Study Abroad Office Team

Aline Vivirito-Valais, Director of Study Abroad

Originally from France, Aline has extensive experience in global education. Her background includes studying abroad as an exchange student in the United States, leading student groups in Belgium and the United Kingdom, working at a study abroad center in France, advising students, and managing study abroad programs at institutions in the United States.

Throughout her career, she has focused on helping students find their right next step and expand their worldviews.

Aline loves traveling and has visited more than 20 countries. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks with her husband and daughter and cooking dishes from around the world.

Responsibilities

• Direct the day-to-day operations of Gonzaga's Study Abroad office, including budget management, enrollment logistics, compliance reporting, and vendor relations
• Collaborate with faculty, deans, and campus offices to develop and sustain study abroad opportunities across Gonzaga's schools and colleges
• Provide main campus support for Gonzaga in Florence, including recruitment and partnership development
• Oversee risk management for study abroad programs, including risk assessments and emergency response

Email Aline Vivirito-Valais | (509) 313-5799

Katuska Kohut, Associate Director of Study Abroad

With more than twenty years of experience in global education and business, Katuska is dedicated to helping students explore the world and expand their perspectives. Her own passion for international travel began during college, when she studied abroad in France three times before moving to Paris to live and work for seven years. She holds a bachelor's in biology and French from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from Gonzaga University. Fluent in French and Slovak, Katuska has traveled across five continents and enjoys supporting students across all academic disciplines as they navigate their own global journeys.

Responsibilities

• Manage the development and implementation of short-term faculty-led programs across undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and law disciplines
• Guide and advise students across diverse programs, ensuring comprehensive preparation for safety, logistics, and dynamic cultural engagement
  
• Support prospective and enrolled students, faculty, and campus colleagues across all stages of the global learning experience
  

Email Katuska Kohut | (509) 313-3546

Stashia Kaiel, Assistant Director of Study Abroad

Stashia’s study abroad experience in Spain during her junior year of college launched her career path in international education. For the past twenty-five years Stashia has been involved in supporting students explore new cultures and languages in a variety of settings including the past 13+ years here at Gonzaga University. She has also traveled for leisure and work to a total of 18 countries within three different continents and temporarily lived in two countries – South Korea and Spain. Stashia is married to a Gonzaga alum and has two daughters – one in college and the other in high school.

Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor selected sponsored programs located in Asia, Europe, and South America
• Promote, inform and advise students about study abroad opportunities; educate students about health, safety and logistics; and conduct pre-departure orientations
• Provide support with our Short Term Faculty Led Programs in application processing, advising, and communication with students and faculty leaders
• Manage non-sponsored summer program applications and advising

Email Stashia Kaiel | (509) 313-6454

Colin Stapleton, Study Abroad Applications Coordinator and General Advisor

Colin's international experience began at a young age, spending summers in Ireland with his family. He received a bachelor's degree in international business and Spanish from Augustana College, studying abroad in Seville, Spain. He is passionate about advising students through their own study abroad programs and believes international experience is an integral part of life. Colin is a citizen of Ireland and the European Union, is fluent in Spanish, and is learning French.

Responsibilities

• Maintains smooth study abroad experience by managing applications and their platform.
• Assists faculty, staff, and students in the use of study abroad software.
• Provides general study abroad advising.

Email Colin Stapleton | (509) 313-5891

Julia Boyle, Study Abroad Advisor, Gonzaga in Florence and General Advising

Julia's international experience began while studying abroad in Madrid during her junior year here at Gonzaga University. She recently graduated in the Spring of 2024 receiving a B.A.in History and Spanish with a minor in Sociology. Prior to joining the Study Abroad team, Julia served as an AmeriCorps member at Gonzaga. Julia is passionate about international education, and her time spent abroad in Spain inspired her to advise students through their own study abroad experiences. In her free time, Julia enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with Gonzaga in Florence administrators, on-site staff, and university partners to manage program operations and recruitment strategies
• Advises and guides students through the study abroad process, including program promotion, health and safety education, and comprehensive pre-departure orientations
• Manages the Italian student visa application process for Gonzaga in Florence semester and academic-year programs

Email Julia Boyle | (509) 313-3598