Leading Change in Study Abroad in Latin America
In 2025, CIEE brought the world to Argentina and 4 other countries through new programs, student scholarships, and our 78th Annual Conference, which will focused on Leading Change in Study Abroad in Latin America.
Key Themes:
- Thought Leadership: Expert shared fresh insights on the most pressing issues shaping Latin America’s future. Discussions will explore ways to immerse students in these dynamic trends while celebrating the region’s rich contributions to arts, culture, and community engagement.
- Bridge Building: Strengthening collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies across Latin America, with a focus on technology, sustainability, community, and education.
- Innovation & Impact: Designing new strategies to expand study abroad and internship opportunities in the region.
Speakers
Lucia Aguero
Center Director, CIEE Santiago, DRPablo Allen
Center Director, CIEE MonteverdeLaura Alonso
Spokeswoman, City Government of Buenos Aires and State-Deputy ElectKelly Andrade
Director of Global, Rutgers UniversityChris Arnold
Founder, Made ImpactNicholas Babin
Associate Professor, Agroecology, California Polytechnic State UniversityStacy Benjamin
Director of Special Programs, CIEEArachu Castro
Professor and Samuel Z. Stone Chair of Public Health in Latin America, Tulane UniversityJoscelyn Caldwell
Student, Tulane UniversitySebastian Espinosa
CEO, SKILLNESTHaleema Hasan
Lead Researcher, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS)Helena Havrylets
Sustainable Tourism Specialist, Independent ConsultantAlejandra Herrera
Regional Director of Operations for Latin America, CIEEDagmar Hoppe
Senior Director Strategy, CIEELoren Intolubbe-Chmil
Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Colorado-BoulderDeira Jiménez
Professor, Researcher, Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana RooKara Juhl
Student, University of IowaCarla Koppell
Managing Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS)Marcia Kwaramba
University of Colorado BoulderPaul LePore
Senior Associate Dean, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Arizona State UniversityNora Larkin
Director of Sales Operations, CIEERyan Larsen
Executive Director, Office of Global Engagement, Western Washington UniversityCasey Love
Associate Dean and Director of Global Education, Tulane UniversitySara Mckinnon
Director of Latin American, Caribbean, & Iberian Studies, University of Wisconsin-MadisonSilvio Meira
Founder and Chief Scientist, tds.companyAllison Moroney
Executive Director, Institutional Relations, CIEEEvelyn Müürsepp
Center Director, CIEE TallinnWendy Osirus
Founder, Movimiento por los Derechos Humanos, la Paz y la Justicia Global (MONDHA)Inés Palacios
Founder, FundamentalPedro Iván Palominos-Belmar
Full Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering – USACH, Director, Smartcity-Lab USACHLogan Paul
Faculty, Indiana UniversityJuan Pablo Pardo-Guerra
Professor; Associate Director, Latin American Studies, UC San DiegoEstefania Pozzo
Editor-in-Chief, Buenos Aires HeraldCarmen Rodriguez
Student, Merrimack CollegeLeo Rowland
Executive Director, Fulbright Commission ArgentinaJota Samper
Associate Professor; Co-Director, CEDaR, University of Colorado BoulderNicolas Soria Zurita
Assistant Teaching Professor in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation, The Pennsylvania State UniversityAutumn Tallman
Director, Study Abroad Health, Safety, and Risk Management, University of IowaRachael Tampone
Director of International Admission & Global Engagement, Merrimack CollegeAlma Wigzell
Student, Western Washington UniversityKarla Zarco
Center Director, CIEE MéridaThais Oso
Thais Oso, Regional Director of Operations, South Pacific Rim, CIEE
Day 1
Nov 12, 2025
Day 2
Nov 13, 2025
Day 3
Nov 14, 2025
10:00 am-12:00 pm
CIEE Buenos Aires
CIEE Buenos Aires Open House
During this open house, explore the classrooms where students engage in dynamic coursework, meet the dedicated staff who support their experience, and learn more about our programs in Argentina. Drop by to connect, ask questions, and see firsthand what makes CIEE Buenos Aires a hub for international education.
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Atlantico A
Strategies for Leading Change: Custom Programs that Drive Student Success
With a focus on students considered “at-risk” of not achieving key academic and professional milestones, the pre-conference workshop will explore how global learning experiences can enhance enrollment, retention, graduation rates, employability, and economic mobility.
Allison Moroney
Loren Intolubbe-Chmil
Nora Larkin
Paul LePore
Sara Mckinnon
Stacy Benjamin
5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Pacifico B
Opening Plenary: The World by 2050: Latin America and the Global Changes Ahead?
Co-panelists to discuss strategies for immersing students in these critical trends through internships, service learning, volunteering, and study abroad programs, focusing specifically on Latin America’s role in key fields such as clean energy, food security, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage preservation.
Arachu Castro
Estefania Pozzo
Inés Palacios
Jota Samper
Juan Pablo Pardo-Guerra
Leo Rowland
7:30 pm-9:30 pm
Pacifico A
Meet CIEE Reception
Meet our CIEE Center Directors from around the world as they feature local initiatives, cultural experiences, and academic programs.
9:00 am-10:10 am
Atlantico A
Smart Cities and Sustainable Communities
Experts will discuss innovative approaches to urban mobility, energy efficiency, digital governance, and community engagement that are transforming cities into more livable and resilient environments and identify ways to immerse students in these critical trends through internships, service learning, volunteering, and study abroad programs.
Evelyn Müürsepp
Marcia Kwaramba
Nicolas Soria Zurita
Pedro Iván Palominos-Belmar
Where Ecotourism Grew Roots
This session will address challenges and best practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of ecotourism. The session will also consider how to introduce students to ecotourism as an industry and how to help them engage in ethical travel throughout Latin America and other world regions.
Helena Havrylets
Kelly Andrade
Pablo Allen
10:20 am-10:40 am
Foyer Pacifico Lateral II
Reframing the Migration Narrative through People-to-People Exchanges
Through case studies of successful people-to-people exchanges, speakers will highlight strategies that have shifted public discourse toward inclusivity, empathy, and understanding. Participants will gain insights into practical steps for fostering more constructive and human-centered conversations about migration.
Chris Arnold
Lucia Aguero
Wendy Osirus
The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Latin America
This session will highlight how study abroad professionals can design impactful programs that connect international students with Latin America’s thriving tech sector, providing them with valuable career pathways and hands-on experience in a rapidly growing market.
Dagmar Hoppe
Logan Paul
Sebastian Espinosa
12:00 pm-2:00 pm
Pacifico A/B
Conference Lunch + Networking Pop-Up: Internships in Latin America
Join us for an engaging lunch event designed to spark meaningful connections around international internships in Latin America. This interactive session will feature industry-themed networking stations hosted by a dynamic... Read More
Agustina Soria
Andres Colla
Ariana Luppino
Fiona Schettini
Florencia Zino
Giselle Quintenla
Karla Zarco
Leo Rowland
Magdalena Garreton
Manuel de Iacovo
Mariela Graziani
Martin Portilla
Melina Ginszparg
Pablo Allen
Pablo Cruz
Robby Block
Sebastian Espinosa
Snje Strunje
Violeta Micheloni
Víctor Muñoz
Conservation and Ethical Experiential Learning
Through case studies and best practices, participants will gain insight into co-designed experiential learning models that empower students to support conservation initiatives responsibly and reciprocally.
Deira Jiménez
Karla Zarco
Nicholas Babin
Empowering Women as a Pathway to Peace
Panelists will discuss cutting-edge research, successful policy interventions, and grassroots initiatives that amplify women's leadership in peacebuilding, economic development, and global security and the session will highlight opportunities for students and emerging leaders to engage in this vital work.
Carla Koppell
Haleema Hasan
Laura Alonso
Thais Oso
3:10 pm-3:40 pm
Foyer Pacifico Lateral II
CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Partner Awards
CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Partner Awards will recognize our innovative university partners, host institutions, community organizations, and alums that are committed to advancing student engagement in study abroad, internships, research, and community engagement in Latin America.
6:30 pm-8:30 pm
An Evening at the Palacio
In the heart of Recoleta, join us at the Palacio Duhau — a 1930s palace that blends European elegance with Argentine style. Enjoy local flavors and wines while experiencing the charm and cultural traditions of Buenos Aires.
9:30 am-10:10 am
Closing Plenary: AI-ELLA: AI, Education and Learning in Latin America
We explore how artificial intelligence is/will reshape education systems across the world, from public school innovation to university research and workforce training. It examines how AI can enhance learning access,... Read More
Silvio Meira
10:20 am-10:40 am
Foyer Pacifico Central I
Students Leading Change: Recruiting the Next Generation of Latin Americanists
Joined by study abroad leaders from their home institution who supported their enrollment and participation in the CIEE Leading Change in Latin America Student Fellowship, these speakers will discuss the impact of this experiences and explore strategies for encouraging more students to study abroad in Latin America.
Alejandra Herrera
Alma Wigzell
Autumn Tallman
Carmen Rodriguez
Casey Love
Joscelyn Caldwell
Kara Juhl
Rachael Tampone
Ryan Larsen
12:20 pm-12:30 pm
Pacifico B
12:30 pm-1:30 pm
Pacifico A
2:00 pm-3:00 pm
CIEE Buenos Aires Open House
During this CIEE Buenos Aires Open House, explore the classrooms where students engage in dynamic coursework, meet our dedicated staff who support their educational journey, and discover more about our diverse programs in Argentina.
Registration Sponsor
Opening Night Reception Sponsor
2024 Rome
Leading Change in a Changing Climate
2023 Paris
Leading Change in Study Abroad
2022 Seoul
75 Years of Pathways to Peace