Meet the Global Engagement Team

Hometown: Lima, Peru
Alma Mater: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Peru) – California State University, Northridge
Undergraduate Major: Education/Math & Physics

Graduate Degree: Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in Higher Education, MA and EdD
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: Peru
Languages: English and Spanish  
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Remember to be open to meeting new people and cultures; especially on a diverse campus such as Cal Lutheran, which offers great opportunities for social and academic integration. Don’t take your life experiences for granted. Embrace and value the privilege of your study abroad education. Take advantage of this opportunity, because when you study abroad, you gain a greater appreciation of life, of what you left behind, and what you are gaining moving forward.

Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois
Alma Mater: Wheaton College, Claremont School of Theology; Claremont Graduate University
Undergraduate Majors: Speech Communications, English
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: I’ve only lived in the US, but have traveled throughout Europe, and to Mexico and Canada. England will always be a second home to me because of my research there.
Languages: German, French (reading), Latin, Ancient Greek, a smattering of Spanish
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Don’t hold back! Try everything! Be brave, even if you feel awkward doing it!

Hometown: Poitiers, France
Alma Mater: The Pennsylvania State University, PA (French and Francophone Studies)
Undergraduate Majors: North American Civilization and Postcolonial Literatures
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: Travel has always been a defining part of my life, shaping who I am and connecting me to my roots. I love France, where I grew up, and Morocco, which holds a very special place in my heart. Growing up in a bicultural Franco-Moroccan family, we would spend three months every summer at our home in Morocco, visiting relatives and numerous regions from Chefchaouen in the north to the Sahara in the south, from the big coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, and Agadir to inland cities like Marrakesh, Meknes, and Fes, and smaller towns such as Oujda and Merzouga.
Languages: French, English
Advice for Internationally-minded students: College is the perfect time to study abroad, before the pressures of work or graduate school set in. So, welcome every opportunity to travel and learn now from other cultures, whether it is through a semester abroad or a travel course. As you travel, stay curious, try the food, meet people, listen to the music, try to speak the language, be flexible, and embrace these moments of awkwardness. They are completely normal, and those moments are often the ones that help you grow the most. The more you explore and connect with people around the world, the more you’ll understand yourself and your place in it, and realize that we are all part of a global community. Originally an international student myself, I came here to study and am now teaching at CLU! You see, you never know where these experiences might take you! Now is your chance, so go for it!

Hometown: Xi’an, China
Alma Mater: Ed.D., California Lutheran University; M.A., University of Iowa; B.S., Iowa State University
Undergraduate Majors: Accounting 
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: I grew up in Xi’an, China and came to the U.S. to complete my undergraduate degree and then pursued my graduate degrees. I’ve visited Switzerland, Italy, and Mexico. My favorite place abroad so far is Venice, Italy!
Languages: English and Mandarin Chinese
Advice for Internationally-minded students: We hope you’ll stay curious and open to the new experiences ahead. Try new things, meet new people, and enjoy learning from the culture around you. And don’t forget—you bring something special to every community you join. Be proud of the global perspectives you bring to campus and the unique background that shapes who you are. As you explore new places and ideas, stay true to yourself and keep connecting with the people around you. If you ever need support, we are here to help! We wish you a meaningful and memorable experience in your academic journey!

Hometown: Visalia, CA
Alma Mater: Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara; M.S., San Jose State University; B.A., Stanford University 
Undergraduate Majors: Political Science
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: I studied abroad in Russia as an undergraduate and in China as a graduate student; I’ve visited countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. My absolute favorite places abroad are Japan, Spain, and Italy!
Languages: English; I’ve studied Russian, Spanish, and Japanese
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Start early with international experiences and don't wait for perfect preparation! Short-term programs, like faculty-led travel seminars, are just as valuable as semester-long stays, and immersion is always the best teacher. Go beyond tourist experiences by engaging deeply with local cultures, connect these opportunities to your academic goals, and actively seek out scholarships and faculty-led programs that can make international study accessible. We are here to support you in your journey!

Hometown: Mumbai, India
Alma Mater: Bhavan's College, Mumbai, India
Undergraduate Majors: Management Studies, Marketing
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: I’ve lived in Mumbai, India, all my life before moving to the USA for my studies. My absolute favorite place is my native region, Konkan, where my ancestors are originally from. I grew up far from it but visited often, it’s a place full of culture, warmth, and loving people. I also absolutely love Goa, especially the southern part, a beautiful beach town not too far from my native place. There’s just something about beach towns.
Languages: My mother tongue is Marathi, a regional language from Maharashtra, India. I also speak English and Hindi fluently and understand a few other regional Indian languages.
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Studying or living abroad teaches you that the world isn’t as different as it seems. Be proud of your culture it’s your story, but stay open to new experiences and people. Carry your roots with pride, but don’t be afraid to grow new ones. The beauty of being internationally minded is realizing that home often lives in the people you meet along the way, those who welcome, support, and inspire you.

Hometown: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Alma Mater: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California State University, Los Angeles, Benedictine University
Undergraduate Majors: Education, Speech, Language and Communication.  Higher Education Administration and Organization Development. 

Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: Long- and short-term trips to:  Africa (Tanzania), China, Cuba, England, France, Germany, Jordan, North Africa (Morocco), Scotland, Spain, The Netherlands, Turkey, Viet Nam, Jamaica, and Venezuela.
Languages: Studied French, and travel phrases in Spanish, Chinese, German.
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Be mindfully aware of the beauty of travel.  To push out of your comfort zone is the best way to learn about yourself in regard to your place in the world.  Realize that when we look at others from our own vantage point, it causes a boundary, however to live and communicate on a deeper level with others, allows us to embrace new experiences, live a richer life, and become interculturally competent. Remember that spending money on “things” is more expensive than experiences.  Travel is priceless!

Hometown: Nanjing, China
Alma Mater: California State University, Northridge
Undergraduate Major: Teaching English as Second Language
Graduate Degree: Education Leadership and Policy Studies in Higher Education
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: I love all the places I have been to, such as Greece, Italy, Japan, Thailand, and the Bahamas. What a wonderful world!
Languages: English and Mandarin 
Advice for Internationally-minded students: When I came to the U.S. as an international student in 2012, I also experienced cultural and social differences, language barriers, academic anxiety, and financial stress. It's ok to be vulnerable and make mistakes. Let's embrace who we are. CLU cares about you as an individual; Please do not hesitate to ask questions or look for help. Our team is always here for you.