OUR STAFF

Judith A. Green, Director

When Judith was an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts, she was a summer resident hall advisor on an international student floor. She then spent a year studying abroad, and she began to understand how international education could serve as a vehicle for social change and peace. She has worked with international students and scholars as an advisor and a director at several universities along the US east coast. She joined the staff at Mason in August, 2007, and loves working here. “The field of international education has changed many times in the past twenty-five years,” she says, “but what never changes is my respect for the courage and commitment of those who leave so much behind to enter a new culture for education. Working with international students and scholars is a pleasure and a privilege. I surely have the best job on campus!”

email: jagreen@gmu.edu

Christina Lehnertz, Assistant Director
International Employee Services

Christina has always been drawn to the greater international community since grade school, where she had penpals from Japan, the Netherlands, and Ecuador. Christina graduated with a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy and with an MPA from the University of North Dakota. She spent six years as an Air Force Officer, which afforded her the wonderful opportunity of international travel. Entering the field of International Education in 1991, she has had the experience of working in all sectors to include regulatory, programming, management, and study abroad issues. Christina worked in the corporate sector in Group Fitness and Fitness Management for several years and is happy to be back at George Mason University working with faculty, staff, students, and departments.

email: clehnert@gmu.edu

Christina Lapel, Assistant Director for Student Services and Taxation

Christina joined the OIPS staff in July 2007. She is native of Springfield, Missouri where she was the International Payroll Specialist at Missouri State University for 11 of the 17 years employed there. She graduated Cum Laude from Missouri State University in 1983 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and was working on her M.B.A. prior to leaving Missouri State for George Mason. She is looking forward to resuming her MBA studies at GMU.

email: clapel@gmu.edu

Alina Menyaylenko, Coordinator for Programs and Outreach

Alina Menyaylenko started working in George Mason's Office of International Programs and Services in 2006. She is originally from Uzbekistan where she taught English as a Foreign Language to university students. She holds M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. International Education, Intercultural Communication and Information Technology are the areas of her interest. Alina really enjoys getting to know students from different parts of the world while managing OIPS programs. She also likes classical music, art, traveling and various ethnic food.

email: amenyayl@gmu.edu

Brian Lenius, International Student Advisor, Technical Coordinator

Brian has a Masters degree from George Mason University combining Organizational Development and Telecommunications. He is a global nomad and spent his High School years in Germany. He is an Advisor to the Global Nomad Student Association. Some of his other interests include: Whitewater rafting, snorkeling, underwater hockey, dancing, Yuri's Night, hearing peoples stories, telling stories/writing, reading popular science, fiction, history, politics, sustainable living and traveling.

email: blenius@gmu.edu

Anisha Woodley, International Student Advisor

Anisha Woodley grew up in Philadelphia, PA. She is originally from Trinidad and Tobago. After studying in Manchester, England with The Pennsylvania State University’s Communication Program, Anisha decided to pursue a career in International Affairs. Anisha obtained a B.A. in Journalism at Penn State and went on to obtain a M.A. in International Affairs at the Florida State University. At FSU, Anisha worked at the International Center assisting prospective international students. She enjoys reading, poetry, sports, and traveling.

email: awoodle1@gmu.edu

Erin Dunleavy, International Student Advisor

Erin began working at OIPS in September 2008. She comes to OIPS from the US Department of State and has enjoyed working with international students since high school, where she met her first exchange students. She finds the people-to-people connection the most exciting part of working in international relations and loves hearing stories! Erin’s academic background includes earning an M.A. in International Education and Development from New York University, and studying in a small town in Russia – where she got to experience what it is like to be an "international student." Erin loves to travel to unusual places, try new things and learn funny words in other languages.

email: edunlea1@gmu.edu

Satoko Odagawa, International Student Advisor

Satoko joined the OIPS team as an International Student Advisor in May, 2009. She earned her MA here at Mason in Higher Education Student Services. During her graduate studies, Satoko was an OIPS intern and for her capstone project, Satoko conducted research on international students' cultural adjustment to Mason and the U.S. When she first came to the US from Japan, Satoko was an F-1 student, at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Her undergraduate advisor at JMU played a key role in her success as an international student, and she has always dreamed of becoming an international student advisor herself. She is very excited to work with international students at Mason! Satoko loves getting to know people from different cultures, trying new food from around the world, traveling, performing arts, reading, writing, movies, and spending time with her family, friends, and pets.

email: sodagawa@gmu.edu

Shalise M. Forti, Office Manager

Shalise began work at OIPS in October of 2006 as a student assistant; eventually climbing to her current position as the Office Manager. She earned her Bachelors Degree in Global Affairs at Mason and is looking forward to continuing her education through a Masters Program here as well. She grew up in Maine and greatly enjoys the diversity of culture that she has found in Northern VA. Shalise’s interest and passion for international studies/education have evolved through academics, programs abroad in West Africa and Costa Rica, an internship at the Advocacy Project in D.C, and the opportunity to tutor in English as a second language. She is very excited about joining the OIPS team and contributing to the international atmosphere here at Mason!

email: sforti@gmu.edu