Athens Global Education Network (AGEN) is an employee affinity group at Ohio University dedicated to fostering global awareness, intercultural understanding, and community engagement. We work to strengthen global education and foster meaningful connections across Ohio University and the surrounding communities.
We see ourselves as a catalytic “AGEN” for change—promoting global education and cross-cultural collaboration through strategic outreach, partnerships with local P-12 schools, and university-community initiatives. Through Global Education Fairs and other experiential learning programs, we seek to cultivate intercultural competence, global citizenship, and a shared sense of belonging throughout our communities.
AGEN envisions becoming a leading organization at Ohio University that advances global competency and fosters meaningful community engagement. We seek to strengthen partnerships among the university, local P–12 schools, and the broader Southeast Ohio region in order to cultivate a globally minded community.
Global Education Fair—Athens High School, Athens, OH
5 to 7 p.m. @Cafeteria, Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Global Education Fair—Alexander Local School, Albany, OH
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. @Cafeteria, Thursday, March 25, 2026
Dr. Lijing Yang is an associate professor of higher education at Ohio University. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Michigan. She teaches graduate courses including higher education finance and budgeting, assessment and evaluation, statistical analysis of national large datasets, higher education policy, comparative and international higher education, and theory to practice seminars. Her current research focuses on higher education policy, economics of education, education finance, and comparative and international higher education.
Dr. Yuchun Zhou is a professor and program coordinator in Educational Research and Evaluation. She has shown leadership by serving as the founding program director for the Certificate in Mixed Methods Research, the only program of its kind in the State. Dr. Zhou earned a Ph.D. in Quantitative, Qualitative & Psychometric Methods from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She teaches multiple doctoral-level research courses. Her research focuses on mixed methods integration; scale development and validation analysis; structural equation modeling, and artificial intelligence in qualitative data analysis.
Pittaya Paladroi-Shane's Profile Page
Pittaya “Fon” Paladroi-Shane is an Associate Professor of Instruction of Thai and World Languages and the World Languages Coordinator in the Center for International Studies at Ohio University. She leads the Center for International Studies World Languages program, collaborates with faculty and student organizations to promote linguistic diversity, and designs intercultural competence initiatives for the university community. Originally from Thailand, Fon is passionate about creating inclusive, globally engaged learning environments and supporting students in developing cultural humility and cross-cultural understanding. Her current research centers on decoloniality in language education and the teaching of Southeast Asian languages, with an emphasis on culturally sustaining and community-engaged pedagogy.
Adonis Durado is an Associate Professor at the School of Visual Communication at Ohio University, where he teaches editorial design, art direction, information design, and generative AI for visual storytelling. His research examines how artificial intelligence reshapes creative learning through design-based methodologies. A former creative director and visual journalist, he has garnered over 500 international awards from leading design organizations and competitions. Durado’s work bridges theory and practice, advancing discussions on human–AI collaboration, ethical design, and experiential learning. As a designer, educator, and researcher, he advocates innovation and purposeful creativity at the intersection of visual communication and emerging technology.
Xian Zhao is dedicated to studying phenomena and developing theories related to intergroup relations with the goal of promoting peace and justice. His work covers multiple fields, including psychology, management, marketing, and education. His research spans diverse domains, including international relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), race, gender, poverty, culture, human-robot interaction, and climate change solutions. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Toronto and Northwestern University.
Suraiya Padiyath Abdulla's Profile Page
Suraiya Padiyath Abdulla serves as the Director of Retention, Persistence, and Graduation Plans, leading university-wide efforts to advance advising technologies that support student retention and success. Her work focuses on standardizing processes across academic colleges, student services, and regional campuses to promote consistency and effectiveness in advising. She oversees strategic technology initiatives, professional development, and data-informed decision-making to ensure advising systems remain student-centered and aligned with institutional priorities. Her research examines how advising technologies influence student success in higher education.
Dr. Yuqiu You is a professor and assistant department Chair of Engineering Technology and Management at Russ College of Engineering and Technology. She earned her Ph.D. degree in Technology Management with a concentration in Manufacturing Automation. She teaches Applied Mechatronics, Project Management, and Robotics & Control courses. Her research interests include AI applications in manufacturing, manufacturing automation, and digital engineering implementation.
Min Lun "Alan" Wu's Profile Page
Dr. Min Lun (Alan) Wu is associate professor and program coordinator of Innovative Learning Design and Technology. He holds a B.A. in British and American Literature and an M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), both from Tamkang University in Taipei, Taiwan. He also holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Educational Technology from Michigan State University. Dr. Wu supervises undergraduate courses in technological applications in education and graduate courses with emphases on player motivations to learn via gameplay, and the design, research, and implementation of digital game-based learning (DGBL). He has expertise in online teaching and learning, technology education in teacher preparation, educational game design, computational thinking skills, and computer-assisted language learning (CALL). Dr. Wu’s research focuses on AI in education, instructional leadership, and emerging technologies for teaching and learning.
Nayomi Gunasekara Field's Profile Page
Nayomi Gunasekara Field is a fourth-year doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction. She is currently working on her Ph.D. dissertation, entitled, “Enacting and Contextualizing Intercultural Competence: Lesson Planning after Story Circles in Sri Lanka and the United States.” The study examines how Story Circles influence the intercultural competence of teacher candidates in Sri Lanka and the United States, and their ability to translate this competence into lesson planning. To conduct this research, she has received support from the Student Enhancement Award and Claude Kantner Named Fellowship from Ohio University. She has a forthcoming article with Dr. Michael Kopish in Journal of International Social Studies (National Council for the Social Studies). It is titled, “‘I Try to Put Myself in Their Shoes’: Teacher Candidates, Intercultural Competencies, and Story Circles Workshops.”
