Meet Your People

Usree Bhattacharya

Usree Bhattacharya is an Associate Professor in the Language and Literacy Education Department at the Mary Frances Early College of Education at the University of Georgia. She received her PhD in Education from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2013, and holds a Master’s degree in Teaching International Languages from California State University, Chico (2006), an MA in English Literature from Lakehead University (2001), and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from LSR College, Delhi University (1998). Her research is driven by questions of diversity, equity, and access in multilingual educational contexts, with a particular focus on language, power, and globalization. She aims to illuminate how discourses, ideologies, and everyday practices contribute to hierarchical relations within educational systems. Inspired by her daughter Kalika’s diagnosis of Rett Syndrome in 2018, she has also been investigating language and literacy socialization within severe, complex, and multi-disability contexts. In sum, her work seeks to foster a critical understanding of how language dynamics shape educational practices and outcomes globally.  

Annelise Norman

Annelise is the Scholarships and Public Relations Coordinator for the Office of University Experiential Learning. She holds a PhD in English from UGA, specializing in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British literature and culture. Before joining the EL team, she taught first-year writing and British literature courses in UGA’s English department. She is the proud dog mom of a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Bean.

"Studying abroad is a truly transformative experience. From studying abroad with the UGA at Oxford program as an undergraduate to leading the inaugural Connect Abroad program to England in 2024, I have seen firsthand how life-changing and influential it can be to incorporate a cultural immersion experience into your academic program. I can't wait to see the connections that students will make with us and each other during Spring Break 2025!"

Samantha Gillen

Dr. Samantha Gillen (she/her) is a Lecturer in the department of Romance Languages where she teaches Italian language and culture. She received her PhD in Italian Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and began teaching at UGA in Fall 2022. A product of several study abroad experiences during her BA and MA, she is thrilled to join Connect Abroad and share with UGA students the beauties of the Mediterranean!

Amy Sweet

Amy has been with the Office of Experiential Learning since 2021, and she leads the department's business development efforts to create and expand experiential opportunities for students, supporting outreach and collaboration with industry, nonprofit, and government sector partners. She has bachelor's degrees in both History and German and received her Master of Public Administration, all from the University of Georgia. She loves to cook, read, and when time allows, binge watch historical fiction series.

"Leading the Connect Abroad trip to Italy last year was an incredible experience where I saw our students build profound, lasting connections. We immersed ourselves in Italy's rich history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. I am eagerly looking forward to Spring Break 2025 in Greece, where we are sure to encounter equally amazing adventures. From wandering through the historic streets of Athens, visiting the iconic Parthenon, to hiking the hills around a mountain-top monastery, the trip promises unforgettable highlights and memories!"

Lisa Dolasinski

Lisa Dolasinski is Lecturer of Italian in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures and Affiliate Faculty at the Women’s Studies Institute at the University of Georgia. Lisa holds a PhD in Italian and a minor in Gender Studies from Indiana University and an M.A. in Italian Studies and a film certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. Lisa’s research and teaching interests center on contemporary Italian media and culture. She has presented her research at more than 30 national and international conferences, which has been supported with grants from the Mellon Foundation, the Medioteca Toscana Film Archive, the Modern Language Association, the Nina Salant Hellerstein Professional Development Fund, and The Willson Center for Humanities and Arts. Her refereed journal articles interrogate the fluid sexual and ethnic identities of migrant protagonists and second-generation artists in Italian media. Lisa has also published on representations of old age and aging in Italian film comedies. She recently published an article titled “‘In Between’ Ethnic Heritage and Italian Identity: The Global Hip-Hop of Mahmood and Ghali.” Lisa also serves as Managing Editor for the peer-reviewed journal, Gender / Sexuality / Italy. As an educator, Lisa (1) strives to be inclusive, available, and responsive to students’ needs, (2) facilitate meaningful interactions, active learning, and critical thinking, and (3) work with students to generate sustainable knowledge that has a lasting impact.

Amy Williams

Amy works as a Global Education Advisor for Faculty-Led program in the Office of Global Engagement. She has a Master’s in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Lynchburg (Lynchburg College) and a Bachelor’s in Architecture and Environmental Design from Kent State University. During her time at Lynchburg she participated in a study abroad service-learning program at the Universidad Viña del Mar, working in conjunction with university students to host an English language camp for local students. Prior to joining the Office of Global Engagement team at UGA, Amy worked as a Study Abroad Coordinator at Longwood University.

Maria Navarro

Dr. Maria Navarro, a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor of interdisciplinary education in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has extensive experience in international agricultural development and education across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Western Asia. Trained as an agricultural engineer, she served at the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies before relocating to the U.S. to pursue her Ph.D. Since 2005, she has been a faculty member at the University of Georgia. Her research is centered on high-impact practices and interdisciplinary education in higher education. Dr. Navarro's teaching portfolio includes courses on international agricultural development, food security, change theory, and leadership. She has also co-taught study abroad programs in Costa Rica, France, Fiji, Morocco, and Cuba.

Kay Stanton

Kay is the Assistant Director of Operations for the Office of University Experiential Learning. She works closely with faculty, staff, and students across campus to identify and guide the creation of EL activities, among other things. She has a background in art and biology, as well as a master’s degree in historic preservation. She is a musician and teaches aerial arts when not at UGA.

“I was lucky enough to study abroad for a week as an undergraduate and again during Maymester while in graduate school. They were both truly life-changing experiences and fueled my love of adventure. I am so excited to get to know my fellow travelers to Morocco while learning about the rich history and culture of the country.”

Kerry Steinberg

Kerry Steinberg is a Lecturer of Spanish in the Department of Romance Languages. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the Accelerated Beginner Spanish program at UGA and is a member of the Spanish Program Coordination Committee. Before teaching Spanish, she worked as a social worker serving the local Latino community and uses this experience to also organize and teach a Spanish Service-Learning Course. She has lived and worked in Paraguay, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica and Spain. She currently serves as the Director of the UGA en Buenos Aires program.

Carmen Candal

Carmen Candal is a Double Dawg who completed her Bachelor's ('16) and Master's ('21) degrees in Wildlife Ecology at UGA. During her Master's, she worked with undergraduate students as a Teaching Assistant for the Warnell School of Forestry. As an undergraduate, she participated in UGA's Discover Abroad program in Australia and Tahiti. Prior to joining the UGA Global Education team, she became a travel advisor to pursue her passion for promoting sustainability in the travel industry. Some of her other travels include Costa Rica, London, France, Italy, and the Caribbean.