About GEO
Study Abroad is committed to preparing global citizens by providing innovative and high quality international learning experiences that build on Vanderbilt University's commitment to academic excellence, global engagement and community service. Learn more about all aspects of Vanderbilt's global engagement at the Global VU website.
Location & Hours
Study Abroad is located in Suite 109 of the Student Life Center and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Central Daylight Time.
Study Abroad Staff
Carmeisha Huckleby
Associate Director for Study Abroad
Carmeisha Huckleby is the Associate Director for Study Abroad in the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt.
Carmeisha is an alumna of Michigan State University where she earned a B.A. in Japanese, M.A. in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, and a Certificate of Teaching and Learning in Postsecondary Education. During her undergraduate years, she studied abroad in Japan and Ghana.
Prior to joining the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt team, Carmeisha served as the Assistant Director, Education Abroad at the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). As the Assistant Director, she led collaborations with faculty members, forged and fostered relationships with external stakeholders, and played a key role in organizational strategic planning, budgeting, risk management, and recruitment initiatives.
As the Associate Director for Study Abroad in EL&IV, Carmeisha oversees essential operations of the study abroad experiential unit. Her experience abroad as a former first-generation, high financial need college student bolstered her interest in international education and commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access for students.
Carmeisha is a Detroit native who enjoys traveling, foodie-related adventures, and hiking. She is looking forward to exploring these interests in Nashville and connecting with the Vanderbilt community.
Yuanqi (Suzy) Wang
Associate Director for Faculty-Led Travel
Suzy Wang is the inaugural Associate Director for Faculty-Led Travel, a newly established unit within the Office of International Experiences and Global Learning. In this role, Suzy serves as the central resource for Vanderbilt branded faculty-led travel programs. She collaborates with undergraduate schools and faculty to design and develop high-quality, well-structured faculty-led travel programs to promote global learning and intercultural engagement.
Suzy brings over 14 years of professional experiences in international education into her new role. Since joining Vanderbilt over a decade ago, Suzy has worked closely with faculty and students on their global endeavors in multiple capacities, most recently as the Interim Associate Director for Study Abroad. A native of Henan, China, Suzy has first-hand appreciation of the transformative impact of global experiences, and she is passionate about building intercultural competence through intentional design of program curriculum. Suzy is an IDI Qualified Administrator and an active member in the fields of international education and experiential learning. Besides serving on advisory boards and committees in professional organizations, she is also a reviewer for two academic journals in international education. Suzy earned her B.A. from Shanghai International Studies University, an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University, and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy.
Caroline Nikolaus
Senior Study Abroad Advisor
Caroline is a Third Culture Kid (TCK) with a unique global perspective, having grown up in Japan, the USA, and Germany. With a passion for travel, she has explored over forty countries across five continents. Caroline holds a BS in Psychology with a Vocal Jazz minor from Abilene Christian University (ACU), where she also completed two summer internships in Africa and studied abroad in Oxford, England.
After graduating, Caroline served as Assistant Director of the Oxford program while earning her MA in Global Service from ACU. She also worked in the creative industries in Los Angeles and Edinburgh, Scotland. With Vanderbilt since Fall 2021, Caroline is dedicated to helping students engage with and embrace their global learning opportunities, drawing on her own experiences to inspire others to pursue transformative, cross-cultural journeys.
Outside of her work at Vanderbilt, Caroline is a songwriter, music teacher, photographer, and florist. She loves to cook (and eat), hike, explore new cities, write travel guides, and collaborate on creative projects. Whether at home or abroad, Caroline finds joy in connecting with people and cultures around the world.
Jillian Madden
Study Abroad Advisor
Jillian serves as a Study Abroad Advisor in the Global Education Office. She received her dual B.A. from the University of Kentucky in International Studies and Japan Studies, and received her M.A. in Global Development from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce. While studying at the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate student, Jillian spent a semester abroad in Akita, Japan. After graduation, she moved to Hokkiado, Japan to teach English as a participant of the JET program.
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Jillian was raised with a healthy appreciation for all things horse and basketball-related, and in her free time likes to write, hike, and read anything within reach.
Shannon Sellers
Study Abroad Advisor
Shannon is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. She is an alumna of the University of Mississippi, where she received her B.A. in Biology with a dual minor in Russian and Naval Sciences. She completed a summer study abroad program in Kirov, Russia through the National Security Language Initiative as well as a short-term faculty led program where she studied biodiversity throughout the Caribbean.
Shannon truly values the life changing impact a study abroad experience can provide and is dedicated to making education abroad accessible to all. She joined the Vanderbilt team in the Spring 2024, and is excited to help students expand their horizons.
Outside of work, Shannon loves spending time outside gardening, hiking, and exploring nature. She also enjoys volunteering, working with animals, and reading. On any given weekend, she can be found on the pickleball court, in the kitchen trying new recipes, or working on one of her many craft projects!
Sharon Manlove
Administrative Assistant
Sharon is a Nashville native. She has been with Vanderbilt since 2001. With over twenty years of administrative assistance experience, she is now using that skill in the Global Education Office. Sharon enjoys vicariously traveling the world through the experiences of our students, and hopes to be abroad herself one day.
Laura Searle
Study Abroad Advisor