About Global Engagement

Michael grew up in the thumb of Michigan and completed his bachelor's in music and creative writing at Western Michigan University. After college, Michael served as a US Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan and then Kazakhstan before attending Indiana University Bloomington. There he earned his MA and PhD in Central Asian and Russian History. He met his wife in the Peace Corps, another volunteer named Teresa, and they attended IU together where they started their family. Michael and Teresa have five girls and have lived in Salem since 2016 when Teresa began her career at Roanoke College teaching Spanish. Michael has been the Director of Global Engagement since 2023. Michael loves sending students to their dream destinations and is most excited about hearing from students after they return to share their transformations with the rest of campus. Let's go, Maroons!

Jamie is a Senior at Roanoke College studying Health and Exercise Science, with a minor in Psychology. Jamie studied abroad in Costa Rica, at the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA) during the Spring 2025 semester where she volunteered her time teaching English to university students and running campus tours to English-speakers. She had an incredibly rewarding experience abroad, inspiring her to make study abroad easier and more accessible for students at Roanoke College. Jamie has been a USAC Study Away Ambassador working for the Roanoke College Global Engagement Department for a year and now is working as the Student Assistant Director of Global Engagement. In her free time, you will either find her at the gym in a personal trainer session, out in the woods camping and hiking, or daydreaming about her next trip abroad. Her mission is to continue building bridges between Roanoke College students and the amazing programs abroad. She cannot wait to begin planning your journey abroad!

Kaley is a third-year at Roanoke College. She is a triple major studying Biochemistry, Spanish, and Cannabis Studies. On a whim, Kaley decided to study abroad in the Spring of 2025 at the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica located in Heredia, Costa Rica. She was also a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship which supports young travelers who come from low-income backgrounds to go abroad. Since then, Kaley has been working with the Global Engagement office to help inform others in similar circumstances by speaking on the process and memories. Kaley enjoys playing games like Minecraft and The Sims as well as art and music. She is ecstatic to help in any way she can!  

Mac is in their third year at Roanoke College, with a major in Environmental Science and minors in Biology and Disability Studies. They studied away at the Oregon Extension in Lincoln, Oregon during the Fall 2025 Semester and fell in love with the pace, the place, and people.  While there, and back on campus, they like to spend their free time hiking, reading, crocheting, and working in the garden. Mac looks forward to helping others explore this special program!

Kaitlyn is in her third year at Roanoke College studying Spanish. She studied abroad in Alicante, Spain at Universidad de Alicante during the Spring 2025 semester, and had many life-changing experiences there. Kaitlyn is an active member on the Roanoke College Field Hockey Team and enjoys spending time outdoors, being active and adventuring. She chose to go to Spain to experience living in a new country and culture as well as meeting new people, and she would go back in an instant. Kaitlyn is passionate about helping students considering studying abroad navigate the process and assist in any questions they may have.