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U.S. Team
See more of our corporate leadership team by visiting the Worldstrides website.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Jennifer Acosta
Senior Vice President & General Manager
Jennifer Acosta
Senior Vice President & General Manager
Jennifer Acosta joined the ISA team in 1996 as the Director of Admissions, and has served as ISA’s Senior Vice President, Enrollment Management since 2009. Jennifer leads a team of 30+ staff members who work with students during the pre-departure process, focusing on customer service and student engagement. Jennifer has been an integral member of the ISA leadership team with a special focus on program management and a desire to meet students on their terms. She graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies, and from Southwest Texas State University with a Master of Arts in Teaching Spanish. Her international education includes a semester at the Universidad de Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain and a summer at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.
Angel (Chicho) Eguiluz Pacheco
Senior Vice President, Global Operations
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.
Susan Farley
Vice President, Institutional Agreements & Financial Affairs
Susan Farley
Vice President, Institutional Agreements & 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.
Deborah Morrison
Vice President, Pacific Region Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Deborah Morrison
Vice President, Pacific Region Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Deborah is originally from Colorado and earned her BS from University of Washington in Seattle. She studied abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico and then lived in Mexico for another 5 years before returning to Colorado. Deborah's passion for living and studying internationally led her to take a position in 2001 with AustraLearn/GlobaLinks Learning Abroad which merged with ISA in 2014. Now with more than 15 years of experience in the field, she continues to enjoy hearing how study abroad has changed a student's perception of themselves and the world. Outside of work, Deborah aims to travel abroad several times a year and enjoys any activity that involves mountains: skiing, hiking, rock climbing, trail running, mountain biking, camping etc.
Jimmy Brazelton
Vice President, Innovation and Product Management
Jimmy Brazelton
Vice President, Innovation and Product Management
Jimmy joined the ISA team in 2009 and works as the Vice President for Innovation and Product Management for WorldStrides. Originally from the Land of Lincoln, he graduated from Illinois State University with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Theatre. During Jimmy's graduate degree, he studied abroad in Paris where he also worked on his graduate research. Prior to joining ISA, he worked for the Office of International Studies and Programs at Illinois State University for seven years, first as Assistant Study Abroad Coordinator and then as Study Abroad Coordinator. His role at ISA allows him to dedicate time to many of his passions: Asian study abroad, international service-learning, education abroad program development, and data collection and analysis.
Mark Gallovic
Vice President, University Partnerships
Mark Gallovic
Vice President, University Partnerships
Mark has been dedicated to the education abroad profession for more than 24 years, having been transformed by his own student experiecnes abroad in Venezuela, Mexcio and Spain, as a high school and undergradate 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 quircky ingredient baskests. Like many others hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Mark will always root for the underdog.
Beth Price
Vice President, Student Outreach
Beth Price
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.
Malaika Serrano
Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion
Malaika Serrano
Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion
Malaika is passionate about increasing access to education abroad and has been engaging in this work for nearly twenty years. Previously, she served as Executive Director for Academic and Field Programs with Semester at Sea, Associate Director for Global Communities at the University of Maryland, Outreach and Alumni Officer for the Critical Language Program, Associate Director for Education Abroad at NAFSA, and Study Abroad Coordinator at the University of Tennessee. She received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Southern California and a M.A. in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland. Malaika studied abroad in Australia and Brazil, taught English in Venezuela, and led service-learning programs in the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Alonso De La Fuente
Associate Vice President, Academic Records
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.
David Puente Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Academics
David Puente Ph.D.
Associate Dean of 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.
Eric Mackintosh Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, Research & Data Analytics
Eric Mackintosh Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, Research & Data Analytics
A University of Texas/Tulane University graduate, and former United States Peace Corps volunteer, Eric brought his years of teaching and development experience to ISA in 2012. While an undergraduate student at UT, Eric studied abroad with ISA in Valparaíso, Chile, and again as a doctoral candidate in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. Eric manages ISA’s educational technology platform, business intelligence, and outcomes assessment tools. When not in the office, he enjoys running, biking, surfing, and any outdoor activity that he can capture on his drone and/or GoPro.
Elizabeth Erbeznik Ph.D.
Senior Director, Curriculum & Academic Programs
Elizabeth Erbeznik Ph.D.
Senior Director, Curriculum & Academic Programs
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.
Alessandra Barrica
Academic Records Coordinator
Alessandra Barrica
Academic Records Coordinator
Born and raised in Texas, Alessandra grew up in the Rio Grande Valley close to the Texas-Mexico border. She spent summers visiting her family in the Philippines and traveling around Europe and Northern Africa. While a business student at the University of Texas-Pan American, she studied in Salamanca, Spain. She loved the international atmosphere of the student city so much so that she moved to Lisbon, Portugal to earn her Master’s degree in Finance. In her free time, Alessandra enjoys cooking, trying new restaurants, and playing/watching tennis. Her international experiences have given her a greater appreciation for cultural differences, and she’s excited to share her enthusiasm for intercultural learning as part of the ISA team.
Linda Marín
Academic Affairs & Records Support Specialist
Linda Marín
Academic Affairs & Records Support Specialist
Linda was born in Mérida, Yucatán, México, and spent most of her childhood summers in Los Angeles with her family and twin sister. It was during those family trips that she discovered a passion for languages and interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. She has worked in different fields where she has been able to apply her language skills. Most recently, she provided customer service support to students and parents as a bilingual telemarketer for two years prior to joining ISA's parent company, WorldStrides, in January 2018. Linda joined the ISA team as the Academic Affairs and Records Support Specialist in December 2018 and is currently pursuing a Master's in Business Administration.
Health Safety and Security
Robin Reliford, J.D.
WorldStrides Vice President for Health & Safety
Robin Reliford, J.D.
WorldStrides Vice President for 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
Assistant Director of Health, Safety & Security
Patrick Barker
Assistant Director of 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.
Austin Kunzler
Coordinator of Health, Safety & Security
Austin Kunzler
Coordinator of Health, Safety & Security
Austin was born and raised in a small town in South Carolina. He attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he began working in the field of health, safety, and security for study abroad students. He graduated with a B.A. in political science and studied both Mandarin and Korean. He lived in South Korea for two years as a volunteer missionary where he became fluent in Korean and fell in love with foreign languages and cultures. In his free time, Austin enjoys backpacking, running, and writing his own music. He is always looking forward to his next international adventure.
Enrollment Management
Rachel Rogers
Vice President, Enrollment Management
Rachel Rogers
Vice President, Enrollment Management
Born and raised in a small Texas town, Rachel attended Blinn College and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. There she obtained her B.A., focusing on Anthropology and Spanish, and participated in an archaeological dig on a study abroad field program in Belize. Rachel's love for education abroad was solidified after joining the Peace Corps in Peru. In her almost fourteen years at ISA, Rachel has served as assistant to the CEO, Director of Service-Learning, and Program Manager to 10+ countries before moving into her current role as Vice President, Enrollment Management. Rachel enjoys her book club, exercising, spending time with her family, and is an avid coffee drinker and T.V. show connoisseur.
Rebecca Anderson
Senior Director, Enrollment Management
Rebecca Anderson
Senior Director, Enrollment Management
Proudly born and raised in Grafton, North Dakota, Rebecca attended St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and graduated with degrees in International Relations and Spanish. Rebecca studied abroad in Chile and then again in China. Rebecca moved out to Salida, CO sight unseen in 2007 where she worked in International Business Development with the Minister of Environment in Spain. In 2008, she landed a dream position with GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, now ISA and has been helping students realize their positive potential in the world since. Rebecca is passionate about International Education, women's advocacy, and she serves as President of the PTA. In her free time, you will find her outside, in the beautiful Colorado weather, with her 2 little girls, husband, and golden retriever.
Johanna Alvarado
Associate Director, Enrollment Management
Johanna Alvarado
Associate Director, Enrollment Management
Born into a Nicaraguan household, Johanna grew up with a tremendous fascination with Latin America. Graduating from Texas A&M University, Johanna earned her B.A. in International Commerce and Spanish. She studied in Chile through ISA as an undergraduate, which further sparked her passion for Spanish language and ISA. During her spare time, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband and watching Ellen Degeneres’s talk show. Fueled by her travels around North and South America, Europe, and Asia, Johanna loves connecting with students in hopes of providing comfort and excitement for their abroad adventures.
Matt Gulizia
Associate Director, Enrollment Management
Matt Gulizia
Associate 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.
Kim Sarna
Associate Director, Enrollment Management
Kim Sarna
Associate Director, Enrollment Management
Kim is an Arizona native who earned her degree in Hispanic Studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She studied abroad in Valparaíso, Chile and loved it so much that she returned upon completing her degree to work as an English language teacher. Kim's passion for international education ignited during her time in Chile, as she gained self-confidence and greater awareness of other customs and cultures. She is proud to work as the Associate Director of Enrollment Management and serve as the Geographic Oversight Manager for Spain and Latin America. Kim works with a team of outstanding staff abroad to support and encourage students to experience their own achievements abroad. In her free time, Kim enjoys walking her dogs Holly and Gordo.
Brittany Lavornia
Senior Program Manager, Scotland
Brittany Lavornia
Senior Program Manager, Scotland
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!
Kendra Ansotigue
Senior Program Manager, Spain
Kendra Ansotigue
Senior Program Manager, Spain
During her undergrad at Eastern Washington University, Kendra went abroad twice with ISA to Salamanca, Spain and San Jose, Costa Rica. While being immersed in these cultures, traveling throughout Europe, Central America, and a little bit of Africa, Kendra began to discover her passion for the Spanish language and her love for traveling. Upon returning from Spain, she became a Global Ambassador for ISA, which sparked her passion for international education. In 2015, she moved to Austin and started her journey at ISA. She hasn’t gotten rid of the travel bug yet and always looks forward to her next adventure. Whenever she is not traveling, she likes to spend time with friends/family, stay active, salsa dance, and play volleyball.
Madeline Hume
Senior Program Manager, Chile & Peru
Madeline Hume
Senior Program Manager, Chile & Peru
Originally from rural Minnesota, Madeline earned her B.A in Political Science and Spanish Language from Kalamazoo “K” College in 2016. During her time at K, she first studied abroad in Santiago, Chile for a semester, then returned to write her thesis on youth political engagement in post-dictatorial Chile, solidifying her love for the region. When not thinking about Latin America, Madeline enjoys cooking, camping with her husband and two pups, and practicing yoga. Madeline believes in the importance of global travel and learning abroad because it broadens our horizons, and make us more passionate and empathetic humans.
Gloria Trueba
Region & Account Manager, Spain & Europe
Gloria Trueba
Region & Account Manager, Spain & 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.
Carley Frea
Region & Account Manager, Pacific & Asia
Carley Frea
Region & Account Manager, Pacific & Asia
Carley grew up along the shores of beautiful, Lake Michigan in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Her love of being near the water led her to pursue two study abroad experiences while completing her degree at the University of Wisconsin, Stout; the first to Cairns, Australia, where she spent a semester abroad, and the second, to Castries, St. Lucia, for a short-term, volunteer experience. The personal growth and rich experiences she had sparked a passion for international education and led her to ISA where she finds joy in helping her students embark on their own study abroad journeys. In her free time, Carley enjoys photography, rooting for the Green Bay Packers and learning to ski in the Rocky Mountains.
Amy Remondi
Region & Account Manager, Spain
Amy Remondi
Region & Account Manager, Spain
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!
Anthony Viltro
Region & Account Manager, Europe
Anthony Viltro
Region & Account Manager, Europe
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.
Laura Archambault
Region & Account Manager, Europe, Asia & Africa
Laura Archambault
Region & Account Manager, Europe, Asia & Africa
Laura is from “The Cape” in Massachusetts and earned her BA in psychology from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her love of travel was inspired by a trip to Israel and her family’s stories about their travel adventures. Wanting to see more of the world, Laura studied abroad in Port Elizabeth, South Africa with ISA. Now she tries to go abroad at least once every year! Studying abroad was a life changing experience and she loves that she found a profession that makes a tangible impact on people’s lives every day. In addition to helping students on their study abroad journey, she hopes to merge her passion for study abroad and mental health awareness. In her spare time Laura enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading.
Jeffrey Sendejar
Program Manager, Australia & Fiji
Jeffrey Sendejar
Program Manager, Australia & Fiji
A native Texan, Jeffrey attended the University of Texas at Austin where he completed a B.S.A in Biology with a Minor in French. Torn between studying in Europe or Australia, Jeffrey ultimately decided to study abroad in Sydney at the University of New South Wales. While abroad he was mesmerized by the country’s diverse cultures, varied landscapes, and iconic wildlife. Outside of the office, Jeffrey enjoys cooking and sampling different world cuisines, completing DIY projects, and collecting plants. He tries to travel whenever he can and enjoys experiencing different cultures and exploring different points of view through his travels.
Maddie Townsend
Region & Account Manager, Latin America
Maddie Townsend
Region & Account Manager, Latin America
Maddie grew up in Pennsylvania and earned her Bachelor of Philosophy degree in International and Area Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. She first left her comfort zone to spend a summer conducting research in Argentina. Soon after, she studied abroad with ISA in Lima, Peru. Her favorite escapades in Peru included shadowing a famous photojournalist and holding a sloth. Maddie is a strong believer that international travel and intercultural immersion are the best ways to cultivate personal growth and understand diverse perspectives. Her passion for foreign languages, Latin America, and working with students led her to her current position at ISA. She enjoys playing soccer, volunteering, tap dancing, and going to the farmer's market in her free time.
Jenna Tantillo
Program Manager, Spain
Jenna Tantillo
Program Manager, Spain
Jenna completed her first semester abroad in a small town in southern Spain during high school and international education has been an important part of her life ever since. She has participated in three other study abroad programs, including a year in Santiago, Chile and has earned an MA in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. Jenna finds joy and meaning assisting students in realizing international experiences to meet their language goals and increase intercultural competency. Outside of work Jenna spends her time knitting, frolicking outdoors, stretching and breathing, and visiting her home state of California.
Alyssa Segura
Program Manager, Czech Republic & Germany
Alyssa Segura
Program Manager, Czech Republic & Germany
Alyssa hails from Austin, Texas and graduated from St. Edward's University as a first-generation college student. As an undergraduate she studied in the Loire Valley and the Anjou province of France and has traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. Alyssa's interest to work in international education was inspired during her time as a peer mentor for first-time study abroad students in France. She is a film enthusiast, regularly attends pub quizzes, and enjoys Marvel comics, camping, and strong coffee.
Emily Cooper
Program Manager, Australia, China & Thailand
Emily Cooper
Program Manager, Australia, China & Thailand
As a rare Colorado native, Emily graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder after obtaining a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in interpersonal relations. Her love for pizza brought her to study abroad in Florence, Italy in spring 2014. While there, she studied Italian, Arts and Culture, and even the history of the Mafia. After graduating from university, Emily taught English in Thailand for six months before continuing to explore Southeast Asia. Additionally, she lived in Melbourne for a year, learning the culture and coffee loving spirit the city had to offer. She ended her time abroad traveling several months in New Zealand and up the east coast of Australia.Her love of travel is what inspired her to work for a company that values intercultural experiences and the discovery of many wonderful places. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing with her dog, and soaking up all the outdoor activities Colorado has to offer.
Mary Howington
Program Manager, England
Mary Howington
Program Manager, England
Growing up near Dallas, Texas, it had always been a dream of Mary's to visit England. While pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Musical Arts and a minor in Education from Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU), she finally had the opportunity to do so. Mary studied abroad at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England during her junior year. Through this experience, she had the chance to travel to Italy, Wales, the Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland and Portugal. With a newfound passion for international education, she started as the International Studies student worker at OBU as soon as she returned home. Mary loves coffee, cats, and exploring the many different parts of Austin, Texas. She hopes to return to England as early and as often as possible.
Svaja Pakalniskis
Program Manager, Costa Rica
Svaja Pakalniskis
Program Manager, Costa Rica
Svaja grew up speaking Lithuanian in a western suburb of Chicago. Her family's connection to its heritage allowed her to spend her childhood summers in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, and instilled in her a passion for travel and language at an early age. She received a B.A. in Spanish and English at The Ohio State University, and studied abroad with ISA in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since then, she has devoted many months traveling through North America, Latin America, and Europe. Svaja believes that her time in Argentina was one of the most enriching, thrilling, and constructive experiences she has had and is delighted to help others embark on their own journey. In her free time, Svaja enjoys reading books, playing volleyball, attending concerts, and daydreaming of future travels.
Ben Chinisci
Program Manager, Italy
Ben Chinisci
Program Manager, Italy
Ben earned his BA in Foreign Languages and his MBA in International Management from the University of New Mexico. He studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in Siena, Italy. He loves learning about cultures and how people live in different countries. After going on incredible adventures like journeying to the Black Forest, meeting distant relatives in a tiny town in Italy, and learning the regional guitar styles of South America, he loves helping others have similar life changing experiences! When he's not thinking about cultures and countries, Ben plays guitar in the local indie rock band Rad Gnar!
Shaina MacLauchlan
Program Manager, Australia, Japan, New Zealand & Vietnam
Shaina MacLauchlan
Program Manager, Australia, Japan, New Zealand & Vietnam
Shaina's desire to explore the world was sparked while growing up in a small town in Vermont. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Global Studies with minors in History and Political Science at the University of Vermont. During her time at UVM, Shaina studied abroad in Newcastle, Australia. She was able to travel throughout Australia, as well as in New Zealand and Indonesia. These experiences sparked a love for international education, which she pursued after leaving Vermont. Shaina moved to Boston, MA where she worked with international high school students on English language learning trips in the US. She then transitioned to higher education where she worked as the Curriculum Coordinator at Northeastern University. While working at Northeastern, Shaina was able to continue her own education and received a master's degree in Global Studies and International Relations. She is extremely passionate about working with students and is thrilled to be working with the Pacific region where her love for international education started.
Crystal Giedt
Program Manager, South Korea
Crystal Giedt
Program Manager, South Korea
Born and raised in a small town in Minnesota, Crystal’s various homes range in cities coast to coast including, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Honolulu and now Austin. In 2015 Crystal went on a cruise with her family that changed her life drastically. She was inspired by hearing stories from fellow passengers and cruise ship staff of living abroad. Upon returning from the cruise a decision was made to quit her job, donate her things and move to Thailand to teach English. Upon completion of her TEFL certification Crystal taught English at a private school in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Crystal has traveled to all Southeast Asian countries and aspires to continue checking countries off her list! The experience of working, living and traveling abroad motivated Crystal to steer her new career path, back in the US, towards International Education. In this new role, Crystal is excited about encouraging students to take a leap and see the world while studying. In addition to searching airline tickets on Google Flights, she enjoys running, taking group fitness classes, going to the movies and being a tourist in her home town, wherever that may be.
Bridget Naphen
Program Manager, Greece & South Africa
Bridget Naphen
Program Manager, Greece & South Africa
Bridget Naphen graduated from Clark University with a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy. Although she was not able to study abroad while she was in college her passion for wildlife conservation lead her on a journey to South Africa post graduation. After countless hours spent analyzing data and literature relating to African wildlife, she was awestruck to able to witness these magnificent creatures in their native environments - while soaking up a wealth of knowledge that never could have been obtained behind a computer or book. This experience opened her eyes to the power international travel has to stimulate understanding and support for issues across the globe. Bridget is overjoyed to begin a new journey with ISA to help others embark on life changing adventures of their own.
Erin Haas
Program Manager, Spain
Erin Haas
Program Manager, Spain
As a child born into a travel-obsessed family, Erin spent much of her childhood traveling and exploring other cultures. Although Erin originally intended to study with ISA in Prague for only one semester, she extended her time there to a full academic year. She found that she could not give up the abundance of goulash or the gorgeous panoramic views from the Charles Bridge. After graduating with an International Business degree from Seattle Pacific University, she moved to Sevilla, Spain for 8 months as an au pair, working on her grasp of the Spanish language and eating way too many tapas. When she is not traveling, you can find Erin binge-watching Spanish dramas, reading a good book, or getting involved in something equally artsy and creative. Erin credits many of her most formative memories and growth to her time abroad, and she is pumped to advise students in realizing their ultimate study abroad adventure with ISA.
Jack DeLine
Program Manager, Spain
Jack DeLine
Program Manager, Spain
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Jack attended Missouri State University and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language. During his university years, he studied abroad twice – in Salamanca, Spain and Brasília, Brazil – which allowed him to visit cities in Europe, South America, and Africa. He is fascinated with the way language is intertwined with culture, and sees travel as a means to experience that intersection organically. He has experienced just how much the world beyond the classroom has to teach to each student, and is ecstatic to be able to help facilitate future students’ experiences with world languages, cultures, and places. In his free time, Jack likes to read, study maps, speak Spanish and Portuguese, cook, and explore new places.
Lillian Nguyen
Program Manager, Italy & The Netherlands
Lillian Nguyen
Program Manager, Italy & The Netherlands
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.
Morgan Gay
Program Manager, Spain
Morgan Gay
Program Manager, Spain
A Frankfort, Kentucky native, Morgan graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in Spanish and International Economics. During her time as a wildcat, she went abroad with ISA to Sevilla, Spain where she studied Spanish language and culture, and had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and Morocco. After falling in love with international education, she returned to UK to become a global ambassador for ISA, working hand in hand with UK’s education abroad department to share her experiences and encourage fellow students to go abroad. Morgan is passionate about learning through life experiences and believes that travel is the best teacher. Her favorite destinations have been Sevilla, Rome, Alaska, and of course, Barcelona! Morgan is also passionate about music, her puppy Finn (and all other dogs), and watching sporting events – go cats!
Vanessa Restifo
Program Manager, Spain
Vanessa Restifo
Program Manager, Spain
Vanessa is from Lisbon-- not the cool one in Portugal, but a small town in Northeastern Ohio-- and graduated from Westminster College with degrees in Public Relations and Spanish. Vanessa credits her passion for foreign places and cultures to her grandfather, whose stories of growing up in Italy were devoured as indulgently as grandma's homemade meatballs. While in college, Vanessa hiked Machu Picchu and played with llamas in Peru; played mango baseball and went cave jumping in the Dominican Republic; and cooked paella and sometimes got mistaken for a local in Spain. When she's not at work, Vanessa can be found writing, doing yoga, trolling coffee shops, DIY-ing a new project, roaming the aisles of TJ Maxx, or binging Food Network and trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to recreate those recipes at home.
Rachel Thompson
Region & Account Manager, Morocco & Spain
Rachel Thompson
Region & Account Manager, Morocco & Spain
Rachel Thompson proudly hails from the Midwestern beloved charm of Cincinnati, Ohio - land of disappointing sports, runny chili on spaghetti, and experiencing all four seasons in one week. She studied Communication and Public Relations at the University of Cincinnati, but her study abroad experience in Antigua, Guatemala changed her life for the better, as traveling does to all of us. After graduation, she decided to move to Madrid, Spain for nearly two years to teach English to adorable Spanish children. She now serves as the Region & Account manager to Morocco & Spain, a place that she will always carry in her heart. When she’s not spontaneously booking flights, she loves to cook, explore her new Austin home, listen to Oprah’s podcast, or try to learn the choreography from Beyoncé’s ICONIC Coachella performance.
Amy Marsh
Program Manager, France
Amy Marsh
Program Manager, France
A native Texan, Amy grew up in a quiet suburb town of Dallas. From a young age, she became interested in France and started studying the language in junior high. She visited France for the first time in 2011 and the love for France and travel was solidified. She attended The University of Texas at Austin where she earned a dual Bachelor of Arts in French and International Relations. The love-affair with France continued when she studied abroad in 2014 in Lyon. Upon graduation in 2016, she moved to France to teach English as a second language for junior high and high school students. She remained in France for two years, spending one year in Paris and one year in Bordeaux. Her studies as well as her time spent teaching garnered an adoration for working with students, traveling and all things French. In her free time, she likes to read, go on walks, draw, spend time with friends, listen to music and work on puzzles.
Yollie Fierro Ulloa
Program Manager, Morocco & Spain
Yollie Fierro Ulloa
Program Manager, Morocco & Spain
Yollie was born in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico, but grew up in Texas. Always fascinated by different countries and global diplomacy, she received her BA in both International Relations and Spanish from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Through Texas State, she studied abroad in Valladolid, Spain in 2016 and became a teaching assistant for the same program in 2017. After graduating from Texas State, she packed her bags and moved to Valencia, Spain to teach English to elementary kids. Her time in Spain and Europe really helped cultivate her passion for international education and cross-cultural communication. While she's not checking off countries to visit or trying out new recipes, you'll find Yollie spoiling her adopted pup!
Alejandra Olais
Enrollment Associate
Alejandra Olais
Enrollment Associate
Alejandra was born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She studied Business Administration in college where she decided to explore the world and study abroad. She studied Real Estate and Urbanism at the Complutense University of Madrid during the summer of 2014. Later in 2015, she enrolled in an Au Pair program and moved to New York City for a year. During the program she studied at BMCC of Manhattan Community College. This was a wonderful experience for her and it solidified her love of travel and all things international. To continue her love for traveling and studying, Alejandra went to Barcelona in 2016 for her Master's degree in Communication, Public Relations and Event Planning at Formatic Barcelona University. She loves the adventure of traveling and meeting people from all over the world.
Grethel Chavez
Enrollment Associate
Grethel Chavez
Enrollment Associate
Grethel was born and raised in the beautiful and friendly city of Merida, Mexico. Always intrigued by opportunities where she is able to utilize her English skills, Grethel has had a lot of experience translating official documents to Spanish and has been able to implement her license in Communications towards her everyday life. Grethel previously worked for ISA's parent company, Worldstrides, where she was able to provide excellent customer support to students and parents. Grethel is always open to new opportunities for professional and personal growth, and is eager to collaborate and work with the Admissions team at ISA. Grethel has traveled extensively throughout the Yucatan and developed a profound appreciation for her culture and heritage. During her free time, Grethel loves to bake yummy treats for her friends and coworkers, and enjoys listening to all types of music while doing so!
Cindy Tejero
Enrollment Associate
Cindy Tejero
Enrollment Associate
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!
University Partnerships
Caroline Ickes
Associate Vice President
Caroline Ickes
Associate Vice President
A West Virginia native and Appalachian cultural ambassador, Caroline Ickes joined the ISA team in 2011. Caroline holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and International Studies and a Master's in Public and International Affairs from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Her love for the Virginia Tech Hokies is almost greater than her love for the John Denver classic "Country Roads Take Me Home." Along with her work at ISA, she has held various positions in the fields of international affairs and higher education focusing on outreach, marketing, and program development.
Eric Anderson
Associate Vice President
Eric Anderson
Associate Vice President
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.
Jeehye Lee
Director, Asia Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Jeehye Lee
Director, Asia Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Born and rasied in Seou, South Korea. Jeehye joined the ISA team in 2012 as the resident director in Seoul, South Korea and moved to Denver, USA in 2014. She graduated from Dongguk University in South Korea with Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Management Information System. After that, she received MBA from Schiller International University in the USA. Prior to joining ISA, she worked for private universities as a financial aid advisor. Her role at ISA allows her to dedicate time to many of her passions: US study abroad, Asia study abroad and data collection and analysis.
Sara Dart
Associate Vice President
Sara Dart
Associate Vice President
Born and raised in Florida, Sara caught the travel bug after visiting France at 16. Despite her years of studying French, she opted to spend a semester abroad in El Salvador, where she fell in love with Latin America, going on to participate in and lead multiple service immersion trips to Mexico. She graduated from Boston College with a BA in History and a minor in Latin American Studies, and returned to BC to complete an MA in Higher Education Administration. She completed a graduate internship in the Global Education Office at Gordon College, and went on to work as the education abroad advisor at Boise State University. In her free time, she enjoys tennis,volleyball, hiking, and hanging out on the beach. Her favorite thing about international education is that it gets people outside their comfort zone and allows them to experience different realities and ways of living.
Staci Hanrahan
Director
Staci Hanrahan
Director
With Texas roots and an adventurous spirit, Staci has made her way around the world and back to Texas. Her life was forever changed during her senior year at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville when she was given the chance to study abroad for a semester in Málaga, Spain with ISA. She went on to get her M.Ed., but found her way back to ISA as the Regional Director for the Pacific Northwest. Since then, she's had the chance to teach English for a few years at Soonchunhyang university in South Korea, travel and WWOOF around Asia/Oceania, and scuba dive in some incredible Southeast Asian waters. Most recently, she served graduate and transfer students at an HSI here in Austin, Texas, but couldn't stay away from International Education for long. She's excited to continue her journey with ISA to keep supporting our university partners, students, and communities that work to make education abroad accessible and transformational!
Shelly Alfaro
Regional Director
Shelly Alfaro
Regional Director
Shelly grew up in an immigrant household and regularly visiting family in Mexico City. Shelly had the opportunity to study abroad a semester in Paris, France with ISA before receiving her bachelor’s degree in International Relations with minors in Geography and French from Texas State University. Before completing her undergraduate studies, Shelly was an ISA Global Ambassador and a Texas State Study Abroad Peer Advisor. She joined the ISA team in 2016 as an Academic Records Coordinator, but she now works more closely with university partners as a Regional Director and is passionate about engaging and increasing participation of underserved students in education abroad. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, thrifting, drinking espressos, and binge-watching the newest Netflix Original.
Lauren Dungan
Associate Director, Strategic Programs
Lauren Dungan
Associate Director, Strategic Programs
After growing up in Denver, Colorado, Lauren graduated cum laude from Texas Christian University where she earned her B.A. in Spanish, B.S. in Criminal Justice, and Certificate in International Studies. While at TCU she studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain where she fell in love with Sevillian culture and travelled to more than 15 different countries within Europe and Africa. Following graduation, she embarked on another adventure abroad as an English teacher in Santiago, Chile. Lauren loves working with students and wants to inspire them to explore the world outside their comfort zone. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to country music concerts, TCU football games, travelling to new parts of the globe, horseback riding, and dancing.
Brittany Araujo
Regional Director
Brittany Araujo
Regional Director
Brittany's had the opportunity to travel abroad with her classmates, where she fell in love with study abroad culture. When she gets the chance to go abroad, Brittany seeks out coastal towns, otherwise, she enjoys traveling around her home state of Texas. It doesn't matter where she goes, as long as she goes with people she enjoys being around. She loves the environment that is found at ISA where people are passionate about traveling and improving the world through global understanding. It's a great environment that foster's growth, which she thinks transcends into the programs the students participate in.
Sarah Warren
Embedded Office & Regional Director
Sarah Warren
Embedded Office & 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.
Anthony Castelon
Regional Director
Anthony Castelon
Regional Director
Tony is a Springfield, Illinois native who graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a B.A. in Business and Western Illinois with a M.S. in Sport Management. While at WIU, Tony studied in Middelburg, Netherlands and gained a new appreciation for international education. After graduation, Tony spent time working with the United States Sports Academy in Malaysia and Thailand, teaching courses for the International Diploma in Physical Education; Vietnam, teaching English, and Guatemala, volunteering in remote areas of the region. From Russia to Nepal, Tony has been fortunate enough to backpack through a variety of countries from Europe over to Asia. In his free time, Tony is daydreaming about his next adventure and wandering the streets of Austin for the finest pizza west of the Mississippi.
Candace Ricks
Regional Director
Candace Ricks
Regional Director
A native of Washington, D.C., Candace began to appreciate the marriage between education, travel, and personal development after her curious and determined spirit led her to Meknes, Morocco, where she studied Language, Culture, and Politics with ISA. This experience challenged her worldview and she returned home equipped with a newfound confidence.
After graduating in 2012 with a B.S. in Psychology from Towson University, Candace went on to serve as a Reading Interventionist with Americorps in New Orleans. At the end of her service, she decided to indulge her curiosity once again by earning an English teaching certificate and moving to Istanbul, Turkey where she taught a lively group of kindergarteners. In the years that followed she continued to say yes to life and her journey as an international educator took her to countries in Europe, Asia, and Oceania as a teacher and traveler.
She strongly values education, exploration, health, and curiosity, all of which have been guiding lights on her path to discovery through experiences like trekking through the Sumatran jungle and volunteering with local children on the beautiful islands of Samoa. Each country she's visited has given her insight into how other communities define and foster success in the youth and she is eager to share her knowledge and empower university students to curate and share their own unique academic and professional journeys abroad.
Zoe Crowe-Barnes
Regional Director
Zoe Crowe-Barnes
Regional Director
Zoe was born and raised in Chicago, Ilinois and first discovered her passion for travel after participating in a High School Service Learning program in Cocle, Panama. She graduated from University of Missouri with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish. During her time at Mizzou, Zoe participated in Service Learning programs to Nicaragua. Zoe had the opportunity to explore Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua and enrich her cross-cultural learning and understanding through experiencing Central and South America. She is excited to be a proponent of international education and cultural awareness with ISA.
Suzanne Fils-Aime
Regional Director
Suzanne Fils-Aime
Regional Director
Raised in South Carolina, Suzanne first set foot outside of the United States on Semester at Sea's Spring 2013 voyage. She spent the semester studying in 12 countries and has never looked back. She went on to participate in The Washington Center's International Affairs program and traveled throughout Japan with the Building the TOMODACHI Generation Program. More recently, she researched at the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning in Germany as a 2017 GW UNESCO Fellow. Currently, she is pursuing her master's in International Education at The George Washington University and working with ISA, based in Washington, DC. Her research interests include making study abroad more equitable and inclusive. As Regional Director, she is beyond thrilled to share international education opportunities with students throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Colton Oliphant
Regional Director
Colton Oliphant
Regional Director
Colton has been a member of the International Education community for just shy of a decade and has spent most of that time at the University of IdahoEducation Abroad Office coordinating 22 faculty-led programs each year and sending thousands of studentsabroad on their programs. He has presented at multiple professional conferences including NAFSA, ACADA, and LFA—including a session where he taught people how to use creativity as a tool in their professional lives. His international experiences have led him to 24 separate countries over 5 continents for a combination of work, study, and pleasure. Now he has taken residence at International Studies Abroad (ISA) and looks forward to being a part of their facilitation of student dreams. Exploring the world and expanding minds is his passion and he’d love to help you do the same!
Jennie Robinson
Regional Director
Jennie Robinson
Regional Director
Jennie is a Florida native who earned undergraduate degrees in Spanish and International Studies and a dual Master’s degree in Spanish Literature and Latin American Studies at the University of South Florida. Her studies were complemented by various education abroad experiences including a home-stay in Costa Rica, a two-week tour of the Che Guevara Trail in Bolivia, an internship and graduate research in Argentina, and a service-learning trip to the Uros Islands in Peru. She is eager to share her journey and encourage more students to experience the transformative power of education abroad for themselves. In her free time, she enjoys curling up with a good book or training for the next Savage Race!
Karoline Meador
Regional Director
Karoline Meador
Regional Director
A Texas native, Karoline’s love for travel and international education began when she first visited Paris, France with her school at the age of fifteen. Since then, she has spent summers traveling, studying, and working in France and elsewhere in Europe. Her love for language acquisition and travel led her to pursue a degree in Global Studies from St. Edward’s University. Shortly after graduating, Karoline moved to Reunion Island, a French overseas department, located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, to serve as an English Language Teaching Assistant. Now back in Austin as a new member of the ISA family, she is excited to share her love for travel and learning with others who are looking to begin their own journeys abroad. In her free time, Karoline enjoys learning new languages (currently Turkish), reading, and taking advantage of the climbing, mountain biking, and trail running that the city has to offer!
Andie Beer
Regional Director
Andie Beer
Regional Director
Andie was born and raised in a small north Texas town. She attended Texas A&M University where she first had the opportunity to study abroad in Greece, this sparked her passion for traveling and helping others do the same. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, Andie began working with international students in higher education admissions. She is currently working to receive her master’s degree in Student Development and Leadership in Higher Education. Her love for higher education, study abroad, and globalization of higher education led her to ISA, where she is given the opportunity to foster relationships and encourage students to study abroad. When Andie is not at working or traveling, you can find her at the closest hockey game, catching up on Netflix, or adventuring with her husky, Indy.
Addison Welsh
Regional Director
Addison Welsh
Regional Director
Addison, a Colobraskan with roots from both Colorado and Nebraska, was introduced to international education when she studied abroad in Australia. After graduating with her bachelor's in political science and Spanish, she taught English in Huelva, Spain for a year which further solidified her love for international education and travel. During her graduate studies in intercultural relations, she studied in Antigua, Guatemala and taught a course about intercultural competency. Addison has worked in a variety of positions in higher education and is thrilled to share her passion for study abroad with you!
Cindy Columbus
Regional Director
Cindy Columbus
Regional Director
Cindy obtained her undergraduate degree in Italian from Bryn Mawr College in 2014. During that time, she spent one year abroad in a full-immersion program taking courses with Italian classmates, living with Italian roommates, and mastering the language. After graduation, she was unable to stay away and spent two years teaching English at a public high school in Milan before heading back to school. Overall, Cindy loves starting conversations that allow for cultural exchange from both sides.
While working on her Masters in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute, Cindy also enjoyed a short-term faculty-led program to Morocco. This time, the program challenged students to explore the tourism industry with a critical eye and brainstorm ways to travel that are most beneficial to the host country. Cindy believes in the power of programs of all durations, locations, and themes and is thrilled by the variety of meaningful experiences that potential ISA students may choose from.
Alex Halvorson
Regional Director
Alex Halvorson
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.
Financial Aid
Anna Waller
Assistant Director, Financial Affairs
Anna Waller
Assistant Director, Financial Affairs
Born in Texas and raised in South Carolina, Anna's first experience abroad was during her junior year in college when she studied abroad in Rome, Italy and traveled through Europe. After graduating from The University of South Carolina, Anna knew that she wasn't yet finished exploring. She traveled to Southeast Asia to teach ESL in Thailand. After teaching for 10 months in Thailand, Anna spent the next 4 months backpacking through Southeast Asia making her way through Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nepal. After returning to the US, Anna spent a year of AmeriCorps service at an educational nonprofit where she worked with first-generation students in persisting through college. Through her study abroad and higher education experience, Anna knows that students gain not only an education abroad but a life changing experience. In her free time, Anna enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, and attending live music shows in Austin.
Nia Delmast
Coordinator, Financial Affairs
Nia Delmast
Coordinator, Financial Affairs
Born and raised in Dallas, TX, Nia obtained her bachelor of Global Studies with regional focus in the Middle East and thematic track in International Security and Conflict Resolution from St. Edward's University. The St. Edward's mantra "Take on your world" led her to Morocco for a semester. She enjoys swing dancing, yoga, and reading in her free time. She is happy to be helping students fund their own journeys.
Student Outreach
Zach Muskin
Director - Student Outreach
Zach Muskin
Director - Student Outreach
Originally from Omaha, NE, Zach graduated with a bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Communications from the University of Kansas . He studied through ISA in Barcelona as an undergraduate which jump-started his passion for international education and intercultural experiences. After his graduation in 2011, Zach spent two years in Spain teaching English and American Culture in both Sanxenxo and Sevilla. Zach finds study abroad to be an incredible way to get a better understand of our globalized world and develop both personally and professionally.
Natalie Laurence
Program Advisor
Natalie Laurence
Program Advisor
While Natalie may be a native Texan, the most formative places and memories in her life have been those outside of the Lone Star State. Natalie's last two years of high school were spent in the Black Forest of Germany. There, her days were filled with walks through the towering trees, countless Döner Kebabs, and efforts to understand the Alemannisch dialect. Upon returning to the States, Natalie began her college career at Samford University until later going on to receive her International Studies degree from Texas A&M University. During the fall of her senior year, Natalie studied abroad through ISA's Veritas program in Florianópolis, Brazil. She savors the days of hiking the stunning ocean-side trails and spending time with her ISA and Veritas families. In addition to her love for exploring and language learning, Natalie enjoys soccer, classic film, travel photography, sixties folk music, and experimental cooking. Natalie is overjoyed to now be a part of other students' life-changing stories abroad.
Phoebe Scott
Program Advisor
Phoebe Scott
Program Advisor
Phoebe caught the study abroad bug while earning her BA in International Relations at Boston University. While there, she was able to study abroad in Dublin for a semester, where she extensively traveled the British Isles. She also spent a month abroad in Geneva, where she explored the streets and ate her weight in fondue. She also received her MA from King’s College London, and spent a year enjoying all London has to offer. In her down time, she enjoys over-analyzing new movie releases and enjoying a book with a cup of tea.
Myklyn Stafford
Program Advisor
Myklyn Stafford
Program Advisor
Myklyn grew up in a family who loved learning about different cultures. She graduated from Texas A&M University in May, 2019 with a degree in International Studies and a minor in French. After spending most of her college breaks in Kenya and Uganda, she quickly realized that going abroad would be a life-long passion. Myklyn studied abroad in Meknes, Morocco with ISA where she got to practice the French language, travel across Morocco and Europe, and learn about Moroccan hospitality and Islamic politics and diplomacy. Some of her favorite escapades include hiking to waterfalls, getting lost in new cities, learning the stories of people from all backgrounds, and eating Mexican hot chocolate ice cream.
Alyce Myers
Program Advisor
Alyce Myers
Program Advisor
Originally from Louisiana, Alyce went to LSU where she majored in General Business and minored in Spanish. Geaux Tigers! During college, she studied abroad twice for a summer in Ecuador and for a semester in Madrid where she had the opportunity to experience the local culture, food, and language. Alyce fell in love with the Spanish lifestyle so much, that after graduation she went back to Madrid to teach English at a primary school for a year! Alyce is psyched to be a part of ISA and discover students’ passion for studying abroad just like her. She enjoys practicing her Spanish, reading, painting, travelling, and exploring her new city of Austin!
Connor Israel
Program Advisor
Connor Israel
Program Advisor
Though he is technically from Texas, Connor struggles to answer the question, "Where are you from?" since he has lived in 3 countries and 7 cities over the past 8 years. Connor was raised in Dallas but moved to Serbia with his family as a middle-schooler and later attended an international boarding school in the tiny town of Kandern, Germany where his love for all things international began to grow into a truly life-altering passion. While getting his degree in International Studies at Texas A&M University, he was privileged to intern abroad in the city of Hebron in the West Bank where he taught English and studied Arabic. This experience galvanized his interest in the history and cultures of both Israeli and Palestinian societies about which he seeks any and every opportunity to learn more. Connor is a self-proclaimed nerd who would love to talk about Israeli politics and ex-Yugoslavian rock bands and spends his free time reading, playing Civilization and going on walks with his high-school sweetheart turned wife, Emmalee!
Michell Herrera Parada
Program Advisor
Michell Herrera Parada
Program Advisor
Michell was born in Colombia and moved to America when she was eight years old. Ever since then, she lived in Houston, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University in May, 2019 with a degree in International Studies and a concentration in French and Environmental Studies. She had the opportunity to travel to Meknes, Morocco with ISA during the summer of her junior year in college. While she was there, she got to live with a host family and learn all about Moroccan food and culture. She also got to practice French and picked up a little bit of Arabic while trying to learn Moroccan songs and talk to taxi drivers. She loved the people, the music, the energy, the architecture, and most importantly, the food. She has always known that she wants to travel the world and enrich her life with the beauty of different cultures and perspectives. In her free time, she likes to cook new recipes, read books, paint, dance, learn new languages or musical instruments, explore different music genres, and keep up with celebrities. She is thrilled to guide students through the amazing journeys that ISA has to offer.
Melanie Loe
Program Advisor
Melanie Loe
Program Advisor
Born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD, Melanie graduated with a double major in Spanish and Global Studies from South Dakota State University. She knew that she wanted to study abroad during her collegiate career and during her junior year decided to study abroad in Valencia, Spain with ISA for a semester. This life-changing experience sparked her interest in working in international education. Later, she decided it would be beneficial to go abroad once again to Dakar, Senegal to gain other new perspectives. Melanie's love of traveling, language-learning, and globalization has given her wonderful resources to foster relationships and encourage students to study abroad. When she's not working, you can often find Melanie with her head in a book, drinking coffee, playing with her adorable dog, or playing one of her favorite sports, soccer and volleyball.
Stephanie Gamba
Program Advisor
Stephanie Gamba
Program Advisor
While Stephanie grew up in North Carolina, she has called many places ‘home’ over the years. She graduated from Christopher Newport University in Virginia with a BA in communication studies, leadership, and Spanish. During her undergraduate career she studied abroad twice in Spain, once for a summer in Cádiz and again for a semester in Sevilla. Stephanie loved her experience so much that she decided to move back to Spain to be a language and culture assistant in La Rioja. While there, she enjoyed hiking, eating pinchos, and traveling to many cities in both Spain and around Europe. After two years teaching English to high school students, Stephanie studied at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland where she obtained her master's degree in comparative education and international development. Now living in Texas for the first time, Stephanie is excited to explore the Austin music scene, try new restaurants, and find a local kickboxing class!
Justine Stroemer
Program Advisor
Justine Stroemer
Program Advisor
A native Texan, Justine graduated from the University of North Texas in May 2019 with a BBA in Marketing and BA in Theatre with a concentration in Performance. She studied abroad in Birmingham England for a semester, but made sure to travel all over Europe before coming back to the states. Justine loved drinking tea, riding in trains, and eating all the bread possible. This ignited the passion for studying abroad and traveling all over the world. Her goal is to travel to every continent (yes, even Antarctica). When she is not talking about studying abroad, she likes to play soccer, make films, and read lots of books.
Karen Alvarez
Team Lead, Program Advisor
Karen Alvarez
Team Lead, Program Advisor
Born and raised in Merida, Mexico, Karen studied Graphic and Publicitary Design. The summer of 2005, she enrolled in an Au Pair program and moved to Rockville, MD. She lived with a host family and really enjoyed this experience, reason why she recommends that everyone goes abroad at least once in a lifetime to experience the world. She has traveled to a few places within Mexico, her favorite spot was Playa del Carmen. She also lived for a short time in Norway. In her free time, Karen enjoys going to the movies, spending time with her schnauzer, watch Netflix, read, and lately she's been retaking her passion for photography! Karen really loves snow and everything London related, she hopes to travel there one day!
Luis Alonzo
Team Lead, Program Advisor
Luis Alonzo
Team Lead, Program Advisor
Born and raised in Yucatan, Mexico, Luis grew up meeting dozens of foreign students who have visited his hometown and stayed at his house, to learn Spanish, Mexican culture and local folklore. Thanks to that, he knows what students are looking for when going abroad, and will be thrilled to help everyone that asks for his assistance. He has a Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, and absolutely loves food, especially desserts! So, you can expect from him a very sweet and friendly chat. Luis also loves learning new languages, he's passionate about studying new cultures through their spoken language.
Guadalupe Hernandez
Program Advisor
Guadalupe Hernandez
Program Advisor
Born in Tabasco and raised in different southeast states of Mexico, Guadalupe finished her studies at Universidad Anahuac Mayab where she studied Administration and Tourism. While attending school, she worked for international oil companies and experienced traveling by herself for the first time. She loved it and has continued to do so (around Mexico, US and Netherlands) with no plans of stopping anytime soon. Regularly hosting international couchsurfers helps her understand the unique experience of knowing new cultures and peoples.
In her free time she loves to dance, practice her (coffee) barista skills, paint, read a good book or just take her car and drive to explore new places in the Yucatan.
Jerry Spillane
Program Advisor
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.
Andrea Maza
Program Advisor
Andrea Maza
Program Advisor
Andy was born and raised in Merida, Mexico and she studied psychology at the Universidad Modelo. The English language has been Andy's passion since she was little. She asked her mother for English classes when she was eight years old and she fell in love with the language instantly! Andy has traveled to several states in the Mexican republic and also to Guatemala. In her free time, Andy loves to play and go out with her dogs and her partner! Andy is not married but she has been with her partner for more than 17 years. With this new position in ISA, Andy hopes to develop more skills and new opportunities to grow professionally and enhanced her knowledge of the language she already loves.
Alexandra Diaz
Outreach Support
Alexandra Diaz
Outreach Support
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!
Cristina Mayagoitia
Outreach Support
Cristina Mayagoitia
Outreach Support
Born and raised in Merida, Yucatan, Cristina grew up with an innate passion for nature and the ocean, so she decided to study Marine Biology. Although she started giving English classes to nursery students when she was in her first year of college, she then had the opportunity to teach English to elementary, junior high and high school students. She lived for a short time in Scotland and visited some European countries. Cristina enjoys field trips, the beach, riding her bicycle, reading, cooking and food in general!
Iriz Delgadillo
Outreach Support
Iriz Delgadillo
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.
Alejandra Soto Casillas
Outreach Support
Alejandra Soto Casillas
Outreach Support
Alejandra was born in Mexico City and moved to Merida, Yucatan when she was just 3 years old. She discovered a different, welcoming and wonderful culture in the southeast corner of her own country. Ale loved to spend her childhood visiting magical places like Tulum, Chichen Itza and more. Later on Alejandra developed a special interest in psychology and took it up academically, with a love for culture and human development. She loves languages; that’s why she started to learn English on her own from the age of 11 and, after graduating, was able to practice her skills as an IT Technical recruiter. Alejandra had the opportunity to work as HR Coordinator in a tourism-focused startup when suddenly she was able to become part of the Outreach Associate team, applying her counseling and educational psychology studies to help as many students as possible study abroad.
Anabell Canto Fuentelzas
Outreach Support
Anabell Canto Fuentelzas
Outreach Support
Anabell was born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. She is the mother of two children. Her mission in life is to raise them with the heartfelt values she believes in: love, care and respect towards others, while giving them the best education she can. Ana has had the opportunity to work in a variety of professional positions where she has been able to acquire diverse knowledge, taking away the best from each situation. Always looking for personal improvement, Ana continually strives to fine-tune her skills and work with quality and a willingness to learn and achieve her goals. In her spare time she likes going to the beach, visiting rural towns around Yucatan, reading a good book, delighting in a good movie, and just enjoying time with family and friends.
Alumni Relations
Landon Cotham
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Landon Cotham
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Landon graduated with an International Business degree in 2011 from Texas Tech. During his time there, he spent a semester studying in Barcelona through ISA. From that point forward, nothing was the same and he hasn't stopped traveling since. He spent several months traveling and volunteering in Argentina and Chile just before moving to San Sebastian, Spain to teach English for three years. Landon loves music and, when going to a new place, has always found friends and community amongst the local musicians. Travel has become more than just vacationing for Landon. He believes that meaningful travel experiences, like study abroad, can provide a contextual awareness and a set of extremely useful skills that are applicable to any aspect of life.
Jessica Terrell
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Jessica Terrell
Alumni Relations Coordinator
As a typical "squid kid", Jessica has lead a fairly nomadic existence her whole life, carted between sea-side port towns by her Navy parents. She spent 3 formative childhood years in Rota, Spain completely immersed in Spanish public school. Wanting to return later, she found herself instead studying in Machala, Ecuador her senior year of high school. She figured Spanish speaking countries must be pretty similar, right? WRONG! This exposure to foreign culture became an obsession. She set off to see the world after graduating from Ohio University with a B.A. in Anthropology and a TEFL certificate. She's taught ESL in Spain, Taiwan, Cambodia and Myanmar. A big fan of backpacking, she's made her rounds across Europe, Australia and Asia as well. She loves adventures, think tanks, funky workout classes and helping others make global connections.
Maya Curto
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Maya Curto
Alumni Relations Coordinator
Born and raised in New York's Hudson Valley, Maya grew up in a small town north of NYC. It was during college when she caught the travel bug and has been seeking out international experiences since. Maya graduated from Tulane University in 2018 with a Communications major and Social Entrepreneurship minor. While at Tulane, Maya studied abroad for a semester in Cape Town, South Africa and participated in an intensive service-learning course in India studying philosophies of nonviolence and ecology. After her return, Maya worked with Tulane's Study Abroad Office as a Study Abroad Mentor to connect with students interested in globalizing their college experience. Once Maya graduated, she decided to explore her passion for intercultural experiences and international education by teaching English in Suphanburi, Thailand. She believes that international experiences both in and out of the classroom allow us to look at the world through different lenses, enhancing our ability to connect, empathize and adapt both personally and professionally.
Service-Learning
Kristine Barer
Service-Learning Director
Kristine Barer
Service-Learning Director
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.
Rebecca Richey
Service-Learning Academic Coordinator
Rebecca Richey
Service-Learning Academic Coordinator
Born and raised in Miami Springs, Florida, Becky received her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Florida and M.A. in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Her international experience includes interning in London, studying abroad in Valencia (with ISA), and working onsite with Syracuse Madrid. Her favorite travel memory is visiting her host family in Valencia and playing with their dog, Byron, whenever she finds herself in Spain. She loves working at ISA because she believes in intentional program design based on good practices in the field of education abroad. Working with an amazing Service Learning team doesn't hurt either! In her free time she enjoys experiencing all the live music Austin has to offer, going to the movies and theatre, and kickboxing!
Julia Pfeiffer
Service-Learning Placement Coordinator
Julia Pfeiffer
Service-Learning Placement Coordinator
Julia graduated from the University of Redlands with majors in International Relations and Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies. During college, she studied abroad for a month in Oaxaca, Mexico and subsequently for a semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina. While in Argentina, Julia interned for a non-profit organization and soaked up the local language and culture. Upon graduation, her thirst for world travel and love for international education brought her to Costa Rica, where she lived and worked for a year and a half before returning to the United States to join the ISA Service-Learning team. When not exploring new places, Julia enjoys cooking, hiking, and watching Netflix. She is excited to continue helping students gain global perspective through amazing international experiences.
Alexa Haverlah
Service-Learning Program Manager
Alexa Haverlah
Service-Learning Program Manager
A native Austinite, Alexa graduated from Tulane University with a degree in Art History and Spanish. She spent her junior year abroad in Madrid, Spain and later taught English in Mexico City with the Fulbright program. Alexa has also worked for an outdoors company leading language immersion, hiking, and service-oriented trips for high school students. It was especially rewarding to see students communicate in a foreign language, gain a greater appreciation for nature, and form long-lasting relationships with people from other countries. In her free time, Alexa can be found playing soccer with her mom and uncle on their team "Rebels," cooking recipes from Pinterest, and watching football, typically in that order.
Internships
Tim Tormoen
Senior Director, Internships
Tim Tormoen
Senior Director, Internships
Tim is graduate of St Cloud State University in Minnesota and received his MBA from Capella University. He was bit by the travel bug in his early 30's when he spent a month in Australia and New Zealand. Since then, there has been no turning back, visiting 33 countries (and counting) and running his own travel consulting business for 7 years. With a background in marketing, philanthropy, and program development, he is excited about his role as Sr Director of Internships and the opportunities to expand the program. In his spare time, Tim enjoys people watching, exploring, staying active in a variety of sports, binge-watching Netflix series, and being the reluctant dad of three adorably annoying cats.
Chris Pennebaker
Associate Director, Internships
Chris Pennebaker
Associate Director, Internships
Chris joins us from Charleston, SC where she graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Public Health. As a student, she was introduced to travel through service learning abroad in Honduras and Greece. After graduation, she stayed on with her alma mater as a Site Coordinator where she traveled with first year students studying abroad in London, England. She recently earned her M.Ed. in Student Personnel in Higher Education through the University of Florida. In addition to being the Associate Director, Chris also serves as the Career Advisor for Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea, and Denver.
Erin Willis Ph.D.
Academic Supervisor - Internships
Erin Willis Ph.D.
Academic Supervisor - Internships
Erin Willis is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Boulder in the department of Advertising, Public Relations & Media Design. She earned her doctorate from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Willis's research examines the ways in which health messages influence people's behaviors. Prior to academia, she worked in public relations and marketing communications.
Mary Bowen
Program Manager, Chile, China, Denver, Japan, South Korea, & Spain Internships
Mary Bowen
Program Manager, Chile, China, Denver, Japan, South Korea, & Spain Internships
Mary was born in Oceanside, California and raised in Tucson, Arizona where she attended the University of Arizona. During her time as an undergraduate she completed a B.A. in History and a B.A. in Spanish. After graduation, she was inspired to pursue international travel opportunities in order to step out of her comfort zone and hone her Spanish-language skills. She spent two years teaching English in Madrid, Spain and completed an M.A. in Teaching with an emphasis on English as a Second Language Education. Upon returning to the U.S. in the Summer of 2017, she decided to make travel her job by moving to Denver, Colorado for a Flight Attendant position. Finding the highly-variable schedule of a Flight Attendant not quite to her liking, she chose to utilize her background in education to change career fields and become a member of the ISA team. She enjoys running, playing and watching soccer, getting into mischief with her cat, Biscuit, and providing high-quality student support for Internships abroad.
Riley Wenger
Career Advisor, Chile, England, Ireland, Spain, and Vietnam Internships
Riley Wenger
Career Advisor, Chile, England, Ireland, Spain, and Vietnam Internships
Riley's first international experience was in Australia, where she traveled with a student group focused on learning about the indigenous culture and participating in service projects. She then went on to attend California Polytechnic State University, where she studied Psychology with concentrations in Health and Education. During her time in college, she studied abroad in Thailand, which ignited her love for traveling and a desire to make international experiences a part of every student's education. After graduating from Cal Poly, Riley taught English for two years in Spain, where she learned Spanish, a deep appreciation for different cultures, and of course, tapas! Riley has also spent the last two summers leading service focused student groups throughout South East Asia and South America. Riley is thrilled to transform her love of traveling and enriching cultural experiences into helping empower students to become thoughtful and independent global citizens through gaining career experience abroad.
Kayla Weier
Program Manager, Australia, England, Ireland, New Zealand, and Vietnam Internships
Kayla Weier
Program Manager, Australia, England, Ireland, New Zealand, and Vietnam Internships
Kayla first became interested in international education after spending a semester abroad in Perugia, Italy where she pursued her studies of Ancient Roman history and archaeology. After her return, she worked as a Peer Advisor for the University of Colorado-Boulder, and after graduating with a degree in Classics, continued to a full-time position with the office. She then joined the ISA Internships team as the Program Manager for Australia, New Zealand, England, and Ireland internships. She loves to travel and has been to several countries, including Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, England, Israel, and Mexico. She encourages everyone to explore the globe, and believes international experiences promote intercultural understanding and personal growth!
Veritas Christian Study Abroad (Missions)
Aley Bedair
Director, ISA-Veritas Christian Study Abroad
Aley Bedair
Director, ISA-Veritas Christian Study Abroad
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!
Jessica Korn
Veritas Embedded Program Coordinator
Jessica Korn
Veritas Embedded Program Coordinator
Travelling runs through Jessica’s veins. She is originally from Germany, grew up in the United States, lived a school year in Uganda, did international development work in the South Pacific, and has volunteered in Spain and Guatemala. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Liberty University, she values being an embedded program coordinator at her alma mater, allowing her interests in international work, education, and missions to merge. She enjoys art, listening to music, and learning about new cultures. Jessica is excited to see how God works in and through the lives of students who go abroad!
MacKinzie Conard
Regional Director, ISA-Veritas
MacKinzie Conard
Regional Director, ISA-Veritas
MacKinzie was born with a desire to travel. Her family moving to Florida, Colorado, and Texas before settling in Missouri gave MacKinzie an early start into shaping this desire, and summer trips furthered this interest. Studying Global Studies at Missouri State University is what drew her to spend her final semester studying abroad through ISA-Veritas in Costa Rica, and it changed her life. Attending class field trips studying wildlife in the rainforests, practicing Spanish while shopping at the local market on Saturdays with her “Tico” friends, and watching baby sea turtles hatch on a remote beach after swimming in waterfalls all day were just a few reasons her experience abroad was an incredible and intimate experience. When she is not daydreaming about the next place to visit MacK can be found hanging with friends at a coffee shop or museum, reading a good book, or trying new foods.
Marketing and Communications
Troy Stiles
Senior Manager, Product Marketing
Troy Stiles
Senior Manager, Product Marketing
Troy has worked in various areas of marketing, design, and event management since graduating from Bowling Green State University. His diverse marketing background and extensive international business experience provide him with a unique point of view and a passion for helping others understand the value of an international education. After earning an International MBA from the University of Denver, he has worked in consulting and ad agencies, started a bike tour company, and is now happy to be part of the ISA team.
Amber Aho
Marketing Coordinator
Amber Aho
Marketing Coordinator
Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Amber Graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a minor in Management. Her passion for exploring different places and cultures was ignited at a young age when she spent summers traveling through Europe and road tripping throughout North America. She has had the chance to host international exchange students in high school and room with an abroad student from Uganda in college. She's excited to be apart of the marketing team at ISA and get to share her love for traveling and meeting new people. In her free time the best place to find her is in the mountains where she is most likely hiking, skiing, or biking.
Administrative Staff
Laura Heiligenthal
Front Desk Coordinator
Laura Heiligenthal
Front Desk Coordinator
Laura is from Austin, Texas and graduated with a degree in Child Development with a specialization in Preschool. She also has a certificate in Management in Non-Profit. Laura worked as a law clerk and preschool teacher before she started at ISA. She is looking forward to talking to you on the phone!
Stephanie McBrayer
Coordinator, Academic & Financial Affairs
Stephanie McBrayer
Coordinator, Academic & Financial Affairs
Stephanie graduated from the University of Texas after obtaining a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic Language. While at UT, she joined the American Councils Arabic Flagship Program and this led her to study abroad in Meknes, Morocco for the summer of 2013, and then return in 2015 for a year. While she was there, she took Arabic classes and also interned at the Center for Traditional Arts where she worked with locals in the painting department. In addition to Morocco, Stephanie has also visited Italy, France, and England, and she is happy to work for a company that helps students step outside of their comfort zones and open their minds to new experiences. In her free time, she enjoys reading, drawing and painting.
Karen Webber
Sales and Office Coordinator
Karen Webber
Sales and Office Coordinator
Born and raised in Colorado, Karen graduated from Regis University with a B.A. in both Communication and Spanish. Inspired by her Spanish roots, she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain at UPF for a semester with ISA. Her experience abroad ignited her passion to travel and has visited 13 other countries since, meeting the halfway point of her goal to visit at least 27 countries during her lifetime. Being the first in her family to travel outside of the US and Mexico, she learned firsthand how much traveling has impacted her personal growth and hopes to use her experience to inspire her dozens of cousins to study abroad and travel. In addition to traveling, she also shares a passion for dance, hiking, and sports, especially all Colorado pro sports teams.
