Staff Bios
Elena Rodriguez, Resident Director, a native of Barcelona, holds a Master’s in Teaching Spanish from Portland State University, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. She also has an A.B.D in Political Sciences. As part of her doctoral studies, she spent a year in Mexico at the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey. She has developed a broad knowledge of American and Spanish educational systems, the fruit of seven years of experience teaching Spanish and advising in American colleges and three years in Spanish institutions
Clara Rodes, Center Director, holds an M.B.A. from DePaul University and has extensive business and academic experience. She has worked in the financial, consulting, and education sectors in the U.S., Argentina, and Spain. Prior to joining CIEE, Clara worked for over eight years at the European campus of The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, where she held the positions of Academic Advisor and Director of Administration. In addition, she has relevant teaching experience, having taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In addition, students interact with Nicola Heath, Housing Coordinator; Anna Sánchez, Registration and Grades Coordinator; Rebeca López, Administrative Coordinator; Tali Leizerovitz, Internship Coordinator; and Elizabeth Pogoloff, Cultural Activities Coordinator.