Meet our staff
In addition to the extremely talented faculty who teach and learn alongside our students daily, a dedicated group of staff and administrators support student learning and the UWC mission on the playing fields, in the experiential education program, in the dormitories, the dining hall, and in support of the physical plant.
“Education is about individual accomplishment, but it is about so much more. It is about how individual accomplishment can be part of a better future for all.”
Aaron Apodaca
Security
Aaron Apodaca
SecurityAbby Sussman
Director of Student Life
Abby Sussman
Director of Student LifeBA, creative writing, Ithaca College
MS, geography, Western Washington University
Adrian Carter
Farm Manager
Adrian Carter
Farm ManagerAlex Duran
Security Supervisor
Alex Duran
Security SupervisorAlexis Mamaux
IB Coordinator
Alexis Mamaux
IB CoordinatorIf you had to choose one value or element of the UWC mission that you think is most important, which would it be?
The core UWC values seem to emanate from the power of idealism–and that’s what I find most compelling about the UWC mission. It is that idealism that brought these students so far from their homes, and it is an optimism and voracious desire to learn so that they can make significant change that truly sets us apart as a movement and has kept me at UWC-USA for so long.
Which tradition or annual event at UWC-USA holds particular meaning for you?
The Welcome Dinner is the one time in the two years where the school community gathers to celebrate both the community which we have all voluntarily joined and the cultural differences that are embodied by the national costumes. From the opening parade to the musical selections and food, there is this blend of all things UWC.
What quality do our students consistently display that you admire most?
In a climate where people have become more insular, our students represent the polar opposite of that. They are accepting of others, and embrace difference–seeking understanding while maintaining their own individualism.
What do you do routinely in your work to enhance or improve the educational experience of our students?
I love walking the classroom hallways. Rather than hurrying from one place to another, I find it incredibly instructive to pause and view our students engaged in learning. This gives me a snapshot of how individual students are doing. I also enjoy standing out in front of the Old Stone Hotel, watching as the students go from one class to the next; there is so much that I can see from their gait, posture, and facial expressions.
Education
BA, Pennsylvania State University
MPIA, University of Pittsburgh
Amadeus Lopez
Security