Our Team
Leadership
Rick Batchelor
Rick is the Director of Learning Abroad where he oversees overall program operations and provides strategic vision and leadership. Rick graduated with a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross in 2005 and an M.A. from the University of Oregon in 2014. With over 10+ years in international education, Rick is most passionate about developing innovative global programs that lead to transformative experiences for all students at the U.
Pronouns: He/Him
Eric Boscan
Eric supports the Faculty-led programs that are housed within the
- College of Dentistry
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Pharamacy
Faculty-led programs:
- Thailand International Elective: Health Sciences
- Nepal International Elective: Health Sciences
- Guatemala International Health Elective: Health Sciences
- Thailand International Elective (TIE) - Pharmacy
- Global Public Health in Ghana
- Global Public Health in Ghana + Paris
- Global Public Health in the Himalayas
- Global Public Health in Peru
Bio
Eric is the Associate Director of Learning Abroad where he oversees student and faculty experiences and programming along with developing training and partnerships. Eric graduated with two B.A.s from the University of Utah in 2011 and 2012, and an M.A. from the University of Denver - Josef Korbel School of International Studies in 2016. Eric has over a decade of experience in International Education and Higher Education, and is passionate about experiential learning and education that can provide lifelong skills for students to have a global impact.
Pronouns: He/Him/His/El
Administration
Bia Goncalves
Bia Gonçalves serves as the Finance Manager for Learning Abroad, where she leads efforts in managing accounts payable and receivable, overseeing student reimbursements, and coordinating international budgets. In this role, she is responsible for maintaining financial accuracy, streamlining transactions, and supporting global education initiatives. With a focus on transparency and efficiency, Bia works to ensure a smooth financial process that empowers students and staff to engage in meaningful international programs.
In her free time, Bia enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and spending time with loved ones.
Kassandra Cruz
Kassandra is originally from rural Utah, where growing up in a small community sparked her desire to explore and learn beyond her surroundings. She earned a B.S. in Strategic Communication from Southern Utah University.
Now, Kassandra serves as the Events, Marketing, and Recruitment Coordinator for Learning Abroad, where she leads the marketing and outreach strategy, designs materials, and organizes events like the annual Learning Abroad fair.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and relaxing with her cafecito while listening to lofi music.
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Program Coordinators
Anna Cushing
Anna supports all Exchange programs from incoming to outcoming exchange students.
Bio:
Anna graduated from the University of Utah with an undergraduate degree in Chinese and Asian Studies and a master’s degree in International Affairs and Global Enterprise (MIAGE). Anna is passionate about international education which led to her working at the Learning Abroad Office as an exchange coordinator. Anna completed exchange programs in both Poland and China, therefore, she understands the benefits but also the challenges of an immersive experience abroad. She always looks forward to helping students find the best exchange program for them.
Jordan Lopez
Jordan supports the Faculty-led programs that are housed within the
- College of Social Work
- College of Humanities
- College of Fine Arts
- Honors College.
Faculty-led programs:
- Film and Media Arts in Cefalu, Sicily
- Theatre, Fine Arts, and Humanities in London
- London Seminar in Literature and Culture
- Honors Integrated Minor in Ecology and Legacy: Costa Rica
- Honors Integrated Minor in Health: Global
- Honors Integrated Minor in Human Rights and Resources: Mexico
- Intensive Japanese Culture in Tokyo
- Intensive Italian Language in Italy
- Intensive Arabic Language and Area Studies in Egypt
- Intensive French Language and Culture
- Intensive Spanish Language in Oviedo, Spain
- Korean Language and Culture
- Families, Culture and Social Context in Oaxaca, Mexico
- Exploring Social and Political Culture in Ghana
Bio
Jordan is one of two faculty-led Coordinators in Learning Abroad. She is a proud University of Utah alumni and has been working in Learning Abroad since 2022. Jordan participated in the Community Engagement in Costa Rica faculty-led program as a student, leaving her motivated and eager to make an impact in her own community. When Jordan is not in the office you can catch her planning her next adventure.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Max Courval
Max supports the Faculty-led programs that are housed within the
- College of Architecture & Planning
- School of Business (NOT Eccles Global programs)
- School of Cultural & Social Transformation
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Health
- College of Science
- College of Mines and Earth Sciences
- College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Faculty-led programs:
- Architecture and Design in Volterra, Italy
- Azores Architectural Travel Studio
- Prosperity Promotion & Entrepreneurship
- Business Development in Emerging Markets
- Ecotourism in the Tropics (Biennial)
- Exploring Sustainability in the Pacific Islands (Biennial)
- Communication in Health Professions
- Exploring Nutrition and Food Culture in the Mediterranean
- Global Engagement in Sports Medicine
- Wilderness Medicine in the Alps
- Chemistry Research in Germany
- Culture, Ecology and Sustainability Field School (Biennial)
- Architectural Theory in Germany
- Exploring Active Tectonics in Taiwan
- Psychical Therapy Rehabilitation in Morocco
Bio
Born and raised in Phoenix, Max holds a Bachelor’s degree in geography from Arizona State University. Before becoming a coordinator, Max worked with Learning Abroad as an Equity and Inclusion Peer Advisor. He has studied and worked abroad in Portugal and Brazil and is an alumnus of various national scholarships, including the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and the Critical Language Scholarship. When he is not working, Max can be seen catching a movie, attending a local concert, or practicing capoeira.
Pronouns: He/Him/His.
Anh Nguyen
Anh supports all affiliate programs such as AMIDEAST, CEA CAPA, CIEE, DIS, ISA, SiPN, SRAS, TEAN, University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center, and USAC.
Bio:
Anh Nguyen is originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and a big fan of High School Musical. She spent the past 10 years living between Philadelphia and Ho Chi Minh City, while traveling across the U.S. and crisscrossing the globe in search of the most-everything everything bagel. After graduating from Temple University, she worked for the Los Angeles Times, then a documentary studio in Vietnam, before returning to her true calling in higher education as the international affairs manager for a university in her hometown. At her current role, Nguyen is passionate about advising students not just on the nuts and bolts of learning abroad, but also on the rite of passage for those who leave their place to learn about themselves. To summarize all her experiences so far, no one says it better than T.S. Eliot:
"And the end of all our exploring. Will be to arrive where we started. And know the place for the first time."
In her free time, she loves to watch the Masked Singers - Vietnam edition, learn to bake and plan her next girls trip.
Peer Advisors
Have some general questions about Learning Abroad? Meet with one of our knowledgeable peer advisors through Exploratory Advising!
Lydia Barnum
Lydia is a senior majoring in Graphic Design within the College of Fine Arts. She grew up in Salt Lake City and has had a passion for graphic design since she was 15 years old. Lydia studied abroad in South Korea at the Utah Asia Campus in the summer of 2022. She has studied the Korean language both independently and through the U of U and hopes to return to South Korea someday soon. Lydia's hobbies include listening to music, photography, spending time with animals, and spending time with friends by playing video games and going to coffee shops. Lydia gained wonderful memories and made some amazing friends during her time studying abroad and she hopes to encourage other students to get out of their comfort zone and experience new things like she did!
Pronouns: She/They
Christian Bruderer
Christian was raised in northern Utah, and studies as a Games Major/Creative Writing minor with a focus on narrative design and an interest in linguistics and localization on the side. He is fluent in Spanish, conversational in Esperanto, and has studied the basics of several other languages. He loves traveling and participated in a Learning Abroad program in London in the summer of 2024.
In his spare time, you can find him playing Tabletop RPGs, reading, and playing a wide variety of video games.
He views himself as a global citizen and believes that every person and culture has something to teach him. He hopes to share this philosophy with every student by helping them to experience cultures beyond their own.
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Grace Steward
Hi! My name is Grace Stewart, and I’m currently a senior in the Games Major program with a minor in Computer Science. I’m a 3D technical artist who enjoys exploring the intersection of art and technology in interactive media. While I love playing video games as a hobby, I find creating my own projects to be particularly rewarding and fulfilling. Collaborating with artists, engineers, producers, and various creatives to create something unique is an experience I truly enjoy.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors. Experiencing nature sparks my creativity and offers a fresh perspective. Whether I’m hiking in the mountains, exploring scenic trails, or simply enjoying time in a new landscape, I always look for opportunities to connect with the environment. I've traveled throughout the United States and to South Korea and Japan. Each location, from my home in Salt Lake City to Seoul and Tokyo, has provided me with amazing experiences and the chance to meet people from diverse backgrounds who help me to view the world differently. These experiences have shaped my worldview and fueled my passion for storytelling through art.
Looking ahead, I hope to continue traveling and gain new experiences, potentially working abroad as a technical artist in the games industry. I also enjoy helping others along their journeys and sharing what I’ve learned at home and abroad. I’m excited to see where my career in art and technology will lead me next, and I hope to encourage others to follow their interests and explore new opportunities abroad!