Kathleen "Katie" Sensabaugh began working at the Center for Global Engagement in 2018, and prior to serving in her current role as Director of Study Abroad, held the roles of Assistant Director of Study Abroad and Associate Director of Study Abroad. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of education abroad programming including increasing and enhancing existing program offerings, advocating for the importance of education abroad, managing risk management processes, and providing support and guidance to JMU faculty members and international education partners alike. Most importantly, Katie supports the amazing Study Abroad team and the important work they do. She has served as program director for study abroad programs taking place in Ireland, Germany, Lesotho, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, and Spain. She also has the pleasure of teaching in an adjunct capacity within the Department of Justice Studies at JMU on occasion.

Prior to working at CGE, Katie worked at the Office for Student Accountability and Restorative Practices at JMU, the International Journal of Transitional Justice, the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery, and served as the Director of the Harrisonburg International Festival. She received her Masters at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa in International Justice and Transformation and received her undergraduate degree from JMU in Political Science and Justice Studies.

Katie is passionate about international education and loves seeing the positive impact that studying abroad has on students. She loves to see students return from study abroad opportunities with new experiences, insights, broadened horizons, and new friends – and hopes that studying abroad while at JMU is just the beginning of their international travels.