Emily Zider

Emily serves as Program Manager of the North Atlantic Exchange and Mobility Initiative, which is designed to strengthen research collaboration, workforce development, and innovation partnerships between the University of Southern Maine (USM) and institutions across the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. In partnership with the Maine North Atlantic Institute (MNAI), the initiative works closely with USM’s Office of International Programs (OIP) to coordinate international travel and mobility opportunities.

Emily’s passion for international education began with a transformative study abroad semester in Rome. Since then, she has led students on cultural immersion programs throughout Italy, managed a student travel company in Chicago, and taught second grade in Nashville, where she earned her English Language Learner (ELL) teaching certificate.

Over the past decade, Emily has held a variety of roles at USM focused on international and tourism education. She also serves as an adjunct professor in Tourism and Hospitality, teaching courses in Cultural Tourism and Group Tour Management. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Public Policy with a concentration in Educational Leadership, furthering her interest in the intersection of international education and educational leadership.