Faculty and Staff
Brad Bodenhausen
Director, International Leadership and Training Center
Mr. Brad Bodenhausen has a master’s degree in international affairs and administration from Missouri State University and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and political science from the University of Central Missouri. In addition to his professional activities, Mr. Bodenhausen is active in various community service organizations, including Rotary International and the Springfield Sister Cities Association. He also teaches international business courses at MSU, and his favorite topic for research and teaching is cross-cultural communications.
Previous to his employment as Director of the ILTC, Mr. Bodenhausen served as the executive vice president of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, where he directed the Chamber’s international program, featuring long-term partnerships with chambers of commerce in China and Mexico.
Jinzi Fan
Health Care / China Programs Specialist, International Leadership and Training Center
Ms. Jinzi Fan received her master’s degrees in business administration and health administration from Missouri State University. Her experiences at Missouri State helped her develop a better understanding of the needs and goals of international students, enabling her to provide outstanding customer service to the international students and professionals that participate in ILTC leadership development programs. She specializes in developing and coordinating ILTC programs in the areas of health care, biotechnology, agriculture, engineering, entrepreneurship/business and leadership. Jinzi originally came to Springfield as one of the first exchange students from her home university in China, Henan University of Economics and Law.
Catherine Pettijohn (Cali)
Program and Language Specialist, International Leadership and Training Center
Cali Pettijohn is a Program and Language Specialist at the International Leadership and Training Center (ILTC). She holds a Master of Arts degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and a Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA). Her travels and studies abroad in France, Mexico, Spain, and Canada give Cali the skill set needed to welcome and support new international students to MSU’s campus. In addition to teaching English skills to international students since 2008, Cali helps coordinate co-curricular activities, cultural events, and logistics for short-term programs at the ILTC.
Nomin Munkhbaatar
Graduate Assistant
Nomin Munkhbaatar is a Program Assistant at the International Leadership and Training Center at Missouri State University, where she coordinates and executes leadership training programs for international professionals and students. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business Administration and Management, as well as a Master of International Affairs, both from Missouri State University. Nomin is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Communication, further enhancing her expertise in fostering effective cross-cultural communication and leadership development.
Bakhtawar
Graduate Assistant
Arooj Bakhtawar is a Graduate Assistant in the International Leadership and Training Center, where she supports ILTC program participants from diverse backgrounds through her native fluency in Urdu and English, and professional-level proficiency in Mandarin and Arabic. She actively contributes to cross-cultural activities and engagement efforts. Drawing on her deep understanding of Chinese language and culture developed during her Master’s in International Trade and Business at Wuzi University in Beijing she helps facilitate communication and ensure meaningful experiences for ILTC program participants. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at Missouri State University, Arooj combines her multilingual skills, academic background, and leadership experience including her role as President of the Students' Union at Chengdu University to advance the mission of the ILTC.
Patrick Foster
Graduate Assistant
Patrick earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Brock University, where he also served as President of the Students’ Union and on the Board of Trustees. After working in real estate and sales, he pursued and earned a Master of Science in Project Management from Missouri State University. During his time there, he worked as a Graduate Assistant with the ILTC, spent a year at the university’s branch campus in China as a Teaching Assistant, and completed his CELTA certification.
