Donna Casula seeks a leadership position in higher education to continue developing international experiences for students. She has over 18 years of experience in international education, including increasing international enrollment at two universities by 30-44% through marketing. She is skilled in advising international students, budget management, collaboration, and visual communication. Casula holds a Master's degree in Higher Education Leadership and has taught various courses as an adjunct faculty member.

1. 1261 Pohl Road, Apt. 203
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone (907) 720-3534
E-mail donna.casula@mnsu.edu
Donna M. Casula
Objective To obtain a leadership position in an institution of higher education where I can
continue to create and implement innovative international and intercultural
experiences for students.
Summary of
qualifications
 Offering approximately eighteen years of experience in international settings with
approximately sixteen years in various aspects of international education.
 Proven track-record of positive results in international student and study abroad
marketing and recruitment. Through marketing and streamlining enrollment
processes increased international student population by 44% in four years and
study abroad participation by 50+% over a two year period at University of Alaska
Anchorage. Increased ESL enrollment at the same institution by 200+% over four
years. Led efforts to increase international population at Minnesota State
University, Mankato by approximately 30% in 3 years.
 Skilled in international student advising and USCIS compliance, experienced in
resolving complex visa/immigration issues
 Experienced in collaborating with academic and service departments to create
innovative opportunities for international and domestic students. Worked with
departments at UAA including Nursing, Anthropology, and Geography to develop
faculty-led, short-term study abroad opportunities, coordinated regularly with
departments including ESL and Advising and Testing to enhance offerings for
international students. Worked with Engineering and Project Management
departments to establish conditional admission protocols for international students
at University of Alaska Anchorage.
 Skilled in visual communication – developed both institution and Facebook web
sites at UAA for International Student Services and Study Abroad offices as well
as brochures, admission packets, tour videos, pre-arrival videos, photo tours, and
presentations. Created and maintain ISSS Facebook page at MSU Mankato
which currently has over 16,000 followers
 Skilled in budget management including experience with developing and
implementing recruitment, retention, orientation, and faculty-led study abroad
budgets and vendor agreements as well as conference budgets and negotiations.
 Diverse retention programming experience, from small discussion groups to large-
scale festivals with 3000+ attendees designed to integrate international and
domestic students on campus and in the community
 A wealth of innovative, collaborative supervisory experience with diverse groups of
employees including professionals, student workers, and volunteers.
 Experience in developing, negotiating, and implementing agreements with service
providers abroad as well as foreign institutions of higher education.
 Experience working with sponsoring agencies including SACM, World Learning, &
Irex
 Dynamic presenting and communication style.
 Oriented toward assessment and data-driven measurable outcomes.
 Adjunct teaching experience in International Student First Year Experience
course, Political Science, and components of Microsoft Office. Extensive
training/presenting experience within institutions and at professional conferences.

2. Education JuneJune, 2011 Capella University Minneapolis, MN
Master of Science in Education, Specialization in Leadership for Higher
Education
AuguAugust, 1998 University of Delaware Newark, DE
Bachelor of Arts, Major: International Relations, Minor: Spanish
 Awarded Harriet Higgins academic scholarship
 Head Delegate of Model OAS, 1996-1997 and 1997-1998 academic years
Professional
experience
June 2012 - Present Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, MN
Assistant Director, International Student & Scholar Services/Adjunct
Faculty
 Primary responsibility for recruitment and retention of international students
 Supervise graduate assistant and student workers, provide leadership as member
of the management team
 Manage orientation and recruitment/retention budgets
 Advise F-1 and J-1 students on matters of USCIS compliance (serve as DSO),
SEVIS reporting, ESL needs, cultural adjustment, and personal issues
 Organize and execute innovative three-day new international student orientation
in collaboration with several campus offices and local service providers,
collaborate with multiple departments and individuals to create interactive ways to
deliver orientation information
 Obtain additional orientation funding with a conference-oriented approach in the
community (i.e. obtaining sponsorships for meals, etcetera)
 Developed and maintain relationships with off-campus landlords to facilitate the
housing needs of international students
 Advocate within the community (health and dental-care providers, mental-health
care providers, social workers, specialized product suppliers, etcetera) to ensure
the needs of international students are met
 Process CPT/OPT and other benefits as needed
 Engage in compliance reporting in SEVIS
 Assist students to resolve complex visa/immigration issues
 Collaborated to develop and implement strategic plan for international student
recruitment resulting in substantial increases in the population
 Created and maintain office Facebook page and continue to update institution
International Student and Scholar Services web site
 Developed, wrote, and directed tour video featuring current international students
 Develop recruitment materials including brochures, Facebook ads, promotional
videos, and promotional giveaways
 Designed and wrote content of pre-arrival package provided to F-1 and J-1
students
 Worked with sponsoring agencies including IREX and World Learning
 Developed Welcome Package for new international students on arrival to provide
for first night/shower needs
 Advocate to obtain campus services and influence policies and procedures to
meet the needs of international students
 Teach first-year orientation course for international students

3.  Advise a very large and influential International Student Association
 Collaborate to coordinate large scale events with educational components
drawing community and campus audiences of 300 – 3000 attendees, as well as
small weekly events with 15-30 attendees
 Develop relationships in the community for cultural exchange purposes including
local school district and rehabilitation facilities
 Manage Cultural Contribution scholarship program
 Created and conduct workshops for students on topics of interest (i.e. Finding a
Job on Campus, OPT)
 Collaborate with other departments including the Multicultural Center, the
Women’s Center, and the College of Business to create integrative experiences
for international and domestic students
 Develop use of technology to streamline processes and collect relevant data
 Assist new employees with acclimation to university structure and systems
 Serve as a resource to the campus community on individual and collective
international student issues
 Travelled to 6 countries in Southeast Asia with a higher-education Midwest
promotion recruitment tour
 Serve on the President’s Commission on Diversity representing MUSAAF
 Chaired sub-committee of President’s Commission on Diversity to develop and
implement a convocation diversity requirement
 Serve in Sub-meet of Assessment and Evaluation
 Serve on the Global Education Advisory Council (GEAC)
01222007 - 2012 University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK
International Student Advisor
 Conducted day-to-day operations of one person International Student Services
office as solo full-time dedicated professional, supervised student workers
 Facilitated admission of F-1 students, produced I-20s, DS-2019s, related
correspondence, developed recruitment materials including web sites, brochures,
presentations, and promotional videos
 Advised F-1 and J-1 students on matters of USCIS compliance (served as PDSO
and ARO), SEVIS reporting, ESL needs, cultural adjustment, and personal issues
 Collaborated with ESL department to develop sufficient offerings and
requirements
 Developed and conducted workshops and orientations for international students
on topics of interest (on-campus work, CPT & OPT, Taxes)
 Developed and delivered presentations and workshops on study abroad
opportunities, diversity, and strategies for working and communicating with
international students and distinct cultural groups to faculty, staff, student leaders,
general student, and prospective student audiences
 Designed and maintained UAA ISS web site & Facebook (International Student
Services, University of Alaska Anchorage) site
 Conducted international student recruitment activities, including developing
relationships with EducationUSA Advising Centers, increased F and J student
population by 44+ % in four years with very limited resources
 Established institutional connection with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
(SACM) to bring the first Saudi Arabian citizens ever to travel to Alaska for a
purpose other than tourism, oriented the campus to the needs of Saudi students,
maintained relationship with SACM
 Reported required student information in SEVIS, with use of fsaATLAS software
and Banner database system
 Worked with Refugee Services in the community to establish a refugee ESL
scholarship

4.  Collaborated with varied stakeholders to create and stage international events for
the campus community, served as APT Council Representative to the Diversity
Action Council, served on College Preparatory & Developmental Advisory Board,
Ad-hoc Committee for Academic Integrity
 Collaborated on development, logistical, marketing, and other services with faculty
for short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs (five new programs in a three
year span to Mexico, Scandinavia, the Balkans, China) Developed and
implemented budgets and vendor agreements
 Collaborated with academic and administrative departments to negotiate
exchange agreements with overseas institutions
 Developed and executed assessment of international student services
 Served as Advisor to the Saudi Culture Club and the International Student
Association
 Supervised two student employees
Febr 2004-2007 Delaware Technical and Community College Newark, DE
Foreign Student and Admissions Coordinator/Adjunct Faculty
 Supervised Stanton campus Admissions Department with three full-time
employees and several student workers and “peer” volunteers
 Assisted international students with residency and admissions issues,
orientation to the US educational system and to the College
 Facilitated Admissions and Stanton/Wilmington Foreign Student Services
meetings
 Helped to develop and deliver “Culture Shock” presentation, strategies for
faculty and staff in working and communicating with foreign students
 Represented the Stanton Campus on the college-wide (multiple campus)
Banner Admissions Committee, the Foreign Student Services Committee, and
the Stanton/Wilmington Diversity Committee as Vice-Chair
 Reviewed F-1 (student visa) applications to determine acceptance to the
college, produced foreign student correspondence and draft I-20s using SEVIS;
evaluated all non-citizen student applications for compliance with immigration
and residency documentation
 Served as Advisor to the Diversity Club and Vice-Chair of the
Stanton/Wilmington Diversity Committee representing Stanton, organized and
executed majority of campus diversity activities for students in collaboration with
academic and administrative departments
 Helped to develop and execute study-abroad experience to Mérida, México in
December, 2006; conducted relationship-building and recruitment activities
while overseas
 Taught Political Science and Beginning and Advanced Power Point as an
adjunct instructor
19991999-2004 DuPont/Tad Staffing Wilmington, DE
Administrative Assistant/Presentation Designer/Event Planner
 Designed Power Point slide-show presentations and other visual communication
tools for seminars, marketing activities, and informative talks delivered
worldwide (primary design specialist for company COO), converted traditional
slides to power point format for training purposes
 Planned and executed corporate events including conferences, trade shows,
seminars, and social events including venue selection, contract negotiation, and
financial analysis
 Provided administrative support to director-level executives

5. 19991999-2000 Premier and Commodore Cruise Lines Hollywood, FL
Assistant Cruise Director
 Supervised and trained entertainment/cruise staff crew of 15-20 employees
 Designed and produced Daily Program using Microsoft Publisher
 Hosted/designed/organized activities/events including theme parties, seminars,
dance classes, and other activities for passenger entertainment
 Collaborated with other onboard departments and home office to ensure smooth
day to day operations
 Served as Life Boat Commander and Crew Welfare Chairperson
 Taught ballroom dancing classes for passengers and staff
19941994-1999 International Cultural Holidays New Castle, DE
Local Coordinator
 Marketed for, recruited, and screened host families and internship placements
for European students
 Screened dossiers for acceptance of European students to exchange program
 Facilitated family and student orientations, planned and executed activities and
field trips for visiting European students
 Oversaw students’ stay and resolved problems, reported to the Regional
Director in Virginia
Additional
professional
activities and
awards
 Awarded Outstanding Service Award to NAFSA Region 1 for 2011.
 Nominated for Excellence in Service Award at UAA in 2008.
 Served as Alaska State Representative to NAFSA Region I 2008 – 2011
 Served as Conference Chair for NAFSA Region 1 2009 – 2012.
 Presented at 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 regional and bi-regional NAFSA
conferences including “Playing in our Sandbox, Strategies for Staff and
Faculty,” (with UAA faculty), “Planning and Executing Short-Term, Faculty-
Led Study Abroad” (with UAA faculty and study abroad provider), and
“Becoming a Diversity Advocate in Your Institution.”
 Participated in NAFSA Advocacy Day in March, 2010.
 Collaborated with a Graduate Assistant to develop and present a “home-
grown” workshop “Strategic Programming in International Education” at
NAFSA Region 1 conference in 2012.
 Presented “Strategic Programming in International Education” workshop for
Minnesota International Educators Professional Development Day 2014.
Languages Proficient in spoken and written Spanish.
References furnished upon request.