Dr. Hugo Hervitz
Founder and Professor Emeritus
Dr. Hugo Hervitz has been a Professor of Economics and International Business in South Florida for more than 30 years, teaching at Barry University and Nova Southeastern University. During this period, he built a reputation as a dedicated educator, an expert in global markets, and a mentor to generations of students interested in international business. In 1990 he founded Forum-Nexus Study Abroad and served for many years as its Executive Director. Under his leadership, the program grew into one of the longest-running multi-country study-abroad experiences in Europe, welcoming more than 3,700 students from the United States, Mexico, India, Egypt, China, Spain, and around the world. He personally led dozens of summer programs across the continent, combining academic instruction with immersive cultural exposure.
Dr. Hervitz holds two master’s degrees from Imperial College London and the University of Pittsburgh, and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. His international academic presence extends beyond the U.S., having served as a visiting professor at universities in Mexico, Spain, and Austria.
Beyond academia, he has built extensive consulting experience in the United States, Europe, and Latin America, advising organizations on economic strategy and international business development. He has also been an on-air economics commentator for CNN en Español, where he contributed analysis on global markets and economic trends. Originally from Argentina, Dr. Hervitz is an avid traveler with a lifelong passion for languages. He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese, and has conversational knowledge of German, Arabic, and Russian.
Hobbes Rochester
Executive Director
Hobbes Rochester assumes the role of Executive Director of Forum-Nexus after more than twenty years of shaping the program from within. Over that time, his work has touched nearly every dimension of the organization, from academic design and operational systems to digital platforms and the student experience. Few people know Forum-Nexus as intimately as he does. He has been a central architect of its educational philosophy: a model in which rigorous academics, purposeful travel, and meaningful human connection combine to foster lasting intellectual and personal growth.
Hobbes holds a degree in Electronic Systems Engineering from the prestigious Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey. He brings to international education a mindset grounded in problem-solving, systems thinking, and creative innovation. He has consistently championed the idea that technology, when applied thoughtfully, should reduce complexity and expand access. Under his leadership, digital processes—from admissions to on-site support—have become more intuitive, efficient, and responsive to student needs.
His life has unfolded across multiple countries and cultures, with extended periods in Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean. Having lived in cities such as Monterrey, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Martinique, Mexico City, and Playa del Carmen, he brings a deeply personal understanding of cultural adaptation and the transformative power of international learning. He speaks English and Spanish fluently, has working knowledge of Portuguese and French, and is currently studying Japanese.
Within Forum-Nexus, Hobbes has spent two decades leading students across Europe and teaching photography and film, encouraging them to approach travel as an act of observation, interpretation, and storytelling. In 2021, he founded Quopera, a technology consultancy focused on integrating artificial intelligence into educational and business contexts. Based between Mexico City and Playa del Carmen, he brings to his leadership a spirit of curiosity, innovation, and lifelong learning.
Nadine Farrag
Director of Admissions and Professor of Intl. Business
Nadine Farrag brings more than a decade of global experience in marketing, entrepreneurship, and education to her role at Forum-Nexus, where she serves as Director of Admissions and Professor of International Business. Having worked across multiple industries and countries, she offers students a rare blend of real-world perspective and cultural fluency. Her teaching in international business and cross-cultural management emphasizes how organizations operate across borders and how cultural differences influence communication, negotiation, and leadership in today’s interconnected world.
As the Founder and CEO of Farahy—Egypt’s first and largest integrated platform for the wedding industry—Nadine built an award-winning venture widely recognized for its innovation and regional impact. Her professional background also includes more than 10 years of experience in sectors such as telecommunications, education, and healthcare, where she contributed to strategy development for both major companies and emerging startups.
Nadine earned a dual degree in Marketing and Journalism (with highest honors) from The American University in Cairo, followed by an MBA from ENEB in Barcelona. A committed and dynamic educator, she brings to the classroom deep knowledge of global markets and a talent for guiding students through complex cultural environments. She also mentors startup founders in go-to-market strategy, brand positioning, and growth planning, further strengthening the practical insights she shares with her students.
Her connection to Forum-Nexus began in 2011 as a student. More than twelve years later, she remains an integral member of the team, contributing to admissions, academic development, and the transformative study-abroad experiences that define Forum-Nexus.
Edward J. Gray
Academic Director and Professor of European Studies
Edward J. Gray holds a doctorate in European History and teaches European Studies and Art History at Forum-Nexus, where he brings together deep academic expertise and a passion for helping students engage directly with Europe’s cultural and historical landscapes. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Europe ten years ago and now lives in Paris, a city he first chose for its archival resources and ultimately stayed in for its culture, cuisine, and distinctive rhythm of life.
In addition to his teaching role, Dr. Gray serves as Officer for National Coordination at the European Research Infrastructure for the Digital Arts and Humanities (DARIAH). In this capacity, he helps shape Europe-wide strategies for expanding digital humanities research infrastructure and supporting cross-border academic collaboration. He earned his B.A. from the University of Alabama, followed by an M.A. and Ph.D. in History from Purdue University, and later completed a specialized Master’s degree at the prestigious École Nationale des Chartes in Paris.
His academic interests span early modern religion and politics, global approaches to early modern Europe, digital humanities, and contemporary European integration. Beyond work and research, he devotes his time to discovering the natural, cultural, and gastronomic richness of France.
As he describes it, “Forum-Nexus is such a privilege to be a part of, as it allows me to share my new country with young students from my old country every year.”
Laura Ines Fernandez
Professor of Intl. Business
Laura Inés Fernández is a professor of International Business and Cross-Cultural Communication whose teaching combines academic depth with two decades of practical international experience. Born in Argentina, she completed undergraduate and graduate studies in Management at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and the Universidad de Belgrano before moving to Barcelona, where she has built a long-standing career at the intersection of consulting, entrepreneurship, and global education.
For the past twenty years, she has served as a management consultant for leading companies in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, hospitality, and food industries, helping organizations refine their strategies, strengthen leadership practices, and navigate multicultural environments. She specializes in international business strategy, cross-cultural communication, marketing, leadership, and entrepreneurship—areas in which she has taught university-level courses across Europe and Latin America. Her classes emphasize critical thinking, cultural adaptability, and the practical skills required to operate effectively in international settings, offering students a dynamic and interactive learning experience.
Professor Fernández also holds an MSc in Business from the Universitat de Barcelona and is the founder and CEO of Bein Mindset, a science-based technology startup dedicated to applying behavioral research to professional development and organizational performance. Her entrepreneurial background enriches her teaching, providing students with concrete examples of innovation, strategic decision-making, and the challenges of building ventures in global markets.
A long-time resident of Barcelona and an active figure in the city’s entrepreneurial and academic communities, she brings to Forum-Nexus a perspective shaped by consulting, research, and hands-on international work. Her commitment to preparing globally minded professionals, along with her ability to translate cultural theory into real-world application, makes her an essential contributor to the program’s mission of developing adaptable, culturally fluent leaders.
Georges Rocourt
Professor of Economics and Finance
Georges Rocourt is Professor Emeritus at Franklin University Switzerland, where he served for many years as Chairman of the International Management Department and earned a reputation for his extraordinary range of knowledge. Among both Franklin and Forum-Nexus students, he is known as a true “Renaissance man,” equally at ease discussing European history, political thought, economic systems, or the cultural forces that have shaped the continent across centuries.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University and his graduate work at Johns Hopkins University, laying the foundation for a career defined by intellectual breadth and analytical rigor. For more than twenty-five years, he has been one of the senior professors of Forum-Nexus, teaching courses on the European Union with a distinct emphasis on European business, politics, culture, and society. His teaching style—rooted in clarity, historical depth, and comparative analysis—has made him a favorite among generations of students seeking to understand the complexities of Europe.
Beyond academia, Professor Rocourt has built a respected career as a geopolitical consultant, advising European companies and financial institutions on the intersection of politics, economics, and international strategy. His earlier professional experience includes serving as Chief Economist at Mercantile-Safe Deposit & Trust in Baltimore, a role that deepened his understanding of financial markets and global economic trends. Before relocating to Switzerland, he taught in the United States at Barry University, Towson University, and Loyola University Maryland.
An avid and eclectic reader, he often returns to the thinkers who have shaped Western political and historical thought, including Thucydides, Thomas Hobbes, and Edward Gibbon. His enduring curiosity, combined with his long-standing dedication to teaching, continues to inspire students seeking a deeper, more nuanced understanding of Europe.
Batia Cohen
Professor of Art History
Dr. Batia Cohen is a professor of art history with more than twenty-five years of teaching experience. Her work has been defined by a deep engagement with European and Latin American art, as well as by a strong commitment to making art history accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences.
Born in Mexico City, Dr. Cohen earned her Ph.D. in Mesoamerican Studies from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), one of Latin America’s leading research universities. Before relocating to the United States, she taught at several academic institutions in Mexico and worked as a researcher at the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City, where she contributed to scholarly research on pre-Columbian cultures and visual traditions.
In the United States, Dr. Cohen has taught at Florida International University and the University of Miami, offering courses that combine historical depth with cultural context. Her scholarship includes numerous publications in European art history, with a particular focus on figures such as Antoni Gaudí, Leonardo da Vinci, and Amedeo Modigliani, as well as on nineteenth-century French Impressionism.
In addition to her academic work, she is the author of the historical novel Una Amapola Entre Cactus, which brings historical themes to life through narrative storytelling and is scheduled for publication in English in 2026. Her intellectual orientation is scholarly and humanistic, grounded in rigorous research and close engagement with historical sources.