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

For GLL professionals across Europe, our Coffee Connect session offers a welcoming space to forge genuine connections and hear straight from you, our community, on the topics you'd love to dive into at upcoming events.

Whether you've just returned from a conference or haven't joined one yet, come share your perspectives, swap stories, and guide future conversations that resonate with our shared priorities and passions.

We can't wait to connect with you soon!

Deborah Knaust and Ashley Jost

GLL Affinity Group Leaders – European Region

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.