CAPA Staff - Institutional Relations Team

Dr. Michael Woolf

Deputy President for Strategic Development

Michael has spent much of his career in an international context. Prior to working in mainstream international education, he taught American Literature at the universities of Hull, Middlesex, Padova, and Venice, and worked as a researcher-writer for BBC radio. Michael has held leadership roles with FIE, CIEE, and Syracuse University. He has also consulted for New York University, Brethren Colleges Abroad, Warwick University, and is an adviser to the President of Tamagawa University in Tokyo.

He serves on a number of boards and committees including the Curriculum Committee of the Forum on Education Abroad, the Editorial Boards of Frontiers and the Journal of Studies in International Education, EAIE’s Knowledge Development Task Force, and Braun Stiftung für Internationalen Austausch. Michael was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Forum on Education Abroad from 2006 to 2012.

Michael holds a PhD in American Studies, an MA in Literature, and a BA in History and Politics. He has written widely and has published extensively on international education and cultural studies. Most recently, he published work aimed at critically reviewing the core assumptions of study abroad. You can read a sample of Michael’s short essays in his monthly blog column Thoughts on Education Abroad.

Darin Smith-Gaddis

Director of Institutional Relations and Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

Darin joined CAPA in 2014. Based in Los Angeles, he works with CAPA partner institutions on the West Coast and Pacific Northwest and oversees a team of Institutional Relations Managers.

Additionally, he focuses on equity and inclusion initiatives and partnerships to increase diversity and access in the field and on CAPA programs.

Prior to joining CAPA, Darin served multiple roles within AFS Intercultural Programs USA, with a focus on program design, development, and implementation. He managed the Faces of America Diversity Scholarships to Study Abroad program and developed and implemented the US Department of State Youth Exchange and Study Abroad Program.

He is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied Political Science. He earned an MPA in Public Sector Management and Leadership from California State University Northridge.

Schedule a call with Darin

Nora Larkin

Regional Manager of Institutional Relations

Nora joined CAPA in 2013. Based in Boston, she works with CAPA partner institutions in New England and manages a team of Institutional Relations Managers. Outside of CAPA, she has held the position of Secretary for NAFSA Region XI (2017-2019), presented at conferences and returnee events, and contributed as a guest editor for the Special Issue on Religion and Study Abroad of Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad and in CAPA’s Occasional Publication on Civil Rights and Inequalities. Prior to joining CAPA, Nora held positions as an English Language Teaching Assistant in Salzburg, Austria, and as a Program Associate at IES Abroad.

She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, where she studied International Affairs, European Cultural Studies, and German. She earned a MEd in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University in 2018. She enjoys walking her dog, Frances, in the Arnold Arboretum and tasting the Thai food specialties in whatever New England town she finds herself.

Schedule a call with Nora

Ashley Hiers

Institutional Relations Manager

Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Ashley has worked with institutions in the southeast United States as an Institutional Relations Manager with CAPA since 2017. Prior to this, she worked for the Consortium for Global Education, a faith-based, international education organization located in Atlanta. From 2013-2015, she lived in Nigeria performing logistics work for a missions organization. Ashley holds a degree in Business Management from Southeastern College and an MBA from Florida Gulf Coast University. She’s a massive sports fan, particularly college football (go UGA!) and MLB baseball (go Braves!). Ashley really enjoys spending time with family and absolutely loves puppies.

Schedule a call with Ashley

Paul Hopkinson

Institutional Relations Manager

Paul, originally from Massachusetts but now based in Austin, Texas, has worked in various roles within higher education and study abroad. He has worked as a bilingual Admission Counselor traveling throughout Texas, Florida, and Latin America recruiting students as well as an Academic Advisor for freshmen and transfer students at St. Edward’s University.  After receiving his MA in Spanish, Paul joined the world of international education with International Studies Abroad (ISA) to manage their internship and service learning division as well develop customized faculty-led programs. He also worked with EF Education to develop partnerships with institutions and faculty throughout the Southwestern United States. Although Paul has resided in Texas since 2002, he still roots for the Red Sox while serving as the Institutional Relations Manager for schools in the south central region.  He is excited to be part of CAPA and have the opportunity to work with study abroad administrators, faculty and students while facilitating meaningful and high impact study abroad experiences.

Schedule a call with Paul

Laura Turner

Institutional Relations Manager

Laura is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and works with CAPA partners in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Laura has worked in higher education since 2006, and strategic partnerships and alliances have been the backbone of her success. Prior to joining CAPA, Laura managed international programming, career and leadership development initiatives, and admissions for specialized areas within the University of Michigan. In her role, she effectively partnered with advisors, faculty, and staff to develop and implement curriculum that supports experiential learning and strong career outcomes.

Laura received her BA in Hospitality Business and MA in Higher Education, Adult, and Lifelong Learning from Michigan State University. Her passion for global education, business, and higher education stems from her study abroad experience in Norway and her extensive world-wide travel.

Schedule a call with Laura

Jennifer Chandler

Director of Custom Programs and Strategic Partnerships

Throughout her 10 years within institutional relations at CAPA, Jenn has strategized with universities to develop meaningful and creative custom programs. She is always excited to see what ideas institutions have for program models abroad and how CAPA can support and enhance this vision. Jenn also works closely with the University of Minnesota and the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to CAPA, she served as an International Recruitment Consultant for The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). At CIEE, she developed relationships with US companies to host international students. Jenn has lived abroad in Australia and traveled extensively throughout all of Europe and Southeast Asia.

Hayle Wesolowski

Institutional Relations and Custom Program Specialist

Originally from the Boston area, Hayle works on the Custom Programs team responding to university requests and writing proposals to develop exciting customized and faculty-led programs. She also supports the Institutional Relations team as a whole through managing the Global Education Workshops, overseeing CAPA’s Advisors Council, and drafting communications to institutions. With a particular interest in identity and inclusion, she also is a member of CAPA’s Diversity Committee, Pride Committee, and Scholarships Review Committee. Hayle decided to pursue education abroad after studying in New Delhi, India, and completing an internship at the Institute of International Education in Washington, DC. She holds a BA in Political Science and History from Middlebury College. Hayle is proficient in Spanish, French, and Portuguese, and enjoys learning about different cultures through dance.