à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã

Meet the Education Abroad team!Ìý

General Information
Boca Raton Campus - General Classroom South, Room 212Q
Office hours: Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pmÌý
Phone #: (561) 297-1208Ìý
E-mail: goabroad@fau.eduÌý

MADISON MCSHANEÌý
Senior Director for Education Abroad and Global Learning
Phone #: (561) 297-1080
Email:Ìý mmcshane@fau.edu

Madison McShane brings over 12 years of experience in higher education with a focus on academic advising and international education. In her role, Madison leads strategic planning, customized program development, partnership management, and financial operations to advance FAU’s global engagement efforts.

As the University’s Fulbright U.S. Student à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Advisor (FPA), Madison plays a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding applicants through one of the most prestigious international scholarship programs in the world. The Fulbright U.S. Student à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã offers opportunities for recent graduates, graduate à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, and young professionals to conduct research, pursue graduate study, or teach English abroad. Madison provides one-on-one advising, hosts workshops, and helps candidates strengthen their applications to align with Fulbright’s mission of promoting mutual understanding between nations.

A proud two-time alum of FAU, Madison holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and a Master’s degree in Education. Her own transformative experience studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain as an undergraduate student continues to inspire her work in creating impactful international opportunities for à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã.

In addition to her professional experience in international education, Madison has traveled extensively for both business and personal enrichment. Her journeys have taken her across Europe, including numerous visits related to international partnership development, as well as personal travel throughout the continent. She has also explored Canada, the Caribbean, and various regions of North America. These global experiences continue to fuel her passion for global connections and her commitment to empowering à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã to become thoughtful, engaged global leaders.

Ìý

Brendan Richardson brings a wealth of global education and advising experience to Florida Atlantic University, where he plays a key role in the management of study abroad programs. His responsibilities include advising à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã on international opportunities,Ìý supporting inbound international exchange à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã, identifying programs that align with FAU’s academic goals, and supporting program development. Brendan also works closely with the Financial Aid and Registrar’s Offices to ensure seamless integration of study abroad into à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã’ academic and financial planning.

Brendan serves as FAU’s Boren à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã advisor, guiding à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã through the application process for this highly competitive national scholarship program. Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Boren à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã support à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã committed to studying critical languages and pursuing careers in public service related to national security.Ìý

Prior to joining FAU, Brendan held advising roles at Kansas State University and Georgia State University and supported faculty-led programs at International Studies Abroad. He earned a B.A. in Sport Management, an M.A. in International Affairs, and an M.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University.

During his time at FSU, Brendan spent 21 months at the university’s study centers in London, Florence, and Valencia as both a student and staff member. His time overseas also included extensive personal travel throughout Europe and a visit to Israel. Brendan is passionate about global learning and draws from his own transformative international experiences to support and inspire FAU à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã.

STEPH PACK
Assistant Director for Education Abroad
Phone #: +1 (561) 297-4827
Email: spack2014@fau.edu

Steph Pack plays a vital role in supporting à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã through all stages of the study abroad process. In her role, Steph advises à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã on international program options, academic planning, and funding opportunities, helping them select experiences that align with their educational and professional goals.

Steph serves as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Advisor for FAU, a prestigious U.S. State Department program that provides funding for à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. She also contributes to the financial operations of Education Abroad, ensuring programs are effectively managed.ÌýÌý

In addition, Steph oversees the FAU Global Career Accelerator, a professional development initiative designed to equip à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã with global business competencies, and hands-on international project experience. The program connects FAU à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã with global companies and mentors to help them build international perspective and workplace readiness needed in today’s interconnected job market.

Steph holds a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. As a student, she studied abroad twice in London—once during a semester at FSU’s London Study Center, and again on a summer program through FAU while completing her graduate degree. Her passion for international education is also rooted in her extensive travel throughout Europe and Africa.


Ìý Ìý

ALEJANDRA PARADA
Coordinator for Education Abroad
Phone #: +1 (561) 297-1039
Email: aparada@fau.eduÌý

Alejandra Parada plays an integral role in guiding à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã through the study abroad process and promoting meaningful global engagement. She advises à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã on international program options and serves as the primary liaison for FAU’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. In addition, Alejandra oversees Education Abroad’s scholarships, manages outreach initiatives, and leads the coordination of campus-wide events that highlight global learning opportunities.

Alejandra is a proud FAU alumna, holding a double major in Communication and French Literature. As an undergraduate, she spent a semester studying in France, which sparked a lifelong dedication to international education. She also studied Spanish and French, deepening her understanding of global communication and language. Her early interest in international experiences began in high school, when she spent multiple summers studying abroad in France.

Before joining the Education Abroad team, Alejandra worked as an English as a Second Language instructor, where she helped à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã improve their language skills and adapt to new environments. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Latin America, and strongly believes in the power of international experiences to help à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã build independence, expand their perspectives, and develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Alejandra is passionate about empowering à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã to pursue transformative experiences abroad and is committed to supporting their success every step of the way.

SHIVANI BODDU
à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã and Data Analysis Assistant
Phone #: (561) 297-1208
Email: goabroad@fau.edu

Shivani Boddu supports the administrative operations of the Education Abroad office and plays a key role in several strategic initiatives. She manages student applications for the FAU Global Career Accelerator, assists with the coordination of faculty-led programs, and contributes to data analysis and research efforts that inform global learning strategies.

Shivani holds a Master’s degree in Data Science and Analytics from FAU. Before beginning her graduate studies, she gained valuable professional experience as a Process Specialist at Amazon, where she developed skills in operational efficiency and systems management. In addition to her current role, Shivani is actively engaged in student organizations, event planning, and global programming efforts across campus.

Outside of her professional interests, Shivani is passionate about dance, which she views as a powerful outlet for creativity and self-expression. She aspires to one day open her own dance school, where she can mentor and inspire others through the art form. Shivani is also an enthusiastic traveler who embraces new experiences and perspectives from around the world.