About us
The Education Abroad Office develops, promotes, and supports participants and leaders in educational programs abroad for students, faculty, and staff, offering quality programs that follow industry standards and enhance student knowledge of their academic field through comparative, cultural, and experiential learning.
Contact us
131 Blackburn
Murray, KY 42071
270.809.2277
Email: msu.studyabroad@murraystate.edu
We are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are encouraged. You can also find us at Open Advising every Monday at 3:00 and Thursday at 11:00 in Blackburn 135, no appointment needed.
Our Staff
Ask her about: International Professional Development, teaching abroad, International Studies Advisory Committees, Faculty Study Abroad Ambassadors, events, the Semester in Regensburg program and the London Spring Break program
Bio: Melanie has worked with Murray State study abroad since 2001, a career built from military parents who traveled Europe on motorcycles and bragged about it, leading naturally to an undergraduate semester in England and semester teaching in Japan. Melanie has directed and assisted on study abroad programs in Belize, Costa Rica, England, France, Ireland, and South Korea and led multiple workshops and sessions at CIEE, NAFSA, and the Forum on Education Abroad. She currently serves on the Advisory Group and as past Chair of the Kentucky Council on Education Abroad and as a member of the Steering Committee for the Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS). She co-authored Faculty-Led 360: Guide to Successful Study Abroad (Agapy Press) and was recognized in The Chronicle of Higher Education "Innovators in Internationalization" series in February 2010 for the extensive support provided to teach abroad faculty at Murray State. Occasionally Melanie gets the opportunity to teach with the Commonwealth Honors Academy, putting her undergraduate BA in Creative Writing and MA TESOL to use. Her first love, however, is her soccer-playing son, with whom she dreams up ways of teaching the world an appreciation of differences.
Ask him about: Study Abroad Programs for students in the Bauernfeind College of Business, College of Education and Human Services, and the Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering, and Technology; and CCSA, CEA, ISA, International Business Seminars programs, and Study USA
Click here to schedule an appointment with Steven.
Bio: Steven rejoined the Murray State community in 2018 as the Senior Education Abroad Advisor. He received his M.S. in Human Development & Leadership (College Student Personnel and International Education Administration) from Murray State University and during his graduate years studied abroad in South Korea on MSU’s Discover Korea program. Steven has presented at multiple Kentucky Council on Education Abroad (KCEA) state meetings and is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA). He has made accessible study abroad a focus, working on three programs designed for students with disabilities. From a young age Steven has been interested in traveling the world and some of his best friends to this day are international students he met in high school and college. He enjoys learning about new cultures by trying new foods, talking with people, and taking the side streets. London is his favorite city however he often daydreams of Germany, Nicaragua and South Korea. Steven is originally from Wisconsin and is a proud Green Bay Packer fan and lover of snow!
270.809.4270
115 Blackburn
cdambrosio@murraystate.edu
Ask her about: Study Abroad Programs for students in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, the
Hutson School of Agriculture, or the School of Nursing and Health Professions; KIIS
and Loop Abroad programs. Click here to schedule an appointment with Christy.
Bio: Christy joined the Education Abroad Team in March 2018. Her passion for study abroad began as a high school junior when she spent the summer in St. Brieuc, France, as part of a language immersion program. This amazing experience propelled her to study abroad in Luxembourg for a semester as an undergraduate, during which she traveled extensively across Europe, visiting France, England, Spain, Germany and Austria. Returning to Europe as often as possible continues to be a priority, and the study of French language and culture a life-long interest. Christy holds two music degrees: a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Miami University (Ohio) and Master of Music in Piano from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. She has served as Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Music at Murray State University since 2008, teaching keyboarding classes and performing with students and faculty. She loves making music with friends, practicing yoga, and spending time with her husband Mike and their boys, Leo and Vinny.
Chloe Chaplin
270.809.2959
114 Blackburn
cchaplin@murraystate.edu
Ask her about: Research abroad opportunities, Internships and Service Learning Abroad, program orientations,
recruitment and marketing, general questions
Bio: Chloe joined the Education Abroad Office in January 2020 as an advisor. She had previously worked in the office as a student worker until her graduation in May of 2019 when she received a Bachelor's degree in History and International Studies. Growing up she was able to take several trips to the UK, where her love of travel began. As an undergrad she completed the Semester in Regensburg program and was able to travel throughout Europe. She also completed research projects in Scotland on two separate occasions. While traveling she likes to be outside and on a hiking trail as much as possible. However, when at home she loves to crochet and watch scary movies!
270.809.2960
118 Blackburn
rwylie@murraystate.edu
Ask her about: Data and statistics, events, Horizons, student billing, program budgets, general questions