Who We Are:
"Study Texas is a group of educational and training organizations in the state of Texas, whose broad purpose is to connect international students and professionals with quality education and training." (Article II, Sec. 1, Study Texas Bylaws)
Study Texas was established to enable schools in the State of Texas to work together to market the advantages of receiving an education in Texas. Study Texas is a group of educational organizations in the state of Texas, whose broad purpose is to connect international students and professionals with a quality education. Members include appropriately accredited community colleges and four-year colleges and universities, both private and public. Study Texas institutions offer thousands of degrees to choose from. Come explore Texas and find out why it is a great place to live and learn!
Members of the Board
Shannon Bedo, Chair
Shannon Bedo is the Director of International and Veteran Student Services at Houston Christian University, where she leads efforts for recruiting, admissions, immigration, and programming for the international and veteran student population. She has previously served at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas A&M University, as well as in the private sector. She has a Masters of Agricultural Education and a Bachelors of Agricultural Development from Texas A&M University, where she also studied abroad in both Vietnam and Tunisia. Shannon is an active member of NAFSA and the Trainer Corps, currently serving as the dean of F-1 Beyond the Basics e-learning course, and was on the chair stream of the Houston Forum from 2018-2020. She is also the Chair-Elect for Study Texas, serving on the Board since 2018. Shannon was named NAFSA’s 2020 Advocate of the Year and is actively involved in educating Congressional representatives and their staff on issues important to international education. She currently serves on NAFSA’s Region III Leadership Team as the Advocacy Representative.
Cynthia Martinez, Past Chair
Cynthia Martinez is the Executive Director for the Office of International Programs at The University of Texas at Tyler (UTT) in Tyler, Texas. She oversees International Student and Scholar Services, Study Abroad, Intensive English Language Institute, and Passport services. Prior to serving at UTT, Cynthia was the associate director of International Engagement at Texas A&M International University. She earned her master’s degree in Sociology and bachelor’s in Criminal Justice at Texas A&M International University.
Jodi Nelms, Chair Elect
Jodi Nelms is Director of the Language and Culture Center at the University of Houston. She has worked in the field of international education since the late 1980s, previously at the University of Florida and Georgia State University. Jodi has served in several leadership roles in TESOL, AAAL, UCIEP, and StudyTexas. She served as a CEA Commissioner from 2020-2023. Jodi has served on the StudyTexas Board since 2019.
Ximena Fuentes, at-large
Ximena Fuentes Gates serves as the Director of International Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment at Texas Tech University. Ximena’s role focuses on leading efforts for recruiting, admissions, immigration, and sponsored students’ program for the international undergraduate student population. She has previously served at the University of Texas marketing athletics department, as well as in the private sector. Ximena was an international student athlete and has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, Management, and International Business from the University of Texas at El Paso. She received her Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from UTEP in 2014.
heather catton, at-large
Heather Catton is the Director of the Office of International Programs at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). She oversees international student recruitment and services, study abroad programs, and on-campus internationalization activities. She has been involved in international education as an exchange student in France, Tunisia, and Indonesia and as an English teacher in Taiwan, and has also worked in Washington, DC and abroad with an international NGO focusing on health practices and social marketing. She has been at SFA for 19 years, the last 12 with international programs, first as an ESL instructor and currently as director. She earned a master’s degrees in French and southeast Asia Studies from Ohio University.
REBECCA KEHE, AT LARGE
Rebecca Kehe is the Director of International Student Services at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she conducts recruiting, admissions, immigration, and other student services for UMHB’s international student community. Prior to her role at UMHB, she has worked in international education roles at California State University - San Bernardino, the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and Southeast Missouri State University. She holds a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Global Studies from Southeast Missouri State University.
