Meet the Global Engagement Team
The Center for Global Engagement is comprised of the administrative staff and three operational offices: Education Abroad, International Admissions, and International Students & Scholars. Under the direction of the Associate Provost for Global Engagement, CGE provides overall leadership for global initiatives; develops, supports, and organizes a wide range of on- and off-campus programming; supports faculty development through various initiatives; guides the development of institutional agreements with foreign universities; and provides leadership and advice to promote campus internationalization efforts.
As outlined in the overview of the CGE Staff Organization Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management partner in supporting the CGE.
Associate Provost for Global Engagement
sanchez@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3750
Hometown: Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Alma Mater: College of William and Mary (Virginia)
Undergraduate Majors: English Literature, Psychology & Education
Graduate Degrees: University of New Mexico, Intercultural Communication, PhD
James Madison University (Virginia), Higher Education Administration and Counseling,
MA
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: Japan, Spain, England
Languages: Spanish (moderate); Japanese (introductory)
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Embrace all opportunities available to you for global engagement at Cal Lu and abroad!
With scholarship support and credits available toward your degree, everyone should
go overseas for a summer/semester or short-term travel seminar! Students should also
participate in research, internships, or service learning abroad to strengthen their
global awareness and intercultural competence. There are many ways to do so on campus
as well, through international programs, cultural clubs/organizations, classes, and
more! We are here to help you become leaders in a global society.
Administrative Assitant for the Center for Global Engagement
galindo@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3023
Hometown: Oxnard, California
Alma Mater: California Lutheran University
Undergraduate Majors: Sociology
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Languages: English; Spanish
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Don't be afraid to immerse yourself to your new surroundings. Try the cuisine, explore
the coast, join a club, attend local events and always show up as yourself.
Director for the Office of Education Abroad
matthewyates@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3757
Hometown: Schererville, Indiana, USA
Alma Mater: Indiana University – Bloomington, Ohio State University
Undergraduate Major: History and Global Governance, B.A.
Graduate Degree: History, M.A. and Ph.D.
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: I tend to gravitate to large cities with diverse people and rich food cultures, such
as Barcelona, Cape Town, London, Montreal, Paris, Rome, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, and
Toronto. I’d also include domestic communities like Chicago (where I grew up), New
York, San Francisco--and of course, Los Angeles!
Languages: English; some French, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Embrace adventure. Challenging interactions and conversations make us more human,
pave the way for social justice, and help us find purpose in life.
Assistant Director for the Office of Education Abroad
aam@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3751
Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Alma Mater: Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration
Undergraduate Major: Commerce and International Trade
Graduate Degree: Commerce and International Trade
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Croatia, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey, Canada
Languages: Farsi, German, English
Advice for Internationally-minded students: Don’t be afraid to explore new cultures, you will learn a lot about yourself and you
will discover kindness in the most surprising places.
Director for the Office of International Admission
drowley@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3601
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Alma Mater: California Lutheran University
Undergraduate Major: History and Political Science
Graduate Degree: MS Counseling and Guidance, College Student Personnel
Countries Where you have lived/favorite places abroad: I’ve lived, worked and studied in Japan, the U.K., and Belgium. I’ve traveled to
nearly 60 more countries around the world throughout Europe, Latin America and Asia.
I love connecting with and learning from new people, cultures and ideas.
Advice for Internationally-minded students: It is my hope that students will understand a powerful secret that comes in 2 parts:
The first is that you have incredible cultural wealth and personal power within you
that should be shared with those around you and with the world. Don’t ever let any
person or any institution tell you that you are deficient and that they need to fill
that deficiency within you. The second part is that while you hold strong in your
own power and identity also open your mind and heart to the lives and stories and
cultures of others. Global engagement is all about a process of learning, growing,
changing, and connecting in mutuality.
Associate Director for the Office of International Admission
ying@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3128
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.
Director for the Office of International Students and Scholars
paguirre@CalLutheran.edu
805-493-3951
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.