Contact
NSCC International, located in Halifax at the Institute of Technology Campus, provides leadership and management for international activities for all campuses of the Nova Scotia Community College.
As Director, NSCC International, Katie provides leadership for internationalization at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).
Katie began her international career as a World University Service of Canada Volunteer in Malawi from 1993-1995, working as a project officer for Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief. During that time she assisted two Canadian medical students to set up a global health studies elective in Malawi and was inspired by the transformative potential of international learning and partnerships to foster global citizenship. Since that time Katie has worked in the field of international education with Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University, the Dalhousie Medical School and the Nova Scotia Community College and with partner organizations around the world.
In addition, Katie has served on numerous local, national and international organizations and associations committed to promoting and enhancing international learning. Katie is a member of the International Advisory Committee to Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), Co-Chair of the NAFSA Canada Member Interest Group, Chair of the EduNova Operations Committee and a past Chair of the EduNova Board of Directors, and served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) from 2013 – 2018.
Katie was raised in a military family moving across Canada and the USA 11 times in 17 years before attending the University of King’s College (Bachelor of Arts – Honours), the Institut de Touraine (French language) and Dalhousie University (Master of Arts – Political Science – International).
Katie has participated in the Association of Canadian Community Colleges National Executive Leadership Institute for Potential Vice-Presidents (VP- NELI) and the CICan International Leadership Institute. In 2019 Katie was awarded the CBIE Excellence Award for Leadership in International Education, and in 2005 she was awarded Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine Community of Scholars Award for Professional Excellence.
In 2023, NSCC was awarded the CICan Gold Award for Global Engagement.
Zoran Kondali is Manager of NSCC International. In this position, Zoran is responsible for developing and managing a variety of international activities including project procurement, project management and student and staff exchanges. Zoran has extensive experience in international project management and project proposal preparation. His ability to work with partners and clients from various sectors, including educational institutions, private sector entities, government and non-governmental organizations has contributed to NSCC's success in many initiatives and projects.
Zoran has been associated with NSCC International since 2004 and, prior to this appointment, Zoran served for 8 years as Project Manager of the Saint Mary’s University International Activities Office. In 2009, he was appointed the designated NSCC project manager for technical assistance related partnerships and initiatives.
His educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sarajevo, an advanced business diploma from NSCC, and a Master of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Zoran has enjoyed considerable learning through many international experiences gained through living and working in a number of countries in Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and South America.
Zoran is a recipient of the 2017 President’s Award of the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Kellie was educated at the University of King's College in Halifax and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Political Science, followed by a diploma in Communications from the Atlantic Media Institute. After working in the film and television industry in a variety of roles, including project coordination and marketing and communications, Kellie moved to Vietnam and worked as a copy editor for a daily newspaper, through an internship sponsored by the Canadian Government and Saint Mary's University. While in South East Asia, she produced a teaching documentary on mangrove ecosystems in Vietnam, Cambodia and China for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded project "Community Based Conservation Management in China and Vietnam".
After returning from Vietnam in 2001, Kellie started a business producing marketing videos mostly for educational institutions and community and governmental organizations. Her work as a videographer and producer enabled her to travel to a variety of locations including Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Tanzania, working mostly on international education projects.
In her role with NSCC International since 2008, Kellie has coordinated several International Learning Programs for students and faculty. Kellie manages all marketing and communications of international activities at NSCC and is responsible for NSCC International’s social media outreach.
In 2015, one of NSCC's International Learning Programs for students, the Mikumi Solar Project, was awarded the Canadian Bureaux for International Education (CBIE) Panorama Award for Excellence in International Education.
In 2017, Kellie won the CBIE President’s Award for her work and collaboration with colleague Zoran Kondali on international student projects and Technical Assistance Projects.
Kellie continues to combine her passions of international education and marketing through speaking engagements around the world at conferences such as CBIE, NAFSA and the European Association of International Education. Her work on these topics was recently published in the Times Higher Education magazine.
Valessa is the Project Coordinator at NSCC International and provides support to the Manager, NSCC International (Technical Assistance Projects) and Manager of International Learning (Outbound Mobility).
Originally from Brazil, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Early in her journey, she participated in English immersion exchange in Philadelphia, USA, and is fluent in Portuguese, English and communicate in Spanish.
With over 20 years of professional experience across industries such as supply chain, import-export coordination, and project coordination, Valessa later pursued a Postgraduate Business General program to further enhance her expertise. Her passion for international education and career development led her to Nova Scotia, Canada where she became an NSCC Business Management alumni (Award Co-op student of the year 2019-2020).
Since graduating, she has contributed to various sectors across Nova Scotia and brought her global experience full circle by joining the NSCC International , supporting students and projects with the same enthusiasm that marked her own journey.
Lydia MacNeil offers operational support to the International departments. Lydia is a two-time NSCC alumna with a certificate in Office Administration and diploma in Business Administration (Management). While studying at NSCC, she participated in the Happiness Now project in Tanzania which sparked her interest in international learning, social entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
After graduating from the College, Lydia completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Saint Mary's University and worked in the Global Learning Office as a Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) Ambassador where she promoted study abroad opportunities and supported incoming and outgoing student exchanges. After finishing her degree, she returned to the College as an Impact Intern with NSCC International and NSCC Entrepreneurship before working on the College's Sustainability team.
Joining the team as Administrative Assistant, Lydia is thrilled to be working with NSCC International again and is looking forward to supporting international learning across the College.
