Meet Our Team
Amine Mechaal is the Director of Global Engagement at Teachers College, where he shapes the College's international strategy and leads its global partnerships to enhance educational offerings. With over 12 years of experience in international education, Amine has developed and led transformative cultural exchange, study abroad, and scholarly mobility programs that connect global communities and foster cross-cultural collaboration.
A proven leader in strategic planning, team management, and high-impact initiatives, Amine has successfully secured funding, written and co-written grant proposals, and built strong partnerships with governments, donors, and international organizations. His work focuses on advancing global educational opportunities and strengthening international collaborations that leave a lasting impact on the field.
In addition to his role at Teachers College, Amine has served as adjunct faculty at several U.S. institutions, including CUNY, Syracuse University, and IES Abroad. Prior to joining TC, he was the Customized and Faculty-led Program Manager at IES, where he developed over 120 programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America for 65 U.S. universities. He also served as Assistant Director for Academics and Customized Programming at IES Abroad Rabat, where he oversaw academic governance, led strategic planning, and managed faculty-led programs.
Amine Mechaal is the Director of Global Engagement at Teachers College, where he shapes the College's international strategy and leads its global partnerships to enhance educational offerings. With over 12 years of experience in international education, Amine has developed and led transformative cultural exchange, study abroad, and scholarly mobility programs that connect global communities and foster cross-cultural collaboration.
A proven leader in strategic planning, team management, and high-impact initiatives, Amine has successfully secured funding, written and co-written grant proposals, and built strong partnerships with governments, donors, and international organizations. His work focuses on advancing global educational opportunities and strengthening international collaborations that leave a lasting impact on the field.
In addition to his role at Teachers College, Amine has served as adjunct faculty at several U.S. institutions, including CUNY, Syracuse University, and IES Abroad. Prior to joining TC, he was the Customized and Faculty-led Program Manager at IES, where he developed over 120 programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America for 65 U.S. universities. He also served as Assistant Director for Academics and Customized Programming at IES Abroad Rabat, where he oversaw academic governance, led strategic planning, and managed faculty-led programs.
Jazmin Guardado is an International Education young professional passionate about cross cultural engagement and educational exchange. As the International Projects and Partnerships Manager at Teachers College, Columbia University, Jazmin is responsible for establishing and fostering strategic partnerships as well as managing current and new international projects in the Office of Global Engagement.
Prior to joining TC, Jazmin worked as the Global Leadership and Internship Program Manager for Pepperdine University’s Washington DC Campus. In this capacity, Jazmin managed a robust undergraduate program focused on building professional and intercultural skills to cultivate future global leaders. In addition, Jazmin facilitated the partnership with international organizations to lead delegations abroad to provide learning opportunities for students on topics such as foreign policy, service leadership, and intercultural communication in countries including Spain, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Dominican Republic. Jazmin also worked as the Los Angeles Parent School Partnership Director for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) in order to promote educational equity across Los Angeles public schools and advocate for more substantial resources to underserved communities and schools in the Los Angeles area.
Jazmin holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Pepperdine University. She received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant to Brazil in 2019. Currently, Jazmin is pursuing her Master’s degree in International Education Development at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Jazmin’s areas of interest include experiential learning, curriculum design, comparative and international education, human rights, peacebuilding, international governance organizations, education policy, international affairs, and diplomacy.
Jazmin Guardado is an International Education young professional passionate about cross cultural engagement and educational exchange. As the International Projects and Partnerships Manager at Teachers College, Columbia University, Jazmin is responsible for establishing and fostering strategic partnerships as well as managing current and new international projects in the Office of Global Engagement.
Prior to joining TC, Jazmin worked as the Global Leadership and Internship Program Manager for Pepperdine University’s Washington DC Campus. In this capacity, Jazmin managed a robust undergraduate program focused on building professional and intercultural skills to cultivate future global leaders. In addition, Jazmin facilitated the partnership with international organizations to lead delegations abroad to provide learning opportunities for students on topics such as foreign policy, service leadership, and intercultural communication in countries including Spain, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Dominican Republic. Jazmin also worked as the Los Angeles Parent School Partnership Director for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) in order to promote educational equity across Los Angeles public schools and advocate for more substantial resources to underserved communities and schools in the Los Angeles area.
Jazmin holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Pepperdine University. She received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant grant to Brazil in 2019. Currently, Jazmin is pursuing her Master’s degree in International Education Development at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Jazmin’s areas of interest include experiential learning, curriculum design, comparative and international education, human rights, peacebuilding, international governance organizations, education policy, international affairs, and diplomacy.
Lauren is the International Program Coordinator for the Office of Global Engagement. She received her B.A. in international studies from Kenyon College. Prior to Teachers College, she spent a combined total of three years living and working abroad—most recently, for the Spanish Ministry of Education. She is passionate about international education and the ways in which intercultural experiences can foster better global citizens.
Lauren is the International Program Coordinator for the Office of Global Engagement. She received her B.A. in international studies from Kenyon College. Prior to Teachers College, she spent a combined total of three years living and working abroad—most recently, for the Spanish Ministry of Education. She is passionate about international education and the ways in which intercultural experiences can foster better global citizens.
Victoria Alonso is a current Teachers College, Columbia University student pursuing a Ed.M. in Latino/a mental health counseling. At TC, she has previously held roles in diversity, equity, and inclusion and in career counseling. Before joining the TC community she attended Adelphi University where she received a B.A. in Psychology. She hopes to engage in research with Spanish-speaking populations in the future and has a lifelong passion for language acquisition.
Victoria Alonso is a current Teachers College, Columbia University student pursuing a Ed.M. in Latino/a mental health counseling. At TC, she has previously held roles in diversity, equity, and inclusion and in career counseling. Before joining the TC community she attended Adelphi University where she received a B.A. in Psychology. She hopes to engage in research with Spanish-speaking populations in the future and has a lifelong passion for language acquisition.
Isaac Guzman is a first year Master’s student in the Neuroscience and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he serves as the Global Operations Coordinator for the Office of Global Engagement. Before attending TC, Isaac received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Syracuse University, where he had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain in the summer of 2017. In 2024 Isaac returned from Kaohsiung, Taiwan where he spent a year and a half as an ESL teacher. He spent six of these months attending Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages doing an intensive study of Chinese. Isaac is passionate about expanding global neuroscience research opportunities, aiming to build connections that advance the study of the brain and human behavior worldwide. Outside of the Office of Global Engagement, Isaac is a research assistant in the Neurocognition of Language Lab and an editor for The Blotter, the blog of the Teachers College Interdisciplinary Psychedelics Society (TCIPS).
Isaac Guzman is a first year Master’s student in the Neuroscience and Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he serves as the Global Operations Coordinator for the Office of Global Engagement. Before attending TC, Isaac received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Syracuse University, where he had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain in the summer of 2017. In 2024 Isaac returned from Kaohsiung, Taiwan where he spent a year and a half as an ESL teacher. He spent six of these months attending Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages doing an intensive study of Chinese. Isaac is passionate about expanding global neuroscience research opportunities, aiming to build connections that advance the study of the brain and human behavior worldwide. Outside of the Office of Global Engagement, Isaac is a research assistant in the Neurocognition of Language Lab and an editor for The Blotter, the blog of the Teachers College Interdisciplinary Psychedelics Society (TCIPS).
Cathy Le is a dedicated international education professional with a commitment to enhancing cross-cultural understanding and fostering global learning initiatives. As the Global Academic Program Liaison at Teachers College, Columbia University, Cathy is responsible for promoting international collaboration and supporting academic programs that connect diverse communities around the world.
Prior to TC, Cathy launched and managed a Language Preparation educational startup, where she developed innovative learning programs to meet the needs of international students and collaborated with educational partners to drive engagement. In this capacity, she worked closely with students, identifying key learning challenges and creating solutions that supported their academic and personal growth. Under Cathy’s leadership, the startup achieved impressive results, including acquiring over 2,000 new users, and achieving a remarkable 90% conversion rate through targeted social media marketing on platforms. In addition, her work in admissions and marketing at Teensen Genesis School further strengthened her expertise in building relationships and supporting students on their educational journeys.
With a multicultural background, Cathy was born in China and pursued higher education in both the UK and the US. She holds a First-Class Honors degree in Education Studies from Durham University and is currently completing her Master’s degree in International and Comparative Education at Teachers College. Her experiences studying across continents have deeply informed her understanding of global education, inspiring her to support international partnerships and student-centered learning.
Cathy’s areas of interest include education policy, cross-cultural engagement, language and family education, study abroad program planning&design, international marketing. Through her role, she aims to bridge cultures and contribute to a more interconnected global educational landscape.
Cathy Le is a dedicated international education professional with a commitment to enhancing cross-cultural understanding and fostering global learning initiatives. As the Global Academic Program Liaison at Teachers College, Columbia University, Cathy is responsible for promoting international collaboration and supporting academic programs that connect diverse communities around the world.
Prior to TC, Cathy launched and managed a Language Preparation educational startup, where she developed innovative learning programs to meet the needs of international students and collaborated with educational partners to drive engagement. In this capacity, she worked closely with students, identifying key learning challenges and creating solutions that supported their academic and personal growth. Under Cathy’s leadership, the startup achieved impressive results, including acquiring over 2,000 new users, and achieving a remarkable 90% conversion rate through targeted social media marketing on platforms. In addition, her work in admissions and marketing at Teensen Genesis School further strengthened her expertise in building relationships and supporting students on their educational journeys.
With a multicultural background, Cathy was born in China and pursued higher education in both the UK and the US. She holds a First-Class Honors degree in Education Studies from Durham University and is currently completing her Master’s degree in International and Comparative Education at Teachers College. Her experiences studying across continents have deeply informed her understanding of global education, inspiring her to support international partnerships and student-centered learning.
Cathy’s areas of interest include education policy, cross-cultural engagement, language and family education, study abroad program planning&design, international marketing. Through her role, she aims to bridge cultures and contribute to a more interconnected global educational landscape.