Pronounsshe, her, her, hers, herself

Department/College/UnitDivision of Global Engagement

TitleAssistant Director for Sponsored Student Programs

AffiliationStaff

Other UCSC Campus AffiliationInternational Student & Scholar Services

Primary Office LocationClassroom Unit 1
209

Office HoursHybrid schedule: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on campus; Mondays and Fridays remote; all days 9am-5pm

Mail StopGlobal Engagement

Biography, Education and Training

Gabi was born and raised in Germany. She originally planned to become an Egyptologist but switched her studies Political Science and American Government instead. She came to the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities as an exchange student in 1994 and stayed to complete her master’s. She has been working in international education since 1995. A former international student, Gabi is passionate to help international students get the support they need to succeed. Gabi developed and led the sponsored student program at UMN for 10 years before coming to UC Santa Cruz. As part of her job at Minnesota, she traveled exensively to the Middle East and North Africa. She loves to travel, experience new cultures and cuisine, read, watch Netflix, cook, bake, and eat good food with friends. She lives with her cat Archie Snugglepuff.

Summary of Expertise

Gabi has been working in international education since 1995. A passionate international educator, she developed and led the sponsored student program at UMN for 10 years prior to joining UC Santa Cruz. She has written a chapter on recruiting and supporting sponsored students in the 3rd edition of NAFSA's "Guide to International Student Recruitment" edited by Jessica Sandberg and has been a frequent presenter at professional conferences on topics such as immigration regulations, crisis management, international student recruitment, intercultural communication, and cultural adjustment. She enjoys mentoring new professionals in the field of international education and has twice been a NAFSA Academy Coach.

Awards, Honors and Grants

2008: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Latin American Student Association Award for Outstanding Service

2009: University of Minnesota President's Award for Outstanding Service to the University

2010: University of Minnesota Humphrey Fellowship Programs Award for Outstanding Service to International Fellows

Selected Publications

"It Takes a village": Recruiting and supporting sponsored students on U.S. campuses- chapter in "NAFSA's Guide to International Student Recruitment, 3rd ed." Jessica Sandberg, ed. NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 2017

"Building Relationships with Sponsored Student Agencies" co-presented webinar, NAFSA, 2012