Our Staff
The following staff members are available to answer your questions and help you at all stages of your off-campus experience - from beginning your search for the perfect program to readjusting to life at Skidmore upon your return. We encourage you to contact us right away with any questions. We look forward to helping you!
CORI FILSON, Director
Cori began as Skidmore's Director of Off-Campus Study & Exchanges in May 2001, and brings over two decades of experience in the field of international education to her position. Prior to coming to Skidmore she served as the Assistant Director of International Programs at The University at Albany and, prior to that, served as an instructor and resident director abroad in Salamanca, Spain for several years. Cori has served on several national advisory and executive boards, including those of IFSA-Butler, IES, SIT, Arcadia University, and API. Cori is active in NAFSA: The Association of International Educators, having served on several committees and written various publications. She also has held leadership positions with Diversity Abroad and The Global Leadership League. Cori regularly present nationally and internationally on current topics in the field, her favorite area being women’s leadership. Cori received an MA from The University of Texas at Austin in Hispanic Literature and a BA in Spanish and German from St. Lawrence University. As an undergraduate she studied abroad for year in Madrid and a semester in Vienna.
LISA HOBBS, Associate Director of Operations
Lisa began with OCSE in September of 2006 and brings a blend of experience in finance and programming to the position. Prior to coming to OCSE, Lisa was the Employment Specialist in HR at Skidmore, giving her a solid knowledge of the systems and procedures of the College. Before beginning at Skidmore, Lisa served as the assistant to a CFO and, in that capacity, coordinated budgets, financial reports, and other financial matters. She also has a strong background in event planning and coordination, having managed overall logistics, contract negotiations, promotional planning, travel and accommodations, reports, and events assessment. Lisa received her MBA from Wingate University and a BA in History from Syracuse University. She completed an Event Management Program at George Washington University, and has worked as a Legislative Director in the New York State Assembly. Lisa is responsible for all financial operations of OCSE; for health and safety, risk mitigation efforts, and emergency response related to students studying off campus under the auspices of Skidmore College; and for general office operations.
ELIZA CAMIRE, senior associate director
Eliza works closely with the curriculum integration initiative at Skidmore, manages the overall recruitment and programming efforts of the office, oversees the approved programs process, and creates and implements new strategies for supporting students at all phases of their study abroad experience. She also provides general advising for all programs. Prior to arriving at Skidmore in 2011, Eliza worked for a study abroad provider, both as an advisor and within institutional relations. She received her MA in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute and her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing at Saint Michael's College in Vermont. As a graduate student, Eliza participated on an SIT program to Panama and, as an undergraduate, Eliza studied abroad at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
KENDRA NELSON COUTURE, Program Manager
Kendra began with OCSE in 2009 and is responsible for managing the London First-Year Experience and the Skidmore in Spain programs. She serves as a primary advisor for students studying off campus and manages a team of student assistants that support the work of the office. Prior to Skidmore, Kendra was the Assistant Director for the Office of Overseas Study at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Kendra also worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Study Abroad at Michigan State University and held a short-term work assignment in London, England assisting with summer study abroad programs. Kendra received her MA in Student Affairs Administration with a concentration in Multicultural Education from Michigan State University and a BA in Management & International Business from Penn State University. As an undergraduate, Kendra studied abroad at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
EMILY GAUL, Program Manager
Emily joined OCSE in August 2017. Emily manages the Skidmore in France program, Skidmore in New Zealand and our Travel Seminars, supports our exchange students, and also serves as our primary study abroad advisor. Before coming to Skidmore, Emily worked at The Associated Colleges of the Midwest in Chicago as the Assistant Director of Off-Campus Programs where she oversaw a portfolio of 14 international and domestic programs. Emily has an MA in Cultural and Education Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago and a BA in Sociology from Beloit College. She has worked in Australia and New Zealand; has traveled to Botswana, Tanzania, China and India; and has presented extensively on a variety of topics and served on several national committees. As an undergraduate, Emily studied off campus domestically on the ACM Urban Studies Program in Chicago and as a graduate student, she participated in a short-term program in Rome. In her spare time, she enjoys plant propagation, gardening and kayaking.
In addition to the staff listed here, Student Advisors are available to meet with students to discuss specific programs and the policies and procedures associated with those programs. Our Student Advisors have all studied abroad and can answer students' general questions about study abroad, the application process, and their own experiences.
To contact a member of our staff directly via e-mail, please use the online staff directory to find the proper address.
