NCDA's International Student Services Committee 2025 Mini-Conference

In this episode, Dr. Pankaj Desai, Ellen Zold Goldman, and Leigh Oliveras from NCDA’s International Student Services Committee (ISSC) introduce the annual ISSC Mini-Conference taking place on Friday, August 8, 10:00-4:00pm CST.

The conference theme – Cultivating Confidence and Career Readiness in a Changing World – includes presentations related to a strengths-based micro-coaching model tailored for Gen Z international students, a micro-session on valuable topics such as NCDA Credentialing, the International Student Resource Guide, leveraging AI for career practitioners, strategies for enhancing campus collaboration, developing cultural competence as career coaches, immigration updates, and more. The discussion also includes information about the International Student Services Committee and how you can get involved. 

Registration is free and open to all NCDA members. Attendance earns up to 5 CEs.

• Registration Form
• Information and Agenda
• Join the NCDA ISSC Committee (Interest Form) 

 Resources

• ISSC and other NCDA Committees
• ISSC YouTube Channel

Dr. Pankaj Desai currently serves The Career Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as the Senior Assistant Director for Inclusion Initiatives. Multiculturalism in higher education, career education, international student support, globalization in education, college student persistence and engagement, and student development are some of his areas of interest. Dr. Desai currently serves the NCDA ISSC as the Chair of the annual mini-conference planning committee within the Professional Development and Community Connections Team. Dr. Desai is honored to be also a part of the 2026 cohort of the NCDA Leadership Academy.

Ellen Zold Goldman is the Co-Chair of the NCDA ISSC and Associate Director of Career Design at Northeastern University, where she specializes in career counseling and programming for international students. She also served as an NCDA conference proposal reviewer and currently serves on the NCDA Higher Education Advisory Board for the Higher Ed Career Counselors and Specialists Constituency. Combining her love of cross-cultural work with experiential education, her background includes teaching a Working in the U.S. course for international students, advising Malaysian government-sponsored students, and supporting home country co-op programs. She was a J1 Alternate Responsible Officer, oversaw study abroad, and volunteered with refugees in an early employment program. Her M.Ed. in College Student Development and Counseling focused on cross-cultural counseling, international student support, and career development.

Leigh Oliveras is the Associate Director of Career Services at Carnegie Mellon University, Silicon Valley. She is a career consultant who is passionate about helping students see their strengths and how they can create positive change in their community. Leigh serves as the Co-Chair of the NCDA International Student Services Committee (ISSC) for 2024-2026. She holds a master’s degree in Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of San Francisco.