Staff Spotlight

ISSS Staff Spotlight: Erica Coffelt

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 10:59:41 +0000

ISSS Staff Spotlight: Erica Coffelt Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 06/09/2021 - 04:59

Get to know a little about International Student and Scholar Assistant Advisor, Erica Coffelt, who has been working at ISSS for two years!

How many years have you worked in the field of international education?

I've been in the field of international education for about fifteen years. My career started in a 7th grade classroom at an American school in Cairo, Egypt. After that, I got my MA in TEFL at the American University of Cairo, and then taught ESL for many years at a university in the U.S. and online. I'm so happy to be taking on a new role in the field I love.

Where have you lived (in the U.S. and abroad)?

I've lived mostly in the Midwest (Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio), but I spent five years in Egypt, and I've been in Colorado for five years

What countries have you traveled to?

Canada, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Morocco, The Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey. I really enjoyed my time in Istanbul, Turkey! It's a beautiful and historic city; the people were very friendly, and the food was amazing.

Where would you like to travel to some day?

I would like to go to Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

My new favorite mountain town is Crested Butte. Check out this campground! But, I have a lot to discover yet.

What was your favorite subject to study in school?

History and geography

Share a favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

I've been enjoying Ramy on Hulu. I love hearing the Egyptian Arabic and thinking about culture.

What is your favorite take-out food?

I really love Indian food. The sweet potato masala from Kathmandu in Nederland, CO is a favorite!

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love skiing in the winter and camping in the summer.

Do you have a pet?

I have two large cats; they were rescued by a friend when they were kittens. They add lots of love to our home.

What was the best concert you ever attended?

Shakira at the pyramids!

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Sleep on it. Sleep seems to solve lots of problems.

What brings you joy?

Nature, travel, friends, family, and bicycle rides.

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ISSS Staff Spotlight: Diana Salazar

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 10:56:32 +0000

ISSS Staff Spotlight: Diana Salazar Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/01/2021 - 04:56

Get to know a little about International Student and Scholar Director, Diana Salazar, who has been working at ISSS for 4.5 years!

How many years have you worked in the field of international education?

For more than 20 years, I have worked in the fields of international education or immigration law. I have worked at universities in different regions of the U.S. including the University of California San Francisco, Appalachian State University, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. I also practiced immigration law in San Francisco, CA.

Where have you lived (in the U.S. and abroad)?

My family and I have lived in California, specifically in the Bay Area. As well, we have lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Boone, North Carolina and in hot San Antonio, Texas. I have also lived in Costa Rica and studied abroad while in college in Sevilla, Spain.

What countries have you traveled to?

I have traveled throughout Central America, to a few areas in Mexico and Canada, Israel, and in some of Spain and Italy. The art and crafts in Oaxaca, Mexico are amazing! The food is delicious too.

Where would you like to travel to some day?

I'd love to explore more of the United States, especially the national parks! There are so many national parks, monuments, and historic sites in the US and they are all so unique.

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

I have only lived in Colorado for about 4.5 years but of what I have seen, I like Leadville the best. It's a laidback town with a "Wild West" vibe. The views of the surrounding mountains are gorgeous. During the winter, there's plenty of snow to downhill ski, cross-country ski, ice skate, sled, or snowshoe. I haven't been there during the summer but I imagine that hiking and biking near Leadville are awesome too.

Before working at ISSS, what was the most unusual or interesting job you had?

When I was in high school, I worked in a seasonal apple cider mill. It was the best job ever because we got to eat the rejected donuts which are delicious when they are hot!

Favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

I love all of Isabel Allende's books.

What is your favorite thing to cook or bake?

Anything chocolate.

What is your favorite take-out food?

Thai for sure.

How do you like to spend your free time?

When I'm not attending my daughters' soccer games or driving them to and from soccer games and practices, I enjoy hiking, running, skiing, and playing with our family's new puppy.

What was the best concert you ever attended?

I hate to make myself seem old but it's a tie between the Grateful Dead concert in Eugene, Oregon when Jerry Garcia was alive (for the cultural experience) or U2 (for the music).

In your opinion, what makes CU ��«��Ƶ unique?

CU ��«��Ƶ is unique in that it is a such a friendly, collaborative, and student-centered university with strong academics and research in a beautiful, one-of-a-kind natural environment.

What motivates you each day?

I love being able to assist international students, faculty members, researchers, postdocs, etc. so that they can achieve their dreams and goals.

Share something you are doing to take care of yourself during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, I take care of myself by reading fiction books that I never had time to read previously. I've been reading books that were awarded the National Book Award or the Pulitzer Prize in the past.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

The best advice that I have been given is to always try to put yourself in someone else's shoes before reacting to their actions and/or words. In other words, be compassionate and give others grace as we are all doing the best that we can.

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ISSS Staff Spotlight: Mitchell Wolfe

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 11:41:00 +0000

ISSS Staff Spotlight: Mitchell Wolfe Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/09/2021 - 04:41

Get to know a little about Technology Specialist, Mitchell Wolfe, who has been working at ISSS since January 2019!

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

An interesting and unique destination in Colorado that not many people know about is Bishop's Castle. This castle is located in southern central Colorado near Pueblo. It features many stories of stone and iron work built by a single man into a unique castle looking building. I definitely recommend a visit since it is so different from most places in Colorado.

Share a favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

A TV show that I recommend everyone watch is Avatar - The Last Airbender. I watched it initially when it first came out when I was younger, but have continued to appreciate it through my many viewings since then. The show has gained a bit of a resurgence lately since it came to Netflix so now is definitely the time that everyone should go check it out.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I spend my free time playing video games, watching movies, tinkering with computers, doing photography, and going for walks. I really love messing around with the technology around me and using it to improve my experience in my hobbies.

What was the best concert you ever attended?

The best concert I ever attended was the Haunted House Tour featuring Skrillex and Knife Party. It was a 7 hour EDM event on halloween at the 1st Bank Center where the main stage was built up to look like a Haunted House.

Share something you are doing to take care of yourself during the pandemic.

I make sure to go on long walks every day. These are usually through the area around my house late in the evening so I don't really see anyone. Not only has it been good for my health to get the exercise, but I have also learned a lot about the area surrounding where I live. Additionally I listen to audio books during these walks and have currently gone through over a dozen books since the pandemic started just while listening as I walk.

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ISSS Staff Spotlight: Tori Hoeninghausen

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 11:31:20 +0000

ISSS Staff Spotlight: Tori Hoeninghausen Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/09/2021 - 04:31

Get to know a little about International Sponsored Student Advisor, Tori Hoeninghausen, who has been working at ISSS for 2 1/2 years!

Where have you lived (in the U.S. and abroad)?

I grew up in Yellowstone National Park (the world's first national park) and have since lived in Laramie Wyoming, Ifrane Morocco, Washington D.C, Erbil Iraq, and now am in Denver!

What countries have you traveled to?

I I have traveled to around 15 countries. Some of my favorites were Morocco, Iraq, India, Turkey, and Spain. Once the Pandemic is over, I would highly recommend that people visit Chefchaouen, Morocco. It is the most beautiful little village in the Mountains of Morocco. The colors in the city are so vibrant, the food is amazing, and the people that live there are so friendly!

Where would you like to travel to some day?

Someday I hope to travel to Southeast Asia. I have friends that live in Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines that I hope to visit so they can show me around their homes!

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

I'm a huge snowboarder, so my favorite Colorado destination is Steamboat Springs. The mountain is incredible, and soaking in Strawberry Springs is an experience unlike anything else!

Before working at ISSS, what was the most unusual or interesting job you had?

Previously I interned for the U.S. Senate in D.C. writing briefs on proposed Foreign Policy Legislation, and giving tours of the U.S. Capitol building. Right after that, I moved to Erbil, Iraq where I worked as a Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for USAID development projects around the country of Iraq.

How do you like to spend your free time?

In my freetime, I like to be outside. In the summer I enjoy white water rafting with my family and paddle boarding on the lake near my house! In the winter I love snowboarding, and drinking hot chocolate while cuddling my cat.

Tell us something about yourself that sounds made-up but is 100% true!

When I was little, a Grizzly Bear robbed my lemonade stand. Luckily, he left all the money, but took all of the cookies and lemonade.

What was your favorite subject to study in school?

My favorite subjects in school were Chemistry and Trigonometry. Once upon a time I was good at math and even better at science!

Share a favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

I have a lot of favorite TV shows, but my top favorites would be Law and Order: SVU, and the Bachelor/Bachelorette. I'm not ashamed of my interest in silly reality TV shows!

What is your favorite take-out food?

My favorite take-out food is a Dominos Pepperoni/Pineapple Pizza. The crust is the best part!

Do you have a pet?

I have an 8.5 year old cat named Dottie, and she is the grumpiest, but most loving old woman you'll ever meet! She enjoys bopping my roommate's very curious German Shepherd, Billie, and saying "hi" to students during Zoom Advising!

What motivates you each day?

Every day at work, I am motivated by the hard work of my students. Adjusting to American culture is very difficult in a lot of ways, and I believe the difficulty increases for my students, who are primarily from the Middle East. My students are some of the most respectful, intelligent, trailblazing individuals and I can't wait to see how they better the world after their degree program!

Share something you are doing to take care of yourself during the pandemic.

I have started doing yoga with my roommates each morning before work. I am quite bad at it, but it still helps me wake up and set intentions for the day. Sometimes Billie the German Shepherd assists us with licks of encouragement right on the face!

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Staff Spotlight

ISSS Staff Spotlight: Erica Coffelt

How many years have you worked in the field of international education?

Where have you lived (in the U.S. and abroad)?

What countries have you traveled to?

Where would you like to travel to some day?

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

What was your favorite subject to study in school?

Share a favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

What is your favorite take-out food?

How do you like to spend your free time?

Do you have a pet?

What was the best concert you ever attended?

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

What brings you joy?

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ISSS Staff Spotlight: Diana Salazar

How many years have you worked in the field of international education?

Where have you lived (in the U.S. and abroad)?

What countries have you traveled to?

Where would you like to travel to some day?

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

Before working at ISSS, what was the most unusual or interesting job you had?

Favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

What is your favorite thing to cook or bake?

What is your favorite take-out food?

How do you like to spend your free time?

What was the best concert you ever attended?

In your opinion, what makes CU ��«����Ƶ unique?

What motivates you each day?

Share something you are doing to take care of yourself during the pandemic.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

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ISSS Staff Spotlight: Mitchell Wolfe

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

Share a favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

How do you like to spend your free time?

What was the best concert you ever attended?

Share something you are doing to take care of yourself during the pandemic.

Off

ISSS Staff Spotlight: Tori Hoeninghausen

Where have you lived (in the U.S. and abroad)?

What countries have you traveled to?

Where would you like to travel to some day?

What is your favorite Colorado destination?

Before working at ISSS, what was the most unusual or interesting job you had?

How do you like to spend your free time?

Tell us something about yourself that sounds made-up but is 100% true!

What was your favorite subject to study in school?

Share a favorite movie, tv show, book, blog or podcast.

What is your favorite take-out food?

Do you have a pet?

What motivates you each day?

Share something you are doing to take care of yourself during the pandemic.

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In your opinion, what makes CU ��«��Ƶ unique?