Jennifer Acosta

Senior Vice President & General Manager

Jennifer Acosta has been with ISA since 1996 and now as Senior Vice President & General Manager for International Studies abroad (ISA) and The Education Abroad Network (TEAN). She graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies, and then from Southwest Texas State University with a Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish. Her education abroad includes a semester at the Universidad de Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain and a summer at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.

Jennifer believes in providing exceptional study abroad experiences for college students and is an avid traveler herself. She served as Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management for 10 years prior to her appointment as General Manager. Jennifer has played a key role in ISA's development during her tenure and cites a passion for meeting students on their terms. She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and two daughters.

Angel (Chicho) Eguiluz Pacheco

Senior Vice President, Global Operations

Ángel Eguiluz Pacheco, known by all as "Chicho," is ISA's Senior Vice President of Global Operations. A native of Spain's northern coastal town of Santander, Chicho began his career with the program when he settled in the southern city of Sevilla in 1997. Before beginning work with the Sevilla program, Chicho spent several years at the University of Salamanca, where he received his degree in Spanish Language and Literature and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language. His university career also included his own personal study-abroad experience, when he was awarded a grant to study at the University of Leuven in Belgium. Chicho later went on to experience life in the United States while in Virginia teaching Spanish at James Madison University. His accumulated knowledge of foreign language studies, as well as his ability to closely connect with American study abroad students, have given Chicho the reputation that he has acquired within the study-abroad sphere both in the United States and in Spain. Now leading all of ISA's programs in Europe, Chicho is often on the move, although the Sevilla office remains his home base.

Beth Price

Senior Vice President, Student Outreach

Beth first fell in love with travel during her semester of study abroad as a Marketing student at the University of St. Thomas. As an avid life-long-learner, Beth most recently completed her MBA at UT Austin. While her Minnesota roots were as thick as her accent, she moved to Austin, TX the summer of 2009 to join the ISA team. Since then she has continued exciting travels, which includes exploring 6 out of the 7 continents (you're next, Antarctica). Some of her favorite highlights include climbing Kilimanjaro, seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, scaling the Great Wall of China, bartering for a rug at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, and relishing in Peruvian cuisine while enjoying the view of Machu Picchu.

Susan Farley

Vice President, Financial Affairs

Susan was born and raised in Texas and graduated from Texas Christian University with a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Spanish. Her primary study abroad experience was in Costa Rica, where she enjoyed living with a family and exploring the beautiful country. That first program abroad changed the course of her life and sparked a passion for international education. Susan joined the ISA team in 1997 and has returned to Costa Rica many times over the years for business and personal travel. She has also been fortunate to travel extensively in and around ISA's program locations in Europe, Latin America and the Pacific. In her free time, she most enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her husband, sons and the family dog.

Mark Gallovic

Vice President, Strategic Partnerships

Mark has been dedicated to the education abroad profession for more than 24 years, having been transformed by his own student experiences abroad in Venezuela, Mexico, and Spain, as a high school and undergraduate student. Prior to joining ISA in 2014 as Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, he served as Director of Education Abroad as the University North Carolina Wilmington, for eight years, as Assistant Director of the Office of International Programs at Arizona State University for eight years before that, and previously for the Institute for Study Abroad, both in the U.S. and Australia. Mark earned undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Spanish at Miami University, and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Arizona State University. When not focused on education abroad program development, he likes to go off recipe, and cook by the inspiration of quirky ingredient baskets. Like many others hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Mark will always root for the underdog.

David Puente, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President, Academics

David grew up in Minnesota looking at maps and reading about faraway places when not busy shoveling snow. As a backpacker and later as a military officer he began exploring more temperate parts of the world, and at last count he had visited 45 countries. Shortly after moving to Spain in 2002 he joined ISA. Since then he has worn many hats and shown he's game for any challenge. Currently he leads our site visits and spearheads efforts to enhance and assess students' intercultural learning. David feels lucky to work closely with upper management, resident staff and faculty on both sides of the Atlantic, doing his best to live up to his last name--bridge in Spanish! He is a proud parent, a political news junky, and a bit of a music snob.

Elizabeth Erbeznik, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President, Curriculum and Academics

Hailing from Northern California, Elizabeth graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a BA in English and French and then received her MA and PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Texas at Austin. Elizabeth first traveled to Switzerland as a high school exchange student, then studied abroad for a year in Lyon, France, where she enrolled in literature courses with local students and traveled throughout most of Western Europe during long vacations. After graduating from UCLA, she joined the Peace Corps and taught English in Madagascar. Before joining ISA, she taught French language and literature courses at Northern Illinois University and UT-Austin. She loves reading books in their original language (or translations), traveling, camping and going on adventures with her husband and daughter.

Robin Reliford, J.D.

Head of Health & Safety

Robin joined International Studies Abroad in 2013 and oversees international risk and crisis management for ISA’s higher education programs. She works with staff globally to monitor world events to mitigate against risks; implement emergency protocols and procedures; and manage student emergencies. She works closely with executive management on policy development and compliance. Robin is a leader in the field, presenting on issues affecting student health and safety at local and national conferences. A Philadelphia native, Robin received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her B.A. from West Chester University. An avid traveler, Robin is always ready for her next international experience and believes that one day she will learn to pack light.

Patrick Barker

Director, Health, Safety & Security

Patrick joined the ISA team in August of 2014 working in the ISA Embedded Office at the University of Kentucky. After receiving his BA in Geography from the University of Kentucky, he spent time in Washington, D.C. interning with the Overseas Security Advisory Council. Patrick later returned to UK for his MA from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, where he focused on national security policy. He studied abroad in Amman, Jordan for a summer where he fell in love with the Middle East. He has also been fortunate enough to travel to over 50 countries all over the world. In his free time, Patrick enjoys trying new restaurants, road trips, Instagraming and cheering on his beloved Kentucky Wildcats.

Kate McSurley

Assistant Director, Health, Safety & Risk Management

Kate first traveled abroad as a participant of TEAN, studying in Australia at the University of Queensland. Her time overseas allowed her to examine English literature from a fresh, new angle and have a proper introduction to Australian literature. Before joining TEAN, Kate also served as a National Admissions Advisor for a fashion & interior design college as well as a technical writer for a sport technology company. Kate holds a BA in English/Communications from Saint Xavier University and earned her M.A. in English at DePaul University, both in Chicago. Since her time at UQ, she has continued her travels throughout Europe and the U.S., but she will always have a soft spot for Australia.

Yolanda Golden

Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Yolanda Golden leads WorldStrides’ strategic planning and implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that impact employee training and development, product delivery, and customer service.

Yolanda has enriched communities by serving, training, and developing programs to support diverse populations for over 25+ years in K12 and Higher Ed spaces. She joined WorldStrides in 2017 and has enhanced the lives of thousands of students by delivering exceptional STEM programs within the Envision unit of WorldStrides. Yolanda has spearheaded, collaborated, or supported various aspects of WorldStrides’ current DEI infrastructure and programming to include the development of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the DEI Council.

Yolanda earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Social Work from Loyola University of Chicago. She's previously served as Associate Dean of Student Success at Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago as well as Adjunct Professor and Academic Advisor Coordinator at Loyola where she was responsible for ensuring policies and curriculum were inclusive, and equitably met the needs of unrepresented populations. While at Loyola she developed coursework centered on the differential needs of vulnerable populations and practice strategies for invention to budding undergraduate and graduate level educators and social worker scholars.

Emily Busse

Senior Director, Enrollment Management

Emily grew up in a family that celebrated international student exchange, leading her to spend her junior year of high school living with a host family in Melilla, Spain. After graduating from DePaul University, Emily spent another year in Spain, this time living in Malaga and teaching English at a local school. During this period, her younger sister studied abroad in Malaga through ISA. Upon returning home to Chicago, Emily was happy to land at ISA headquarters in Austin, TX as a Program Manager. After six years on the Enrollment Management team, she relocated to Melbourne, Australia for a new role with ISA, which by then had joined the WorldStrides family of companies. In her role as Global Mobility Manager, she helped open a new student recruitment market, partnering with Australian and New Zealand universities to send their students on WorldStrides programs worldwide. Following two exciting years down under, Emily returned to the US to explore new opportunities, expanding her experience in the higher education experiential learning space by working in corporate university recruiting, managing the hiring of interns and new college graduates. Emily is thrilled to have returned to international education and WorldStrides in her role as Senior Director, Enrollment Management. Emily oversees management of ISA & TEAN programs, supporting the Enrollment Management team and all ISA and TEAN students through every phase of the program lifecycle.

Matt Gulizia

Director, Enrollment Management

Originally from Omaha, NE, Matt earned his B.S. in International Business, B.A. in French, and M.Ed. in Higher Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He studied in Paris through ISA as an undergraduate, which sparked his passion for education abroad and the French language and culture. In his spare time, he likes practicing yoga, baking, and exploring different coffee shops in whichever city he finds himself. Matt finds study abroad to be one of the best ways to contribute to personal growth and loves being a part of that for his students.

Anthony Viltro

Associate Director, Enrollment Management

Anthony is from Ohio and attended The Ohio State University where he earned degrees in Psychology and Italian. It's hard to believe that once upon a time, Anthony dreaded the idea of learning a second language and studying abroad. Nonetheless, he studied in Italy on two occasions, once in Lecce and again in Siena, and hasn't looked back since. He also taught Italian language at East Carolina University and worked as a Resident Advisor in Florence. Study abroad helped Anthony achieve things he didn't think possible, and he hopes the students he works with will have similar life-changing experiences. In his free time, Anthony enjoys playing beach volleyball, cat-sitting for friends, and planning his next trip.

Amy Remondi

Associate Director, Enrollment Management

Amy received a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Miami, during which time she studied abroad in Granada, Spain for a year. She fell so in love with the Spanish lifestyle and culture that after graduating she moved to Barcelona to teach English for 3 years, and then moved to Japan to continue teaching. Amy loves working with students and feels strongly about cultural exchange. Inspired by her years abroad to help students experience the thrills of learning a new language and culture, she now works as the Barcelona Program Manager. In her free time, she loves biking, camping and hiking - all with her 'adventure' cat!

Brittany Lavornia

Senior Region & Account Manager, Europe

Originally from little Rhode Island, Brittany acquired her desire for travel when studying abroad for a semester at the University of Roehampton in London, England. During this semester, she traveled the U.K. extensively and collected passport stamps from a dozen countries in Europe. Brittany received a B.S. in Psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and went on to join ISA in 2015 to advise on programs in England and Scotland.  She enjoys enabling students to gain the confidence and self-awareness that comes from studying abroad, and helping plan their big adventures! Brittany enjoys playing with her pitbull Amira, learning coding and graphic design, has started collecting passport stamps from Central America and the Caribbean, and helping her husband begin his collection, starting with Japan!

Gloria Trueba

Senior Region & Account Manager, Europe

Gloria Trueba Garcia is a Santander native who spent part of her youth in Germany. Upon graduation, she moved to Salamanca to study German/English translation at the Universidad de Salamanca. After studying abroad in Dublin, she worked in Scotland, England, and Ireland. She started working for ISA 11 years ago in the ISA Salamanca office. After a few years there she moved to her hometown Santander to be the Resident Director there. She also was the Resident Director in our office in Brussels until she moved back to Spain to be the Director of the office in Madrid. She is now living in Austin and has joined our team here. She loves travelling, puzzles and going on long walks with her puppies.

Michelle McRaney

Senior Program Manager, Latin America

Michelle graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a focus on International Management. She studied International Business in Caen, France and Spanish and International Management in Monterrey, Mexico. Michelle joined the ISA team in 1998. Michelle has led programs in Guanajuato, Mexico; Salamanca, Spain; Granada, Spain; Santander, Spain; Sydney, Australia; and Santiago, Dominican Republic. She also accompanied several ISA site visits in Chile and Argentina, and conducted new program research and staff training in Mexico and Brazil. In 2006, Michelle moved to Lima, Peru, where she set-up ISA's first program in Peru, which expanded to include Cusco. Michelle is excited about sharing the Peruvian culture and cuisine with all ISA participants and helping to adjust to life in Lima.

Hannah Hamilton

Senior Program Manager, England & Scotland

Born in Corvallis, OR, family stories of adventures and travels were joyfully shared and impressed upon Hannah at a young age. As an undergraduate at the University of Texas here in Austin, she jumped at the opportunity to circumnavigate the world aboard a ship. The experience was life-changing and led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in International and Comparative Education from The George Washington University. Hannah started at ISA in 2006 and worked closely with our programs in Morocco and Europe. After six years with ISA Hannah made the decision to stay home to raise her two children. She served on their school PTA board for four years, further fueling her interests of advocacy and equity in education. Having recently returned to ISA in 2021, Hannah is thrilled to continue advising students as they pursue their own international education efforts.

Lillian Nguyen

Senior Program Manager, Italy & EuroScholars

Born and raised in Texas, Lillian attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned her B.A. in European Studies and Italian. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy and in Würzburg, Germany, which sparked her interest in international education. After visiting the Sassi in Matera and viewing the beautiful artwork in Galleria Borghese in Rome and in Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, Lillian hopes to help students have once in a lifetime experience studying abroad. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, roller-skating, and reading.

Danielle Ramsey-Smith

Senior Program Manager, Spain

Iowa Native Danielle graduated from Central College with a B.A. in Spanish and Sociology. During undergrad, Danielle studied abroad in Spain, Germany/Austria, and Mexico. After graduation, she worked as an English teacher for high school students in Madrid, Spain. Upon to her return to the U.S., Danielle worked as a summer camp director and eventually went back to get a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of Iowa so she could better help students in their journeys. Danielle loved her international experiences and can’t wait to share her knowledge about international education, Spain, personal experiences and more with students! In her free time Danielle likes hiking with her dogs, kayaking, music, language learning, and reading. As a Program Manager, Danielle looks forward to guiding students on their journey to international adventures, educational experiences, and unexpected opportunities!

Abby Satchell

Region & Account Manager, Latin America & Spain

Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, Abby graduated from Montana State University with a B.S. in Business Finance and a B.A. in Hispanic Studies. She was fortunate with the opportunities to travel to Mexico, Spain, and Costa Rica in high school, which sparked her love of travel and adventure. Her passion for the Spanish language and culture encouraged her to study abroad her sophomore year in college in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Abby is thrilled to help students grow independently while experiencing the adventure of learning a new language and culture. In her free time, she loves to read books, exercise, try new restaurants, but most of all values spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Millie.

Anna Bonura

Program Manager, Spain

Born and raised in Florida, Anna graduated from Rollins College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Spanish. Always ready for new opportunities to travel and see more of the world, Anna spent a summer in Madrid, Spain and a semester abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Upon graduation, Anna moved to the small little island of Menorca, Spain to teach English to primary school students. She loved everything about her experience in Spain and is so excited to share her knowledge and stories with students. Anna is passionate about international education and language learning, and she loves music and yoga. As a Program Manager, Anna is so excited to help guide students on an exceptional and unforgettable adventure, much like her own, abroad.

Kiri Johnson

Program Manager, France & Morocco

Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Kiri graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Science. She studied abroad in Paris with ISA, where she fell in love with the culture, food, and the fashion. Having experienced firsthand how impactful studying abroad is to an individual’s growth, she is enthusiastic to help students plan their study and ease any stress or nerves that may come up. Happy to be back with ISA as a Program Manager this time around, Kiri aims to ensure everyone’s study abroad has the same impact as hers. In her spare time, she loves to sew and craft and be with her cat, Beignet.

Rosina D'Angelo

Program Manager, Costa Rica & Spain

Originally from Houston, TX, Rosina discovered a passion for international education as a teenager after spending a summer studying Spanish in Salamanca, Spain with ISA. Her love of language led her to pursue double majors in English and Hispanic Studies at the University of Richmond, where she had the opportunity to study abroad again in both Córdoba, Argentina and Alcalá de Henares, Spain. After graduation, she moved back to Spain and taught English for 3 years in the bustling city of Madrid and the beautiful island of Mallorca. Now that she’s back in Texas, she’s excited to advise ISA students preparing to set off on their own international adventures! In her free time, she loves cooking and baking, hiking, and exploring new cities.

Marlee Nangle

Program Manager, Spain

Marlee resided most of her life in Washington before moving to Montana to earn her B.S in Education from Montana State University. In school Marlee discovered her passion for helping others on their journey to academic and personal success. Her own experiences abroad in Costa Rica and around most of Europe proved to be extremely formative milestones in her life. Inspired by experiencing new places she left Montana and now resides in Austin, Texas where she is ecstatic to be Program Manager at ISA to support students through their personal growth abroad! In her spare time you can find her practicing yoga, painting, catching live music, and attempting to cook new fun meals.

Leah West

Program Manager, Spain

Born and raised in Southern California, Leah graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish. Leah's adventures abroad began at a young age when she spent 3 high school summers learning Spanish in Ensenada, Mexico. Having discovered her love for languages and travel, she went on to spend two summers in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, and finally, a semester abroad in Paris, France! Leah holds all of her experiences abroad near and dear to her heart and is eager to share them with students. She understands first-hand the role that an international education has in creating self-aware and global minded citizens of the world. She is excited to pass on her knowledge and passion to her students as they embark on their own incredible journeys abroad. In her free time, a few of her favorite things to do include hiking, yoga, and spending time with her friends and family.

Victoria Grist

Program Manager, Italy

Victoria was born and raised in Amarillo, TX and graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from WTAMU. Although she had never lived more than 20 minutes from her hometown, Victoria took a leap of faith and studied abroad for 4 months in Reggio Emilia, Italy, which sparked a passion for travel and cultural exchange. Upon graduation, Victoria moved to Germany for two and a half years to work as an au pair and study German. After moving back to Texas, she attended Texas State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and a minor in German. Tori made several life-long friendships and had so many once in a lifetime experiences throughout her adventures abroad, and she’s excited to help others do the same here at ISA. In her free time, Victoria can be found hiking, paddleboarding, camping, or floating the river with her dogs.

Hannah Burroughs

Program Manager, Greece & Ireland

Growing up in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Hannah was fortunate to fall in love with international travel at a young age. Following her personal and educational experiences in South America and France, she received a B.A. in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina (USC). During her time at USC, she spent a semester abroad studying international marketing, media, and women’s rights in Spain at the University of Seville. Throughout this semester, she prioritized travel and cultural immersion, and was lucky enough to do everything from spending St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin to riding camels in Morocco. Inspired by her experience abroad, she continued her education at Clemson University, where she earned a Master's in Student Affairs and Higher Education with an emphasis in International Education. In her free time, you can find Hannah working on her latest DIY home project, playing with her cats, or obsessing over the latest Netflix reality show. As a Program Manager, Hannah is extremely excited to help students learn, grow, and build their confidence throughout the study abroad experience- just like former staff members did for her!

Dana Guthrie

Program Manager, Italy, the Netherlands & Spain

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Dana quickly became passionate about travel and language learning after having the opportunity to do a homestay in Costa Rica during a summer in high school. This interest led her to complete a bachelor's in International Relations and Spanish with a minor in Business from the University of Texas at Austin. Her passion for experiential education increased after studying in Ecuador in college as well as spending most summers as a camp counselor. Itching to move abroad, Dana finally took the leap after graduating and moved to Barcelona, Spain where she spent over a year teaching English. She enjoyed every second of it, and she is so excited to be back in Austin and can't wait to help others achieve their study abroad goals. In her free time, Dana loves to exercise, go thrifting, try new restaurants, and go to concerts.

Riley Dean

Program Manager, South Africa & Spain

Originally from Seattle, WA, Riley completed a B.A. in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Spanish at the University of San Diego. As an undergraduate, she spent a semester in Madrid, Spain, discovering an interest in foreign-language acquisition and cultural exchange. Drawn to Madrid's lively atmosphere and rich history, Riley returned after graduation to teach English in several primary schools. Her love for travel has brought her to over 15 countries, including South Africa and Ecuador. Now, as the Program Manager for South Africa and Spain, Riley looks forward to helping other students explore and prepare for their own study abroad experiences. In her free time, Riley loves to play soccer, paint, and take dance classes. 

Drew Beasley

Program Manager, Czech Republic & Germany

Drew's journey in experiential education all started while traveling through Indonesia and Fiji on his gap year. Feeling refreshed and transformed, Drew embraced every opportunity to study abroad while attending DePaul University. Drew has studied film in Rome, received a teaching certificate in Prague, backpacked through Patagonia, and lead diving trips in Belize. When not abroad, Drew works closely with the Gap Year Association and currently serves on their board of directors. At ISA, Drew is thrilled to help students study abroad and fall in love with new cities and countries around the world.

Hannah Marrs

Strategic Programs Manager

Hannah joined WorldStrides in June of 2023 as Strategic Programs Manager and enjoys supporting our partner universities in building programs that work for their students’ needs. Hannah is based in Portland, Oregon, where she previously worked at Portland State University’s Education Abroad Office and also completed a Master's of Arts in Postsecondary Adult and Continuing Education. Hannah’s interest in international education started when she first visited Mexico on a service trip, and grew as she travelled to India in college, and later lived in the Maldives islands for five years teaching Linguistics! Experiencing the highs and lows of international living was transformational and she loves being part of an organization that provides these transformational experiences to students. She is also passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in study abroad, as well as cultural humility and identity development through study abroad. Hannah studied Linguistics and Religious Studies in university and loves learning languages - dabbling in Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesia, Hebrew, Arabic and Dhivehi. When not on Duolingo, you can find her with her two kids at a park, hiking with her partner of 16 years, or enjoying the incredible food and beverage scene of Portland.

Cindy Tejero

Enrollment Associate Team Lead

Cindy received degrees in Marketing from Anahuac Mayab University and Digital Marketing from the University of Yucatan. After graduating, she spent a few months volunteering as an English Teacher in Jaipur, India. During this time, she had the opportunity to travel around Asia visiting her dream locations: Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Some highlights of her time spent abroad include visiting the Taj Mahal in India and caring for rescue elephants in Thailand. Cindy's favorite aspect of working and traveling abroad is getting to encounter people who feel like friends/family the minute you meet them! Cindy continually looks for ways to challenge herself, which includes solo-travel adventures. Cindy recently pursued an English immersion program in Santa Barbara, California, where she quickly fell in love with the charming Californian people and the beautiful landscapes of the U.S. Cindy is thrilled to play a part of your study abroad journey!

Ronnie Morales

Enrollment Associate

Ronnie was born and raised in the beautiful and friendly city of Merida, Yucatan Mexico and studied English at Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois.  He had the opportunity to travel to Paris, France and getting know more about French culture, and as a result, Ronnie’s favorite aspect of working and visiting other countries is getting to know about the culture, customs, and history. As a Scout Wood Batch Director, he has participated in different international moots and jamborees as a volunteer. He loves the adventure of traveling and meeting people from all over the world!

Helen Cuevas

Enrollment Associate

Helen was born and raised in Merida, Mexico. She has a degree in Fine Arts from the Autonomous University of Yucatan and was able to study one term at the University of Guadalajara, in Jalisco, making her knowledgeable in most aspects of the studying abroad experience, even if domestically. She was also able to travel through Belgium, France and Great Britain in 2017, where she enjoyed visiting Museums and relishing the colder weather. During that trip she met her favorite author, Neil Gaiman, at a book festival and promised herself to go back someday. In her free time, Helen loves all things crafts, learning new languages (such as German and French) and tending to her garden. She enjoys listening to 80's music, synth pop, new wave, and is a big fan of comics and cartoons.

Mariela Orta

Enrollment Associate

Mariela is happy to help students in their process to study abroad. She joined her first exchange in high school; spending a year in France studying and living with a warm French family is an experience that shaped her life path, and she believes doing an exchange is a once in a lifetime experience that no one regrets. She studied International Relations and Political Science on a double bachelor’s degree from UDLAP class of 2019. She thanks her exchange during high school for my academic decisions and curiosity for learning as much as she can about the world she lives in. She have travelled to Canada where she took Business English classes and did a backpacked during Christmas 2018 in Europe, because she loves the Christmas markets. Mariela is a bookworm and a yoga amateur and is currently studying a master’s degree in communications and digital media, and it will help students during their enrollments.

Karina Abarca

Enrollment Associate

Born in Mexico City, Karina graduated from the Anahuac Mayab University with a degree in Business Administration and Management. She has participated in professional exchanges in Argentina with a focus on organizational behavior and management, multiple civil society organizations, and intercultural community development projects. Her participation in these has led her to become passionate about and develop in the field of human rights, globalization, economy, and gender parity.

Inclined toward the benefits of international education and growth opportunities for students from all over the world, Karina is extremely happy to accompany and advise all those seeking new challenges on this path of learning. In her spare time, Karina enjoys photography, coffee, and sports.

Alexandria Diaz

Enrollment Associate

Alexandra was born in San Jose, California. She lived in several parts of the US for 13 years and then moved with her mother and brothers to Mexico at the age of 14. Since then, she has been living in Merida, Yucatan. She is a mother of 3 children, and her mission in life is to raise her children the best that she can with a wonderful childhood and the best education provided. She possesses two native languages, English and Spanish since she has Mexican parents. She is always looking to improve her life and work quality and she's never afraid of taking risks!

Brianda Diaz

Enrollment Associate

Esli Irabien

Enrollment Associate

I was born and raised in Campeche, Mexico, and have a degree in Architecture from the Autonomous University of Yucatan. During high school, I was able to take part in cultural exchanges with students of Nova Scotia, Canada and that´s when I got interested in the opportunity of academic and cultural exchanges in other countries. I have visited many Mexican states during holidays and summer vacations. The ones I enjoyed the most: Guadalajara, Michoacan, Mexico, Hidalgo, and Quintana Roo. I enjoy knowing more about the diversity of cultures in my country and about other cultures on the continent and abroad. I also enjoy the arts, especially musical theater, 80´s and 90´s rock, and general cosplay. In my free time I like to read mystery, historical fiction and romance novels

Monserrat Vivas

Enrollment Associate

I was born and raised in Merida, Yucatan, and have a degree in dentistry. I am passionate about the health area and I would like to continue learning how to be able to help more people. During my time in dental school, I realized I wanted to continue helping people but with a different approach. Working at Worldstrides has helped me step out of my comfort zone and explore a new field. It's exciting to work with students and help them expand their knowledge! During my free time, I like to watch TV, cook, and spend time with my family and friends. I would love to visit Egypt, Italy, Perú, New Zealand and Iceland. 

Eric Anderson

Senior Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Before joining ISA in 2017, Eric spent three years with Up with People as the Vice President for Admissions. Prior to Up with People, Eric was with GlobaLinks Learning Abroad for 10 years as a Regional Director and then Director of Institutional Relations. Eric also lived in Coogee, Australia for three years as the Operations Manager for the Olympic Youth Camp as part of the Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. He has been a member of NAFSA for 15 years, and the Forum since 2008. Eric has visited over 40 countries and all 50 states, but these days prefers spending free time at home in Colorado catching bugs and watching Moana over and over and over with his wife and two daughters.

Melissa Chambers

Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Melissa is grateful to have spent the past 20 years transforming students’ lives though international education. Her professional areas of expertise include developing strategic partnerships for international education, sexual health and sexual violence prevention, and diversity, equity, and inclusion for education abroad. She is the author of NAFSA’s Sexual Health Abroad: A Guide to Healthy Practices (2009 and 2016). As a thought leader in the field, Melissa has presented at state, regional, and national conferences and sits on the Rainbow SIG of NAFSA Advisory Board. She has undergraduate degrees in Spanish and creative writing and a master’s degree in communication studies. Melissa loves exploring new places with her husband and two young sons or just hanging at home with their crew of dogs and cats (including fosters from time to time), cooking, and devouring a good book. Melissa proudly supports local agriculture by hosting a farmer's market pop-up at her home once a month and is co-leader of an inclusive scouting group, Navigators USA. She volunteers on the grant writing team with YES! to Consent, a Philadelphia based nonprofit offering body-positive, consent-based sex education for youth.

Zac Einerson

Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Zac has been professionally active in international higher education since 2004. Volunteering in an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya when he was 16 allowed him to practice travel with a purpose and experiential learning. From this encounter, Zac concluded that properly reflecting upon his experiences was an integral part of the learning process. While earning a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Colorado State University, he also studied abroad in Prague, the Czech Republic, and St. Petersburg, Russia. Upon his return, Zac worked as a peer study abroad advisor, and then became a full-time study abroad advisor after graduation. Based on his strong regard for reflection, he additionally co-founded Lessons From Abroad, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping students who have recently returned from study and internship abroad programs to articulate their experiences and communicate their program’s value academically, socially, and professionally. Zac has two master’s degrees and expects to receive his Ph.D. from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland this year. He has traveled to nearly 100 countries and all seven continents. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA and is eager to see more students experience the world.

Dan O'Brien

Associate Vice President, Campus Partnerships

Dan‘s interest in people, places, and cultures started at age 13 when his grandfather took him to Austria for a week-long stay.  Since that time, Dan has traveled to more than 25 countries, and has more than 16 years experience in education abroad. Dan has a Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Management from the School for International Training. He studied for a semester at the Universidad de Sevilla as an undergraduate student and as a graduate student served as a group leader for the Experiment in International Living – Spain. Dan is passionate about the power of education abroad and the global competencies it provides students.

Aley Bedair

Senior Director

Born and raised a native Texan, Aley developed a love for travel at a young age. Graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in International Studies: Spanish Arts and Culture, Aley had the amazing opportunity to study abroad with ISA-Veritas in Cusco, Peru for the Summer of 2016. Aley spent her mornings taking classes, and the afternoons doing mission work at an after-school program for young children. Her time in Cusco really deepened Aley's passion for culture and experiential learning. Aley loves Broadway musicals, whether seeing one live, or singing along in her car. She also has a deep love for alpacas, and thinks them to be one of world’s greatest creatures. Aley is excited to share her love of study abroad and missions as part of the ISA-Veritas!

Zac Macinnes

Senior Director

Zac has served the field of international education for nearly 15 years and believes deeply in the power of study abroad to create a better, more compassionate world - one student at a time. Zac’s own life was transformed by global education experiences in Peru, Mexico, Spain and Australia, and has since been privileged to visit 75 countries on 6 continents. Zac has presented at dozens of national, state and local conferences, and his professional areas of expertise include forecasting and strategic planning, faculty and cross-campus engagement, the alignment between career development and study abroad, marketing and technology, and matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion. A native of Austin, Texas, Zac holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy degree from Trinity College, and a Bachelor’s in Spanish and International Affairs from Emmanuel College in Boston. Zac started his international education career fresh out of college as a University Relations Representative with ISA in 2009. Zac went on to serve in leadership roles at Trinity College, CIS Abroad and the University of Connecticut, and was thrilled to come “back home” to his ISA roots as Director of Campus Partnerships with WorldStrides Higher Education in 2021. Zac believes in nourishing a sense of adventure, and takes pleasure in exploring new places and trying new things - whether it’s around the corner or across the world. He enjoys hiking, cooking, foreign languages, the occasional Netflix binge at home with his husband, and - of course - planning his next big adventure.

Michael Saenz

Director

Michael has been in the field of international education for over 10 years. Before joining Worldstrides, he worked for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) for almost seven years as a Programs Abroad Coordinator and then as Assistant Director. Prior to his time at UTK, he worked for the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) where his career in international education began. One of Michael’s fondest memories of studying abroad was witnessing the Spanish National Soccer Team win the World Cup while he was studying in Spain. Michael has undergraduate degrees in Business and Spanish and he recently completed his MBA at UTK in 2019. When Michael is not behind his desk working, you can find him traveling domestically or internationally, hanging out with family and friends, exploring the great outdoors, or playing sports.

Sarah Warren

Embedded Office & Senior Regional Director

Growing up in a small town in Kentucky, Sarah always wanted to get involved in international education. She earned a B.A. in German Language, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Kentucky. During her time at UK, she studied abroad outside of Munich, Germany to improve her language skills and learn about the culture firsthand. Studying abroad not only improved her German but also gave her an appreciation for international cultures and a host family she still talks with, even years later. Helping a student discover the same things for themselves is something that Sarah is excited to be involved with as part of the ISA team. In her spare time, Sarah likes to write, cook, play video games, and spend time with friends.

Nyamal Gatluak

Regional Director

Nyamal was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and holds a bachelor’s in entrepreneurship, journalism, and mass communication from Iowa State University. The little diversity in her hometown left her with an itch to explore other countries, leading her to study abroad in South Korea at Korea University with TEAN. Her time abroad proved to be transformative as she picked up both language skills and an interest in an unexpected career path - educational travel. Intrigued with the academic and career opportunities in the study abroad field, Nyamal took on the role of an ISA/TEAN Global Ambassador for study abroad programs on her campus to encourage other students to consider educational travel experiences. She continues to stay active in the study abroad community as an Alumni Ambassador of the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. Through her involvement, she aims to make educational travel opportunities more accessible to underrepresented students in her community. But her passion for helping others goes beyond the field of study abroad. She is also the co-founder and executive director of BalangNyal Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to uplift and support women and girls by providing them with personal care essentials, focusing on low-income and refugee communities. Through her efforts, she seeks to encourage women and girls to recognize their potential and the vast range of opportunities available to them. You’ll find Nyamal watching A24 and Studio Ghibli films in her free time, taking photos, and discovering new artists on Spotify.

Alex Halvorson

Senior Regional Director

Alex is a Wisconsin native who earned undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Community Health from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Alex first developed a passion for international travel and education during his undergrad after he went to Germany to visit a German exchange student friend from high school. With an invested interest in the Spanish language, he decided to study in Granada, Spain for 2 semesters. He is also an ISA alum! His love for study abroad and higher education is what led him to pursue his Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State with hopes of helping more students travel the world and broaden their horizons. If Alex isn't working or daydreaming about eating tapas in Spain, he enjoys running marathons, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, playing his ukulele, re-reading Harry Potter books or staying at home watching The Office.

Craig Jefferson

Regional Director

Craig has always had a passion for experiencing new cultures. His first study abroad opportunity, a week-long exchange with a school in Quebec City, was the culmination of seven years of elementary education at a French immersion school. That sixth-grade experience was the first of many; he has since traveled to a total of 38 countries. He continued his cultural exploration at Frostburg State University, earning dual degrees in Mass Communication and French. In the spring of his junior year he left for Amiens, France to study French literature at the Université de Picardie Jules Verne, and then returned to FSU where he worked as a study abroad ambassador on campus. After all these experiences, a career in international education was inevitable. Craig’s decade-long career in IE includes serving as a Program Officer/ARO for the J-1 Intern/Trainee visa category, on-campus roles supporting the International Centers and Programs at Johns Hopkins University and serving as the Senior Admissions Officer/DSO at the University of Baltimore. Most recently, he served the Mid-Atlantic region as Manager of University Relations with CIEE. In addition to his passion for International Education, Craig is interested in environmental sustainability, hiking with his dog, Molly, and trying to improve his sourdough bread making.

Sara Kochuba

Senior Regional Director. Team Lead

Sara fell in love with learning about other cultures during her high school French class and then spent a semester in Paris during college. From there, she was hooked on the magic of travel and found her passion: to help others have access to intercultural opportunities. To date, she has spent time in Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America and has led groups of students in France and The Netherlands. Sara brings over 10 years of professional experience in study abroad on the higher education side, most recently as a Senior Director of Global Initiatives at Washington & Jefferson College. Her areas of expertise include nurturing partnerships, student advocacy, risk management, health & safety, as well as policy development. Outside of the office, Sara loves cooking, reading, her cats, and prides herself on her packing skills. At home, she can often be found trying out a new recipe or preserving something grown from her husband’s giant garden.

Stacy Phelps

Regional Director

Stacy has always been extremely interested in traveling abroad and learning about different cultures at a young age. Her first trip was in high school to Costa Rica, where she discovered her love of coffee. Graduating from St John Fisher University in Rochester, NY with a BA in Political Science and History, Stacy was interested in learning about the history of the world, while getting to see it all. Stacy studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria, learning German and eating schnitzel! During that semester she was also able to see sites across Europe; from Big Ben in London to Lake Bled in Slovenia. After graduating, she spent many years working in the international education field with international students at both the high school and higher education levels and advising for study abroad at Utica University. When she’s not thinking about her next trip, she likes to try new restaurants, cook, work out and ski in the winter!

Kaylyn Temple

Regional Director

Kaylyn’s first international education experience was at the age of 18 with her honors high school Spanish class. They traveled to Costa Rica for a language immersion tour and after the opportunity to communicate with native Spanish speakers, she realized the importance of application outside of the classroom. Kaylyn then made it her mission to seek out as many experiential learning opportunities as she could manage. While attending Ohio University as a first-generation student, Kaylyn studied Spanish for a semester in Sevilla, Spain with ISA, traveled to Peru as a climate action volunteer, spent time as a volunteer English teacher in Thailand and Laos, Au Paired in Italy, and was a diplomacy, conflict resolution, and international relations virtual intern in South Africa. As a recipient of the U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Kaylyn is passionate about affordable, accessible, and inclusive study abroad opportunities. Her love for international education led her to work as a peer advisor in Ohio University’s Office of Global Opportunities and as a Global Ambassador for ISA. In 2021, Kaylyn graduated with majors in War and Peace, Latin American Studies, and European Studies, a minor in Spanish, and certificates in Ecotourism and Diversity Studies. After she completed her undergraduate degree, she returned to Spain for an academic year to work as an Assistant English Teacher in Madrid. Now, Kaylyn is back in her home state working as the first WorldStrides Embedded Regional Director at Ohio University. She is beyond thrilled to return to her alma mater to help students find programs that will impact them academically, professionally, and personally – just as international education did for her. 

Alicia Vinal

Regional Director

Alicia grew up in Maine, and little did she know her high school Project Graduation raffle win of a flight voucher would begin her love of international travel. Her first time on a plane during winter break of undergrad took her to Birmingham, England to visit a friend she met while working at a camp the summer before college, and an overnight trip to London started her obsession with what is now her favorite city! Alicia returned to London during her semester abroad while studying at Wheaton College (MA) and she was a Peer Advisor during her senior year; she thought everyone should study abroad, and distinctly recalls saying “I don’t know what one does, but one day I want to work with study abroad programs.” After obtaining her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University, she entered the international education field as a study abroad advisor. Alicia has been a part of the Region XI Leadership and Consular Affairs Liaison (for Boston Spanish and Italian Consulates) Teams, and the NAFSA Academy. Outside of work, Alicia is usually plotting her next travel adventure in the U.S. or internationally…and her bucket list of destinations keeps expanding! The ultimate destination? Australia! You will also find her outdoors as often as possible (except in the winter), reading and at her local CrossFit gym.

Brianna Wamsher

Regional Director

Brianna is a Missouri native who holds an undergraduate degree in Global Studies and a minor in Spanish from Missouri State University. During her time at MSU, Brianna had the opportunity to study abroad twice: first a semester in Madrid, Spain, then a short-term program that traveled around Ireland for two weeks. After returning from her semester abroad, Brianna began working as a Global Ambassador in Missouri State’s Education Abroad office, where she discovered her passion for international education and desire to launch a career in this field. After graduating from college, Brianna worked in Admissions at Missouri State before joining the ISA & TEAN team as a Regional Director in February 2023. When she’s not working or traveling, you can find Brianna reading the latest mystery novel, on her favorite local hiking trail, or spoiling her cat, Mildred! 

Tylo Ward

Regional Director

Tylo is a Nevada local who takes pride in calling the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountains his home. Currently based in the "biggest little city" of Reno, NV, he is eager to share his passion for travel and international education with his campus partners in the Northwest United States. Tylo received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in International Affairs and Political Science, and is currently working on completing a master’s Degree in Political Science from the same university. As an undergraduate student, Tylo was determined to explore the world but faced financial constraints and juggled going to both school and working full-time, making him hesitant to pursue his dreams. However, with the unwavering support and encouragement of the study abroad staff at his university, Tylo embarked on a life-changing faculty-led program in Istanbul, Turkey. This experience ignited a newfound passion for travel and experiential learning, and he subsequently enrolled in a summer study abroad program in Cork, Ireland, leading him to switch his major to pursue his interests in conflict resolution public diplomacy. With over five years of experience working in international and higher education, Tylo has advanced his skills in the areas of partnership development, student outreach, and program management and advising. He has also cultivated a deep appreciation for sustainable travel, cultural immersion, and accessibility in international education while traveling to over 25 countries across four continents. He has used his skills and personal travel experiences to establish authentic connections with students in order to encourage them to pursue international education opportunities. Tylo continues to advocate, promote, and implement initiatives to make studying abroad more inclusive and accessible to all students. Tylo is excited to join the WorldStrides team, bringing his unwavering commitment to supporting the organization's mission of creating transformative educational experiences. His aim is to assist our campus partners in promoting affordable and high-impact opportunities for their students. With his impressive global personal and professional experiences and his passion for experiential education, Tylo is eager to help create life-changing experiences for students at his partner campuses. 

Dominique Washington

Regional Director

Dominique grew up in a small town in New Jersey but was always eager to explore new cultures, foods, and destinations. Her first international travel experience was to Austria and the Czech Republic at the age of 13 with the choir she spent 10 years singing with. After spending 3 weeks traveling to various cities throughout the two countries, Dominique wanted to keep learning about new cultures and people, and the best way to do that was to travel. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arizona, and while there, she spent a semester at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia as an exchange student. She spent nearly 2 years working for UA’s Study Abroad Office after returning from Sydney which gave her the courage to pursue her Masters Degree in International Education at NYU after graduating. After earning her Masters Degree, Dominique spent time at the University of Texas at Arlington as the Study Abroad Advisor where she helped students find the best program that would benefit their academic, professional, and personal goals. She is now the Regional Director (TX, NM & LA) for ISA and TEAN and is excited to continue working with higher education institutions. Dominique is passionate about providing an inclusive experience for students and wants to continue dedicating her time to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives to ensure students from all backgrounds have equal opportunities for cultural and global awareness and growth.

Snow White

Senior Regional Director

While growing up, Snow spent every summer traveling around the United States, camping and visiting as many national parks as possible, which sparked her love of travel. A Florida native, Snow attended the University of South Florida (USF), where she earned a bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology and studied abroad twice—a full semester in Melbourne, Australia and a summer in Florence, Italy. She actually began working in international education right after her first study abroad trip, in the USF Education Abroad Office, and continued to work there for five years after graduation while also completing a master’s in business administration. Snow is a passionate advocate of study abroad for all students and loves helping them explore their possibilities. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her two guinea pigs, Muffin and Koala, and plan her future travel adventures.

Alonso De La Fuente

Associate Vice President, Academic Records

As a Texas native who lived in Mexico for several years, Alonso developed an interest for cultures and languages at an early age. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he attained a Bachelor's in Hispanic Studies and in Latin American Studies with a focus in business and economics. While at UT Austin, he studied at Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM)-Mexico City for two summers where he had the opportunity to interact and learn from students from all around the world. A self-proclaimed foodie, Alonso also enjoys weightlifting, the hike and bike trail, HIIT, and spending time with friends and his beagle and miniature Goldendoodle. With over 14 years at ISA, Alonso is a firm believer that study abroad is essential to become a global citizen.

Michelle Dippold

Assistant Director, Curriculum and Academics

Born and raised in Central Ohio, Michelle received an Individualized B.A. in Environmental Sociology from Otterbein University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina. Despite being an avid solo traveler, she didn't collect most of her passport stamps until her late 20s. Now a self-proclaimed expert in optimizing 48-72 hours at a destination, she is always planning the next adventure. As an international educator who "tripped and fell" into the field, she is passionate about designing experiences that align with students' long-term personal and professional goals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time outdoors (in moderation), supporting local businesses, and conspiring to take over the world with her cat.

Andrés Suárez

Support Specialist, Internships & Service Learning

Hi! My name is Andrés, and I was born and raised in Merida, a small city in southeast Mexico, filled with places to see, people to meet, beautiful traditions and amazing history. I recently graduated from Law School here in Mexico, and one of my professional goals is being able to combine my legal background and my passion for travel. I’m also a big soccer fan and a history buff, which is one of the reasons I enjoy traveling and learning through traveling. Being born in Mexico, one of Latin America’s top destinations for tourism, I feel really lucky to have so many different places to see so close to me, and I’ve made it a personal challenge to see all of our 32 states before my 32’s. As for my international bucket list, my top destinations would be Norway, Scotland, Austria and Portugal, and I hope to be able to cross out those countries soon. I’m sure this experience abroad will be a lifechanging experience for you and I’m really excited to assist you through the awesome journey you’re about to start!

Israel May

Support Specialist, Academic Records and Affairs

Born and raised in Mérida, Yucatán , Israel double majored in Accounting and History. In 2020 he moved to the UK where he fell in love with traveling. During his time abroad, he had the opportunity to explore plenty of British small villages and cities where he experienced the local culture and traditions. In 2022, he joined WorldStrides with the goal of helping students have the best educational experience abroad. When he’s not busy trying to brew the perfect cup of coffee, Israel enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading The Lord of the Rings...again, watching movies, and keeping up with the latest tech news.

Rachel Mullikin

Financial Affairs Coordinator

A New Jersey native, Rachel's first trip to Europe was in 2018 and it sparked a huge passion for European culture. After that trip, she went on to study abroad with ISA in Paris to continue her studies and become more fluent in French. Studying abroad changed her life course. She completed her degree in Business Administration at Montclair State University and decided to move to Texas. Now that she has begun her journey with ISA, Rachel is eager to be part of the student's process of having a unique and unforgettable educational travel experience. Other than traveling, Rachel enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, and painting.

Angelica Arvizu

Program Advisor

Angelica was born in Poza Rica, Veracruz, but has lived in Mérida, Yucatán most of her life. She studied Biotechnology Engineering at the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. She's passionate about the health area and would like to continue learning related things to be able to teach others how beautiful science is. During her time as a volunteer in the vaccination campaign against Covid-19, she realized that she really likes helping people, so in the future she would like to develop skills to give the best of herself to others. She wants help students live a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings them closer to fulfilling their dreams. In her free time she likes to listen to music, read, swim, and cook. She has visited other states in Mexico such as Sonora, Veracruz, Chiapas and Puebla. In the future she would like to visit Italy, Canada, South Korea, Thailand and Japan, and if possible, learn about their cultures and languages.

Dori Ruiz

Program Advisor

Dori was born in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas and she moved to Mérida seven years ago because she always wanted to live by the beach. She has a degree in tourism management and is very passionate about international culture and knowledge sharing from different countries. She always wanted to travel abroad and has been to 10 countries around the world so far. She used to work at an airline and felt a huge satisfaction helping customers. She is also passionate about living sustainably and does her best to help reduce environmental pollution.

Paola Vivas

Program Advisor

Paola was born in Mérida, Yucatán and has been living there ever since. Last year, she graduated from Biotechnology Engineering and has been working in the research field. During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, she had the opportunity to be a volunteer. She realized that she wanted to do something to help people in a more direct way, that also allows her to explore something new. This job was a great opportunity to put that into practice and contribute to the promotion of knowledge and learning, one of her personal goals! In her free time she likes to watch TV, read, and spend time with family. She would love to visit are Ireland, Switzerland, and New Zealand. She hopes to help students have meaningful experiences and is looking forward to getting to know her colleagues!

Yahira Lara

Program Advisor

My name is Yahira, I was born in Merida Yucatán. I got a degree in teaching and that gave me the opportunity to move to Thailand for a year and a half. That experience changed my life because it taught me there is so much more out there and it encouraged me to be brave. I love to spend time with my friends and family and watching series. One of my biggest dreams is to travel around the world telling people how much Jesus loves them. 

Abraham Ferreyra

Program Advisor

Born and raised in Progreso, Yucatan. Living in a port town, tourism has always been a part of Abraham's life. When he was in high school, he took this interest to a new level, studying tourism and excelling as an English student. Apart from school, Abraham always shown interest in knowing other cultures, languages and to discover all the interesting things that are out there. After receiving his degree in Modern Languages, he started working as an English teacher for kids, an experience he really appreciated. He was also an independent tourist guide at Xcambo Archaeological site, where he had contact with a lot of people from all around the world, getting to know a little of their different cultures, accents, and ways of living. He spends his free time watching movies, listening to music, and making prints with optical illusions.

Victor Estrada

Program Advisor

Born in Tamaulipas near the border, Victor has been in contact with different cultures since he was a kid. He moved to Veracruz in his late childhood and then to Merida when he was a teenager. He is very familiar with living and moving to different places. He has had the opportunity to travel around the country while visiting his family. His dad was a chess champion who taught him how to play, think analytically, and stay three steps ahead of the game. Victor chose to pursue a bachelor’s in education. During that time, he realized he wanted to be a high school teacher to help educate hundreds of students and serve in counseling them. For him, the idea of education has been the key to help and improve the lives of students everywhere. He is passionate about learning from other cultures, especially their history, language, and food. He is particularly interested in the Japanese language and culture. During his free time, he enjoys reading books, comics, and manga. He is a big enthusiast about cinema, comedy, and music.

Yisel Mengelle

Program Advisor

Born and raised in Merida, Yucatan, Yisel is passionate about science and has a degree in Biotechnology engineering from the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan. When she started college, she began to give tutoring classes to elementary and middle school students, she loves working with them! She also has a passion for different cultures and places, which is why she is very interested in languages, such as Japanese and Korean. She had the chance to participate with students from USA in programs and events in her home university, and that marked her heart making her want to continue meeting people from all around the world. Yisel also enjoys traveling, which has led her to visit various states of Mexico, always carrying a camera with her to capture each landscape. During her free time, she's always making art and crafts while listening to music, mostly k-pop!

Cristy Sabido

Program Advisor

Born and raised in Merida, Mexico, Cristy has been interested in the English language since she was in kindergarten. She's had the opportunity to live, work, and study abroad twice: first, in Denver, Colorado, and later in Houston, Texas, the city her soul fell in love with. She has also explored multiple cities within Mexico and a few other countries. The different experiences, cultures, and traditions she's been part of have helped her build her character and grow her love for people. During her free time, she enjoys dancing, singing, cooking, and having a good conversation over a cup of coffee or tea with her friends. Cristy is excited to help you discover the adventure that fits you the best, so you can get the most out of your experience!

Jerry Spillane

Program Advisor

Born in New York City, Jerry’s first travel abroad experience was to Ireland, visiting relatives, when he was 14 and, subsequently, every summer throughout his High School years. After a stint of volunteer social work with impoverished families in the north of Mexico, his academic curiosity moved him to study philosophy in Spain and Italy, where he fell head over heels in love with the people, the history, the languages, the art, the cuisine. Jerry has taught language and philosophy in schools in Europe and Mexico with the personal objective of lighting a fire in students’ minds and hearts. In his free-time he enjoys writing, listening to music, investigating history and the evolution of human thought, and having friends over to share good food, robust wine and spirited conversation.

Iriz Delgadillo

Senior Outreach Support

Iriz was born and raised in Mexico City. Her love for culture, history, and language started ever since she was little, while listening to her grandmother’s stories about her travels abroad, the way she explored archeological places and all the wonders she discovered all around the world. While growing up, her parents took her and her brother in endless road trips to several places around México, getting to know every little town on the road, archeological places, museums, people, customs and more. She loves learning languages and looks forward to traveling abroad, meeting new places and cultures, and share that passion with everyone else. On her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music and writing.

Andrea Mendez

Outreach Manager

Andrea was born in Mexico City but raised in Vienna, Austria. At the age of 18 she moved back to Mexico City where she studied Graphic Design. After several years of working as a graphic designer for advertising agencies in Mexico City, she moved to the state of Yucatan to start a new life. Her destiny decided to place her with a local DMC. This is how her journey in Tourism started and continued up until today. In 2012 she joined Explorica by WorldStrides and moved to the Higher Ed Division in 2017. She has traveled all around Europe with family and friends and has also visited other places in the U.S., Africa, Australia & Costa Rica. Thus far, Namibia and Tavanipupu in the Solomon Islands have been her favorite adventure destinations outside her home country of Mexico. She believes that traveling is a life-changing experience, which is why she thinks that studying abroad should be on everyone's bucket list. In her free time, she enjoys mediation (she is a Kundalini Yoga teacher) and also being in nature while exploring cenotes around the Yucatan.

Cristian Barragan

Outreach Support

Cristian is passionate about sports and making new friends. He studied accounting for a year and graduated from the university as a physical education teacher. This sparked his interest in teaching and his fundamental contribution to peoples' lives. His favorite hobbies are watching and playing sports, going to the gym and watching anime. Recently, together with his best friends, they created a podcast where they talked about the events of everyday life. In his spare time he drives a taxi and practices his second language, which is English, since many foreigners arrive in his hometown, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Alexander Diaz

Outreach Support

Born in Tabasco, Alexander moved to Savannah, Georgia at the age of five, from there his love for sports and languages was born, time later he moved to Merida, Yucatan only with his mother. His mother always encouraged him to continue practicing English. He finished his high school with French as a third language and with the idea of studying administration as his new academic goal. He enjoys practicing baseball, reading and drawing. He currently practices photography as a hobby and would like to open a page where the publications are based in the different archaeological areas of Merida.

Gustavo Romero

Outreach Support

Gustavo was born and raised in Merida Yucatan. He got a degree in clinical psychology, even though he is a musician, a guitar player to be specific. He loves the tranquility of the beach at night, far from city lights. He is passionate about travelling abroad, whether that be to New Zealand or Canada or even Dublin. Gus is father of a four-year-old who is on the autism spectrum and is the sweetest child in the world.

Itzel Valle

Outreach Support

Passionate in poetic photography and interdisciplinary studies, as well as literature and linguistics, Itzel was born in Merida, Yucatan. She had the opportunity to travel across multiple Mexico cities, USA, South America and Europe due to her father’s job, an aviator pilot. This grew Itzel’s perspective on how language delimits the borders of our world and what we know and how we know it determines our understanding of it, as Wittgenstein once said. Experienced different cultures made her realize the encounter between two worlds, between two languages opens new paths of understanding. Exploring this encounter in literature and visual arts has made her found other ways to understand herself.

Andrea Perez

Program Advisor

Andrea was born and raised in Merida, Yucatan. She loves to travel and experience new cultures. Since she was a little girl, she asked her parents to play movies and music in English. When she was 18, she moved to Raleigh, North Carolina to be an au pair. She lived there for 3 years and it was one of the best and greatest learning experiences. She traveled around the East Coast and found it so interesting to see how many different cultures there are between states. One of her favorite places was Nashville, Tennessee! During her free time, she enjoys working out, hanging out with friends and loved ones. She cares about people and loves to be there for people when they need her. Because she was an exchange student, she can talk on and on about why other students or people should go out of their comfort zone and travel. Her dream destinations are Hawaii and any part of Europe.

Shelly Alfaro

Director, Alumni Relations

A Houston native, Shelly had the privilege of first traveling out of the States to visit her family in Mexico at a very young age. Growing up in an immigrant household sparked her curiosity for learning about different cultures and systems. She was the first in her family to go to college and received her bachelor's degree in International Relations from Texas State University in 2015. During her undergraduate career, Shelly had the opportunity to study abroad with ISA for a semester in Paris, France where she learned the value and complexity of holding both Mexican and American identities and how these are perceived in different parts of the world and by others. Eager to share her adventures from France, she participated in the ISA Global Ambassador program and served as a Texas State University Study Abroad Peer Advisor before graduation. She later joined the ISA team in 2016 as an Academic Records Coordinator and then served as a Senior Regional Director for NAFSA Region IV and V (IL, MI, MO, and WI). In this role, Shelly has had the opportunity to present at several conferences including NAFSA Region V and Diversity Abroad. Shelly developed a passion for increasing the participation of underserved students and fostering inclusive spaces in education abroad. She now serves as the Director for Alumni Relations for WorldStrides Higher Education, helping returnees unpack their experiences and define their stories and goals. Shelly also serves as the Co-Chair for the WorldStrides Latinx Employee Resource Group, Caminamos Juntos. In her free time, you can find Shelly comparing flight prices for her next adventure, watching live music somewhere in Austin, or out on the lake during the summer.

Anikka Ferro

Alumni Relations Coordinator

Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, Anikka always dreamed of breaking out of her small bubble to experience the many excitements of the world. Anikka's love of travel was sparked in early childhood, as she had the opportunity to visit the Philippines yearly to see her grandparents. Upon graduating high school, she moved to California and attended Berkeley City College, where she received her associate's degrees in Sociology and Economics. This study of sociology further influenced her curiosity about the world as she became fascinated by human behaviors and socio-cultural problems. Anikka then transferred to the University of California, Irvine, to complete her bachelor's degree in Business Economics. In her final semester of college, she participated in TEAN's study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea. This experience was very rewarding and left a strong impression on her personal and professional growth. In her free time, Anikka enjoys drawing, playing video games, and golfing.

Jordan Harrison

Alumni Relations Coordinator

After growing up in the small town of Vail, CO, Jordan sought a change of pace in lifestyle and moved to London to attend university and study World History. While based in London, he was able to visit a large portion of western and central Europe, as well as Morocco. Every trip, even if just a brief weekend getaway, furthered his interest in history, travel, and in learning a bit about cultures he lacked previous exposure to. Missing the mountains in London, he transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he eventually obtained a BA in Philosophy. His last semester of university was spent with ISA in Sevilla, Spain, practicing his Spanish and soaking up a lot of sun. He also spent the ensuing summer in Berlin. In his free time, Jordan likes to ski, go camping, and play the bass guitar.

Kristine Barer

Director, Service-Learning

Hailing from San Jose, CA and eager to explore the world, Kristine studied abroad in Durham, England and Lund, Sweden before graduating from Santa Clara University in 2006 with a B.A. in Communication. Prior to joining ISA in 2011, Kristine lived and worked in Australia and South Korea. In 2014, she earned her M.B.A. at St. Edward's University with an emphasis in Global Entrepreneurship. As a veteran of the service-learning department, Kristine is excited by the growth of experiential program offerings and models. Observing student progress and development from connections made with host communities abroad is what keeps her ticking. Kristine has traveled to over 35 countries and hopes to travel to at least 35 more.

Rachel Desmarais

Placement Coordinator, Service-Learning

A Hoosier by birth and alma mater, Rachel was raised in the Midwest and fell in love with Service-Learning during her time as an undergraduate at Indiana University pursuing degrees in Sociology and Spanish. This sparked a career in experiential education driven by the desire to make genuine connections with people around the world. In pursuit of her passions, Rachel has learned and worked in communities across multiple regions in the U.S., in Madrid, Spain, and in East Africa. Rachel believes deeply in the value of immersing yourself in new cultures, reflecting on your experiences, and taking time to help others. When not traveling or working, she can be found coaching volleyball, playing cards, or singing along to any Throwback Hits playlist.

Xena Pulliam

Director, Internships

Taylor Green

Program Manager, Internships

Veronika Pesina

Program Manager, Internships

Veronika is originally from the north of the Czech Republic. As a European located in the heart of Europe, she always had easy access to international travel and has visited most of Europe. Last year she graduated from The University in Sunderland in the UK with a degree in Business and Human Resource Management. Thanks to studying abroad, she undertook a year-long Business and Hospitality Internship in Austin, TX. It was a life-changing milestone that completely influenced her life direction and helped her to permanently relocate across the world to Austin, TX. Outside of Europe, she has traveled to Egypt, the Asian side of Turkey, the USA, and Mexico and would love to explore more places in the United States and nearby countries. Veronika joined WorldStrides in April 2022 as an Executive Administrative Assistant and worked her way up to her current role of Program Manager for International Internships.

Stuart Shreve

Program Manager, Internships

Hi! My name is Stuart but feel free to call me "Stu", it's been my nickname ever since I was a kid. I was born in North Miami beach, but I was raised in the city of Pembroke Pines, Florida. When I was a kid, my parents would always take me on trips to Disney World, which first sparked a small flame for hospitality, hotels, and travel of course. Over time, we slowly started to travel to other states, to experience some of our Nation's beautiful history, people, and landscapes. I have seen the White House and visited Times square. I will always remember attending Derek Jeter's last game at Fenway Park in Boston, but most of all taking in the view of Grand Canyon was unlike anything I'd seen before. Even so, something was missing. I recently graduated from Florida International University in December '21 with my bachelor's in hospitality management and a focus on travel and tourism. In my time at FIU, I wanted to learn about international cultures and people so that I could continue learning about myself as an individual. I achieved this goal when I studied abroad remotely as an intern in Vietnam, and it was the best decision I ever made. It will be my pleasure to assist you along your journey in making this dream a reality.

Kenzi Starr

Director, Veritas Christian Study Abroad

A born and raised Kansan, Kenzi grew up watching the Travel Channel and dreaming of a chance to explore the world. While attending Missouri State University for her undergraduate degree in Marketing and Masters of Business Administration, she was able to spend two separate semesters abroad – one in France and one in China. These travels revealed a passion for international education and for encouraging students to seek adventure and expand their worldview. One of her favorite ways to experience a different culture is through food, so she is always excited to try new restaurants, watch cooking documentaries, and recreate her favorite recipes at home. When she’s not dreaming about what’s for dinner, Kenzi enjoys reading and spending time in the great Colorado outdoors with her husband and dog.

Ashley Osmon

Administrative Staff & Front Desk Coordinator

Ashley Osomon is a native Texan, born and raised in Fort Worth. She completed her cosmetology certification and licensing in Denton, Texas, in 2018 and soon after moved to the beautiful city of Austin. Ashley went on to earn her associate’s degree in business administration and wanting to do something truly meaningful to her, started looking for opportunities. Shortly after graduating, she came across an opening at WorldStrides, and all she could think about was her experience with the company 10 years ago. As a young teenager, Ashley went on a trip to Costa Rica through WorldStrides, and it was one of the most positive life-changing experiences she has had. It gave her an appreciation for other cultures and instilled an enthusiasm to see the world and what it has to offer. That experience helped give Ashley a more extensive outlook on life, and she's excited to help connect others with the opportunity to have similar experiences.