Lisa Swaim
Director of International Programs
Lisa began her intercultural journey by visiting her friends’ homes in her multicultural neighborhood in Northern California, traveling as far and wide as she could with her earnings from her part-time jobs, and living with some amazing college roommates. Although she had studied Spanish, French, and Russian, it wasn’t until her Russian professor encouraged her to study abroad that Lisa had a longer immersive experience. She studied in Russia with UCEAP and then joined the Peace Corps to teach in Ukraine after graduation. Lisa majored in Russian Studies at UCLA and taught English in Ukraine, California, and Massachusetts. As she pursued her master’s degree in Intercultural Relations and assisted with orientation programs, she discovered what she really loves best are cross-cultural conversations and helping students with intercultural adjustment and understanding. She has worked as an international student and/or study abroad advisor in universities big and small, including Middlebury College, Georgetown University, The Ohio State University, and Kenyon College before returning to her home state to join Global Programming at UC Santa Cruz. In Lisa’s free time, she enjoys long walks with her dog, taking her children on adventures, attending concerts, eating good food in good company, and working on her dissertation in International Higher Education.
Andy Ng
Assistant Director of International Programs
Andy (he/him) sees himself as a full-fledged California boy, carrying Bay Area slang wherever he travels around the world. He majored in Sociology and Asian American Studies (sparked by activism and his upbringing as Cantonese-American) at UCLA before moving to Sendai, Japan to teach English through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET). Following this stint, he returned to LA to pursue his master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at USC. Andy then spent a number of years at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he served as a Resident Director, before making his way into the field of international education now at UCSC. In his free time, Andy enjoys cooking plant-based meals, traveling to see family and friends, and becoming the best Pokemon Go trainer he can be.
Vanessa Orey
Assistant Director of International Student Services
Vanessa has been involved in the world of international studies for over a decade. After a year-long homestay program in Belgium, she became hooked on traveling. Vanessa maintained her curiosity for different cultures by completing her bachelor’s degree in International Relations at UC Davis, teaching English in South Korea for one year, participating in a Spanish immersion program in Ecuador, and backpacking in more than 20 countries worldwide. She previously worked for the Cabrillo College Transfer and Career Center and received a master’s degree in Education and Counseling from San Jose State University. In Vanessa’s free time, she enjoys being outdoors, dancing, hiking, sailing, and loves to call Santa Cruz home with an international twist!
Gabriele Schmiegel
Assistant Director of Sponsored Students
Gabi was born and raised in Germany. She originally planned to become an Egyptologist but switched her studies to Political Science and American Government instead. She came to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities as an exchange student in 1994 and stayed to complete her master’s degree. Gabi has traveled extensively to the Middle East and North Africa. She has been working in international education for 25 years and her passion to help international students get the support they need to succeed drove her to create and lead the sponsored student program at UMN for the last 10 years. She loves to travel, experience new cultures and cuisine, read, watch Netflix, cook, bake, and eat good food with friends. She has a cat but loves fluffy dogs as well.
Catherine Murphy
International Student Advisor
Catherine was born and raised in Uruguay, and moved to the U.S. with her family in her late teens. She completed a bachelor’s degree in International Relations at San Francisco State University, and a California teaching credential with San Diego City Schools. Her 27 years of teaching experience include elementary school, adult ESL, and Spanish language at a Montessori adolescent program. She established and oversaw a student exchange program at Santa Cruz Montessori School. Catherine has also worked in the area of immigration law and she holds a Paralegal Studies certificate. She joined the ISSP team in 2022 as an International Student and Scholar Advisor. Some of Catherine’s interests are traveling, reading, going for long walks, and watching the night sky.
Chunling Hu
International Student Advisor
Chunling was born and grew up in China. Her curiosity about the world outside China was aroused in her teenage years when she started to enjoy English novels and movies translated into Chinese. She came to the Bay Area almost 20 years ago as an international student and studied for her Master’s degree in International Comparative Education at Stanford University. Since then, she has been working as a higher education professional in the United States and China. She has been an international student advisor at Tsinghua University, and also as an EducationUSA Advisor and Cultural Affairs Specialist based in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China. Ms. Hu is happy to share her knowledge and experience and facilitate access to the higher education system in the United States. In her spare time, Chunling loves to explore various gourmet foods from different countries and appreciate the craftworks from various cultures.
Sarah Goldberg
International Program Specialist
Sarah (she/her or they/them) started her journey with international education as an exchange student in Chile and as a host sibling during her last two years of high school. Exchange not only altered her perspective on life, connection, and community, but it also opened her mind to many diverse ways of living and being. It also set the foundation for her career and values. Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Portuguese with an emphasis in community leadership from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Later on, she studied for her Masters in Education with an emphasis on Bilingual Education from right here at the University of California-Santa Cruz. She has spent her career working as a Bilingual educator, program coordinator, and instructional designer with and for immigrant and international students. In her free time, she enjoys spending time in nature or going on adventures with her partner, family, friends, and dogs.