Staff

Ryan M. Greene
Director
Phone: 206.296.6260
In August, 2010, Ryan joined the Seattle University International Student Center staff as the Director of the Center. Prior to his appointment at SU he served as the inaugural Director of the Office of Multicultural & International Student Programs for four years at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, where he also had served as an Instructor in their Master’s degree program in Higher Education Administration teaching classes on higher education governance and lecturing on issues of diversity in U.S. higher education. His recent publications have appeared in the journal International Higher Education and in the book Higher Education in Africa: The International Dimension (2008). Currently, Ryan is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland (ABD), and he also served as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Pretoria in Tshwane, South Africa where he conducted dissertation research on the internationalization of their College of Education. Ryan has been a diversity education training specialist for almost fifteen years, and has also worked at Barnard College, Marymount Manhattan College, the University of California (Santa Barbara & Santa Cruz campuses), the University of Maryland, and the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was drawn to SU and to the position because of the University’s Jesuit mission and values, and its commitment to global engagement and social justice. Ryan is a native of New York and spends his free time traveling, learning about other cultures, and following college sports and the NY Yankees.
Dale Watanabe
International Student Advisor
Phone: 206.296.6260
Hi, my name is Dale Watanabe and I am one of the two International Student Advisors at the ISC. I work closely with Sandra Bui so we can keep up to date on all of our fantastic international students. A little about me: I taught English as a Second Language for seven years (3 years in Hyogo-ken, Japan and 4 years at Edmonds Community College) and have worked at Seattle University since winter quarter of 2001. I grew up on Seattle's Beacon Hill (famous for the pink building - also known as Amazon.com) and now live up north near Mill Creek. As some of you may know, my office is always open so please drop by and say hello!
Sandra Bui
International Student Advisor
Phone: 206.296.6260
Chao Ban (that's "Hi Friend" in Vietnamese)! My name is Sandra (Linh) Bui. I'm an International Student Advisor at the International Student Center (ISC). I was born in Lam Dong, Vietnam. Our family immigrated to the United States when I was eight. Since then I have been living in Seattle, Washington and loving it here because of the temperate weather.
In the last twelve years working at Seattle University, I would have to say my most enjoyable moments are talking to students and scholars from all over the world and gaining knowledge of new cultures.
Please feel free to drop by the International Student Center to say hi!
Jason Welle, S.J.
International Student Counselor & Program Coordinator
Moni, muli bwanji! (“Hello, how are you” in Chichewa.) My name is Jason Welle, and I’m a member of Seattle University’s Jesuit community. I work as an international student counselor with ISC, as well as an advisor and program coordinator for the Education Abroad Office now in his second year at Seattle University. I grew up in Southern California and graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Community Studies. Since then I’ve lived in Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; and the Republic of Malawi prior to entering the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). I’ve worked as a travel agent (in Dallas), a flight attendant (in Chicago and Washington, DC), and a Peace Corps Community Health Volunteer in Malawi. Since entering the Jesuits, I’ve completed an M.A. in philosophy at New York’s Fordham University. My main role at ISC is supporting the iBuddy program, and working with individual students to track a course to success at S.U.
Melissa Archuleta
Program Coordinator
Building/Room: Extension 6949
Hello, Everyone! My name is Melissa Archuleta and I am a graduate student in the Student Development Administration Program at Seattle University. I help coordinate all the activities at the International Student Center and hope to meet you then. In spring 2010, I finished my Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, WA. I spent the last year working at a non-profit government contracting company before being accepted to SU. I began working in the International Student Center in August 2011 and have enjoyed meeting and connecting with students from all around the world. A few of my favorite past times include playing with my two rambunctious dogs, Yankee and Chico, and reciting famous movie quotes for my peers to guess their movie knowledge. Can you guess what movie this quote is from: “How dare you open a space man’s helmet on an uncharted planet? My eyeballs could have been sucked from their sockets!”
Kate Spoor
Administrative Assistant
I'm a 2007 graduate of Seattle University and I earned a degree in International Studies and Italian. I received my TESOL Certificate in 2007 and in the same year joined the Associates in Cultural Exchange (A.C.E.) Language Institute at Seattle Pacific University after graduating from SU. At A.C.E. I served in numerous capacities from 2007 - 2011, including working as their Groups Program Coordinator and as an English Language Teacher and Tutor. I focused on coordinating groups of teachers and students from Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia who were attending A.C.E. Institute at Seattle Pacific University. I have been in the Administrative Assistant role at the ISC since January 2012 and I love working with our students! Please come by and say hello! In my spare time I enjoy traveling, organizing groups to visit the opera, classical music, and artwork. I'm passionate about global health and women's rights issues and enjoy Persian ballet, salsa, and tango dancing.
Kathleen Horenstein
Graduate Assistant
Hi! My name is Kathleen Horenstein and I currently advise students in the College of Arts & Sciences. Over the summer I assisted with planning and implementation of the Fall New Beginnings Orientation. I work all over campus, advising students in the Academic Advising Support Center and working with International Programs in the Office of Global Engagement. I earned my B.A. in History from the University of Washington, and during my senior year I spent a quarter overseas in Italy. I am currently working toward my Master's in Student Development Administration at Seattle University. When I am not on campus, I am going to the movies, planning my next travel exploration, or seeing the sites of the Seattle!
Jacquis Watters
Graduate Assistant
Jacquis Watters currently holds a position as a Assistant Resident Director for Housing and Resident Life at Seattle University. Simultaneously, she is pursuing her M.Ed in Student Development Administration at the University. Prior to moving to Seattle, Jacquis received a degree in Women’s Studies from Hofstra University on Long Island, New York. Jacquis joined ISC this summer as an Orientation Coordinator and is continuing her internship with us for the Fall 2012 quarter. Her interest areas in student affairs lie in mentoring, multiracial and sexuality identity development, and transformative education in the correctional system. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, reading, and watching various seasons of Star Trek on Netflix.
Catie Holker
Graduate Assistant
Hello! My name is Catie Holker and I’m a graduate student in the Student Development Administration program here at Seattle University. Here in the ISC I oversee various programmatic areas, coordinate the iBuddy program, and assist with the annual short term program with students from Fukuoka University. In May of 2012 I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Community Psychology and Spanish at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud Minnesota. Before that, I was born and raised near Milwaukee, Wisconsin where my parents and two brothers live. In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling, hiking, crafts, yoga, shopping at thrift stores, and exploring Seattle. After graduation in 2014 I’m hoping to spend some time in the Peace Corps, volunteering abroad, or working in my field at a university in international education. I welcome everyone to stop by our office and say hello!
Anya Ruda
Office Assistant
Hello, my name is Anya Ruda. I was born and brought up in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, which is the longest city in Europe! I came to the United States when I was 14 years old (this will be my 6th year in US) and have graduated from both Ukrainian and American high schools. Currently I am a junior at Seattle University, studying Diagnostic Ultrasound (a lot of people have not heard of it but yes, this major exists..). I love the outdoors, and despite the 24/7 rainfall, I’m in love with Washington’s scenic beauty. In my spare time, I like to paint. I kind of wish I could be a double major. I am very excited to be working with the ISC team! Come visit us!
Angelina Kalinovich
Programming Assistant
Hello Everybody! My name is Angelina Kalinovich. I am an international student from Russia. This is my 8th year studying in the US and my final year here at SeattleU. I am double majoring in International Studies and Spanish. This is my second time working in ISC since I went abroad for a year to Madrid, Spain. I love traveling and learning new languages, traditions and cuisines. Also, I really enjoy my work at the center because I get to meet all of you and learn about your backgrounds and cultures on a personal level. I think that ISC is an excellent source on campus for both, domestic and international students to get involved and step out of their comfort zones. Thus, I hope you all will take advantage of it and stop by whenever!
Caroline Chan
Programming Assistant
Hi, everyone! My name is Caroline Chan. I was born in Indonesia and grew up in Hong Kong. People always asked me if I speak Indonesian, and the answer is “Yes!” I speak Cantonese, Chinese Mandarin, Indonesian and English. I am a junior at Seattle University, double majoring in Finance and Marketing. In my leisure time, I enjoy watching movies and Korean drama. Working at International Student Center allows me to meet with people from different culture and learn new languages. Welcome to visit our office anytime! See you around campus!
Dolly Chan
Programming Assistant
Yin dee tee dai ruu jak (“nice to meet you” in Thai) Hi everyone! My name is Dolly Chan, and I’m an international student from Singapore. I am half Singaporean and half Thai born in Jakarta, Indonesia. Countries that I have lived in include Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Growing up with a multicultural background helped me develop interest in different cultures and languages. I came to Seattle University in the fall of 2010 to pursue a Bachelors degree in Business Management. I have never been in the U.S. before attending SeattleU, so my first year here was filled with culture shocks. Now I find myself enjoying my study abroad experience and adjusting to the new culture here. Working at the International Student Center gives me the opportunity to meet new students from different backgrounds and create new friendships. I like to travel, learn new languages, explore new places, and meet new people. Come by the ISC to chat with the staff, eat food, or just relax in our lounge. Feel free to ask me any questions; I’ll try my best to answer them.
Juliette Ofamen
Programming Assistant
Hello! My name is Juliette Ofamen. I was born in America but raised in the Philippines (Bohol island, to be exact). I moved to Washington about ten years ago but I’m still not used to the random weather here. I’m a junior in the nursing program and I’m hoping to specialize as a nurse anesthetist. I don’t have many interests aside from eating and sleeping, but I do love to listen to people talk about their lives and share their culture. This is my first year at Seattle University and I absolutely love it here. I hope you can all learn to love this school and this city as much as I do. Welcome!
Nguyen Tran
Programming Assistant
Xin chao, hello, bonjour!
My name is Nguyen Tran. I’m an international student from Sai Gon (or Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam. Yes, it is the biggest city of the nation, but no, it’s not the capital city. Currently, I am a freshman majoring in Bio-Chemistry and hopefully, I will get into a medical school with this degree. I know three languages: Vietnamese, English, and a bit of French. I said “a bit” because I need much practice on my speaking skills. I love watching movies, any genre is okay for me except horror. I can’t stand blood, knives and needles. I know it’s ironic since I’m going to a medical school, but we’ll see how it goes. Books are also a big part of my life. Like movies, I don’t like bloody novels, but my favorite books are pretty bloody. They are “The Book Thief”, “The Hunger Games”, and… “Horton Hears a Who”. Lastly, I love listening to instrumental music and collecting quotes. My favorite quote is “at school, the lesson comes first then the test. In life, the test comes first then the lesson.” I will be around campus, so feel free to say hello if you see me.