Meet the Staff

Yun Shi

Senior Director

Dr. Yun Shi is the founding director of International Education, established in 2014 with Student Affairs. She is passionate about internationalization on UIUC campus and focuses on enhancing the transformative learning experience to support international students and engage domestic students. She is a firm believer that International Education is for all! She has received Student Affairs Outstanding Staff Member - Academic Professional Award, ISSS Outstanding Staff Member Award, Outstanding Asian American faculty-staff Award, International Women’s Day Award, and Student Affairs Outstanding Program Award. She previously worked as Assistant Director of International Programs and the Asian Program Coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Yun earned a Ph.D. in education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, M.Ed. in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and B.A. in English from Xi’an International Studies University in China. Prior to coming to the United States, Yun taught at a local university for 13 years in China, where she was born. Yun enjoys cooking with students from around the world. Her hobbies include reading, listening to podcasts while knitting and crocheting.

Rebecca Hodson

Associate Director

Rebecca Hodson, MSLIS is the Associate Director of International Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she has served in this role since July, 2023. Her work focuses on developing co-curricular programs and experiential learning opportunities that support intercultural learning, student engagement, and a sense of belonging for international and domestic students.

A lifelong Illinoisan and University of Illinois alumna, Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Spanish in 2009, including a study abroad experience in Ecuador, and her Master of Science in Library and Information Science in 2013. Before joining International Education, she worked as a community college librarian and Spanish GED instructor and later spent several years at the School of Information Sciences, where she oversaw the practicum and internship placements and provided career advising for students in all degree programs.

Across her career in higher education, Rebecca has focused on creating programs that connect students with meaningful learning experiences, build community, and develop transferable skills. In her current role, she is particularly interested in using assessment, student leadership, and experiential learning to strengthen international and intercultural education. Her work with the GLOBE (Global Leaders Orange and Blue Engagement) program explores how co-curricular programming can simultaneously support student learning, leadership development, and intercultural engagement.

Faizaan Ahab

Graduate Educational Programs Intern

Coming soon.

Nora Charinsarn

GLOBE Ambassador

My name is Nora, and I’m a sophomore majoring in Systems Engineering and Design. Originally from Thailand, I’ve been part of the GLOBE program since my freshman year and have never left since. I’m a big believer in globalization and love connecting with people from all walks of life. Around campus, I stay busy with student clubs, university events, and cinematography—so if you’ve seen someone walking around with a camera, that was probably me!

Avery Johnson

GLOBE Ambassador

My name is Avery, and I am a junior majoring in Elementary Education. I have always had a passion for working with others and expanding the idea of how learning can be fun!  I have found myself involved in a lot of different areas of campus, as I love getting to learn more about the community and those around me. In my free time, I love to hang out with my friends, listen to music, go on walks, and cook. When I graduate, I hope to become an elementary school teacher, and more specifically, work with grades two or three.

Isha Mindanao

Marketing & Events Intern

Coming soon.

Anna Mohyliuk

GLOBE Senior Ambassador

My name is Anna, and I’m a junior studying Secondary Education concentration in Mathematics with middle grades and ESL endorsement. I’m originally from Ukraine, however most of my teenage years I have spent in the suburbs of Chicago! My plans after graduating will be hoping to inspire many students to learn math, to understand the different ways it can be useful. In my free time, I am big part of educational organizations on campus and hope to improve learning of others. For fun, I love spent time with my friends, listening to podcasts and making new friends.

Grace Monago

GLOBE Senior Ambassador

My name is Grace and I’m a Senior double majoring in Operations Management and Information Systems. I've been part of GLOBE since my freshman year, and this is my second semester being an Ambassador. On campus, I'm also a consultant in CUBE, a member of CLAID, and Internal President for In Between. Outside of school, I like to play sports like soccer and badminton, hang out with friends, and eat good food. Feel free to reach out to connect, I always enjoy meeting new people and hope you enjoy the GLOBE program!

Maryam Naveed

GLOBE Ambassador

My name is Maryam, and I’m a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Middle Grades Education with an English concentration. I’ve spent a lot of time volunteering in schools and working with children, which has strengthened my passion for teaching and supporting students in meaningful ways. Outside of school, I enjoy doing nails, playing sports, and listening to music, especially Drake and The Weeknd.

Carissa Schultz

GLOBE Senior Ambassador

My name is Carissa and I’m a junior majoring in Global Studies with minors in French and ESL. Recently, I’ve just finished studying abroad in Beijing, China. Since my freshman year, I’ve been an active participant in many International Education events, ranging from GLOBE to ICU Intercultural Dialogue Series. In addition to being a GLOBE ambassador, I’m also an I-Connect Peer Educator, the Newsletter Chair for Global Studies Leaders, and the Vice President of the Mixed Student Union. My hobbies are learning languages, listening to music, reading, and traveling.

Renee Yu

GLOBE Ambassador

My name is Renee and I’m a sophomore majoring in Psychology! Throughout high school I explored my interest in teaching at my dance studio and also volunteered at local elementary schools as a tutor. I was also involved in my high school yearbook as a Sports Section Editor where I learned and practiced extensively with graphic design. I was previously involved in GLOBE as a volunteer for my first semester, and I’m excited to get to meet more people and help them make connections as an ambassador! On my own time I enjoy dancing, baking, discovering new food places to try, and traveling! I look forward to getting to know everyone!

Joshua Zhao

GLOBE Ambassador

My name is Joshua, and I’m a junior pursuing dual degrees in Brain and Cognitive Science and Kinesiology, with a concentration in Biobehavioral Health Sciences. I’m originally from China. After graduation, I hope to pursue further study in cognitive performance under stress. Outside of academics, I enjoy being involved on campus and connecting with people from different backgrounds. In my free time, I enjoy working out, playing and watching sports (I’m a die-hard Manchester City fan), listening to music—especially Prince—and enjoying quiet afternoons on my own.