At CIS, we feel that our strongest asset is our staff. From the moment you first hear from us be it through a phone call, email or personal visit, you will find someone that truly cares about helping you to find the best study abroad program to fit your needs.


Executive Management
Jeff Palm, Founder and Executive Director
jpalm(at)cisabroad.com


Jeff holds a BA degree in Biology from the College of Saint Scholastica (MN) and an MA in Management from Hawaii Pacific University.  Jeff's international experiences include working in Europe, Asia and Africa during his tenure as Associate Director of International Admissions at Hawaii Pacific University, international program development in Europe and Australasia, and in business and "pleasure" travel to more than 30 countries.  As the Director, Jeff is primarily responsible for managing the strategic direction of the company as well as in developing and maintaining the relationships with CIS's overseas educational partners. Outside of the office, Jeff keeps busy hiking, snowshoeing, playing basketball, surfing (only in warm water) and spending as much time as he can with his wife, sons and dog.


Program Development and Admissions Team
Sarah Heminger, Director of Program Administration and Development
sheminger(at)cisabroad.com


Sarah holds a BA in French with a Minor in Music Performance from Ball State University, and an MA in International Education from the School for International Training. She lived in France for three years (one year as a study abroad student in Rennes, and later returned to teach English for two years in Nancy), and has traveled to Australia, New Zealand, China and throughout Europe and the US. She spent a year working with international students at Ball State, and later did volunteer work with immigrants and refugees in various non profit organizations. Sarah oversees all our programs abroad to ensure that they are running smoothly and that our students get the optimum study abroad experience, which includes areas such as admissions, housing, visas, course registration, airport pickup, pre-departure orientation, and program development.

Sarah enjoys snowboarding, hiking, hockey, softball, gardening, and spending time with her husband.

Kathie De Los Santos, Program & Financial Aid Coordinator

kdlsantos(at)cisabroad.com

Kathie moved to Northampton from New York 6 years ago, trading in a view of Long Island Sound for the mountains and Connecticut River. She attended SUNY at Purchase and CUNY, Queens College. Kathie has worked in the business and financial divisions of various companies, including trading mutual funds for a major financial services company. She has worked with international students, immigrants and refugees for a non-profit language school. She has traveled to Italy and has lived and studied in the Dominican Republic. As Program & Financial Aid Coordinator, Kathie helps students prepare for their study abroad experience—from guiding them through the application process to advising on financial aid.

She enjoys exploring the hill towns, hiking and bike riding with her family. In her down time she enjoys yoga, dancing the tango and hanging out with her tortoiseshell cats..

Ethan Ring, Senior Program Coordinator
ering(at)cisabroad.com


Ethan holds a Masters degree in International Education at the School for International Training. Previously he developed and coordinated Outdoor Education programs at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka , Alaska . Having grown up in both Ghana and the US, Ethan has a passion for international and intercultural experiences.  Ethan enjoys hiking, camping and kayaking.  He is an avid knitter, and on weekends can be found hanging out with his wife and two young daughters. Ethan's primary responsibilities are admissions, student advising, course selection, and logistics.


Marketing and Institutional Relations Team
Kris Holloway, Director of Institutional Relations
kholloway(at)cisabroad.com


Kris is the author of a travel narrative, Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali, based on her experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa. As Kris will tell you, "my study abroad experience in France during undergrad and my time in the Peace Corps formed the way I think about the world and the people in it. I am so excited to connect students with the overseas education that can change their lives." Kris holds a MPH in administration and education from the University of Michigan and has used her unique background in writing, public health, and strategic planning to further the mission of numerous non-profits and educational institutions including Planned Parenthood, the National Priorities Project, the University of Michigan, Springfield College, and the Greenbelt Movement International. She is a confirmed Francophile, a devoted (if slow) runner, loves chocolate, and sits on a physio ball while at her computer. She lives in Northampton, MA with her husband, two sons, and their giant black poodle.

Julie Lohr, Senior Coordinator - Institutional Relations
jlohr(at)cisabroad.com


Julie holds a BA in History from Appalachian State University and an MA in Chinese Languages and Literature from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. During her academic career, Julie spent two years teaching English and learning Chinese in northeastern China, and one year studying Chinese in Taiwan. Living in China and Taiwan helped her understand the importance of viewing the world and the people therein as part of a global community. Julie enjoys her novice attempts at gardening, knitting, and yoga, as well as walking about and drinking coffee.

As the Senior Coordinator of Institutional Relations here at CIS, Julie is responsible for the Alumni Program, campus marketing & recruitment, and student & campus relations.

Eliza Camire, Institutional Relations Associate
ecamire(at)cisabroad.com


Eliza has her BA in English Literature and Writing from Saint Michaels College (VT) and is a Masters Candidate in International Education at the School for International Training. Her first trip abroad was to South Africa her junior year of college. While in South Africa, she volunteered at a local township, helping with arts & crafts in a primary school. Since then, Eliza has also traveled to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, England, Spain, Mexico, Panama, and most recently, Dominica. Along with traveling, Eliza also enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her husband and two cats.


Inquiry Management and Program Operations Team
Amelia Heddens, Director of Operations
aheddens(at)cisabroad.com



Amelia is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a BS in Family and Consumer Studies and a minor in Spanish.  Amelia's international experience includes an academic semester abroad in Oviedo, Spain as an undergrad, backpacking through Western Europe, and as the former Associate Director of The Forum on Education Abroad.  In her current role at CIS as the Director of Operations, Amelia works on several initiatives, juggling roles in admissions, marketing, institutional relations and more.

Amelia enjoys spending time tending to her flower beds, taking her Black Lab "seal pup" swimming, mountain biking through the hills of Conway, MA and reading on her deck. 

Amanda Bernhard, Student Advisor
abernhard(at)cisabroad.com


Amanda Bernhard attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics. Before going to college she worked on a horse farm in Adare, Ireland for three months, and then later studied in Cork, Ireland for a semester in her Junior year at UMass. She loves language and speaks conversational Spanish and Irish Gaelic but wants to be fluent in as many languages as possible! At CIS Amanda assists both the Marketing and Programs departments with tasks ranging from tracking applications, sending out transcripts, developing promotional materials and visiting college study abroad fairs. Amanda loves hiking, biking, practicing yoga, playing the fiddle and uilleann pipes, riding her horse and spending time with her husband.