ESL - English as a Second Language INTERLINK Language Centers Helping Students Succeed

Executive Director William Lowrey comes to INTERLINK with extensive experience in public diplomacy, international education, cross-cultural communication, and cultural exchanges. He has served for more than twenty years as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Information Agency, receiving honors and awards for superior performance and achievement.  As a Cultural Attache in U.S. embassies in Venezuela, Indonesia, and Bolivia and as Regional Public Affairs Officer in Korea, he has made many contributions to international education. In addition to having initiated major cultural exchange programs between the U.S. and various countries,  Bill has conducted research, lectured in many universities in the U.S. and abroad in several disciplines, and directed a large English Language program while in Uruguay.  Bill Lowrey completed his comprehensive examinations toward a Ph.D. in history at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque; he received his M.A. in Latin American Studies from the American University in Washington, D.C. and his B.A. in U.S. history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He speaks Spanish and has studied Indonesian and Korean.

Mark Feder has worked with INTERLINK in many different capacities. Since his arrival at INTERLINK in 1988, he has been an instructor, center director at Valparaiso University and Colorado School of Mines and Director of Curriculum and Training.  Having taught for the Peace Corps in Liberia and in universities in Korea, and having studied and traveled in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Mark brings to INTERLINK a strong academic background in ESL/EFL, teacher training, and linguistics. He holds an M.A. and completed course work and comprehensive exams for a Ph.D. in Classics; received his M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the School for International Training, and has a B.A. in comparative linguistics.  Mark has taught courses in Latin language and literature and has studied more than a dozen languages including German, Spanish, and Korean. 

David Parsons has had extensive experience in teaching, research, and administration.  Prior to joining INTERLINK, David Parsons directed a Kellogg Foundation-sponsored program on agriculture in the liberal arts: "Food, Peace, & International Development" at Wilmington College of Ohio. He has taught ESL and conducted cross-cultural research in Algeria.  Since 1986, he has worked with INTERLINK as teacher, assistant director and director of two different campus programs.  As former president of Carolina TESOL, he has been active in the region promoting standards in ESL programs.  David Parsons holds a B.A. from Guilford College in History and Math; an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Northwestern University; and a MAT in English as a Second Language from the School for International Training.  He speaks fluent French and is familiar with Arabic and Russian. 

Before her current appointment as director of INTERLINK/Indiana State University program, Marisa was a faculty member at INTERLINK/ISU in 1994-95, and director of the INTERLINK/Valparaiso program 1995-1997. She has a Master's degree in TESOL from the School for International Training, and has been in the ESL field for over 20 years. During her career, she has been a teacher, curriculum developer, director, and teacher trainer. She is an approved CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) trainer. Her teaching career and desire for cross-cultural living/learning has taken her to Japan (9 years), and many different states in the US, including Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, California, Arkansas, Hawaii and Vermont.

Prior to becoming director, Rebecca Shelton served as associate director, administrative assistant and homestay coordinator at INTERLINK/VU. She became part of the ILC/VU staff soon after its inception in 1992. Responsibilities since that time have included the publication of alumni newsletters, development of the conversation partner program and homestay program, and oversight of the ILC/VU website. Rebecca's experience prior to joining ILC/VU includes administrative and management responsibilities with a marketing/communications firm and research/analysis in a corporate marketing research department. A graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, she holds a B.A. degree in English literature with a concentration in secondary education. She is currently working on her M.A.L.S. at Valparaiso University. 

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