Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) has named a new director to its International Affairs Forum (IAF), an event series designed to advance “the understanding of critical global issues through education and public dialogue.” Alex Tank, a long-time staff member with the IAF, officially took the helm on July 1.

Tank came aboard at the IAF in 2022, following a stint as part of the marketing team for Right Brain Brewery. According to an NMC press release, IAF programming “has gained significant momentum” during Tank’s tenure, “evolving into a fully hybrid program with viewers and supporters from several states and overseas.” Specific accomplishments mentioned in the release include increased participation in the Academic WorldQuest quiz competition, a 16 percent increase in supporting memberships for the IAF between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, and new or expanded partnerships “with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Economic Club of Traverse City, Traverse City Central and Traverse City West High Schools, Interlochen Public Radio and Great Lakes Fishery Commission.”

Tank has also been the de facto leader for the IAF since his predecessor, Jim Bensley, stepped down from the director role a year ago; Bensley is still with NMC, serving as both NMC’s director of international services and service learning and as a member of the IAF advisory board. With the help of the board, Tank led IAF through its 30th season, with event topics that included indigenous sovereignty, international coordination of freshwater resources, China dynamics, policy cooperation on artificial intelligence, the Israel-Palestine conflict, global population trends, and the war in Ukraine.

Programming for the 2024-25 IAF slate will begin in September and will be announced later this summer.

“I am humbled and thrilled to help guide the IAF into its fourth decade, building upon the dedication and impactful work of so many past leaders,” Tank said in the press release. “With the integral support of our volunteer advisory board, we craft content and experiences that impact students' academic trajectories and broaden attendees’ collective knowledge base.”