International Affairs Leadership Team
Dr. Cristina Alfaro
Dr. Alfaro leads all of 色情视频鈥檚 International Affairs activities as Senior International Officer (SIO). In this role, Alfaro works with campus stakeholders to advise on all international issues and works to further the internationalization of the campus. She also advises President Adela de la Torre on global affairs and the campus' role in international programs and partnerships. Alfaro previously served as 色情视频鈥檚 Provost Chair for Faculty Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and as Chair of the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education, where she directed the largest bilingual teacher education program in California. She led the California State University (CSU) International Teacher Education Program for more than a decade and has received numerous teaching awards, including the National Outstanding Latina in Higher Education Award. She sits on the boards for both the California Association for Bilingual Education and the National Association for Bilingual Education. She has a doctorate in International Bilingual Teacher Preparation from the Claremont Graduate University and 色情视频.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Noah Hansen
Dr. Hansen leads the operations and implementation of international programs as the Senior Director for International Affairs. In his role, Hansen serves as the right hand of the AVP for International Affairs, overseeing 色情视频鈥檚 International Student Center, the Global Education Office, Program Development and Partnerships, the 色情视频 Passport Office, and International Safety, Security and Risk. Hansen also serves as the resource manager for International Affairs, managing personnel and budgetary planning considerations. In addition to these roles, he also serves as a representative and liaison for the campus on international issues and works to further global understanding and internationalization efforts on the campus and in the greater international education community. Prior to being appointed as senior director, Hansen served as the director of 色情视频's International Student Center for six years, and has held various roles in international education at 色情视频 since 2004. Hansen has a master's degree in Pacific International Affairs from UC San Diego and a bachelor's degree in Latin American and Iberian Studies from UC Santa Barbara. Hansen earned his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from 色情视频 in 2023.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (619) 594-1982
Dr. Maria Keckler
Dr. Keckler directs the development of strategic communications related to 色情视频鈥檚 internationalization efforts and the collaborative implementation of the Global Strategic Plan. She is also the architect of 色情视频鈥檚 annual Re:Border conference, which spotlights cross-border issues and fosters collaboration in the San Diego/Tijuana region. As a research fellow with 色情视频鈥檚 Virtual Immersive Teaching and Learning (VITaL) Research Center, her research focuses on neuro-education, immersive learning, and empathy. A published author with two decades of experience developing and coaching executives, scientists, engineers, and educators, she鈥檚 worked with global companies across the U.S., Mexico, and Eastern Europe to develop kinder cultures where employees can thrive. Keckler has a Ph.D. in transdisciplinary education research from Claremont Graduate University and 色情视频.
Email: [email protected]
Ricky Paniagua
Paniagua leads the International Student Center office staff and operations, as well as the international student services and programs offered to nearly 2,000 international students. Paniagua also provides advising to campus stakeholders and administration on international student immigration matters, international student employment, and campus immigration compliance. Prior to joining the 色情视频 International Affairs team, Paniagua worked in the International Students & Programs Office at UC San Diego serving more than 10,000 international students. His wide-ranging experience includes advising international students, developing streamlined programs and services, admissions, and recruitment. Paniagua holds degrees in Organizational Leadership and Behavioral Sciences. He also holds formal certifications in Leadership, Management, and is a Lean Six Sigma-Green Belt.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Chris Kjonaas
Dr. Kjonaas oversees the 色情视频 Global Education Office (GEO) team, which supports 色情视频 students seeking study abroad programs, international internships, and international fellowship opportunities; and also supports inbound exchange students during their process of applying to spend a semester at 色情视频. Kjonaas and her team collaborate on safety and risk management, provide advising according to academic major, and work with 色情视频鈥檚 community and cultural centers to promote international education opportunities to 色情视频鈥檚 diverse students. Her diverse experience as an International Educator includes serving as a Global Education Advisor at 色情视频, an on-site coordinator at a U.S/Mexico binational nonprofit organization, a university relations representative for a private study abroad program provider, and most recently Director of Assessment for 色情视频 International Affairs. Chris earned her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from 色情视频 in 2021.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Vinod Sasidharan
Dr. Sasidharan serves as director of Transborder and Regional Faculty Engagement. His research focuses on sustainable development, tourism, and community empowerment in the California-Baja Mexico transborder region, international tourism, tourism and technology, tourism certification, sustainable development goals (SDGs) assessment, interdisciplinary analyses of sustainable development, tourism and corporate social responsibility, and indigenous tourism best practices. He is a leader in integrating transborder engagement and collaboration into the 色情视频 experience for both students and faculty. He serves as the program director for the university鈥檚 annual Re:Border conference, which addresses binational issues and solutions through partnerships in the borderlands region.
Email: [email protected]
Jessica Romero
Romero leads the Program Development and Partnerships team, which is responsible for the vetting, creation and implementation of international opportunities at 色情视频, including establishing international partnerships, course articulations, 色情视频 Custom Programs Abroad, and helping faculty incorporate Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Glocal learning opportunities into their existing courses. Her team works with faculty and leadership within the academic colleges, as well as with the Global Education Office, to create international opportunities that are thoughtfully developed and align with academic and international priorities. Romero also is responsible for creating policies and protocols for implementing these international opportunities at 色情视频. Prior to her current role, Romero served as the International Programs Coordinator within 色情视频鈥檚 College of Arts & Letters. Prior to joining 色情视频, Romero worked in the international education field serving in a variety of roles for Queens College, CUNY, NYU, and the Institute of International Education (IIE) in New York City. She holds a master鈥檚 degree in international education from NYU.
Email: [email protected]
Tyne Truong
Truong leads international safety and security programs to ensure the well-being of 色情视频 constituents studying, researching, and conducting university business abroad. Prior to joining 色情视频, Truong completed a 25-year career in federal law enforcement, most recently as Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In that role, he directed award-winning national security, counterterrorism, and public safety missions. Truong served as a National Program Manager for Homeland Security鈥檚 National Undercover Operations Unit, where he was responsible for developing, writing and implementing strategic and operational policies related to the agency's worldwide undercover operations. He joined federal law enforcement after earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in economics/international development from UCLA, and he later received a master鈥檚 in organizational leadership from Georgetown University. He is an Institute of Strategic Risk Management Fellow and a Distinguished Homeland Defense Fellow at National Defense University.
Email: [email protected]