Brad Sekulich, Director
Brad has been at UNC Charlotte since July 2002. He came from UT Arlington
where he worked as the Overseas Opportunities Coordinator for nearly 5
years. He has BAs in Spanish and History and an MA in History from UNC
Wilmington. He focused on Russian History and spent a semester at the
Gornii Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is very fond of Russia,
Mexico and Germany but thinks the whole world should be seen! He
believes study abroad is one of the most life-enhancing experiences a
student can have and wants to see as many UNC Charlotte students as
possible take advantage of this opportunity.
Lisa Baum, Assistant Director
Lisa has been in the Office of Education Abroad since September 2008, making her the newest member of the staff. She came to UNC
Charlotte from San Jose State University, located in the center of California’s Silicon Valley, where she was the Study Abroad Advisor for nearly four years. Prior to her life in California Lisa lived in New York City and worked at International House, NYC, organizing educational and cultural programs for 700 International graduate students and interns from around the world who lived at the house. Lisa received her Ed.M in International Education from Harvard University and completed her undergraduate degree at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. She spent her junior year at University College London, which was one of the best experiences of her life. Lisa strongly believes that the study abroad experience enhances one's quality of life and that every student should take advantage of the opportunity to live and study in another culture.
Esther Hollington, Administrative Coordinator
Esther has been with the Office of Education
Abroad since the Fall of 2001. She started as a student worker
while studying International Business and Economics at UNC Charlotte.
Esther's experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm for international
education easily transitioned her into the position of Administrative
Coordinator. She is interested in traveling and experiencing diverse
cultures of the world. She studied abroad in Costa Rica during the
summer of 2004, particularly enjoying the opportunity to try all the
fresh fruit and Costa Rican cuisine. Her smile helps make the Office of
Education Abroad a great place to visit.
Melissa Watkins,
Lead Advisor
Melissa has been with the Office of Education Abroad since August of 2005. She comes from an Air Force family, so she has been traveling since before she can remember. Melissa attended North Carolina State University as a Business major and Spanish minor. While at NCSU, Melissa studied abroad through UNC Charlotte’s Semester in Spain program. Since graduating in 1999, she has lived in Denver, Colorado and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She also spent a year living in New Zealand through BUNAC’s Work Abroad program. This experience, along with her own study abroad, led Melissa to a career in International Education. In 2006, she assisted our very own Spanish Language and Culture in Costa Rica program. Along with working in the Office of Education Abroad, she is also pursuing a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies, which led her to a Summer 2009 study abroad program in Córdoba, Argentina.
Sarah Blache,
Education Abroad Student Worker
Katie Freeman, Education Abroad Student Worker
Katie is a junior at UNC Charlotte majoring in Social Work with a minor in Psychology. Katie started working for the Office of Education Abroad in May 2009. She had the opportunity to travel growing up and encourages other students to take advantage of life-broadening experiences and adventures. One of her favorite places she has traveled to is the Cayman Islands. Katie has wanted to study abroad since she visited her older sister in Paris, France. Katie anticipates studying abroad in the United Kingdom before she graduates and pursuing her Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Hannah
Lim,
Education
Abroad Student Worker
Hannah Lim is a freshman at UNC Charlotte, majoring in psychology. She was born in South Korea and moved to the United States when she was ten years old. She is currently living in Clemmons, NC. She started working at the Office of Education Abroad in the spring of 2008. She is planning to study abroad in Spain and Korea before she graduates.
