Meet The Team
Krislert Samphantharak, Ph.D.Professor Samphantharak has been with IR/PS since 2003. He is an expert on economic development, corporate finance, corporate governance, business groups, family business, and economic development of Southeast Asia. As GLI Chair, Professor Samphantharak acts as a liaison with IR/PS faculty to promote GLI initiatives. |
 Chair krislert@ucsd.edu (858) 534-0627 |
Darla Wilson, Ph.D.Darla is responsible for GLI's strategic planning and leadership and oversees GLI program management and marketing. Darla has worked in higher education for more than 25 years, with 14 years of focus in international education. Her international experience has taken her to every major city in Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Over the span of 12 years, she served as a director of admissions, director of marketing communications, and director of student activities. Darla began her career at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo before moving to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she worked as a professor and women’s basketball coach. Darla holds a PhD in leadership and organizational behavior. |
 Director darlawilson@ucsd.edu (858) 534-4019 |
Grace OsborneGrace oversees day-to-day operations and fiscal planning and analysis. She is responsible for short-term program development and implementation. Grace has worked for UC San Diego since 2003. She previously worked in Lisbon, Portugal in public relations for a Portuguese television network as liaison to foreign governments and businesses. She is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and French, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and cultural anthropology from the University of San Diego. |
 Assistant Director gosborne@ucsd.edu (858) 822-3875
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Catherine Thomas-SmithCatherine coordinates GLI professional tours, seminars, quarterly course schedules and social events. She is also responsible for oversight of ESL programming and instructors and all inquiry correspondence. Catherine also collaborates on day-to-day operations of GLI.Catherine has worked for UC San Diego since 2007. She has worked for UC San Diego Extension in the Arts, Humanities, and Languages department, and English Language Institute. She spent a year in France teaching English to elementary school students and has studied abroad in France and Italy. Catherine is working toward her Professional Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning at San Diego State University. She is fluent in French, proficient in Spanish, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in speech, language, and hearing sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
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 Program Coordinator cts@ucsd.edu (858) 822-4398
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Renate KwonRenate is the program coordinator for the Master of Advanced Studies in International Affairs (MAS-IA) degree program. She provides administrative support and academic advising to prospective and current students and is responsible for program marketing efforts. Renate received her master’s degree in Pacific International Affairs from IR/PS in 2007, focusing on international politics and the Korean region. During her studies, she was the vice president of the IR/PS Korea-focus student organization, Mannam. She has studied German, Korean, and Japanese. |
 Program Coordinator rmkwon@ucsd.edu (858) 534-7420
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Epifaniadelrosa (Tina) Ricafrente
Tina serves as GLI’s international admissions officer and is responsible for processing applications and DS-2019 documentation. She is also responsible for financial processes and payments at GLI. Tina also collaborates on day-to-day operations of GLI. Tina holds a Master of Science in education in the international higher educational leadership track from Old Dominion University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from San Diego State University, and spent a summer studying the Korean language at Ewha Women's University in Seoul, South Korea. |
 Program Coordinator ericafrente@ucsd.edu (858) 534-3545 |
Student Interns |
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Catherine CastelliAs an undergraduate student at UC San Diego, Catherine is pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in African studies. Her areas of interest include: multilateral institutions, developing nations, global terrorism, military security, and Middle Eastern and African affairs. Her future goals include travelling the world and earning a master's degree in advanced international studies. Catherine is very active in her undergraduate education and extracurricular activities. She is currently the president of an undergraduate transfer and commuter organization for UC San Diego, and a Transfer Orientation Leader. |
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Erin VuongErin is an undergraduate student at UC San Diego majoring in international studies-political science and minoring in Chinese studies. She has volunteered within the San Diego community for many years and is a member of various on- and off- campus organizations. Her future goals include joining the Peace Corps after graduating, and attending law school or obtaining a master’s degree in political science and/or international studies. Erin has working knowledge of Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Fujianese – a Southeastern Chinese dialect. She enjoys history and politics and has an avid interest in traveling. |
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