CIE Staff

The Center for International Education (CIE) is UWM's central coordination point for international teaching, research, and outreach programs and services.  Under the direction of Senior Director Patrice P etro, CIE staff are organized into functional area teams focusing on: academic programs administration, international student and scholar services, outreach programs, and overseas programs and partnerships.

Patrice Petro, Senior Director

Kristin Ruggiero, Associate Director

Gabrielle Verdier, Associate Director

Academic Programs Administration Team

Sara Tully, Administrative Director 

Robert Beck, Director of Academic Technology

Tracy Buss, Academic Programs Coordinator 

Titus Curtain, SEVIS Coordinator

Andrea Joseph , Advisor

Tia Langnes, Financial Specialist

Juanell Winters , Finan cial Specialist

Thomas Maguire , Research and Publications Coordinator 

Institute of World Affairs (Outreach Team)

Robert Ricigliano, Director of Institute of World Affairs

Susan Yelich-Biniecki, Asst Director

Douglas Savage, Asst Director

Nicole Palasz, K-16 Outreach Coordinator

Rachel Schrag, Program Coordinator

International Student and Scholar Services Team

Jennifer Gruenewald, Director of International Student and Scholar Services

Lauren Escobales , Intl Employment Advisor

Brooke Thomas, Intl Student and Scholar Advisor

Kim Omachinski , Intl Student and Scholar Advisor

Katja Maertens, Intl Admissions Advisor/Evaluator

Heidi Vrankin Matera, Intl Admissions Advisor/Evaluator

Jennifer Singer, Intl Admissions Coordinator

Cleangelia Huewitt, Immigration Specialist

Overseas Programs and Partnerships Team

Dave Engberg, Director

Thomas Danner, Asst Director

Sharon Chetney, Study Abroad Coordinator

Gail Gilbert, Study Abroad Coordinator

Rachel McGraw, Study Abroad Coordinator