Cathy works with the assistant vice provost for curriculum internationalization to bring strategic direction and support to the five UMN system campuses. She also provides operational leadership for the Office of Curriculum Internationalization. She holds undergraduate degrees in German and International Business, and a Master of International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Training. 

Cathy studied abroad in Germany as an undergraduate student, and taught English in Japan for 19 months before returning to the U.S. to go to graduate school. She has more than 20 years of higher education experience in international education, both in sending U.S. students abroad and with international students studying in the U.S. Cathy is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI).