CEA CAPA Advising Directory

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. Growing up, my first taste of the world was through cruises with my family! My brother has played travel hockey for 13+ years so I also had plenty of long car rides across the country in my childhood. I knew I wanted to go to France in the fourth grade, started studying French in High School, and went to Paris for a semester with CEA CAPA in Fall 2019!

I stayed close to home, attending Northern Illinois University (NIU), where I obtained my Bachelor’s in World Languages & Cultures with an Emphasis in French and Francophone Studies. During my time at NIU, I also spent a month in Aix-en-Provence living with a host family.

When I am not traveling or working, I enjoy listening to podcasts and trying new restaurants!

I have a passion for travel, higher education, and immersion in culture. I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. I graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a Bachelor of Arts in History & Religion. I obtained my Masters of Letters in Medieval History from the University of Saint Andrews in Scotland.

My time in higher education led me across the globe, studying abroad in New Zealand and taking me to Scotland to pursue my passion for History. Also, during my time at Hampden-Sydney, I supported the Global Education and Study Abroad Department as an assistant and ambassador for the department. I want to use my experiences abroad, and in life, to help people travel the world and experience everything it has to offer. I want to use my passion for traveling to help people find the best place that will help them expand their horizons and make memories that will last a lifetime. I also have a passion for helping people achieve their goals and what works best for them.

Outside of work, I enjoy various activities and sports including Soccer, Motor Racing, and more. I am a passionate scuba diver and free diver. I also have a love for travel which has taken me across the world to New Zealand, Brazil, Italy, and many other fabulous countries.

Kya is originally from Wichita, Kansas but has lived in multiple cities across the U.S., Italy, and Taiwan. She recently graduated from Kansas State University, and is excited to start her masters in Global Education at Arizona State. She has a strong passion for international education and its lifelong impact on students across the globe.

Kya enjoys baking, reading, discovering new music, and trying new foods.

Danielle is from Phoenix, Arizona, but spent her college years studying in Flagstaff, Arizona and Quito, Ecuador. She is passionate about empowering herself and those around her to pursue personal and professional development, but her time studying abroad ignited a new passion for growth through international experiences. Danielle is excited to help students pursue life-changing experiences abroad! 

In her free time, Danielle loves baking, country dancing, sharing a meal with friends and family, and traveling with her dog.

Ivan is a Phoenix native that recently graduated from Arizona State University. Through his own experiences studying abroad, he is passionate about aiding others in their process. 

Ivan enjoys writing, painting, and going to concerts in his free time. He also plays 3 instruments: the flute, saxophone, and drums.

Brendan is originally from Maine but joined CEA CAPA after working several years of customer service remotely and teaching abroad in Spain. He has a strong passion for education and international travel.

Brendan is an avid sports fan, stays active hiking and golfing, and enjoys seeing live music.

Caelin is a Partner Student Advisor for the CEA CAPA study center programs. She graduated with a B.A. in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of New Hampshire. She studied abroad in Granada, Spain and participated in an internship in Sydney, Australia through CEA CAPA. She started her career as a Spanish teacher in southern New Hampshire where she enjoyed sharing her knowledge of Spanish language and culture with her students. In her current role, she loves knowing that she is preparing her students to have an enriching experience abroad.

Catherine was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She eventually moved to California where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with an academic focus on subcultures and subcommunities. As an undergraduate student, she also studied abroad for a semester in Thailand, where she developed a passion for international travel and intercultural immersion.  

After graduation, she decided to teach English abroad in Taiwan for a year, which quickly turned into five years of living abroad in Asia. During this time, she also received her Master’s degree in International Education Leadership from Northern Arizona University. In her past work as an Admissions Manager for a global internship provider, Catherine supported students in reaching their global citizenship and professional development goals. She is passionate about encouraging students to immerse themselves in new cultures and get out of their comfort zones. 

In her personal time, she enjoys traveling and has visited many different countries including Mexico, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Portugal, and more! She also enjoys reading, hiking and camping, live music events, plant-based food, and spending quality time with her husband and their pet cat. 

Kassandra Carrasco (she/her/ella) is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She is now returning home after three years from Durango, Colorado where she worked at Fort Lewis College overseeing their Hispanic/Latinx and LGBTQ+ Student Resource Centers.

Kassandra enjoys spending her free time outdoors whether it's going for a hike or visiting the lake to kayak. She also enjoys supporting the LGBTQ+ community by attending Drag Shows and other community events.

She is thrilled to be joining and growing with the CEA CAPA team. Kassandra strives to bring her DEI knowledge to enhance CEA CAPA's mission and student/faculty experience abroad.

Nicole Allen (she/her) is from Philadelphia, PA. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in International Affairs and Spanish, Nicole spent two years teaching English to high school and adult students in Spain. She has now dedicated her career to promoting global education opportunities outside of the classroom. Nicole has a deep passion for promoting cross-cultural understanding and community.  

In her free time, she loves being outdoors, trying new foods and restaurants, and catching up with her friends and family along the East Coast. 

Nicole is excited to be at CEA CAPA and working with students to make their study abroad dreams a reality! 

Tomy is a Partner Student Advisor at CEA CAPA. He holds a bachelor's degree in Management from Bentley University and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to CEA CAPA, he spent over a year working as a Haitian Creole medical interpreter and is certified nationally. In his free time, he likes to write poetry and has had some published in the past. His favorite part of his role is connecting with the students and helping them accomplishing their dreams of studying abroad through CEA CAPA.