---

Tonya joined the International Center as assistant director of international health, safety and security in August 2019. She has worked in the field of international education for more than 20 years and has enjoyed experience in a variety of areas, including enrollment management, student recruitment, international student/immigration advising, student success, international program development, study abroad, social media strategy, engaged learning, event planning, marketing and sales. Throughout her career, she has focused on student health and well-being. She holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in business and (fashion) marketing/public relations. Tonya is a longtime member of NAFSA: The Association of International Educators and has served as NAFSA Region IV chair, member of the Leadership Cultivation Subcommittee, poster fair co-organizer and conference volunteer with the NAFSA Career Center. She is an active member of Pulse: Higher Education International Health and Safety Professionals, the Global Leadership League, and the U.S. Department of State Overseas Security Advisory Council's Academia Working Group and Women in Security group. She has traveled throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. In addition to working in international education, Tonya teaches children's liturgy with her local parish and volunteers at a local high school. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, practicing yoga, reading, touring museum and gallery exhibitions, and following Missouri football. She and her spouse, Stephen, also enjoy volunteering with their son Jackson's swim club and his Boy Scout troop, where he is a competitive distance swimmer and an Eagle Scout.