ISP Office

Schoenberg Center for International Student Programs

The administration and staff of the Schoenberg Center for International Student Programs (ISP) and the English Language Center (ELC) are dedicated to helping international students make the transition into American college life as easy as possible. Our guidance and advocacy have assisted many students in all areas of their lives while in the United States.

Amber McKenzie

Amber McKenzie 
Associate Director, International Student Programs
Amber has spent the past 14 years working closely with international students both in the United States and abroad. She spent seven months in Brazil teaching English, and has also traveled throughout Asia, Europe, and South America. Amber graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in Communication Studies and got her MA in Communication and Leadership Studies at Gonzaga. She is currently working on her MA in Teaching English as a Second Language. She enjoys meeting new people, spending time with friends, traveling, learning about other cultures and sampling ethnic food!

Tel: (509) 313-5560 or email: mckenziea@gonzaga.edu

 

Melissa Heid

Melissa Heid
ESL Program Coordinator
Melissa is a Spokane native and her parents still live in the Spokane Valley.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gonzaga University in 2005 with a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies.  Melissa loves her job because she gets to meet people from all around the world!  Her hobbies include running, skiing, rock climbing, and scrapbooking.  Her favorite color is blue and her favorite food is sukiyaki.  She loves Hello Kitty!

Tel: (509) 313-6560 or email: heid@gonzaga.edu


Sara Varela

Sara Varela
International Student Advisor
Tel: (509) 313-3648 or email: varela@gonzaga.edu


Linda Olson
Office Manager
Linda graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Washington University. She has been an important member of the International Student Programs office for over 20 years. Linda has visited India twice, and has a strong interest in that part of the world.  She also loves animals and is a dedicated volunteer with the Pet Rescue organization in Spokane.

Tel: (509) 313-6563 or email: olsonl@gonzaga.edu