Please adjust your time zone, this program is held at 10AM CET (Central European Timezone)

For GLL professionals in Europe, this Coffee Connect session is all about building meaningful connections and hearing directly from you – our community – about the topics you would most like to explore in future gatherings.

Whether you have recently attended a conference or have not had the chance to join one, this is a space to share your insights, exchange experiences, and help shape discussions that truly reflect the needs and interests of our community.

We look forward to connecting with you soon!

Deborah Knaust and Ashley Jost

Hosts: 

Deborah Knaust has served as Dean of Student Life and Engagement at Franklin University Switzerland for the past ten years. Located in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, Franklin draws a diverse student body, half from North America and half from around the world. In her role, Deborah serves on the President’s Cabinet, contributing to institutional planning, decision-making, and strategy. Before moving to Switzerland, she worked at U.S. institutions supporting international students, scholars, and Study Abroad programs. A strong advocate for intercultural learning, she integrates global perspectives into her work and was recently tasked with leading the Franklin’s Career Readiness initiatives. Having lived in Bulgaria, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States, Deborah brings rich international experience and is eager to engage with GLL members to foster meaningful growth and networking opportunities.

Ashley Jost serves as the Director of the Office of Student Life at Saint Louis University-Madrid in Madrid, Spain. Ashley supports a team of student affairs professionals to help students with anything they need to improve their experience while living and studying in Madrid. The Student Life team supports housing, sports, campus ministry, volunteering and more. Ashley also serves as a member of the institution’s Care Team, supporting students in crisis. Prior to working in higher education, Ashley was a journalist in the U.S., covering higher education, crime and politics.