ACM Faculty - Aix-en-Provence
Cherie Baloche, MFLE
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Nitin Beeharry,
Director of Business Program, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Nitin Beeharry is the Coordinator and Professor at the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs. He fell in love with Provence when he was doing his year abroad in Aix-en-Provence in 1999. After receiving his Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and French from the Colorado College in 2001, he moved permanently to Aix-en-Provence where he continued his studies in Management Sciences and Finance. He has been teaching since 2005 and has been in the study abroad field since 2008. He has taught at the Aix-Marseille Universities, Sciences Po Aix, Edhec Business School, ESSCA, IAE Aix, amongst other schools. He enjoys teaching Business-related courses including Accounting, Financial Management, Business Ethics, Intercultural Management, and French. He speaks English, French, Creole, Hindi, and a little Spanish.
Jonathan Bell, MA
Professor of Music
Stéphanie Bérard, MA
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Mary Boyington, PhD
Dean of Students
Mary Boyington serves as the Dean of Students at the Aix-en-Provence campus. Dr. Boyington first joined ACM-IAU in 2012 and then returned in 2023 as the Dean of Students. She teaches in the Center for French Studies and the School of Humanities & Social Sciences. Her research interests include nineteenth-century literature, translations studies, and international education. She completed an M.A. in French and Francophone Literature at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and a PhD in American and Comparative Literature from Aix-Marseille Université in 2017. Her experience in U.S Higher Education includes directing a residential faculty-led program in Paris, managing programming at the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations at Pomona College, leading internationalization efforts for the five campuses of the Colleges of the Fenway in Boston, as well as working in the academic relations team for a major study abroad provider. Since moving to France, Dr. Boyington has taught literature and translation at Aix-Marseille Université and worked for several study abroad programs, including Syracuse University Strasbourg from 2014-2023. In 2023, she was delighted to return to Aix-en-Provence and ACM-IAU to take on the inaugural role of Dean of Students in Student Affairs. Her experience directing study abroad programs in France has given her a unique perspective in academics and student affairs, as well as specializations in emergency management, student services, and implementing collaborative cross-campus projects. In addition to her duties at ACM-IAU, she is a member of the governing board of the APUAF (Association for American University Programs in France) and the planning committee for the Forum on Education Abroad EAME 2024 Conference. Dr. Boyington speaks French, English, Spanish, and beginning German.
Philip Breeden, MALD
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Philip Breeden is a professor in the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs. He previously served as Dean for the School of Business and International Relations. He received his BS in International Relations from Stanford University and his MALD in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. He also formerly served as the inaugural Vice President of Administration. He joined ACM-IAU in 2015, teaching international relations and U.S. Foreign Policy. Previously, as a senior American diplomat, he spent almost three decades in the United States Foreign Service creating and directing communication, cultural, and educational exchange programs in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He also served as the U.S. Consul General in Marseille. As a diplomat, Mr. Breeden received numerous awards including a Superior Honor Award for his public diplomacy efforts in Tunisia, the Palmes Académiques for his work with high schools in France, and the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University and an M.A.L.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He speaks French, Arabic, and Turkish.
Anne Broilliard, MFLE
Professor, Centre d'Études françaises
She has been teaching French as a foreign language since 2008, in France and Spain and at ACM-IAU since June 2025. Over the years, she has created a wide range of pedagogical content tailored to learners of various levels. She has also contributed to the editing and revision of FLE textbook in collaboration with a publishing house. Her work reflects a strong commitment to communicative teaching and to the development of engaging, learner-centered materials. Anne holds a Master's Degree in History from Université de Provence, a Master's Degree in Public Management of Organizations and Cultural events from Université Paul Cézanne, and a Master's Degree in French as a Foreign Language from Université de Provence.
Suzanne Canessa, PhD
Coordinator and Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Dr. Suzanne Canessa is a Coordinator and Professor at the Center for French Studies since 2023. She is a journalist and Professor of Literature, French, and Music at ACM since 2020. She holds a Bachelor in Musicology, a Master in Applied Languages (English and German), a Master in Comparative Literature, and a PhD in Musicology and Comparative Literature from Aix-Marseille University and the University of Tübingen (Presence of Johann Sebastian Bach in the 20th-century novel, which will be published by Peter Lang this year). She writes on a regular basis for La Marseillaise-Zébuline, Bachtrack, and Cult News about Music, Literature, Performing, and Visual Arts. Her work and research explore the ongoing and multimodal dialogue between Arts and Culture. She is fluent in French and English and advanced in German and Spanish.
Francesco Colin, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Francesco Colin is Professor of politics and international relations at the ACM-IAU (France) and a visiting research fellow at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands). His research focuses on citizens and civil society engagement at the intersection of local, national, and international governance, with a focus on Morocco and the broader Mediterranean. He published his research in different peer-reviewed journals, including Democratization and Mediterranean Politics, as well as various book chapters. He is also a senior fellow with the Moroccan Institute of Policy Analysis (MIPA) in Rabat and a contributor to the Arab Reform Initiative. Francesco obtained his PhD in Development Studies at the ISS in September 2024. Previously, he graduated from the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree "Crossing the Mediterranean: Towards Investment and Integration" (MIM; Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and Université Paul Valery Montpellier) and has obtained his Bachelor's degree on International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from the University of Bologna. He also collaborated with the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Rabat as a junior expert, and worked as a consultant for local and international NGOs in Morocco.
Muriel Cros, PhD
Dean, Centre d'Études françaises
Dr. Muriel Cros is a linguist, a teacher, and a poet. She joined ACM-IAU in 1996 as a professor of French Language and Literature. In 2012, she became Chair of the French Department and Director of the French Honors Program and Summer French Teachers Workshop and in 2014 she became an Assistant Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. During her many years of teaching experience within ACM-IAU and in prestigious French and American institutions of higher education, including Harvard and Vanderbilt University, Dr. Cros created many multidisciplinary courses and programs such as “Crossing Spaces in the Intercultural Contexts”, “Dialogue between French and Francophone Literature” and “France as seen through its Movies”. She earned a Masters in Literature, Aix-Marseille I University (1981), a Ph.D. in Linguistics in Aix-Marseille I University (1986) dealing with the relations between Poetic Patterns and the Acquisition of Language by Children, and a second one at the University of Montpellier III (1994). She was only the second linguist in France hired by the French Government for a national public health research program evaluating Discourses of Prevention towards young people. Dr. Cros’ research and publications have focused on Discourse Analysis (conceptualization of the language used in Public Health) and now on Plurilinguism and Multiliteracies (Creative Approaches and Language Learning). Dr. Cros is also an accomplished poet and visual artist. Her sculptural work explores themes relating to words and space and has been published and exhibited internationally. She is fluent in French and English and speaks some German.
O’Neill Cushman, MFA
Director, Marchutz Program
O’Neill Cushman is an artist and educator based in France. An IAU alumnus, he joined the Marchutz Program of Fine Arts faculty in 2016, after three years as a resident alumni fellow. He teaches drawing and painting, art history, and art criticism. He also acts as the program’s artistic studies coordinator. O’Neill’s art practice focuses on the visible world, primarily in oil paint. Painting mainly landscapes and still-lifes, his vision is driven by a curiosity as to the relationship between perceivable phenomena and their effect on the interior landscape. He has shown his work in private and public art spaces in France, Germany, and the United States. His art historical interest is primarily 19th century French Impressionism and the personal artistic development of Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. O'Neill received a B.A. in Philosophy from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio and an interdisciplinary MFA from Plymouth University’s TransArt Institute in New York City and Berlin. He is fluent in French and English.
Yumna Masarwa, PhD
Dean, School of Art
Dr. Yumna Masarwa is an art historian and an archaeologist. She has been the Director of the ACM-IAU Art School since 2021. She joined ACM-IAU in September 2013, where she teaches Muslim Presence in Europe, The Children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Islamic Art in Europe, Medieval Art and Architecture, and Crossroads in European Art. She has taught at several academic institutions such as Princeton University, INALCO Paris (Institut national deslangues et civilisations orientales), The New School: Parsons Paris, CIEE Paris (Council on International Educational Exchange), and the Paris College of Art. Dr. Masarwa has a B.A. inArchaeology and History from Ben-Gurion University (Israel), and M.A and Ph.D. degrees in Art and Archaeology from Princeton University. Her research focuses on combining medieval primary sources with material culture. She speaks Arabic, Hebrew, English, and French.
Sarah McIntosh, MSc
Professor and Director of Institutional Research and Assessment
Sarah McIntosh is a professor in the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs and the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment. She has taught economics and business classes at ACM-IAU since 2021. Prior to ACM-IAU, Sarah worked for 10 years as an economist in the UK and internationally, with a focus on evaluating international aid programs, Corporate Social Responsibility, and charitable giving. She began her career working in India for J-PAL, where she set up and managed a research study for two Nobel-prize-winning economists. Sarah has a BA in economics from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in economics for development from the University of Oxford. She speaks English and French.
Gregory Mose, PhD
Professor and Coordinator, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Dr. Mose is a professor/coordinator in the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs and has taught courses in international law and politics at ACM-IAU since 2021. He received his BA in English Literature from Harvard College (’92) and his JD from Duke University School of Law (’96). He earned his PhD in public law in a joint program with Aix-Marseille University and the University of Hamburg. Dr. Mose’s research has focused on the intersections of law, politics, and human rights. His most recent book, Religion, Human Rights, and the Workplace (Routledge, 2023) explores legal methodologies in resolving conflicts between religious freedom and otherfundamental rights. Prior to joining ACM-IAU, Dr. Mose has had a varied career as a lawyer, academic, and writer, including teaching at Sciences Po Aix and University of Aix-Marseille. His legal experience includes work as a legal expert for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Conakry, Guinea, and as a corporate securities lawyer at Fresh fields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. He is a retired member of the New York Bar and speaks English, French and Dutch.
William Ruller, MFA
Professor and Coordinator, School of Art
William M. Ruller, Born in Gloversville NY, 1981 received a B.A. in painting and ceramics from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 2007. Following his undergraduate degree, Ruller moved to Oregon where he worked as a production potter and ceramics instructor. In 2014 he received his MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Ruller has been exhibited throughout Europe and the United States in numerous group and solo exhibitions. His painting has been featured in Friend of the Artist vol. 12, Whitewall Magazine, New American Paintings Issues 111, 124, and Studio Visit Magazine Issues 20, 21, 23. His work is in private collections such as Hyatt Hotel Corporation, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Museo Riso. Ruller currently lives in Apt, France, and is faculty for the Mediterranean Core Art program at ACM/IAU.
Sophie Simon, MFLE
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Leigh Smith, PhD
Dean, Advising and Academic Services
Dr. Leigh Smith currently serves as Dean of Advising and Academic Services. He previously served as the Vice-President of Student Affairs as well as Dean of the College and Academic Director from April 2011 to August 2022. He has taught courses in literature and French culture since 2005 prior to becoming the Academic Director after serving as interim director of The Aix Center over the 2008-2009 academic year. He continues to teach Comparative Literature and hasled the January Term Traveling Seminar: Great Cities of Europe. Dr. Smith’s research has largely focused on the Twentieth-century European novel, and he is currently tracing the novelistic representation of the European city. Dr. Smith has extensive study abroad experience, beginning in 1998 when he worked in the University of North Carolina’s Paris program while still agraduate student. He has taught at the Université de Paul Cézanne and at Aix-Marseille University and has worked with other study abroad programs in France. He has a B.A. from Auburn University and Masters and Ph.D. degrees in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He speaks French, Italian, and German.
Cole Stangler, MA
Professor of Communications
Cole Stangler is a French-American journalist and author based in Marseille. A former labor reporter in the US and a former business editor at France 24 in Paris, he writes about French politics for numerous Anglophone media outlets. He is the author of Paris Is Not Dead (The New Press, 2023) and Le Miroir américain (Les Arènes, 2025). He holds a Bachelors from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a Masters degree in contemporary social history from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, where his thesis on the CFDT labor union and immigrant workers in the 1960s and 1970s won a labor history prize. Cole has taught at ACM-IAU since Spring 2024. He has also taught at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs and the journalism school of Aix-Marseille University. He is fluent in English and French, and speaks Spanish.
Michael Stricof, PhD
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Dr. Michael Stricof is an associate professor of American history and international relations at Aix-Marseille Université. He completed a Bachelor’s in French and History at the University of Michigan before moving to France, where he did his Master’s in the cultural studies of the English-speaking world. His PhD, defended at Aix-Marseille Université, was financed by the Institut des Amériques and completed between Georgetown University where he was a visiting researcher and Aix-Marseille. His research focuses on the intersections of defense policy, international relations, and political interpretations of the economy. Since 2024, he has taught introduction to international relations at IAU/ACM in Aix. He speaks French, Italian and English.
Anthony Triolo, MA
Professor and Director, Center for Wine and Gastronomy
Anthony Triolo is the Director of the Center for Wine and Gastronomy and has been a professor at ACM-IAU since 2005. He teaches International Relations, Environmental Politics, and Eco-gastronomy. His scholarly interests center on the relationship between international security and the global environmental crisis with a particular focus on sustainable agriculture. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and has several years’ experience managing sustainable/organic vineyards and making wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA of California. He received a Bachelor's degree (Summa Cum Laude) in International Affairs from the American University of Paris, a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the Université Paul Valery III, Montpellier in conjunction with the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Aix-en-Provence, France. Heholds a WSET 3 Wines Certification and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Sustainable Development and Diplomacy at Euclid University. He speaks English and French.
Marie-Pierre Ulloa, PhD
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs / Centre d'Études Françaises
Anne-Cécile Vidal,
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Anne-Cécile Vidal is a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience in the luxury retail and industry sectors, specializing in strategic and operational brand development within multicultural environments. She holds her Master in Management Business fromESCP Business School. In 2013, she co-founded her own perfume company, PARFUMS DE LA BASTIDE, where she oversees fragrance design, product development, and conducts olfactory workshops—reflecting her entrepreneurial drive and deep industry expertise. She has also held key leadership roles in prestigious luxury brands, including serving as Head of France/Benelux at Annick Goutal, AMORE PACIFIC Korean group, and previously managing sales and marketing responsibilities at Le Bon Marché and Christian Dior, LVMH group.
Mark Warwick, MFA
Professor, School of Art
Erin Yunes, PhD
Professor and Coordinator, Art History
Dr. Erin Yunes serves as Coordinator and Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art History. She is a scholar specializing in modern and contemporary art, with a focus on community-engaged practices and equitable access to digital cultural heritage. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English/Journalism from University of New Hampshire and her Master of Science in Arts Administration from Boston University. She earned her Ph.D. in Visual Culture and Art History from York University, where her research examined the internet accessand its relationship to the autonomy of Inuit artists in the Canadian arts economy. With an interdisciplinary background, Dr. Yunes is committed to promoting digital inclusivity and advancing community-driven art practices.
ACM Faculty - Barcelona
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Cherie Baloche has been a French language instructor at ACM-IAU since January 2024. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of study abroad, her own journey studying French and Francophone cultures—from Nova Scotia to Aix-en-Provence and Paris—deeply shaped her worldview and inspired her to realize the dream she is living out today: teaching French to international students in France. She earned a bachelor's degree in French from Oral Roberts University and a dual Master's degree in Teaching French as a Foreign Language (FLE) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from New York University. Her diverse teaching career spans continents and institutions, including elementary and secondary schools in New York City, a technical lycée in Normandy, a law school in Provence, and an engineering school along the Mediterranean coast. She has also led professional development and language training sessions at several language centers in the south of France. Today, she is delighted to be a part of the Center for French Studies at ACM-IAU, where she teaches beginner and intermediate French courses, emphasizing cultural immersion and communicative, student-centered learning.
Nitin Beeharry,
Director of Business Program, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Nitin Beeharry is the Coordinator and Professor at the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs. He fell in love with Provence when he was doing his year abroad in Aix-en-Provence in 1999. After receiving his Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and French from the Colorado College in 2001, he moved permanently to Aix-en-Provence where he continued his studies in Management Sciences and Finance. He has been teaching since 2005 and has been in the study abroad field since 2008. He has taught at the Aix-Marseille Universities, Sciences Po Aix, Edhec Business School, ESSCA, IAE Aix, amongst other schools. He enjoys teaching Business-related courses including Accounting, Financial Management, Business Ethics, Intercultural Management, and French. He speaks English, French, Creole, Hindi, and a little Spanish.
Jonathan Bell, MA
Professor of Music
Jonathan Bell has been affiliated with ACM-IAU since 2024. A composer by training, he holds two Master’s degrees from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP) and earned his doctorate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 2019–2020, he was an artist-in-residence at the Casa de Velázquez — the French Academy of Arts in Madrid — where he composed extensively for voice and choir, setting texts in French, Italian, Spanish, English, and Hebrew. Since 2017, as a fellow of IRCAM–Centre Pompidou, Jonathan has explored the intersection of artistic creation and scientific research. His work in this area has led to multiple peer-reviewed publications in music technology and computer-aided composition, the organization of international conferences (including TENOR), and over a hundred citations on Google Scholar. As a pianist, he has collaborated with the English National Ballet, DV8 Physical Theatre, and the London Contemporary Dance School, among others. At ACM-IAU, Jonathan teaches the course Opera, Women, and Politics and serves as a Student Life Assistant.
Stéphanie Bérard, MA
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Stéphanie Bérard is a French language and pedagogy lecturer at the Institute for American Universities (IAU), where she has been teaching since 2021. Her current teaching focuses on second language didactics, intercultural communication, French civilization, and language instruction at the intermediate and advanced levels. She spent 12 years in Canada, where she taught at McGill University (Montréal) for 10 years. There, she led courses in French language and culture as well as professional communication. She also worked as a certified examiner for the TEF/TEFAQ and DELF/DALF exams and developed pedagogical materials for specialized courses in medical French and business French. She holds her Licence LLCE Anglais (Langues, Littératures et Civilisations Etrangères) de l'université d'Avignon et des Pays de Vaucluse, and two Master’s degrees in Comparative Literature, from the University of Kent (UK) and the University of Avignon (France). Her academic interests include second language acquisition, intercultural pedagogy, and the role of language in shaping cultural identity. She is fluent in French and English, and has conversational proficiency in Spanish.
Mary Boyington, PhD
Dean of Students
Mary Boyington serves as the Dean of Students at the Aix-en-Provence campus. Dr. Boyington first joined ACM-IAU in 2012 and then returned in 2023 as the Dean of Students. She teaches in the Center for French Studies and the School of Humanities & Social Sciences. Her research interests include nineteenth-century literature, translations studies, and international education. She completed an M.A. in French and Francophone Literature at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and a PhD in American and Comparative Literature from Aix-Marseille Université in 2017. Her experience in U.S Higher Education includes directing a residential faculty-led program in Paris, managing programming at the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations at Pomona College, leading internationalization efforts for the five campuses of the Colleges of the Fenway in Boston, as well as working in the academic relations team for a major study abroad provider. Since moving to France, Dr. Boyington has taught literature and translation at Aix-Marseille Université and worked for several study abroad programs, including Syracuse University Strasbourg from 2014-2023. In 2023, she was delighted to return to Aix-en-Provence and ACM-IAU to take on the inaugural role of Dean of Students in Student Affairs. Her experience directing study abroad programs in France has given her a unique perspective in academics and student affairs, as well as specializations in emergency management, student services, and implementing collaborative cross-campus projects. In addition to her duties at ACM-IAU, she is a member of the governing board of the APUAF (Association for American University Programs in France) and the planning committee for the Forum on Education Abroad EAME 2024 Conference. Dr. Boyington speaks French, English, Spanish, and beginning German.
Philip Breeden, MALD
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Philip Breeden is a professor in the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs. He previously served as Dean for the School of Business and International Relations. He received his BS in International Relations from Stanford University and his MALD in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. He also formerly served as the inaugural Vice President of Administration. He joined ACM-IAU in 2015, teaching international relations and U.S. Foreign Policy. Previously, as a senior American diplomat, he spent almost three decades in the United States Foreign Service creating and directing communication, cultural, and educational exchange programs in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He also served as the U.S. Consul General in Marseille. As a diplomat, Mr. Breeden received numerous awards including a Superior Honor Award for his public diplomacy efforts in Tunisia, the Palmes Académiques for his work with high schools in France, and the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University and an M.A.L.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He speaks French, Arabic, and Turkish.
Anne Broilliard, MFLE
Professor, Centre d'Études françaises
She has been teaching French as a foreign language since 2008, in France and Spain and at ACM-IAU since June 2025. Over the years, she has created a wide range of pedagogical content tailored to learners of various levels. She has also contributed to the editing and revision of FLE textbook in collaboration with a publishing house. Her work reflects a strong commitment to communicative teaching and to the development of engaging, learner-centered materials. Anne holds a Master's Degree in History from Université de Provence, a Master's Degree in Public Management of Organizations and Cultural events from Université Paul Cézanne, and a Master's Degree in French as a Foreign Language from Université de Provence.
Suzanne Canessa, PhD
Coordinator and Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Dr. Suzanne Canessa is a Coordinator and Professor at the Center for French Studies since 2023. She is a journalist and Professor of Literature, French, and Music at ACM since 2020. She holds a Bachelor in Musicology, a Master in Applied Languages (English and German), a Master in Comparative Literature, and a PhD in Musicology and Comparative Literature from Aix-Marseille University and the University of Tübingen (Presence of Johann Sebastian Bach in the 20th-century novel, which will be published by Peter Lang this year). She writes on a regular basis for La Marseillaise-Zébuline, Bachtrack, and Cult News about Music, Literature, Performing, and Visual Arts. Her work and research explore the ongoing and multimodal dialogue between Arts and Culture. She is fluent in French and English and advanced in German and Spanish.
Francesco Colin, PhD
Adjunct Faculty, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Francesco Colin is Professor of politics and international relations at the ACM-IAU (France) and a visiting research fellow at the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (the Netherlands). His research focuses on citizens and civil society engagement at the intersection of local, national, and international governance, with a focus on Morocco and the broader Mediterranean. He published his research in different peer-reviewed journals, including Democratization and Mediterranean Politics, as well as various book chapters. He is also a senior fellow with the Moroccan Institute of Policy Analysis (MIPA) in Rabat and a contributor to the Arab Reform Initiative. Francesco obtained his PhD in Development Studies at the ISS in September 2024. Previously, he graduated from the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree "Crossing the Mediterranean: Towards Investment and Integration" (MIM; Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, and Université Paul Valery Montpellier) and has obtained his Bachelor's degree on International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from the University of Bologna. He also collaborated with the Heinrich Böll Foundation in Rabat as a junior expert, and worked as a consultant for local and international NGOs in Morocco.
Muriel Cros, PhD
Dean, Centre d'Études françaises
Dr. Muriel Cros is a linguist, a teacher, and a poet. She joined ACM-IAU in 1996 as a professor of French Language and Literature. In 2012, she became Chair of the French Department and Director of the French Honors Program and Summer French Teachers Workshop and in 2014 she became an Assistant Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. During her many years of teaching experience within ACM-IAU and in prestigious French and American institutions of higher education, including Harvard and Vanderbilt University, Dr. Cros created many multidisciplinary courses and programs such as “Crossing Spaces in the Intercultural Contexts”, “Dialogue between French and Francophone Literature” and “France as seen through its Movies”. She earned a Masters in Literature, Aix-Marseille I University (1981), a Ph.D. in Linguistics in Aix-Marseille I University (1986) dealing with the relations between Poetic Patterns and the Acquisition of Language by Children, and a second one at the University of Montpellier III (1994). She was only the second linguist in France hired by the French Government for a national public health research program evaluating Discourses of Prevention towards young people. Dr. Cros’ research and publications have focused on Discourse Analysis (conceptualization of the language used in Public Health) and now on Plurilinguism and Multiliteracies (Creative Approaches and Language Learning). Dr. Cros is also an accomplished poet and visual artist. Her sculptural work explores themes relating to words and space and has been published and exhibited internationally. She is fluent in French and English and speaks some German.
O’Neill Cushman, MFA
Director, Marchutz Program
O’Neill Cushman is an artist and educator based in France. An IAU alumnus, he joined the Marchutz Program of Fine Arts faculty in 2016, after three years as a resident alumni fellow. He teaches drawing and painting, art history, and art criticism. He also acts as the program’s artistic studies coordinator. O’Neill’s art practice focuses on the visible world, primarily in oil paint. Painting mainly landscapes and still-lifes, his vision is driven by a curiosity as to the relationship between perceivable phenomena and their effect on the interior landscape. He has shown his work in private and public art spaces in France, Germany, and the United States. His art historical interest is primarily 19th century French Impressionism and the personal artistic development of Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. O'Neill received a B.A. in Philosophy from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio and an interdisciplinary MFA from Plymouth University’s TransArt Institute in New York City and Berlin. He is fluent in French and English.
Laura Drewett, MBA
Internship Coordinator, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Laura Drewett is a serial entrepreneur, consultant and professor with over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, communications and strategy. She has started and managed three startups inthe tech and social enterprise sectors. She previously was the CEO of Pourquoi Princesse, a social fashion startup breaking down gender stereotypes in kids’ clothing, and was a founding partnerat Esoko, a digital agricultural marketplace and data collection service in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, she co-founded a tech startup called Adapted which developed innovative technology solutions for the developing world. Throughout her career, Laura has led multi-cultural teams in over 35 countries throughout North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle Eastand Asia. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she worked on various projects with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Laura holds a Global Executive MBA from Kedge Business School, a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University and a Bachelors in Foreign Affairs and French Literature from the University of Virginia. She is a professional coach for entrepreneurs and students and has delivered courses at ACM-IAU on entrepreneurship, communications, and negotiations since 2023. She speaks English and French fluently.
Guillaume Durand, PhD
Assistant Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Guillaume Durand has been a professor of archaeology and art history since 2002, an Assistant Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences since 2014 and leads a January term Traveling Seminar on Mediterranean Civilizations. Prof. Durand completed a Bachelor in Archaeology and Art History from Aix-Marseille University, and Master's of Art History and Archaeology on Byzantine Studies and a Ph.D. in Romanian History at the Université de Provence. He completed in 2014 a three-year post-doctorate program funded by the European Union and under the aegis of the Romanian Academy (Bucharest) and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris). He has published two books and several articles in French academic reviews (Cahier des Etudes Romanes, Turcica) and in Romania (Historical Yearbook, Annals of the Spiru Haret University). Professor Durand participates regularly in international conferences in France and throughout Europe and maintains active involvement and oversight of local, regional, and national archaeological excavations. He speaks French, English, Romanian, and Greek.
Christine Falgas, MA
Professor, Centre d'Etudes Françaises
Professor and Director of the Student Success Center
Erik Freeman is Director of the Student Success Center and Professor of Philosophy and Religion.He has been teaching at ACM-IAU since Fall 2019. He also taught at the University of Toulon from 2021-2023 and is an occasional Visiting Professor at Hanoi’s Thuongmai University (since 2022). Freeman received his BSc in Anthropology from University College London (1999) and his MPhil in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge (2022). He pursued doctoral studies in the Political Science department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2004-2008), where he was a Presidential Fellow. Freeman has held research fellowships at the University of Bielefeld and the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. He worked briefly in the administrative section of the European Parliament (Luxembourg), and as a manager in the DESC Homeless Shelter in Seattle (2014-2017). Freeman also studied religion at the Vatican’s Pontifical Urban University (2013-2014) and Russian at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (2017-2018). In addition to his teaching, Freeman has published several literary translations from French and Swedish into English, and occasionally contributes critical articles to literary journals, mainly in South Asia. Heis a fluent speaker of French, English, and Swedish, and has a working knowledge of Russian and a rudimentary understanding of Chinese. His main research interests lie in contemporary political philosophy, translation studies, intersections between philosophy and literature, Chinese philosophy, and Mahayana Buddhism.
Matthew Gernt, MFA
Professor, School of Art
Matthew Gernt is an artist and educator based in Marseille, France. Since 2022, he has been teaching studio courses in painting and mixed media, as well as art history courses at ACM/IAU, with a focus on 19th-century and contemporary art in the Mediterranean context. As an artist, Matthew draws inspiration from both moving and still images, exploring how they convey meaning and relate to different forms of storytelling. Working across various media, his practice investigates the landscape as a site of power—viewing it not just as a physical setting, but as a vessel of history, memory, and narrative where social, ecological, and political issues converge. Matthew holds an MFA in Visual Art from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and a BFA in Studio Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. His recent exhibitions, residencies, and grants include PAC OFF at Fuite Atelier (2023), an Artist-in-Residence at Artspace New Haven (2022), Murmurations at La Friche Belle de Mai (2022), the Puffin Grant (2022), and La Nuit Étoilée at Polygone Étoilé (2021).
Idit Gezin
Professor of Music
Idit Gezin is a musician, and a music educator based in Aix-en-Provence, France. She holds a diploma in musical education (Diplôme Universitaire de Musicien Intervenant), Aix-Marseille University, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture BArc, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem, Israel. She teaches, accompanies and directs children and adult vocal ensembles, and leads. She leads musical workshops intended to raise the awareness of various publics to the art of opera as well as to other musical cultures and genres. She joined ACM-IAU in Fall 2022.
Aurore Guitry, PhD
Coordinator, Centre d'Études Françaises
Dr. Aurore Guitry has been the Coordinator of the Center for French Studies since 2022, and Professor of Literature, French, and Translation since 2016, and currently serves as the Assistant Dean of the Center for French Studies. She holds a Master in Literature (Women and imaginationin Shakespeare’s plays: King Lear, Richard III and Macbeth), and a PhD in creative writing from Aix-Marseille University. She has written six novels, some of which are translated into Italian, German and Russian. Her work and research explores the problem of identity and the relation between text and image. As a ghostwriter, she wrote several biographies for politicians or business figures. She has also translated a dozen American novels, biographies, art books, etc. She is fluent in French and English and speaks Thai.
Mohammad Hassouna, PhD
Professor and Coordinator, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Mohammad Hassouna is a cross-disciplinary scientist. He joined ACM in 2014 where he is currently a professor of science and environmental politics and coordinator of scientific research. He previously worked as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Aix-Marseille in France, the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and served as a senior consultant for the Geneva-based international NGO Zoï Environment Network. Dr. Hassouna holds a BS in Biology and Biochemistry from Birzeit University, and both a DEA in Anaylytical Environmental Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry from Université de Provence Aix-Marseille. Dr. Hassouna's core areas of interest include the dynamics and reactivity of natural organic matter, environmental pollution monitoring, wastewater treatment and global change science and politics. He has co-directed 12 master and PhD research projects, co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific papers and contributed to more than 20 international scientific conferences. He is fluent in English and French and a native Arabic speaker.
Garett Heysel, PhD
Provost, School of Humanities and Social Science
Dr. Garett Heysel, previous member of IAU’s Council of Academic Advisors, became ACM-IAU’s inaugural Provost in September 2022. In addition, Heysel is a Professor of French and serves as ACM’s Senior International Officer (SIO). He completed his undergraduate education in French, International Political Science & Economics at Middlebury College and studied at the Ecole Française de Middlebury in Paris. Before earning his MA in French at Northwestern in 1992, Heysel worked in finance and accounting in Boston and Chicago. Dr Heysel completed his PhD at The Ohio State University in 1997 and taught French at Connecticut College, Utah State University, and Lycoming College where he earned tenure and served as Chair of the Departmentof Modern Languages and Literatures. In 2006, Heysel returned to Ohio State, first as Senior Associate Director at the University Honors & Scholars Center, then Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. From 1994 to 2006, Heysel served as Dean at Lac du Bois, Concordia Language Villages French language and culture immersion program. In 2020, Heysel was appointed Associate Dean at Emory University where he directed the Office of International and Summer Programs. His research interests span 19th and 20th-Century French Literature and Culture, the avant-garde, and queer studies. His publications have appeared in the Modern Language Association and Contemporary French Civilization, Stanford University Press, and LeFigaro and has presented in several countries. Active in AIEA, he has recently presented on DEI-focused program design and leadership at the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Diversity Abroad, NAFSA. Heysel is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and has studied Spanish and Italian.
Emilie Kassentini, MA
Professor, Mediterranean Studies
Sihem Khoury, MFLE
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises and School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Sihem Khoury is an experienced educator and teacher trainer in French as a Foreign Language (FLE), bringing her expertise to the American University Institute in Aix-en-Provence since 2021. With a solid background in language pedagogy, she specializes in intercultural FLE instruction for adult learners at all proficiency levels. She received her Master of Arabic Language and Culture from Lyon II University. Her teaching experience also extends to literary and dialectal Arabic, across a range of educational contexts. Sihem is skilled in designing innovative teaching materials, coordinating training programs, and leading professional development initiatives. She is committed to promoting educational excellence and supporting student success in a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
Internship Coordinator, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Laura Drewett is a serial entrepreneur, consultant and professor with over 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, communications and strategy. She has started and managed three startups inthe tech and social enterprise sectors. She previously was the CEO of Pourquoi Princesse, a social fashion startup breaking down gender stereotypes in kids’ clothing, and was a founding partnerat Esoko, a digital agricultural marketplace and data collection service in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, she co-founded a tech startup called Adapted which developed innovative technology solutions for the developing world. Throughout her career, Laura has led multi-cultural teams in over 35 countries throughout North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle Eastand Asia. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she worked on various projects with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Laura holds a Global Executive MBA from Kedge Business School, a Master’s in Project Management from George Washington University and a Bachelors in Foreign Affairs and French Literature from the University of Virginia. She is a professional coach for entrepreneurs and students and has delivered courses at ACM-IAU on entrepreneurship, communications, and negotiations since 2023. She speaks English and French fluently.
Guillaume Durand, PhD
Assistant Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Guillaume Durand has been a professor of archaeology and art history since 2002, an Assistant Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences since 2014 and leads a January term Traveling Seminar on Mediterranean Civilizations. Prof. Durand completed a Bachelor in Archaeology and Art History from Aix-Marseille University, and Master's of Art History and Archaeology on Byzantine Studies and a Ph.D. in Romanian History at the Université de Provence. He completed in 2014 a three-year post-doctorate program funded by the European Union and under the aegis of the Romanian Academy (Bucharest) and the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (Paris). He has published two books and several articles in French academic reviews (Cahier des Etudes Romanes, Turcica) and in Romania (Historical Yearbook, Annals of the Spiru Haret University). Professor Durand participates regularly in international conferences in France and throughout Europe and maintains active involvement and oversight of local, regional, and national archaeological excavations. He speaks French, English, Romanian, and Greek.
Christine Falgas, MA
Professor, Centre d'Etudes Françaises
Christine Falgas has been working as a freelance teacher for over twenty years with learners of a wide range of levels, ages and socio-cultural backgrounds, which has given her the ability to easily adapt teaching content to learners' expectations and needs. She earned both her License Lettres Modernes and Masters Lettres Modernes, option Français langue étrangère from Aix Marseille Université. For the past ten years, she has been running language courses at Aix Marseille Université, including workshops to improve writing skills, role-playing and conversation, from beginner to advanced levels. For the past four years, she has been teaching at IAU/ACM, for beginners and intermediate students. Christine's priority is to transmit a pedagogical program while stimulating students' interest and motivation. She also believes it's essential for them to take an active role in their own learning, interacting with the group in a collaborative way that allows them to co-construct their own knowledge. She enjoys interacting with people from different backgrounds and passing on knowledge in a way that's both academic and fun.
Marie Ferlanda,
Professor, Center for Wine and Gastronomy
Marie Ferlanda has been Professor at IAU/ACM since 2021 in the Wine Studies program. From a vine-growing family in the Rhône Valley, she obtained a bachelor degree in Wine Business and Marketing at INSEEC Bordeaux and WSET certification level 3 in London. Working for 7 years in the UK as wine buyer within wine importers, wine merchants and for the largest off license chain in the country, she teaches wine business, food and wine paring and wine knowledge in French. In addition to teaching, Marie is a freelancing as wine and cheese sourcing expert for international clients. She speaks French, English and Spanish.
Erik Freeman, MPhilMarie Ferlanda,
Professor, Center for Wine and Gastronomy
Marie Ferlanda has been Professor at IAU/ACM since 2021 in the Wine Studies program. From a vine-growing family in the Rhône Valley, she obtained a bachelor degree in Wine Business and Marketing at INSEEC Bordeaux and WSET certification level 3 in London. Working for 7 years in the UK as wine buyer within wine importers, wine merchants and for the largest off license chain in the country, she teaches wine business, food and wine paring and wine knowledge in French. In addition to teaching, Marie is a freelancing as wine and cheese sourcing expert for international clients. She speaks French, English and Spanish.
Professor and Director of the Student Success Center
Erik Freeman is Director of the Student Success Center and Professor of Philosophy and Religion.He has been teaching at ACM-IAU since Fall 2019. He also taught at the University of Toulon from 2021-2023 and is an occasional Visiting Professor at Hanoi’s Thuongmai University (since 2022). Freeman received his BSc in Anthropology from University College London (1999) and his MPhil in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge (2022). He pursued doctoral studies in the Political Science department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2004-2008), where he was a Presidential Fellow. Freeman has held research fellowships at the University of Bielefeld and the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. He worked briefly in the administrative section of the European Parliament (Luxembourg), and as a manager in the DESC Homeless Shelter in Seattle (2014-2017). Freeman also studied religion at the Vatican’s Pontifical Urban University (2013-2014) and Russian at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (2017-2018). In addition to his teaching, Freeman has published several literary translations from French and Swedish into English, and occasionally contributes critical articles to literary journals, mainly in South Asia. Heis a fluent speaker of French, English, and Swedish, and has a working knowledge of Russian and a rudimentary understanding of Chinese. His main research interests lie in contemporary political philosophy, translation studies, intersections between philosophy and literature, Chinese philosophy, and Mahayana Buddhism.
Matthew Gernt, MFA
Professor, School of Art
Matthew Gernt is an artist and educator based in Marseille, France. Since 2022, he has been teaching studio courses in painting and mixed media, as well as art history courses at ACM/IAU, with a focus on 19th-century and contemporary art in the Mediterranean context. As an artist, Matthew draws inspiration from both moving and still images, exploring how they convey meaning and relate to different forms of storytelling. Working across various media, his practice investigates the landscape as a site of power—viewing it not just as a physical setting, but as a vessel of history, memory, and narrative where social, ecological, and political issues converge. Matthew holds an MFA in Visual Art from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and a BFA in Studio Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. His recent exhibitions, residencies, and grants include PAC OFF at Fuite Atelier (2023), an Artist-in-Residence at Artspace New Haven (2022), Murmurations at La Friche Belle de Mai (2022), the Puffin Grant (2022), and La Nuit Étoilée at Polygone Étoilé (2021).
Idit Gezin
Professor of Music
Idit Gezin is a musician, and a music educator based in Aix-en-Provence, France. She holds a diploma in musical education (Diplôme Universitaire de Musicien Intervenant), Aix-Marseille University, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture BArc, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem, Israel. She teaches, accompanies and directs children and adult vocal ensembles, and leads. She leads musical workshops intended to raise the awareness of various publics to the art of opera as well as to other musical cultures and genres. She joined ACM-IAU in Fall 2022.
Aurore Guitry, PhD
Coordinator, Centre d'Études Françaises
Dr. Aurore Guitry has been the Coordinator of the Center for French Studies since 2022, and Professor of Literature, French, and Translation since 2016, and currently serves as the Assistant Dean of the Center for French Studies. She holds a Master in Literature (Women and imaginationin Shakespeare’s plays: King Lear, Richard III and Macbeth), and a PhD in creative writing from Aix-Marseille University. She has written six novels, some of which are translated into Italian, German and Russian. Her work and research explores the problem of identity and the relation between text and image. As a ghostwriter, she wrote several biographies for politicians or business figures. She has also translated a dozen American novels, biographies, art books, etc. She is fluent in French and English and speaks Thai.
Mohammad Hassouna, PhD
Professor and Coordinator, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Dr. Mohammad Hassouna is a cross-disciplinary scientist. He joined ACM in 2014 where he is currently a professor of science and environmental politics and coordinator of scientific research. He previously worked as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Aix-Marseille in France, the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and served as a senior consultant for the Geneva-based international NGO Zoï Environment Network. Dr. Hassouna holds a BS in Biology and Biochemistry from Birzeit University, and both a DEA in Anaylytical Environmental Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry from Université de Provence Aix-Marseille. Dr. Hassouna's core areas of interest include the dynamics and reactivity of natural organic matter, environmental pollution monitoring, wastewater treatment and global change science and politics. He has co-directed 12 master and PhD research projects, co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific papers and contributed to more than 20 international scientific conferences. He is fluent in English and French and a native Arabic speaker.
Garett Heysel, PhD
Provost, School of Humanities and Social Science
Dr. Garett Heysel, previous member of IAU’s Council of Academic Advisors, became ACM-IAU’s inaugural Provost in September 2022. In addition, Heysel is a Professor of French and serves as ACM’s Senior International Officer (SIO). He completed his undergraduate education in French, International Political Science & Economics at Middlebury College and studied at the Ecole Française de Middlebury in Paris. Before earning his MA in French at Northwestern in 1992, Heysel worked in finance and accounting in Boston and Chicago. Dr Heysel completed his PhD at The Ohio State University in 1997 and taught French at Connecticut College, Utah State University, and Lycoming College where he earned tenure and served as Chair of the Departmentof Modern Languages and Literatures. In 2006, Heysel returned to Ohio State, first as Senior Associate Director at the University Honors & Scholars Center, then Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. From 1994 to 2006, Heysel served as Dean at Lac du Bois, Concordia Language Villages French language and culture immersion program. In 2020, Heysel was appointed Associate Dean at Emory University where he directed the Office of International and Summer Programs. His research interests span 19th and 20th-Century French Literature and Culture, the avant-garde, and queer studies. His publications have appeared in the Modern Language Association and Contemporary French Civilization, Stanford University Press, and LeFigaro and has presented in several countries. Active in AIEA, he has recently presented on DEI-focused program design and leadership at the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Diversity Abroad, NAFSA. Heysel is a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and has studied Spanish and Italian.
Emilie Kassentini, MA
Professor, Mediterranean Studies
Emilie Kassentini holds a Professional Master’s degree in Art Mediation from Aix-Marseille University, as well as a Research Master’s degree in Modern and Contemporary Art History from the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès. She began her career in the museum sector as a guide-lecturer at the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations (Mucem) in Marseille, an experience that significantly broadened her intellectual scope, expanding her focus from visual arts to a transdisciplinary perspective informed by the social sciences and humanities. She subsequently joined the Education Department of the Granet Museum, where she spent several years developing partnerships with the academic community to meaningfully engage students in the life and activities of the museum. In the same spirit, she also designed a cultural mediation project for the 2024 edition of the Aix Art Biennale. Since 2020, she has been a faculty member at IAU-ACM, where she teaches courses in Museum Studies, Mediterranean Cultures and Identities, and Food Culture.
Ayman Khoury
Professor, School of Art
Ayman Khoury is an audiovisual director, photographer, filmmaker, and digital archiving expert based in Marseille, France, with 25 years of extensive experience. His work deeply explores the realms of cultural heritage documentation, digital archiving of photographic and audiovisual collections, and the organization of cultural events.
Ayman Khoury
Professor, School of Art
Ayman Khoury is an audiovisual director, photographer, filmmaker, and digital archiving expert based in Marseille, France, with 25 years of extensive experience. His work deeply explores the realms of cultural heritage documentation, digital archiving of photographic and audiovisual collections, and the organization of cultural events.
Sihem Khoury, MFLE
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises and School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Sihem Khoury is an experienced educator and teacher trainer in French as a Foreign Language (FLE), bringing her expertise to the American University Institute in Aix-en-Provence since 2021. With a solid background in language pedagogy, she specializes in intercultural FLE instruction for adult learners at all proficiency levels. She received her Master of Arabic Language and Culture from Lyon II University. Her teaching experience also extends to literary and dialectal Arabic, across a range of educational contexts. Sihem is skilled in designing innovative teaching materials, coordinating training programs, and leading professional development initiatives. She is committed to promoting educational excellence and supporting student success in a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
Michel Lantelme, PhD
Professor, School of Social Sciences and Humanities / Centre d'Études Françaises
Michel Lantelme holds dual citizenship. He grew up in Provence and earned his Bachelor and Master in French Literature from Université d'Aix-Marseille before getting a Ph.D. from Emory University in Atlanta. He then pursued an academic career in the United States for two decades, teaching for the most part at the University of Oklahoma, where he attained the rank of Full Professor. For ten years, he served as editor-in-chief of the international journal Revue André Malraux Review. His three most recent books include Le Roman contemporain. Janus postmoderne (L’Harmattan), Lire Jean Rouaud (Armand Colin), and Figures de la repentance (Classiques Garnier). He joined ACM-IAU in the spring of 2017 and has since been teaching courses in literature, history, and advanced cultural studies. He has led student excursions to Paris, Strasbourg, Berlin, and various sites throughout Provence. In the spring of 2025, he organized a three-day event focused on 'American Provence in the 1940s'.
Anabelle Martin, MA
Coordinator, Wellness Center
Anabelle Martin has been the Wellness Center Coordinator since 2015. She has been in the study abroad field since 1993 and teaches a psychology class at the School of Humanities & Social Sciences. She holds a postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology from Aix-Marseille University (formerly known as a DESS, now equivalent to a Master’s 2 in the French system). She is currently getting an accreditation in EMDR Therapy from the IFEMDR & EMDR Europe in Paris (French & European Institute of EMDR). She works with other French clinical psychologists in a support program for families and special educators, Ecole des Parents et des Educateurs in Aix-en-Provence, and specializes in children emotional development. She also works with social workers and holds mediated visits with dysfunctionnal families whose children are placed under government care. She lived in Colorado and speaks English. Being inclined to other languages, she enjoys learning Spanish and German.
Professor, School of Social Sciences and Humanities / Centre d'Études Françaises
Michel Lantelme holds dual citizenship. He grew up in Provence and earned his Bachelor and Master in French Literature from Université d'Aix-Marseille before getting a Ph.D. from Emory University in Atlanta. He then pursued an academic career in the United States for two decades, teaching for the most part at the University of Oklahoma, where he attained the rank of Full Professor. For ten years, he served as editor-in-chief of the international journal Revue André Malraux Review. His three most recent books include Le Roman contemporain. Janus postmoderne (L’Harmattan), Lire Jean Rouaud (Armand Colin), and Figures de la repentance (Classiques Garnier). He joined ACM-IAU in the spring of 2017 and has since been teaching courses in literature, history, and advanced cultural studies. He has led student excursions to Paris, Strasbourg, Berlin, and various sites throughout Provence. In the spring of 2025, he organized a three-day event focused on 'American Provence in the 1940s'.
Sébastien Llorca, PhD
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Dr. Sébastien Llorca has been a Professor of International Relations and Political Science since 2012. He spent nine years abroad studying in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, and worked for three years in the Middle East—specifically in Lebanon and Syria—with the French diplomatic service. Professor Llorca earned his BA in European Studies (specializing in EU politics and history) from Royal Holloway, University of London. He went on to complete an MPhil in Social and Political Science at the same institution, followed by a PhD in International Relations at the European University Institute in Florence. His doctoral research focused on French and German foreign policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has taught at the University of London and the University of Avignon, and has held a full professorship at Aix-Marseille University (FDSP – Faculty of Law and Political Science) since 2012. His current academic interests include migration, environmental politics, and European affairs.
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Dr. Sébastien Llorca has been a Professor of International Relations and Political Science since 2012. He spent nine years abroad studying in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, and worked for three years in the Middle East—specifically in Lebanon and Syria—with the French diplomatic service. Professor Llorca earned his BA in European Studies (specializing in EU politics and history) from Royal Holloway, University of London. He went on to complete an MPhil in Social and Political Science at the same institution, followed by a PhD in International Relations at the European University Institute in Florence. His doctoral research focused on French and German foreign policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has taught at the University of London and the University of Avignon, and has held a full professorship at Aix-Marseille University (FDSP – Faculty of Law and Political Science) since 2012. His current academic interests include migration, environmental politics, and European affairs.
Professor Llorca is fluent in French, English, and German.
Anabelle Martin, MA
Coordinator, Wellness Center
Anabelle Martin has been the Wellness Center Coordinator since 2015. She has been in the study abroad field since 1993 and teaches a psychology class at the School of Humanities & Social Sciences. She holds a postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology from Aix-Marseille University (formerly known as a DESS, now equivalent to a Master’s 2 in the French system). She is currently getting an accreditation in EMDR Therapy from the IFEMDR & EMDR Europe in Paris (French & European Institute of EMDR). She works with other French clinical psychologists in a support program for families and special educators, Ecole des Parents et des Educateurs in Aix-en-Provence, and specializes in children emotional development. She also works with social workers and holds mediated visits with dysfunctionnal families whose children are placed under government care. She lived in Colorado and speaks English. Being inclined to other languages, she enjoys learning Spanish and German.
Yumna Masarwa, PhD
Dean, School of Art
Dr. Yumna Masarwa is an art historian and an archaeologist. She has been the Director of the ACM-IAU Art School since 2021. She joined ACM-IAU in September 2013, where she teaches Muslim Presence in Europe, The Children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, Islamic Art in Europe, Medieval Art and Architecture, and Crossroads in European Art. She has taught at several academic institutions such as Princeton University, INALCO Paris (Institut national deslangues et civilisations orientales), The New School: Parsons Paris, CIEE Paris (Council on International Educational Exchange), and the Paris College of Art. Dr. Masarwa has a B.A. inArchaeology and History from Ben-Gurion University (Israel), and M.A and Ph.D. degrees in Art and Archaeology from Princeton University. Her research focuses on combining medieval primary sources with material culture. She speaks Arabic, Hebrew, English, and French.
Sarah McIntosh, MSc
Professor and Director of Institutional Research and Assessment
Sarah McIntosh is a professor in the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs and the Director of Institutional Research and Assessment. She has taught economics and business classes at ACM-IAU since 2021. Prior to ACM-IAU, Sarah worked for 10 years as an economist in the UK and internationally, with a focus on evaluating international aid programs, Corporate Social Responsibility, and charitable giving. She began her career working in India for J-PAL, where she set up and managed a research study for two Nobel-prize-winning economists. Sarah has a BA in economics from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in economics for development from the University of Oxford. She speaks English and French.
Pamela Morton
Professor, School of Art
Professor, School of Art
Pamela Morton has been living and working in the south of France for 30 years. She is a professor of art history and studio art who regularly lectures on the art history of Provence and the Riviera. An artist, she maintains a studio in Aix-en-Provence where, alongside her own art practice, she offers studio courses in painting and drawing. She also guides visits of the monuments, museums, and artist studios of major artists including Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, and van Gogh, working with such cultural institutions as the Smithsonian Museum of Art, Columbia University, Kansas Art Institute, and Road Scholar. For many years she has taught in study abroad programs including Northwestern University, American University Center of Provence, Oberlin College, and Maryland Institute for the Arts. She has been teaching at the Institute for American niversities/American College of the Mediterranean since 1999. Pamela studied history and fine arts at Bennington College, California College of the Arts, and Université Aix- Marseille, where she taught in the Department of American Studies. She has trained in art restoration (Florence, Italy) and museum studies, and has worked for the San Francisco Museum of Art, the California Museum of History, the Camron-Stanford House (Oakland), and the Chicago Art Institute.
Gregory Mose, PhD
Professor and Coordinator, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Dr. Mose is a professor/coordinator in the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs and has taught courses in international law and politics at ACM-IAU since 2021. He received his BA in English Literature from Harvard College (’92) and his JD from Duke University School of Law (’96). He earned his PhD in public law in a joint program with Aix-Marseille University and the University of Hamburg. Dr. Mose’s research has focused on the intersections of law, politics, and human rights. His most recent book, Religion, Human Rights, and the Workplace (Routledge, 2023) explores legal methodologies in resolving conflicts between religious freedom and otherfundamental rights. Prior to joining ACM-IAU, Dr. Mose has had a varied career as a lawyer, academic, and writer, including teaching at Sciences Po Aix and University of Aix-Marseille. His legal experience includes work as a legal expert for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Conakry, Guinea, and as a corporate securities lawyer at Fresh fields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. He is a retired member of the New York Bar and speaks English, French and Dutch.
Samantha Mureau
Professor of Business
Samantha Mureau has been with IAU/ACM since January 2017, when she approached the University with a Sustainable Fashion program that she created. She holds her BSc in European Business and Technology at Coventry University. She has been teaching ever since with her own programs including the Socially Responsible and Sustainable Fashion Business Program, What is French Luxury Today? And The Global Fashion Industry in the Mediterranean. Her background is in Fashion and Lifestyle, where she has worked extensively as a buyer, trend forecaster, and consultant for well-established brands. She is also the founder of Planet of the Grapes, a biomaterials company focused on innovating sustainable solutions for the fashion and lifestyle industries. This work centers on developing next-generation biomaterials derived from grape waste sourced from local, organic, vineyards in Provence.
Professor of Business
Samantha Mureau has been with IAU/ACM since January 2017, when she approached the University with a Sustainable Fashion program that she created. She holds her BSc in European Business and Technology at Coventry University. She has been teaching ever since with her own programs including the Socially Responsible and Sustainable Fashion Business Program, What is French Luxury Today? And The Global Fashion Industry in the Mediterranean. Her background is in Fashion and Lifestyle, where she has worked extensively as a buyer, trend forecaster, and consultant for well-established brands. She is also the founder of Planet of the Grapes, a biomaterials company focused on innovating sustainable solutions for the fashion and lifestyle industries. This work centers on developing next-generation biomaterials derived from grape waste sourced from local, organic, vineyards in Provence.
Marie Rebourg, PhD
Substitute Professor, Centre d'Etudes Françaises
Dr. Marie Rebourg, I am a linguist, specifically a phonetician. I am a teacher and researcher. I hold a Bachelors and Masters in Linguistics from Aix-Marseille University. I also earned my PhD in Linguistics - Clinical Phonetic - Phonology from Aix-Marseille University's Granting Institution Location: Laboratoire Parole et Langage (LPL) in Aix. A specialist in French phonetics and phonology, I teach at Aix-Marseille University and at the Marseille School of Speech Therapy as a part-time teacher, as well as at the Centre d'Etudes Françaises as a substitute teacher. I joined ACM-IAU at the beginning of 2025 as a teacher of Phonetics of Contemporary French. I teach academic courses with content as well as practical courses on the French language and phonetics. I am committed to sharing my knowledge and helping students in their learning. I also work on various funded research projects, in my field of research, primarily at the Parole et Langage Laboratory in Aix-en-Provence.
Substitute Professor, Centre d'Etudes Françaises
Dr. Marie Rebourg, I am a linguist, specifically a phonetician. I am a teacher and researcher. I hold a Bachelors and Masters in Linguistics from Aix-Marseille University. I also earned my PhD in Linguistics - Clinical Phonetic - Phonology from Aix-Marseille University's Granting Institution Location: Laboratoire Parole et Langage (LPL) in Aix. A specialist in French phonetics and phonology, I teach at Aix-Marseille University and at the Marseille School of Speech Therapy as a part-time teacher, as well as at the Centre d'Etudes Françaises as a substitute teacher. I joined ACM-IAU at the beginning of 2025 as a teacher of Phonetics of Contemporary French. I teach academic courses with content as well as practical courses on the French language and phonetics. I am committed to sharing my knowledge and helping students in their learning. I also work on various funded research projects, in my field of research, primarily at the Parole et Langage Laboratory in Aix-en-Provence.
William Ruller, MFA
Professor and Coordinator, School of Art
William M. Ruller, Born in Gloversville NY, 1981 received a B.A. in painting and ceramics from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 2007. Following his undergraduate degree, Ruller moved to Oregon where he worked as a production potter and ceramics instructor. In 2014 he received his MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Ruller has been exhibited throughout Europe and the United States in numerous group and solo exhibitions. His painting has been featured in Friend of the Artist vol. 12, Whitewall Magazine, New American Paintings Issues 111, 124, and Studio Visit Magazine Issues 20, 21, 23. His work is in private collections such as Hyatt Hotel Corporation, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Museo Riso. Ruller currently lives in Apt, France, and is faculty for the Mediterranean Core Art program at ACM/IAU.
Sophie Simon, MFLE
Professor, Centre d'Études Françaises
Sophie Simon is a French language instructor at ACM-IAU, teaching students at various levels and participating in custom programs during the summer and winter sessions. She is also involved in the J-Term Great Cities program, where she teaches European culture and literature, focusing on cities and countries such as Aix, Marseille, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague or Rome. In addition to her teaching role, Sophie Simon assists with administrative and coordination tasks at the Center for French Studies (CEF), including correcting placement tests, recommending courses, managing tutoring sessions, and organizing conversation clubs and student field trips. With a dynamic approach to teaching, Sophie Simon is known for constantly creating new activities and visual learning material, and integrating digital applications to enhance student engagement. She adapts her teaching methods to cater to all learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic), ensuring that each student receives a personalized learning experience. A particular area of focus for her is French phonetics and pronunciation, where she integrates simple techniques to help students develop clear and accurate spoken French. She is committed to regularly updating her programs based on students' feedback. She holds a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) and a Master’s in Translation and Interpretation (Literary translation) from Aix-Marseille University, as well as a dual Bachelor’s degree in General Linguistics and Translation & Interpretation. Fluent in French, English, Spanish, and Czech, Sophie brings a diverse linguistic and cultural perspective to her teaching. Her academic background and international experience allow her to create a dynamic and engaging classroom environment, where students use their existing language skills to enhance their French learning and explore its cultural context.
Leigh Smith, PhD
Dean, Advising and Academic Services
Dr. Leigh Smith currently serves as Dean of Advising and Academic Services. He previously served as the Vice-President of Student Affairs as well as Dean of the College and Academic Director from April 2011 to August 2022. He has taught courses in literature and French culture since 2005 prior to becoming the Academic Director after serving as interim director of The Aix Center over the 2008-2009 academic year. He continues to teach Comparative Literature and hasled the January Term Traveling Seminar: Great Cities of Europe. Dr. Smith’s research has largely focused on the Twentieth-century European novel, and he is currently tracing the novelistic representation of the European city. Dr. Smith has extensive study abroad experience, beginning in 1998 when he worked in the University of North Carolina’s Paris program while still agraduate student. He has taught at the Université de Paul Cézanne and at Aix-Marseille University and has worked with other study abroad programs in France. He has a B.A. from Auburn University and Masters and Ph.D. degrees in comparative literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He speaks French, Italian, and German.
Cole Stangler, MA
Professor of Communications
Cole Stangler is a French-American journalist and author based in Marseille. A former labor reporter in the US and a former business editor at France 24 in Paris, he writes about French politics for numerous Anglophone media outlets. He is the author of Paris Is Not Dead (The New Press, 2023) and Le Miroir américain (Les Arènes, 2025). He holds a Bachelors from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and a Masters degree in contemporary social history from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, where his thesis on the CFDT labor union and immigrant workers in the 1960s and 1970s won a labor history prize. Cole has taught at ACM-IAU since Spring 2024. He has also taught at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs and the journalism school of Aix-Marseille University. He is fluent in English and French, and speaks Spanish.
Michael Stricof, PhD
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Dr. Michael Stricof is an associate professor of American history and international relations at Aix-Marseille Université. He completed a Bachelor’s in French and History at the University of Michigan before moving to France, where he did his Master’s in the cultural studies of the English-speaking world. His PhD, defended at Aix-Marseille Université, was financed by the Institut des Amériques and completed between Georgetown University where he was a visiting researcher and Aix-Marseille. His research focuses on the intersections of defense policy, international relations, and political interpretations of the economy. Since 2024, he has taught introduction to international relations at IAU/ACM in Aix. He speaks French, Italian and English.
Anthony Triolo, MA
Professor and Director, Center for Wine and Gastronomy
Anthony Triolo is the Director of the Center for Wine and Gastronomy and has been a professor at ACM-IAU since 2005. He teaches International Relations, Environmental Politics, and Eco-gastronomy. His scholarly interests center on the relationship between international security and the global environmental crisis with a particular focus on sustainable agriculture. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and has several years’ experience managing sustainable/organic vineyards and making wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA of California. He received a Bachelor's degree (Summa Cum Laude) in International Affairs from the American University of Paris, a Masters degree in Strategic Studies from the Université Paul Valery III, Montpellier in conjunction with the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Aix-en-Provence, France. Heholds a WSET 3 Wines Certification and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Sustainable Development and Diplomacy at Euclid University. He speaks English and French.
Marie-Pierre Ulloa, PhD
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs / Centre d'Études Françaises
Dr. Marie-Pierre Ulloa will be leading courses at ACM-IAU on Mediterranean cultural history, and on European history and institutions. She specializes in the cultural and intellectual history of France and the Mediterranean world in a transnational and francophone context, with a focus on North Africa. She works at the intersection of the history and sociology of literature and cinema, using a methodology that allies oral history with archival research. She received both her BA and MPhill at Sciences Po Paris, and got her PhD in Historical Sociology at EHESS, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales. She is the author of two monographies, Francis Jeanson, a Dissident Intellectual from the French Resistance to the Algerian War (Stanford University Press, 2008, also published in French and in Arabic) and of Le Nouveau Rêve Américain: Du Maghreb à la Californie (The New American Dream: From North Africa to California, Editions du CNRS, 2019). She has been a lecturer at Stanford University since 2012 where she founded the Stanford Undergraduate Jewish Short Story Contest, and co-founded the Stanford Global Studies summer film festival.
Anne-Cécile Vidal,
Professor, Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs
Anne-Cécile Vidal is a seasoned professional with 30 years of experience in the luxury retail and industry sectors, specializing in strategic and operational brand development within multicultural environments. She holds her Master in Management Business fromESCP Business School. In 2013, she co-founded her own perfume company, PARFUMS DE LA BASTIDE, where she oversees fragrance design, product development, and conducts olfactory workshops—reflecting her entrepreneurial drive and deep industry expertise. She has also held key leadership roles in prestigious luxury brands, including serving as Head of France/Benelux at Annick Goutal, AMORE PACIFIC Korean group, and previously managing sales and marketing responsibilities at Le Bon Marché and Christian Dior, LVMH group.
Mark Warwick, MFA
Professor, School of Art
Mark Warwick was born in Liverpool, England. As an undergraduate, he studied abroad in New York. Later, he moved to the United States to pursue his MFA. He remained in the US, first teaching at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and later moving to Gettysburg College, PA as Professor and Chair of the Department of Art and Art History. Mark is currently Professor Emeritus, Gettysburg College. He regularly exhibits his work around the world, both large-scale outdoor sculptures, as well as smaller gallery pieces and drawings. Mark’s work is held in museums and private collections.I has been with ACM-IAU since 2015, first teaching Sculpture during the summer program, and then teaching the Thesis project and the final semester studio critiques for the Masters of Fine Arts program. Education: NY State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Alfred, NY (MFA, Sculpture, 1990) The Polytechnic Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England (BA (Hons) Sculpture, 1988) Mabel Fletcher College of Art and Design, Liverpool, England
Erin Yunes, PhD
Professor and Coordinator, Art History
Dr. Erin Yunes serves as Coordinator and Professor of Modern and Contemporary Art History. She is a scholar specializing in modern and contemporary art, with a focus on community-engaged practices and equitable access to digital cultural heritage. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English/Journalism from University of New Hampshire and her Master of Science in Arts Administration from Boston University. She earned her Ph.D. in Visual Culture and Art History from York University, where her research examined the internet accessand its relationship to the autonomy of Inuit artists in the Canadian arts economy. With an interdisciplinary background, Dr. Yunes is committed to promoting digital inclusivity and advancing community-driven art practices.
ACM Faculty - Barcelona
Javier Alcalde, PhD
Professor of Political Science
Dr. Javier Alcalde has been teaching at IAU since 2023. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and an Executive Master in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, both from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona; an M.A. in Social Science from the Center of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Madrid; and a PhD in Social and Political Sciences from the European University Institute in Florence. Since 2008, he has taught in Study Abroad programs in both Italy and Spain. He also teaches graduate and postgraduate courses at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain’s leading online university, where he additionally supervises undergraduate and master’s theses. Dr. Alcalde has served as a professeur invité at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. He has held research positions at the International Catalan Institute for Peace in Barcelona and at Cosmos, the Centre on Social Movement Studies at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Florence. He has published extensively—both journal articles and book chapters—on a wide range of social and political issues. He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Esperanto.
Marc Bara, PhD
Professor of Management
Marc Bara is a project management consultant, educator, and researcher based in Barcelona, Spain. He is a PMP-certified professional with over two decades of experience in engineering, data management, and project leadership. Since 2006, he has served as a lecturer in universities and business schools, focusing on project and operations management, data analytics, and risk management. Marc’s teaching integrates both predictive and agile methodologies, with a special interest in hybrid approaches and the practical application of Monte Carlo simulation for project risks. His consulting practice centers on helping organizations design and implement project management systems using modern tools and low-code platforms. Marc has published articles on technology, leadership, and digital transformation in peer-reviewed journals and business magazines. His current research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and project management. Marc holds a Ph.D. in Telecommunications Engineering from UPC Barcelona and is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, and English.
Arnau Bach
Professor of Art
Arnau Bach (Barcelona, 1981) is a self-taught photographer who was later awarded a scholarship to pursue a postgraduate degree in photojournalism at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). He began his career working for six years with prominent local newspapers such as El Periódico de Catalunya and Público. In 2012, Bach transitioned from daily press work to focus on his first major documentary project, Suburbia, a profound and sensitive exploration of the realities faced by young inhabitants of the Parisian suburbs. This groundbreaking series earned him international acclaim, receiving numerous prestigious awards and grants, notably the esteemed Pierre & Alexandra Boulat Grant. Suburbia has been exhibited globally across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Following this success, Bach continued to develop impactful documentary series, including Capital, AGGLO, and Ban-Lieue, all of which have garnered international recognition through awards, publications, and exhibitions. Simultaneously, Bach collaborated with The International New York Times for two years and was a member of the prestigious U.S.-based VII Photo Agency for two years. Since then, he has been commissioned by some of the world’s most respected publications, including The New Yorker, Time Magazine, The New York Times, Le Monde Magazine, The Financial Times, Libération, Stern Magazine, and Neon, among others. In the academic sphere, Bach has delivered masterclasses, lectures, and workshops at prestigious institutions such as Columbia University in Paris. Since 2019, he has been teaching courses in Photography Fundamentals and Visual Storytelling at the Institut for American Universities (IAU), where his teaching emphasizes guiding students to cultivate a distinctive and genuine visual language that fosters a profound connection with their surrounding world. Since 2021, Bach has extended his expertise into commercial photography, applying his documentary approach and empathetic vision to advertising projects, bringing distinctive authenticity and narrative depth to the field. He is fluent in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, and Italian.
Pieter Ballieul, MA
Professor of Marketing
Pieter holds an M.A. in Applied Economics from the University of Antwerp and completed an Executive Program in Artificial Intelligence at Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2022. He is a seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of industry expertise. After a series of global leadership roles at various multinational consulting firms, Pieter now brings his practical experience to his academic teaching in international marketing, finance, and strategic management courses. His teaching focuses on data-driven marketing & innovation strategies, brand development, and digital transformation professional services firms.
Professor of Political Science
Dr. Javier Alcalde has been teaching at IAU since 2023. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and an Executive Master in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, both from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona; an M.A. in Social Science from the Center of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Madrid; and a PhD in Social and Political Sciences from the European University Institute in Florence. Since 2008, he has taught in Study Abroad programs in both Italy and Spain. He also teaches graduate and postgraduate courses at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain’s leading online university, where he additionally supervises undergraduate and master’s theses. Dr. Alcalde has served as a professeur invité at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. He has held research positions at the International Catalan Institute for Peace in Barcelona and at Cosmos, the Centre on Social Movement Studies at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Florence. He has published extensively—both journal articles and book chapters—on a wide range of social and political issues. He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Esperanto.
Marc Bara, PhD
Professor of Management
Marc Bara is a project management consultant, educator, and researcher based in Barcelona, Spain. He is a PMP-certified professional with over two decades of experience in engineering, data management, and project leadership. Since 2006, he has served as a lecturer in universities and business schools, focusing on project and operations management, data analytics, and risk management. Marc’s teaching integrates both predictive and agile methodologies, with a special interest in hybrid approaches and the practical application of Monte Carlo simulation for project risks. His consulting practice centers on helping organizations design and implement project management systems using modern tools and low-code platforms. Marc has published articles on technology, leadership, and digital transformation in peer-reviewed journals and business magazines. His current research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and project management. Marc holds a Ph.D. in Telecommunications Engineering from UPC Barcelona and is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, and English.
Arnau Bach
Professor of Art
Arnau Bach (Barcelona, 1981) is a self-taught photographer who was later awarded a scholarship to pursue a postgraduate degree in photojournalism at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). He began his career working for six years with prominent local newspapers such as El Periódico de Catalunya and Público. In 2012, Bach transitioned from daily press work to focus on his first major documentary project, Suburbia, a profound and sensitive exploration of the realities faced by young inhabitants of the Parisian suburbs. This groundbreaking series earned him international acclaim, receiving numerous prestigious awards and grants, notably the esteemed Pierre & Alexandra Boulat Grant. Suburbia has been exhibited globally across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Following this success, Bach continued to develop impactful documentary series, including Capital, AGGLO, and Ban-Lieue, all of which have garnered international recognition through awards, publications, and exhibitions. Simultaneously, Bach collaborated with The International New York Times for two years and was a member of the prestigious U.S.-based VII Photo Agency for two years. Since then, he has been commissioned by some of the world’s most respected publications, including The New Yorker, Time Magazine, The New York Times, Le Monde Magazine, The Financial Times, Libération, Stern Magazine, and Neon, among others. In the academic sphere, Bach has delivered masterclasses, lectures, and workshops at prestigious institutions such as Columbia University in Paris. Since 2019, he has been teaching courses in Photography Fundamentals and Visual Storytelling at the Institut for American Universities (IAU), where his teaching emphasizes guiding students to cultivate a distinctive and genuine visual language that fosters a profound connection with their surrounding world. Since 2021, Bach has extended his expertise into commercial photography, applying his documentary approach and empathetic vision to advertising projects, bringing distinctive authenticity and narrative depth to the field. He is fluent in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, and Italian.
Pieter Ballieul, MA
Professor of Marketing
Pieter holds an M.A. in Applied Economics from the University of Antwerp and completed an Executive Program in Artificial Intelligence at Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2022. He is a seasoned marketing professional with over 15 years of industry expertise. After a series of global leadership roles at various multinational consulting firms, Pieter now brings his practical experience to his academic teaching in international marketing, finance, and strategic management courses. His teaching focuses on data-driven marketing & innovation strategies, brand development, and digital transformation professional services firms.
Cristina Bonet, MBA
Professor of Business
Cristina Bonet is a seasoned marketing and business lecturer with over 28 years of experience across the leisure, tourism, hospitality, real estate, and retail sectors. She currently teaches marketing, advertising and business management at institutions such as Universitat Rovira i Virgili, La Salle Universitat Ramon Llull, Toulouse Business School, and the Institute of American Universities, among others. Cristina has held senior roles, including Marketing Director for EMEA and Global Clients at BIC, where she led international strategies for brands such as Hilton, Accor, and Ferrari. Her expertise spans strategic and digital marketing, international sales, brand management, and innovation. Cristina holds an MBA from ESADE, a Master’s in E-Commerce and Digital Marketing from EAE Business School, and a bachelor’s in Advertising and Public Relations from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. She is currently a PhD candidate, researching the links between artificial intelligence, branding, and consumer behavior. Passionate about mentorship and consultancy, Cristina is dedicated to fostering professional growth and innovation in her students and clients.
Estevão Bosco, PhD
Chair of Social Sciences
Dr. Estevão Bosco is a professor of sociology and political science. He has held academic positions at universities in the United Kingdom (University of Sussex), Germany (Free University of Berlin), and Brazil (University of São Paulo and State University of Campinas). Professor Bosco also designed and currently coordinates the MA in Environment and Society at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (Brazil campus). After completing a Bachelor and a Teaching Qualification in Social Sciences (2009), with a focus on Sociology and Political Science, at São Paulo State University, Bosco earned an MA (2011) and a PhD (2016) in Sociology at the State University of Campinas; he was also a PhD Visiting Fellow at the Free University of Berlin (2013–2014). Dr. Bosco’s work concerns the implications of cultural globalization and global environmental challenges for the theories of social action and social change. It falls into critical theory, hermeneutics, and related interdisciplinary fields, including intercultural communication, environmental sociology and politics, and post-colonial studies. More recently, he has developed an interest in the sociological implications of digital communication and artificial intelligence. His publications appear in English, Portuguese, and French. In addition to these languages, Bosco is fluent in Spanish and has passive proficiency in Catalan, German, and Italian.
Mary MacKenty, PhD
Professor of Communication
Mary MacKenty, Ph.D., is a specialist in facilitating intercultural learning during student exchanges. Originally from the U.S., Mary has extensive experience living abroad in eight countries across Latin American and Europe. She holds a BA in International Relations and Spanish from Syracuse University, an M.A in European Culture, and a Ph.D. in Education from the Autonomous University of Madrid. She is a professor of Intercultural Communication, Communication and Gender, Developing Intercultural Competence at IAU as well as International Service Learning for other exchange programs. Her focus is on experiential learning and encouraging students to interact with the local community while abroad.
Professor of Business
Cristina Bonet is a seasoned marketing and business lecturer with over 28 years of experience across the leisure, tourism, hospitality, real estate, and retail sectors. She currently teaches marketing, advertising and business management at institutions such as Universitat Rovira i Virgili, La Salle Universitat Ramon Llull, Toulouse Business School, and the Institute of American Universities, among others. Cristina has held senior roles, including Marketing Director for EMEA and Global Clients at BIC, where she led international strategies for brands such as Hilton, Accor, and Ferrari. Her expertise spans strategic and digital marketing, international sales, brand management, and innovation. Cristina holds an MBA from ESADE, a Master’s in E-Commerce and Digital Marketing from EAE Business School, and a bachelor’s in Advertising and Public Relations from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. She is currently a PhD candidate, researching the links between artificial intelligence, branding, and consumer behavior. Passionate about mentorship and consultancy, Cristina is dedicated to fostering professional growth and innovation in her students and clients.
Estevão Bosco, PhD
Chair of Social Sciences
Dr. Estevão Bosco is a professor of sociology and political science. He has held academic positions at universities in the United Kingdom (University of Sussex), Germany (Free University of Berlin), and Brazil (University of São Paulo and State University of Campinas). Professor Bosco also designed and currently coordinates the MA in Environment and Society at the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (Brazil campus). After completing a Bachelor and a Teaching Qualification in Social Sciences (2009), with a focus on Sociology and Political Science, at São Paulo State University, Bosco earned an MA (2011) and a PhD (2016) in Sociology at the State University of Campinas; he was also a PhD Visiting Fellow at the Free University of Berlin (2013–2014). Dr. Bosco’s work concerns the implications of cultural globalization and global environmental challenges for the theories of social action and social change. It falls into critical theory, hermeneutics, and related interdisciplinary fields, including intercultural communication, environmental sociology and politics, and post-colonial studies. More recently, he has developed an interest in the sociological implications of digital communication and artificial intelligence. His publications appear in English, Portuguese, and French. In addition to these languages, Bosco is fluent in Spanish and has passive proficiency in Catalan, German, and Italian.
Laura Carrera Castilla, MA
Professor of Spanish
Laura Carrera Castilla is an experienced Spanish Language Lecturer who has been teaching at the Institute for American Universities (IAU) in Barcelona since 2021. She holds a BA in Spanish Philology from Universidad de Barcelona, and a Master’s degree in Hispanic Philology from the University of Barcelona, complemented by postgraduate training in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (E/LE) and accreditation as a DELE examiner for levels A1-A2/B1 and B2 by the Instituto Cervantes. With over 20 years of professional experience, Laura has taught Spanish to students from around the world, working in both Spain and the United States. Her international teaching background includes serving as a visiting high school teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada, through the Spanish Ministry of Education’s Visiting Teachers Program, as well as extensive experience delivering intensive, extensive, and immersion courses to learners of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds. In addition to her teaching career, Laura has demonstrated strong entrepreneurial skills by founding her own online Spanish language company in 2022, where she designed innovative learning programs and resources for students globally. Laura’s expertise encompasses curriculum development, student engagement, and immersive instruction tailored to international audiences, reflecting her commitment to high-quality, culturally responsive language education.
Mais Chaban
Associate Academic Coordinator
I hold a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Aleppo and have several years of teaching experience in Syria, the UAE, and Spain. I currently work in the academic department at ACM while pursuing a Master’s degree in Education. My interests include language education, student-centered learning, and academic development in multicultural settings.
Julia Cher
Professor of Business
Jessica Dear, MA
Professor of Psychology
Professor of Spanish
Laura Carrera Castilla is an experienced Spanish Language Lecturer who has been teaching at the Institute for American Universities (IAU) in Barcelona since 2021. She holds a BA in Spanish Philology from Universidad de Barcelona, and a Master’s degree in Hispanic Philology from the University of Barcelona, complemented by postgraduate training in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (E/LE) and accreditation as a DELE examiner for levels A1-A2/B1 and B2 by the Instituto Cervantes. With over 20 years of professional experience, Laura has taught Spanish to students from around the world, working in both Spain and the United States. Her international teaching background includes serving as a visiting high school teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada, through the Spanish Ministry of Education’s Visiting Teachers Program, as well as extensive experience delivering intensive, extensive, and immersion courses to learners of diverse ages and cultural backgrounds. In addition to her teaching career, Laura has demonstrated strong entrepreneurial skills by founding her own online Spanish language company in 2022, where she designed innovative learning programs and resources for students globally. Laura’s expertise encompasses curriculum development, student engagement, and immersive instruction tailored to international audiences, reflecting her commitment to high-quality, culturally responsive language education.
Mais Chaban
Associate Academic Coordinator
I hold a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Aleppo and have several years of teaching experience in Syria, the UAE, and Spain. I currently work in the academic department at ACM while pursuing a Master’s degree in Education. My interests include language education, student-centered learning, and academic development in multicultural settings.
Julia Cher
Professor of Business
Júlia Cher is a fashion and business strategist with over 25 years of international experience in the luxury and apparel industries. She has held leadership roles at Dikton’s, Sita Murt, and Pronovias Group, driving brand transformations and global expansion. Since 2019, she has focused on higher education, bringing a practitioner’s perspective to the classroom. In 2025, she founded MØRKE, a purpose-driven fashion brand inspired by dark elegance and Northern rituals, known for its sculptural silhouettes and limited-edition collections. Júlia is currently pursuing a PhD in collaborative leadership, exploring inclusive, future-facing approaches to management. Her teaching blends strategic insight with industry relevance, empowering students to build brands that are both visionary and responsible.
Marta Darder, PhD
Professor of Art History
Marta Darder, PhD
Professor of Art History
Marta Darder is a poet, indisciplinary and independent artist and curator, professor, and researcher. Marta develops works according to the intrinsic necessities of each project and lives in permanent hybridization between visual and textual arts. Passionate about semantics and obsessed with the freedom of action. Cultural management and artivism are another path of expression. The way, the spaces between, the journey are the objective. PhD in Classical Philology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona – UAB (1993). Licentiate Degree in Fine Arts (5-year degree), University of Barcelona – UB (2001). Licentiate Degree in Classical Philology (intensive, 5-year degree), UAB (1986). Master’s Degree and Third Cycle, «Languages of the Ancient World» and «Techniques in Editing», UAB (1986-88). Diploma in Sculpture, Escola d’Arts i Oficis (School of Applied Arts), Diputació de Barcelona – Barcelona Province Council (1996). CAP – Certificat d’Aptitud Pedagògica (teaching qualification for secondary education), UAB (1986)
Jessica Dear, MA
Professor of Psychology
Jessica Dear is a psychologist and international educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. She earned her bachelor's in Psychology from ITESO in Guadalajara, Mexico. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Walden University and another master's in International Education from Framingham State University. She currently works as an online therapist with expats around the world who are having difficulty adjusting to new cultures, mixed-nationalities couples, and daily struggles. She teaches Social Psychology and Human Development in Cultural Contexts.
Willow Frederick, MA
Professor of Psychology
Willow Frederick, MA
Professor of Psychology
Willow teaches several psychology courses at ACM-IAU, most notably Human Sexuality and Positive Psychology & Happiness. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from New York University as well as two masters degrees: one in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and the other in Sex and Couples Therapy, from the University of Barcelona. She is originally from Pennsylvania, US, and moved to Spain on a Fulbright scholarship before she found her passion for teaching. She helps individuals and couples work through their emotional and relational
difficulties, while learning to embrace their sexual identities without shame. She also focuses on mindfulness and practical, everyday skills to help clients and students live more present and embodied lives, which in turn aids in reducing anxiety and building self-esteem and self-awareness. In her time outside the classroom, she leads workshops in Barcelona on topics related to dating, relationships, and sexuality. Willow’s trauma-informed, inclusive approach counteracts the harmful myths and beliefs folks carry while living in a society where sexual content is everywhere yet sex is too taboo to discuss openly. Both the sexuality and positive psychology courses break down mental health stigma by cultivating emotional intelligence and resilience, and providing students with real-world resources they can use during their study abroad experience and when they return to the US. She speaks English and Spanish.
Victor Gersten, M.S., EA, CFP®, MPAS™
Adjunct Professor of Business
Victor E. Gersten, M.S., EA, CFP®, MPAS™, is a dynamic business leader, experienced financial planner, and passionate educator with over 15 years of experience spanning financial planning, business administration, and international education. As an adjunct professor at the Institute for American Universities in Barcelona, he teaches International Business, Global Business Ethics, and MBA-level Financial Management and Accounting, blending real-world insights with student-centered learning. Outside academia, Victor is the founder and principal of Gersten Financial Planning Inc., where he provides fiduciary cross-border investment and tax strategies between the U.S. and Spain, managing assets exceeding $50 million. He holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from San Diego State University, as well as multiple advanced degrees, including an M.S. in Global Business Leadership from the University of San Diego and an expected M.S. in Personal Financial Planning from the College of Financial Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner® and an IRS Enrolled Agent, combining technical expertise with a commitment to lifelong learning. Victor’s educational research focuses on integrating experiential learning into business and finance curricula, enhancing cross-cultural financial literacy, and promoting ethical business practices globally. A strong advocate for active learning and mentorship, he is passionate about guiding students on research and training projects related to financial well-being, international business strategy, and leadership development. Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Victor is an avid traveler with a personal goal of visiting 60 countries by next year. He brings this global perspective into every classroom discussion, inspiring students to connect theory to practice and to think expansively about their role as future business leaders in an interconnected world.
Adjunct Professor of Business
Victor E. Gersten, M.S., EA, CFP®, MPAS™, is a dynamic business leader, experienced financial planner, and passionate educator with over 15 years of experience spanning financial planning, business administration, and international education. As an adjunct professor at the Institute for American Universities in Barcelona, he teaches International Business, Global Business Ethics, and MBA-level Financial Management and Accounting, blending real-world insights with student-centered learning. Outside academia, Victor is the founder and principal of Gersten Financial Planning Inc., where he provides fiduciary cross-border investment and tax strategies between the U.S. and Spain, managing assets exceeding $50 million. He holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from San Diego State University, as well as multiple advanced degrees, including an M.S. in Global Business Leadership from the University of San Diego and an expected M.S. in Personal Financial Planning from the College of Financial Planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner® and an IRS Enrolled Agent, combining technical expertise with a commitment to lifelong learning. Victor’s educational research focuses on integrating experiential learning into business and finance curricula, enhancing cross-cultural financial literacy, and promoting ethical business practices globally. A strong advocate for active learning and mentorship, he is passionate about guiding students on research and training projects related to financial well-being, international business strategy, and leadership development. Beyond his professional and academic pursuits, Victor is an avid traveler with a personal goal of visiting 60 countries by next year. He brings this global perspective into every classroom discussion, inspiring students to connect theory to practice and to think expansively about their role as future business leaders in an interconnected world.
Adriana L. García, MA
Internship Coordinator
Ricard Gonzalez, MA
Professor of Communication
Ricard Gonzalez is a journalist and political analyst, who specializes in the Arab World based in Barcelona. He joined IAU in Barcelona in 2024, where he teaches courses on media. Gonzalez started his journalistic career as a correspondent in Washington DC for the Spanish newspaper EL MUNDO in 2007. He has also been correspondent in Egypt and Tunisia and collaborated with several media, such as the Spanish newspaper EL PAIS, BBC Arabic or the Argentinian newspaper La Nacion. He is author of the book “Rise and Fall of the Muslim Brotherhood”. He completed a M.A. in International Affairs in SAIS School at Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. He speaks fluently Catalan, Spanish, English, French, Arabic and Italian.
Siobhan Hayes, MA
Student Affairs and Wellness Coordinator
Kay Hernandez Figueras, MA
Academic Director
Kay Hernandez Figueras is the Academic Director at IAU’s Barcelona Center, and has been with ACM-IAU since 2022. In this role, she leads the academic operations of the center, including faculty coordination, curriculum development, and student academic support. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Kay also teaches Music Therapy at IAU Barcelona, where she integrates her background in the arts and education. Prior to joining IAU, she held various teaching and coordination roles in schools, international education programs, and language institutions. She also brings valuable experience from the private and cultural sectors, having worked as a project manager and coordinator for international clients as well as in performing art production companies. Kay holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Production and Communication from Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull, and a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre from the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. Her academic interests include intercultural communication, international education, and the use of creative arts in pedagogy and well-being. She is fluent in Catalan, Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
Fadi Ismail, CFA, CMT
Professor of Business
Fadi Ismail, CFA, CMT is a finance professional and academic with over two decades of experience in global investment management and education. He has served in senior advisory roles at leading financial institutions including Deutsche Bank and HSBC Private Bank in Geneva, where he advised ultra-high-net-worth clients, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices on portfolio strategy, risk management, and multi-asset investment solutions across equities, derivatives, fixed income, and currencies. Alongside his industry career, Fadi has cultivated a strong academic profile. He is currently a business professor at the IAU where he teaches Financial Investments as well as Courses in Operations Management and Marketing. He was also a CFA instructor at the Institut Supérieur de Formation Bancaire in Geneva, focusing on equity investments, derivatives, and portfolio management. Fadi holds a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick, with a dissertation on derivatives market regulation. He also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Bristol. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Market Technician (CMT), fluent in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Italian, with working knowledge of Russian. He has a passion for outdoor sports including Freediving and Climbing.
Mark Kabban, Ed.L.D.
Professor
Mark Kabban is the founder of Examined Leadership Collective, an adult development practice for educators and cross-sector leaders. He earned his BA in Political Science and International Studies from Baker University. He got his masters in Education from Harvard University, where he also completed his PhD in Education/Behavioral Psychology. He designs constructivist experiences for leaders across a wide range of organizations, from MIT and Major League Soccer to numerous urban school districts and international nonprofits. Previously, Mark served as CEO of Yalla SD, an academy dedicated to U.S.-based refugee andmigrant youth specializing in deeper learning and competitive soccer programs. He was also on faculty at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education, where he directed the Education Leadership Master's program. Mark holds a master's in technology and innovation and a doctorate in education leadership from Harvard. He is currently a professor and guides institutional teaching and learning at the American College of the Mediterranean in Aix-en-Provence, Barcelona, Madrid, and Florence.
Olga Kanashina, PhD
Professor of Economics
Internship Coordinator
Adriana L. García is the Internship Coordinator at the IAU Center in Barcelona. She has worked in education for over 20 years and has worked with students of all ages as a teacher, aid, team coordinator, and guide. She received her B.A. in Spanish Honors (with a minor in Women's Studies) from Saint Mary's College of California and her M.A. in Spanish from Middlebury College. She was a Gates Millennium Scholar and studied abroad in Madrid while completing her M.A. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and she has a C1 level in Catalan.
Ricard Gonzalez, MA
Professor of Communication
Ricard Gonzalez is a journalist and political analyst, who specializes in the Arab World based in Barcelona. He joined IAU in Barcelona in 2024, where he teaches courses on media. Gonzalez started his journalistic career as a correspondent in Washington DC for the Spanish newspaper EL MUNDO in 2007. He has also been correspondent in Egypt and Tunisia and collaborated with several media, such as the Spanish newspaper EL PAIS, BBC Arabic or the Argentinian newspaper La Nacion. He is author of the book “Rise and Fall of the Muslim Brotherhood”. He completed a M.A. in International Affairs in SAIS School at Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. He speaks fluently Catalan, Spanish, English, French, Arabic and Italian.
Siobhan Hayes, MA
Student Affairs and Wellness Coordinator
Siobhan is the Student Affairs and Wellness Coordinator at the IAU Center in Barcelona, where she leads student support services, wellness initiatives, and cultural programming to foster a well-rounded and enriching study abroad experience. As the Latin Dance professor at IAU, she integrates movement, social connection, and cultural immersion into student life, using dance as a tool for both personal well-being and cross-cultural engagement. Originally from Minnesota, Siobhan has lived in Barcelona for over ten years, bringing a unique transatlantic perspective to her work with international students. With over a decade of experience in education, she brings a multidisciplinary approach to student support. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from UMass Boston and a Master of Science in Crime & Justice Studies from Suffolk University, as well as a Master’s in Teacher Training for Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, Vocational Training, and Language Teaching from the University of Barcelona. Her expertise in criminology, education, and wellness allows her to cultivate inclusive, dynamic environments where students feel supported, empowered, and connected. Siobhan is fluent in English and Spanish, and proficient in Catalan.
Kay Hernandez Figueras, MA
Academic Director
Kay Hernandez Figueras is the Academic Director at IAU’s Barcelona Center, and has been with ACM-IAU since 2022. In this role, she leads the academic operations of the center, including faculty coordination, curriculum development, and student academic support. In addition to her administrative responsibilities, Kay also teaches Music Therapy at IAU Barcelona, where she integrates her background in the arts and education. Prior to joining IAU, she held various teaching and coordination roles in schools, international education programs, and language institutions. She also brings valuable experience from the private and cultural sectors, having worked as a project manager and coordinator for international clients as well as in performing art production companies. Kay holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Production and Communication from Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull, and a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre from the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. Her academic interests include intercultural communication, international education, and the use of creative arts in pedagogy and well-being. She is fluent in Catalan, Spanish, Portuguese, and English.
Fadi Ismail, CFA, CMT
Professor of Business
Fadi Ismail, CFA, CMT is a finance professional and academic with over two decades of experience in global investment management and education. He has served in senior advisory roles at leading financial institutions including Deutsche Bank and HSBC Private Bank in Geneva, where he advised ultra-high-net-worth clients, sovereign wealth funds, and family offices on portfolio strategy, risk management, and multi-asset investment solutions across equities, derivatives, fixed income, and currencies. Alongside his industry career, Fadi has cultivated a strong academic profile. He is currently a business professor at the IAU where he teaches Financial Investments as well as Courses in Operations Management and Marketing. He was also a CFA instructor at the Institut Supérieur de Formation Bancaire in Geneva, focusing on equity investments, derivatives, and portfolio management. Fadi holds a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick, with a dissertation on derivatives market regulation. He also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Bristol. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Market Technician (CMT), fluent in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Italian, with working knowledge of Russian. He has a passion for outdoor sports including Freediving and Climbing.
Mark Kabban, Ed.L.D.
Professor
Mark Kabban is the founder of Examined Leadership Collective, an adult development practice for educators and cross-sector leaders. He earned his BA in Political Science and International Studies from Baker University. He got his masters in Education from Harvard University, where he also completed his PhD in Education/Behavioral Psychology. He designs constructivist experiences for leaders across a wide range of organizations, from MIT and Major League Soccer to numerous urban school districts and international nonprofits. Previously, Mark served as CEO of Yalla SD, an academy dedicated to U.S.-based refugee andmigrant youth specializing in deeper learning and competitive soccer programs. He was also on faculty at the High Tech High Graduate School of Education, where he directed the Education Leadership Master's program. Mark holds a master's in technology and innovation and a doctorate in education leadership from Harvard. He is currently a professor and guides institutional teaching and learning at the American College of the Mediterranean in Aix-en-Provence, Barcelona, Madrid, and Florence.
Olga Kanashina, PhD
Professor of Economics
Dr. Olga Kanashina is a Professor of Economics and Marketing with extensive experience in higher education and executive training. She teaches courses in Macroeconomics, International Economics, Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Strategic Management, and Emerging Technologies at the University Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain). Her academic work is grounded in a strong industry background, having held senior roles in multinational companies such as Citibank, Societe Generale, and FM Logistic. Dr. Kanashina has completed her PhD at the Open University of Catalunya on a topic of fake news dissimination. She also holds an MBA from Leeds University Business School and degrees in Economics, Biology, and Pedagogy. Her research focuses on digital transformation in marketing, Gen Z behavior, and the impact of AI and misinformation in education. She has presented at major academic conferences including AEMARK International Marketing Congress and AMA Conference to be a recipient of several academic grants. She speaks English, Spanish, and Russian, and is dedicated to fostering innovation and critical thinking in business education.
José Antonio Lanau, MSc
Professor of Economics
Economist José Antonio Lanau is a Finance Professor (Macroeconomics, International Finance & Financial Management courses). Professor Lanau is graduated as Economist from Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV). Also M.Sc. (TP) Tech Management from Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo de la Universidad Central de Venezuela (CENDES-UCV) & M.Sc. Knowledge Economy from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). J.A. LANAU has been a professor (undergrad & MBA) in International Universities & Business Schools, such as Universidad Central de Venezuela (Economía Política Clásica), European University (Corporate Finance), EAE Business School (Corporate Finance & Risk Management), La Salle Business School (Financial Management). Professor Lanau is fluent in Spanish, Catalàn & English.
Professor of Economics
Economist José Antonio Lanau is a Finance Professor (Macroeconomics, International Finance & Financial Management courses). Professor Lanau is graduated as Economist from Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV). Also M.Sc. (TP) Tech Management from Centro de Estudios para el Desarrollo de la Universidad Central de Venezuela (CENDES-UCV) & M.Sc. Knowledge Economy from Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). J.A. LANAU has been a professor (undergrad & MBA) in International Universities & Business Schools, such as Universidad Central de Venezuela (Economía Política Clásica), European University (Corporate Finance), EAE Business School (Corporate Finance & Risk Management), La Salle Business School (Financial Management). Professor Lanau is fluent in Spanish, Catalàn & English.
Helena Llonch Valsells,
Professor of Psychology
Helena Llonch Valsells is a psychologist with a foundation in mental health and a growing focus on cross-cultural care. She currently works at Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, where she contributes to the Transcultural Psychiatry Service, addressing the mental health needs of diverse populations. In parallel, she teaches Human Development in Cultural Contexts at IAU – The American University of the Mediterranean. Helena is also pursuing a PhD in Sociology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, focusing on new paradigms related to a transcultural approach to mental health. Her work centers on the intersection of migration and mental health, and she is currently advocating for the professionalization of community mental health agents as key actors in improving healthcare access for migrant communities.
Professor of Psychology
Helena Llonch Valsells is a psychologist with a foundation in mental health and a growing focus on cross-cultural care. She currently works at Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, where she contributes to the Transcultural Psychiatry Service, addressing the mental health needs of diverse populations. In parallel, she teaches Human Development in Cultural Contexts at IAU – The American University of the Mediterranean. Helena is also pursuing a PhD in Sociology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, focusing on new paradigms related to a transcultural approach to mental health. Her work centers on the intersection of migration and mental health, and she is currently advocating for the professionalization of community mental health agents as key actors in improving healthcare access for migrant communities.
Mary MacKenty, PhD
Professor of Communication
Mary MacKenty, Ph.D., is a specialist in facilitating intercultural learning during student exchanges. Originally from the U.S., Mary has extensive experience living abroad in eight countries across Latin American and Europe. She holds a BA in International Relations and Spanish from Syracuse University, an M.A in European Culture, and a Ph.D. in Education from the Autonomous University of Madrid. She is a professor of Intercultural Communication, Communication and Gender, Developing Intercultural Competence at IAU as well as International Service Learning for other exchange programs. Her focus is on experiential learning and encouraging students to interact with the local community while abroad.
Marianne Maili, PhD
Professor of Public Speaking through Theatre
Professor of Public Speaking through Theatre
Dr. Marianne Maili is an author, professor, and actor and a Faculty Advisor at IAU-ACM Barcelona where she teaches Public Speaking through Theatre. She pioneered the acceptance of creative dissertation work in continental Europe when she earned a groundbreaking PhD in The Construction and Representation of Cultural Identities at the
University of Barcelona, where she was a Spanish Ministry International Mobility Scholar for both her M.A. and her PhD. She also studied at the University of Paris-Sorbonne, was a Visiting Scholar at the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa (where she earned her B.A.), and an Erasmus Distinguished Foreign Visitor at the Josef Skvorecky Literary Academy in Prague, Czech Republic. She has been awarded numerous grants in the U.S. and Europe and has taught a variety of subjects in the humanities including creative and critical writing, cultural studies, literature, and French literature and language. She has written two novels, a play, and many academic works. Most of her work explores themes of gendered freedom, voice, eros, and wound. In Dr. Maili’s words: “I work and play in the domains of literature, film, oral arts, and education. Exploring and storytelling are the best teachers. Curiosity and creativity are driving forces in my life. I love language and its power to move us, and I encourage incisive, poetic communication because time is precious and beautiful delivery is magic.” She speaks English, French, and Spanish.
Fabien-Mariano Ortiz
Professor of Film
Fabien-Mariano Ortiz is a filmmaker and film teacher at IAU's Barcelona Center. Born in Paris and raised in Saint-Denis, he brings a Franco-Spanish background to his creative and academic work. His journey in cinema began in New York with his short film When Cars Sing, followed by selections at festivals like Cannes. Alongside his directing career, Fabien-Mariano has led numerous film workshops in France and abroad, often focused on social impact and youth empowerment. His teaching approach aims to make filmmaking accessible and hands-on, with a strong emphasis on group energy and mutual support. He has also worked as a script doctor on various French films and is currently preparing his first feature-length film. He speaks French, Spanish, and English fluently, and believes deeply in the power of storytelling to build bridges between communities.
Mauricio Molina, PhD
Chair, Mediterranean Studies
Dr. Mauricio Molina is a medievalist, historical musicologist, and medieval music performer dedicated to the study of medieval mediterranean culture. He holds a Historical Performance degree from the Mannes College of music (New York), and a musicology Ph.D. degree and a minor in medieval studies degree from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Dr. Molina is director and faculty member of the Art and History department of IAU (Institute for American Universities) where he teaches History of the Mediterranean Through its Arts and Abrahamic Religions. Mauricio is also director and faculty member of the Medieval Music Besalú-University of Lleida “Specialist Program in Medieval Music Research and Performance,” as well as a member of the Consolidated Medieval Studies Research Group of the University of Lleida. He has also taught at the University of Bridgeport, The Centre International de Musiques Médiévales of the Université Paul Valery of Montpellier, Jacksonville University, Pepperdine University, The Escola Superior de Música de Catalonia (ESMUC), and the IES Abroad Barcelona. He has published numerous articles in scholarly journals and specialized anthologies. He is the author of “Frame Drums in the Medieval Iberian Peninsula” (Reichenberger 2010), a book that received the Nicholas Besseraboff Prize of the American Musical Instrument Society as the most distinguished book-length work on organology of 2010. His upcoming book La canción monofónica secular y religiosa en el Occidente medieval (850-1200) will be published by Dairea Ediciones in 2026. Dr. Molina is also the director of the medieval music ensembles Magister Petrus (Spain) and Na rota do peregrino (Portugal).
Jorge (George) Monray, PhD
Professor of Business
Dr. Monray has been a professor of Business Management since 2003, is an Honorary Fellow of the Global Academy of Finance and Management, and has a long career as a professor with consulting and teaching experience on three continents. His research interests are in International Business, International Finance, Competition Policy, and Market Regulations, and Global Management. Dr. Monray completed a Ph.D. (Doctor of Business Administration) at the Swiss Business School University of Applied Sciences Institute in Zurich (2009), an International Faculty Program at IESE Business School (2007), an MBA at Nottingham Trent University, UK (1997), and a B.B.A. Bachelor Business Administration & CIM integrated at The Chartered Institute of Marketing, CIM College, UK (1995). He has published three books and several journal articles on International Business topics in the International Journal of Competitiveness and the Academy of International Business (AIB) among others. He participates regularly in international conferences in Asia and throughout Europe and maintains active involvement in global trade and business. He speaks Spanish, Catalan, English, French, and Thai.
Juan Morillo, PhD
Professor of Business
Dr. Juan Morillo Bentué is a university professor and researcher based in Barcelona, with over 15 years of experience teaching in the fields of Marketing, Strategy, and Economics. He has taught at numerous universities and business schools in Spain, delivering courses in areas such as Global Marketing, E-commerce, B2B & B2C strategies, and Operations Management. He holds a PhD in Economics and Business Administration, an MBA, a Bachelor's degree in Law, and a degree in Chemical Engineering. Alongside his academic work, Dr. Morillo works as a business consultant specializing in digital marketing and commercial strategy. He has published several academic books and peer-reviewed articles, particularly in the areas of Austrian economics and business education, and is an active participant in international conferences. He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan, and English.
Francesc Muñoz, PhD
Professor of Humanities
Francesc Muñoz is PhD in Geography and professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB. He also holds a Bachelors in Geography & History Human Geography from Universitat de Barcelona and a Masters Architecture & Culture Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, UPC. He has received awards such as the ‘Award for the best doctoral thesis in attention to human values in engineering’ (2004) or the Bonaplata Award 2014 (Special Heritage Award) as curator of heritage exhibitions. He has been a professor at different international universities and advises local and regional governments by directing Strategic and Landscape & Heritage Plans. He has assessed the bid for the wine Priorat region as a UNESCO cultural landscape.He has published books such as Urbanization: Common Landscapes, Global Places (2008). He has been curator of exhibitions such as ‘Suburbia: building the American dream’, with the Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona, CCCB (2024). He has been a jury member for prestigious international awards such as the City to City Awards (2012), or the Barcelona Urban Electrical Installations Festival (2018). He has been director of the International Master’s Program in Landscape & Heritage, at the UAB, and been recently shortlisted for the European Architectural Heritage Intervention Award (AHI, 2025). He currently directs the Observatory of Urbanization and works as a researcher at the Institute for the Sports Research, IRE at the UAB.
Thaïs Peirot, MA
Professor of Spanish
Thaïs Peirot is a Spanish language instructor with over 15 years of experience specializing in teaching Spanish as a second or foreign language (ELE/L2). She joined IAU in 2020, where she teaches Intermediate Spanish II and Spanish for Heritage Students. She holds a degree in Hispanic Philology from the University of Barcelona and completed a Master's of Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language from the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo, in collaboration with Instituto Cervantes. In addition to her teaching duties, she also trains future Spanish language instructors and serves as an examiner for internationally recognized Spanish language exams (DELE). Her pedagogical approach integrates a linguistic proficiency with an emphasis on communicative competence and intercultural understanding. She has extensive experience in diverse academic environments and is dedicated to guiding learners of varied backgrounds in their language acquisition journeys.
Sascha Pablo Koch, MA
Professor of Wine Studies
Sascha Pablo Koch is a professor of Wine Studies at the Institute for American Universities in Barcelona and the founder of Winempordà – Costa Brava Wine School & Tastings. He leads courses and tastings on Spanish and Mediterranean wines, weaving together deep roots in viticulture, gastronomy, and philosophy. A certified Sherry Educator and Spanish Wine Specialist, he holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (with Theory Distinction) and is currently pursuing the WSET Diploma (DipWSET). Koch’s winemaking journey spans esteemed estates across Catalonia and the Balearic Islands—including Clos d’Agon, Ca’n Ribas, and Mas Molla—and he co-founded IANvS Vins, a project producing distinctive wines with local wineries. He also serves as Spain Correspondent for the German wine platform wein.plus, where his reports on regions like Montsant and Rueda have drawn significant attention. Before his career in the wine branch, Koch studied Philosophy (M.A.) at Humboldt University in Berlin and pursued undergraduate studies in Philosophy and Biology at the University of Barcelona. A skilled translator of philosophy, he translated Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling’s Clara, o sobre la vinculació de la natura amb el món dels esperits (Adesiara Editorial) into Catalan—a text noted for its lyrical depth and philosophical urgency, exploring life, death, and the spiritual link with nature. He is also the author of philosophical works on Kant and Nietzsche in the Grandes Pensadores series (Ed. Planeta DeAgostini), and trained in organic and biodynamic viticulture after a culinary apprenticeship at Escola Hofmann in Barcelona. A native speaker of German, Spanish, and Catalan, Koch is also fluent in English and Italian.
Rubén Pol Ramon, MS
Professor of Wine Studies
Rubén Pol Ramon began his career as a chemist, before discovering his true passion for wine, which led to a distinguished 20-year career as a sommelier. He served as Wine Director at Disfrutar, the acclaimed three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona, recognized as The World’s Best Restaurant 2024 by the San Pellegrino list. Originally from Mallorca, Rubén is the Co-Founder of Partners in Wine, a consulting company specializing in gastronomy and wine. He also plays an important academic role as the Professor for the subjects of Food and Wine Pairing for Sommeliers and Wine Marketing and Sensory Analysis at the ACM-IAU in addition to lecturing at several Sommelier and Hospitality schools across Spain. He holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He is pursuing WSET Level 4 and working toward the prestigious Master Sommelier (MS) certification. Recognized as one of Spain’s leading sommeliers, Rubén has won several blind tasting competitions across Europe and continues to be a reference point in the international wine scene. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and Catalan, and has working knowledge of German and Italian.
Professor of Wine Studies
Rubén Pol Ramon began his career as a chemist, before discovering his true passion for wine, which led to a distinguished 20-year career as a sommelier. He served as Wine Director at Disfrutar, the acclaimed three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona, recognized as The World’s Best Restaurant 2024 by the San Pellegrino list. Originally from Mallorca, Rubén is the Co-Founder of Partners in Wine, a consulting company specializing in gastronomy and wine. He also plays an important academic role as the Professor for the subjects of Food and Wine Pairing for Sommeliers and Wine Marketing and Sensory Analysis at the ACM-IAU in addition to lecturing at several Sommelier and Hospitality schools across Spain. He holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He is pursuing WSET Level 4 and working toward the prestigious Master Sommelier (MS) certification. Recognized as one of Spain’s leading sommeliers, Rubén has won several blind tasting competitions across Europe and continues to be a reference point in the international wine scene. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and Catalan, and has working knowledge of German and Italian.
Toni Raja, PhD
Professor of Politics
Antoni holds a PhD in Contemporary History and Politics from the University Pompeu Fabra, as well as his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. As a professor Antoni, has been teaching for over a decade mostly in the Study Abroad Sector covering subjects such as Politics, History and Culture. He is been teaching for IAU for seven years. Antoni combines his role as a professor with collaboration with some local and regional media. He is responsible for publishing opinion articles in a regional on-line newspaper. Also, he co-created and co-directed a radio show on culture and cinema as well as he cooperates in different radio stations as a History advisor and commentator.
Professor of Politics
Antoni holds a PhD in Contemporary History and Politics from the University Pompeu Fabra, as well as his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. As a professor Antoni, has been teaching for over a decade mostly in the Study Abroad Sector covering subjects such as Politics, History and Culture. He is been teaching for IAU for seven years. Antoni combines his role as a professor with collaboration with some local and regional media. He is responsible for publishing opinion articles in a regional on-line newspaper. Also, he co-created and co-directed a radio show on culture and cinema as well as he cooperates in different radio stations as a History advisor and commentator.
Isabel Rodríguez-Reyes, MA
Professor of Music
Isabel Rodríguez-Reyes is a distinguished historical musicologist and cultural manager specializing in medieval arts and culture. Her impressive background spans from medieval music research to contemporary cultural programming, with positions in both Spain and Mexico. Rodríguez-Reyes earned her Bachelor's in Musicology from Universidad de las Américas-Puebla and completed her Master's in Medieval Cultures at Universitat de Barcelona, where she is currently pursuing her PhD. Her research focuses on medieval liturgical drama, contributing to publications and presentations at international conferences. In 2025, she was a guest speaker at Primavera Sound Pro in Barcelona with a presentation on the psychology of music in advertising. As an educator, she has taught at Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City and currently serves as adjunct professor for international programs in Barcelona, including the Institute for American Universities, IES Abroad, and CEA CAPA Education Abroad. Her courses span classical music history, art history, Latin American cultural studies, and world religions. Since 2020, Rodríguez-Reyes has hosted the show Compás Libre on Opus 94, Mexican Institute of Radio, combining historical research with musical curation. Her cultural management experience includes the planning and creation of festivals, cultural initiatives, and interdisciplinary projects. She previously served as Public Relations Director for Ópera en Movimiento in Mexico City and currently serves as Admissions Coordinator for Medieval Music Besalú. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Catalan, Rodríguez-Reyes continues to advance medieval music scholarship while fostering cross-cultural dialogue through her international academic and broadcasting work.
Daniel Rodríguez, MA
Professor of Mediterranean Studies
Daniel Rodríguez has been teaching at IAU since 2018. He started teaching Spanish and lately he teaches cultural studies classes with a focus in history and sports. He moved to Barcelona after spending a decade in Granada, where he earned a degree in Spanish Language and Literature and a Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language MA at the University of Granada. He has worked as a Head of studies and teacher trainer for Spanish teachers and has experience teaching international students in local universities and international programs. He is passionate about any culture representation and tries to connect anything that is happening in the city to his classes.
Núria Rodríguez Bernal, PhD
Chair of Cultural Studies
Dr. Núria Rodríguez Bernal is the Chair of Cultural Studies at IAU’s Barcelona Center and has been a professor with IAU since 2015. She received her Bachelors and Masters in History from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and holds PhD in History from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. She is currently finishing a Masters in Political Analysis at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. She has more than 20 years of experience as a professor in the Study Abroad field in Barcelona, where she has worked with several institutions. She speaks Catalan, Spanish, English, French, and German.
Montserrat Selma
Professor of Dance
Professor of Music
Isabel Rodríguez-Reyes is a distinguished historical musicologist and cultural manager specializing in medieval arts and culture. Her impressive background spans from medieval music research to contemporary cultural programming, with positions in both Spain and Mexico. Rodríguez-Reyes earned her Bachelor's in Musicology from Universidad de las Américas-Puebla and completed her Master's in Medieval Cultures at Universitat de Barcelona, where she is currently pursuing her PhD. Her research focuses on medieval liturgical drama, contributing to publications and presentations at international conferences. In 2025, she was a guest speaker at Primavera Sound Pro in Barcelona with a presentation on the psychology of music in advertising. As an educator, she has taught at Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico City and currently serves as adjunct professor for international programs in Barcelona, including the Institute for American Universities, IES Abroad, and CEA CAPA Education Abroad. Her courses span classical music history, art history, Latin American cultural studies, and world religions. Since 2020, Rodríguez-Reyes has hosted the show Compás Libre on Opus 94, Mexican Institute of Radio, combining historical research with musical curation. Her cultural management experience includes the planning and creation of festivals, cultural initiatives, and interdisciplinary projects. She previously served as Public Relations Director for Ópera en Movimiento in Mexico City and currently serves as Admissions Coordinator for Medieval Music Besalú. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Catalan, Rodríguez-Reyes continues to advance medieval music scholarship while fostering cross-cultural dialogue through her international academic and broadcasting work.
Daniel Rodríguez, MA
Professor of Mediterranean Studies
Daniel Rodríguez has been teaching at IAU since 2018. He started teaching Spanish and lately he teaches cultural studies classes with a focus in history and sports. He moved to Barcelona after spending a decade in Granada, where he earned a degree in Spanish Language and Literature and a Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language MA at the University of Granada. He has worked as a Head of studies and teacher trainer for Spanish teachers and has experience teaching international students in local universities and international programs. He is passionate about any culture representation and tries to connect anything that is happening in the city to his classes.
David Rodriguez Borras, MA
Professor of Economics
David Rodriguez Borras has been teaching Intermediate Microeconomics at IAU’s Barcelona Center since 2021. He has taught courses in economics and business for over 25 years at various local universities (Autonomous University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University, and the Open University of Catalonia) and study abroad programs. Outside academia, he has held the position of technical secretary of the Barcelona Metropolitan Strategic Plan since 2013. He previously worked as an economist at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Economic Analysis. He is a registered economist and has also worked as a consultant for various organizations. David holds a master’s degree in Economic Analysis from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a master’s degree in Political and Social Sciences from Pompeu Fabra University, where he previously obtained a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business. He speaks Catalan, Spanish, and English fluently, and has a working knowledge of French and German.
Professor of Economics
David Rodriguez Borras has been teaching Intermediate Microeconomics at IAU’s Barcelona Center since 2021. He has taught courses in economics and business for over 25 years at various local universities (Autonomous University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University, and the Open University of Catalonia) and study abroad programs. Outside academia, he has held the position of technical secretary of the Barcelona Metropolitan Strategic Plan since 2013. He previously worked as an economist at the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Economic Analysis. He is a registered economist and has also worked as a consultant for various organizations. David holds a master’s degree in Economic Analysis from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a master’s degree in Political and Social Sciences from Pompeu Fabra University, where he previously obtained a bachelor's degree in Economics and Business. He speaks Catalan, Spanish, and English fluently, and has a working knowledge of French and German.
Núria Rodríguez Bernal, PhD
Chair of Cultural Studies
Dr. Núria Rodríguez Bernal is the Chair of Cultural Studies at IAU’s Barcelona Center and has been a professor with IAU since 2015. She received her Bachelors and Masters in History from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and holds PhD in History from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra. She is currently finishing a Masters in Political Analysis at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. She has more than 20 years of experience as a professor in the Study Abroad field in Barcelona, where she has worked with several institutions. She speaks Catalan, Spanish, English, French, and German.
Montserrat Selma
Professor of Dance
Born in Barcelona in 1988. She studied professional Spanish dance at the Institut del Teatre de Barcelona. After finishing her studies, she began a journey as a dancer working in various projects and companies, as well as a dance teacher in different schools and dance centers. She has worked in companies such as Joaquín Cortés, Enclave Español, Increpación Danza, Color Dansa, among others. She has worked as a dancer in the music group Sabor de Gràcia. She has also been part of different projects and shows directed by artists such as Ramón Oller, among others. For years she has collaborated as a dancer in private events in the city of Barcelona, as well as a dancer on cruises. She currently continues to be part of the company La Fura dels Baus as a dancer and performer, along with other projects that may come out. She still active as a performer and dancer, and as a dance teacher. Montserrat Selma is a versatile dancer, eager to continue learning from herself and others, to continue training and growing and, above all, impatient to continue enjoying what has always been her life: dance.
Pedro Señalada, MA
Professor of Spanish
Pedro Señalada is a Spanish language instructor at IAU Barcelona. Raised bilingually in Spanish and English, he has always been immersed in both languages and cultures. His academic path—shaped by studies both in Spain and the United Kingdom—has given him the opportunity to experience and reflect on the contrasts and connections between these two cultural and linguistic worlds. This comparative perspective deeply informs his approach to teaching and communication. After completing his Bachelors in English Philology and Masters in Education (C.A.P.) Languages from Universidad de Zaragoza and University of Bath (UK), he went on to specialize in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language, receiving training at the University of Barcelona as well as through various professional development courses offered by the Instituto Cervantes. Beyond the classroom, his two lifelong passions are literature and music. As a musician—primarily a drummer, but also a composer, singer, and guitarist—he has performed in numerous cities across Spain and internationally. These musical journeys have not only fueled his creativity, but also broadened his cultural understanding, something he brings into his teaching to create a richer, more connected learning experience. He speaks Spanish, English, and Catalan fluently, and also has some knowledge of German.
Professor of Spanish
Pedro Señalada is a Spanish language instructor at IAU Barcelona. Raised bilingually in Spanish and English, he has always been immersed in both languages and cultures. His academic path—shaped by studies both in Spain and the United Kingdom—has given him the opportunity to experience and reflect on the contrasts and connections between these two cultural and linguistic worlds. This comparative perspective deeply informs his approach to teaching and communication. After completing his Bachelors in English Philology and Masters in Education (C.A.P.) Languages from Universidad de Zaragoza and University of Bath (UK), he went on to specialize in the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language, receiving training at the University of Barcelona as well as through various professional development courses offered by the Instituto Cervantes. Beyond the classroom, his two lifelong passions are literature and music. As a musician—primarily a drummer, but also a composer, singer, and guitarist—he has performed in numerous cities across Spain and internationally. These musical journeys have not only fueled his creativity, but also broadened his cultural understanding, something he brings into his teaching to create a richer, more connected learning experience. He speaks Spanish, English, and Catalan fluently, and also has some knowledge of German.
Rabie Sidani, MSc
Professor of Information and Computer Science
Rabie Sidani is a data science and IT management expert with a Master’s in Data Science and AI and dual bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Management Information Systems. He brings a solid background in finance, retail banking, business operations, real estate development, and business startups, leveraging his interdisciplinary expertise to drive strategic initiatives. His career is driven by a passion for turning complex data into actionable insights and revolutionizing how organizations approach decision-making. He has held advisory roles in both startups and established companies, guiding them on leveraging emerging technologies to foster growth and competitive advantage. Based in Barcelona since 2017 after eleven years in Dubai, Rabie combines global perspective with local insights. Known for his analytical approach and dedication to data-driven solutions, he advances the field through teaching and consulting, helping organizations unlock value through data and technology. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Arabic, with working knowledge of Greek.
Professor of Information and Computer Science
Rabie Sidani is a data science and IT management expert with a Master’s in Data Science and AI and dual bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Management Information Systems. He brings a solid background in finance, retail banking, business operations, real estate development, and business startups, leveraging his interdisciplinary expertise to drive strategic initiatives. His career is driven by a passion for turning complex data into actionable insights and revolutionizing how organizations approach decision-making. He has held advisory roles in both startups and established companies, guiding them on leveraging emerging technologies to foster growth and competitive advantage. Based in Barcelona since 2017 after eleven years in Dubai, Rabie combines global perspective with local insights. Known for his analytical approach and dedication to data-driven solutions, he advances the field through teaching and consulting, helping organizations unlock value through data and technology. He is fluent in English, Spanish, and Arabic, with working knowledge of Greek.
Sam Simon, MA
Professor of Film and Writing
Sam Simon is a writer and translator from Oakland, CA. He is an associate editor for the Barcelona Review and teaches creative writing at the Institute for American Universities. He is a co-founder and managing editor of Infrasonica.org, a digital platform dedicated to non-Western sonic art. His writing has been published in various online and print journals and he has published translations in Southword, Gulf Coast, Mayday, Latin American Literature Today, and others. He won the 2023 Gabo Prize in Translation from Lunch Ticket. His translation of Ezequiel Naya’s poetry collection Villages to Escape from Justice was published in 2024. He holds a Bachelors in History from University of Oregan Eugene and a Master in Creative and Life Writing from Goldsmiths university in London.
Ariane Spitalier, MA
Professor of Psychology
Ariane Spitalier is a psychotherapist and anthropologist whose work focuses on the intersection
of health and culture. She received her Bachelor of Art's and Science Psychology and Religious Studies (double major) from Mcgill University, and holds Master’s degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Humanistic Psychotherapy from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, with fieldwork experience in Northern Canada, the Upper Peruvian Amazon, Southern Mexico, and Catalonia. Based in Barcelona, Ariane has a private psychotherapy practice and is part of the faculty at both the Institute for American Universities (IAU) and the Instituto Carl Rogers Barcelona, where she contributes to the training of future psychotherapists.
Professor of Psychology
Ariane Spitalier is a psychotherapist and anthropologist whose work focuses on the intersection
of health and culture. She received her Bachelor of Art's and Science Psychology and Religious Studies (double major) from Mcgill University, and holds Master’s degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Humanistic Psychotherapy from Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, with fieldwork experience in Northern Canada, the Upper Peruvian Amazon, Southern Mexico, and Catalonia. Based in Barcelona, Ariane has a private psychotherapy practice and is part of the faculty at both the Institute for American Universities (IAU) and the Instituto Carl Rogers Barcelona, where she contributes to the training of future psychotherapists.
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