Staff

Dario (pronouns: he/him/his) is the liaison to the College of Arts of Sciences, College of Education, the School of Law, and the School of Theology and Ministry. By collaborating with Faculty Directors and staff, Dario helps facilitate faculty-led courses and immersions abroad. Dario also advises students in the exploration of international education opportunities, both long and short term. In collaboration with Education Abroad Office staff, Dario provides health and safety training, pre-departure orientation, intercultural preparedness, and re-entry sessions for SU groups traveling abroad. Dario holds a BA in Communication Studies from the University of Denver, where he studied abroad in Australia, and a MEd in Student Development Administration from Seattle University. 

Dario's message about education abroad: "As is the case for many students, studying abroad was the first opportunity I had to travel and live abroad. Studying in Sydney, Australia was the start of my passion for international education because of the opportunity it gave me to better understand myself and to continue building the resilience to complete my education. This still inspires me today to help create opportunities for students to have similar experiences that challenge and inspire them to continue learning about themselves and the world around them."

As of Sept 2022, Kirsti Ruud will serve as Interim Director along with her role as the Education Abroad Advisor.

Kirsti (pronouns: she/her/hers) is an Advisor in the Education Abroad Office. In this role, she accompanies students through the discernment process in selecting an international program which meets the individual academic and personal goals of each student. In addition to working with students during this initial exploration phase, Kirsti supports students through further advising, Pre-Departure Orientation, and other event programming prior to departure and through the re-entry process. Kirsti holds a BA in Political Science from Seattle University and studied abroad in Madagascar through the School for International Training. Having experience studying, volunteering, and traveling abroad in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, Kirsti joins the Education Abroad Office staff with a shared value of international education and its central role in the university’s mission.

Kirsti's message about education abroad: "I studied abroad in Madagascar through the School for International Training (SIT), focusing on urbanization and rural development. Having experienced studying, volunteering and traveling abroad in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, I joined the Education Abroad Office staff with a shared value and belief in the transformative power of international education and its central role in the university’s mission to empower leaders for a just and humane world."

Jennifer (pronouns: she/her/hers) is an Advisor in the Education Abroad Office. Like her fellow Advisor Kirsti, she will work with students through the discernment process in selecting an international program which meets the individual academic and personal goals of each student. In addition to working with students during this initial exploration phase, Jenn supports students through further advising, Pre-Departure Orientation, and other event programming prior to departure and through the re-entry process. Jenn is a double alum of Seattle U, as an undergraduate, she majored in Psychology with a minor in Japanese, and more recently, completed her M.Ed. in Educational Administration. Jenn has lived, studied, and worked in various countries (US, Hong Kong, Japan – JET Program).

Jenn's message about education abroad: "As an undergraduate, I assumed that I would not be able to study abroad, so I didn’t even try to see what my possibilities were. However, I did have the opportunity to work abroad in Japan for five years teaching English with JET. As a third-culture-kid, I found living, learning and working abroad helped me define myself and allowed me to explore my identity as a global citizen. Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity for students to learn more about themselves in a global context."