIE International Enrollment Representative 2022 to present
MAIE Chair Stream 2009 to 2012
MAIE Team Member for Education Abroad 2007 to 2009
Study Michigan co-founder and Chair 2021 to present
Council of International Schools (CIS) Summit Working Group: Determining the Means to Engage Students
Panrimo Advising Board Member 2012 to 2015
Institute for International Education (IIE) Gilman Scholarship Committee Member 2013