Mariette Thomas

Mariette Thomas is the Director of the Center for International Education (CIE) at Loyola. She oversees the day-to-day and strategic operations of the CIE, including education abroad programs, international student and scholar services, and immigration-related matters. In her role, Mariette provides leadership in planning, implementing, and assessing international education initiatives across the university. She is also deeply involved in office operations--advising students and faculty, collaborating with Loyola's study abroad directors, developing exchange and faculty-led programs, fellowship advising, and managing areas such as risk, marketing, and budgeting.

Mariette is an active leader in the field of international education. She has held a variety of leadership roles within NAFSA: Association of International Educators at both the regional and national levels, and has contributed as a volunteer leader with Diversity Abroad and the Global Leadership League.

She holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of the Pacific and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. As a student, Mariette studied abroad in Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Her professional experience includes working abroad in China, Egypt, India, Israel, Russia, and Singapore, and she has traveled to over 40 countries. Prior to joining Loyola, she held international education roles at Tulane University, ArtCenter College of Design, Babson College, the Institute for Study Abroad -- Butler University (IFSA-Butler), and International Studies Abroad (ISA).