IPO Staff

Co-Director of International Programs
Senior Study Away Advisor
erin.kane@gxitma.net
605.274.4046

Erin Kane earned a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies from Iowa State University in 2004. She completed a master's in school counseling from South Dakota State University in 2007. For five years, Kane worked as an elementary school counselor in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. In 2012, she joined the International Programs Office. Kane has studied abroad as an undergraduate in Australia and France. She continues to travel and enjoys learning about culture.

Co-Director of International Programs
Senior International Student Advisor, PDSO
heather.reed@gxitma.net
605.274.5519

Heather Reed began working in the International Programs Office in January 2018. She credits her time working and studying in Japan and the U.K. for her ability to effectively support international students at Augustana and her enthusiasm for intercultural exchange. Reed earned a B.A. in history and government from Lawrence University in 2002. After college, she participated in the Japan Exchange Teaching Program from 2002-05. She earned an M.A. in secondary education from Johns Hopkins University in 2008. Reed worked as an English teacher at Roosevelt High School for three years, with duties that included teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and advising the newspaper. Reed has traveled to more than 20 countries and continues to travel abroad with her three boys and husband.

Director of International Admission
donn.grinager@gxitma.net
605.274.5540

Donn Grinager served Augustana for 26 years from 1992-2018 as director of international programs. From 2018-23, Grinager worked in the tech industry providing consulting services to major electronics manufacturers for their global regulatory compliance obligations. He returned to Augustana in October 2023 as the director of international admission with a focused role on recruiting the next cohort of young talent to the university from all over the world. Prior to joining Augustana in 1992, Donn and his wife, Kristin, lived and worked in Japan for two years teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) within the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET). Grinager's first international life experience was serving as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and worked as a fisheries extension agent in Nanupatti, Janakpur-dam, Nepal. Grinager and his wife have two daughters, Nicole '17 and Abbie.

Assistant Director of International Admission
International Admission Counselor
liz.fossum@gxitma.net
605.274.5250

Liz Fossum grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota, and recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Augustana University, studying communication studies, media studies and international studies. During her time as a student, she took advantage of the many study-away opportunities at Augustana. Fossum spent a semester in the Eternal City of Rome as well as a month traveling Guatemala with fellow classmates. Fossum cherished being involved in the international student community on Augustana’s campus and made many lifelong friends that she plans to visit all around the world. Her love for traveling endures, as she has a passion for meeting new people and learning about different cultures. Fossum enjoys listening to live music, hiking, crocheting and any excuse to spend time outdoors.

Assistant Director of International Programs 
International Student Advisor
kelsey.curley@gxitma.net
605.274.4048

Kelsey Curley grew up in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and graduated from Augustana in 2016 with majors in modern foreign languages and Spanish. While a student at AU, she studied abroad in Ecuador, Cuba and Germany, and was inducted into Sigma Delta Pi — National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. She was heavily involved with the Augustana International Club and ACE Ambassador Program, and still enjoys traveling to different countries to visit the lifelong friends who she made while she was a student. After graduating, Curley moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she completed a year of service with AmeriCorps. She has worked for several non-profit organizations, including Pillsbury United Communities (Minnesota) and the Sioux Falls YMCA before returning to Augustana in 2021 to join the International Programs Office. Curley enjoys hiking and camping, painting and spending quality time with her dog and cat.

International Student & Study Away Advisor
umaima.koch@gxitma.net
605.274.5050

Umaima Koch earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature and political science from South Dakota State University in 2018, and learned about effects of U.S.-Mexico foreign policy and trade on agriculture, health and (im)migration while studying abroad in Guanajuato, Mexico. Koch worked in the social justice/immigration advocacy non-profit space for three years in various roles before joining the Augustana International Programs Office (IPO) in 2021. Koch enjoys cultural/ethnic and gender studies, making poetry and supporting diversity and inclusion programs on campus.

International Programs Office Coordinator
suzanne.miller@gxitma.net
605.274.5050

Suzanne Miller joined the International Programs Office in 2024. She supports international students in their journeys and provide students with study-abroad opportunities in order to expand their global experiences. She is able to capitalize on her broad background and experiences to enhance services provided by the IPO. Miller holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of Denver. She worked in academic law libraries, and later with public and school libraries. She joined the U.S. Department of State developing programs and training for youth in American Information Centers in embassies, and has worked in Northern Africa, Nigeria, Moldova, Poland and Ukraine. Miller loves to travel and is a theatre addict. She has one daughter, who is her pride and joy.