Our Staff

Meet our staff

Dedicated professionals driving our success

Fernando Lopez-Alves

Director

Fernando Lopez-Alves is Professor of Global and International Studies at UC Santa Barbara and CEO of GR Solutions. He previously directed the UC Washington Center in D.C. and has led research centers and think tanks across Latin America and Europe.

Ángela Suarez Collado

Academic Director

Dr. Ángela Suárez Collado holds a BA in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Granada, a MA in International Mediterranean Studies and a PhD in Arab and Islamic Studies from the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Iván Llamazares

Academic Committee Member

Iván Llamazares is a professor of Political Science at the Universidad de Salamanca. His main research interests lie in the party-political articulation of sociopolitical divisions and conflicts in Europe and Latin America. 

Melody Johnson

Graduate Program Advisor and Registrar

Melody Johnson possesses over 30 years of managerial, supervisory and administrative experience in the field of education. At the University of California she served as Management Services Officer, Program Administrator and, most recently, as Registrar.

Steve Selby

Internship Coordinator in Washington DC

Steve has been an instructor and director of professional development for Michigan State University’s Washington Semester program since 1998.

Nestor Prieto Amador​

Néstor holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Salamanca. He is currently a PhD candidate, specializing in international relations. Néstor has also served as a Foreign Affairs adviser at the European Parliament. In addition to his academic work, he balances his career with journalism, where he explores issues related to international politics and global relations.

Andrea Paola Escalera

Alumni and Student Consultant

Andrea Paola Escalera holds a Master’s Degree in Global Studies and International Studies from the University of Salamanca.

Joanna Kozlowski

Career Development Advisor

Joanna Kozlowski is a teacher, trainer, coach, and consultant based in Washington DC. Through her practice (Resolute Consulting LLC), she brings together her first career in teaching and training and her second in marketing and business development.

Jialin Liu

International Partnerships Coordinator

Jialin Liu has worked with public and private institutions in China, the United States, Latin America, and Africa. She holds two PhDs and two Master’s degrees from the University of Salamanca and Hunan University, in the fields of Global Governance and Social Sciences.