About Arizona State University

Adwith Malpe is a Computer Engineer with a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Computer Systems Engineering from Arizona State University. His industry experience spans both the financial and aerospace sectors, with a strong focus on Computer Science.

Andrea Mürau Haraway brings over two decades of experience teaching English as a Second Language in both the U.S. and Japan. She has led faculty development workshops and teacher training sessions for educators worldwide. Andrea has also taught various Business English courses within the MBA and Executive Education programs at Thunderbird School of Global Management. Her work extends beyond the classroom, as she has presented at national and international conferences on topics such as writing instruction, multilingualism in business communication, discourse analysis, and the communication protocols involved in cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Anna Gandrabura is an entrepreneur, change leader, author, and founder of English For IT and Annglish. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she is also a content creator and social media influencer. Anna has completed courses at Stanford University in management and effective communication, earned a diploma in English for Specific Purposes from the University of Oregon, and holds a CELTA certification from Teaching House, New York. Notably, she was the first to develop ESL content tailored specifically for the tech industry.

Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan earned his PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in 1990, focusing on metal/air batteries and alkaline fuel cells. He is currently a professor in the Polytechnic School of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, where he specializes in low-temperature fuel cells and Li-ion batteries for automotive and stationary applications. Prior to this role, Dr. Kannan served as Chief Scientist at Hoku Scientific, Inc. in Hawaii, where he designed and developed fuel cells for electric vehicles until July 2005.

Beatriz has over 10 years of experience teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). She holds a degree in Business Administration from Florida International University, where she double-majored in International Business and Marketing. Having lived, studied, and traveled across Europe, Beatriz earned her TEFL certification in the Czech Republic, marking the start of her teaching career. Her passion for education led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Education with a focus on TESOL from Grand Canyon University.

Dr. Dixon has developed teacher training and customized programs for groups from countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Iraq, Peru, and Mexico. He has also created language programs for major companies, including General Electric in Brazil, LG in Korea, and Toyota in Japan. Most recently, he served as the academic lead for a large-scale English teacher training initiative sponsored by the Mexican government, involving 500 participants. Currently, he is designing ASU's online TESOL certificate program on the Coursera platform. Additionally, Dr. Dixon has taught and managed an English program in Venezuela. He holds a doctorate in educational technology from Arizona State University and a master’s in English language planning and policy from Brigham Young University.

Barbara Oakley, PhD, PE, is a Professor of Engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and Coursera’s first “Innovation Instructor.” Her research explores the intricate connections between neuroscience and social behavior and has been described as "revolutionary" by the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Oakley has published in prestigious outlets, including the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. She has received multiple national teaching awards, including the American Society of Engineering Education’s Chester F. Carlson Award for technical innovation in engineering education.

Terrence Sejnowski is a pioneering figure in computational neuroscience, dedicated to uncovering the principles that connect brain activity to behavior. His laboratory employs experimental and modeling techniques to investigate the biophysical properties of synapses and neurons, as well as the population dynamics within large neural networks. He has developed innovative computational models and analytical tools to explore how the brain represents information and how new representations emerge through learning algorithms that modify synaptic strengths.

Dr. Justin Shewell holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree in TESOL from Brigham Young University. With over 15 years of experience teaching English across various countries and states in the U.S., he has made significant contributions to the field. Dr. Shewell has published numerous articles and book chapters focused on leveraging technology to enhance English teaching and boost teacher effectiveness. His research interests encompass the effective integration of technology in diverse curricular contexts, the use of video to improve both teacher and student performance, teaching pronunciation and vocabulary, and developing effective online instructional methods.

Ellen Manos holds a Master’s degree in TESOL from Northern Arizona University and has a decade of teaching experience. She has taught English to university students at NAU, in Thailand, and at Arizona State University. Additionally, she spent four years teaching English Language Arts in the public school system, where she served as the ELL mentor for her school. Currently, Ellen teaches ESL at Arizona State University.

Greg Hammons graduated from The Ohio State University with a BSBA, specializing in Logistics Management and minoring in Spanish. He is currently a financial analyst at YouTube, where he focuses on creating value within the entertainment industry while also dedicating himself to community service. In 2014, he founded Forever Phase, LLC, an inspirational entertainment company that provides motivational speeches, professional development workshops, and online content. The mission of Forever Phase is to inspire youth to pursue higher education and a meaningful purpose in life. Greg has delivered keynote presentations to audiences of over 700 for organizations such as Google, California DECA, The Boys and Girls Club, The Columbus Urban League, and The Fisher College of Business.

Kaitlin Decker is a Global Educator with Global Launch at Arizona State University. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and boasts over 13 years of experience in language education both in the United States and internationally. Her professional interests focus on teacher education and instructional design.

Jessica Cinco has nearly 20 years of experience in the ESL field, both internationally and in the United States. Currently serving as a Senior Global Educator at Arizona State University Global Launch, she enhances English language education through various initiatives, including designing online courses, hosting webinars, leading teacher training sessions, and teaching students both in-person and online. Jessica played a key role in developing ASU's award-winning TESOL certificate course on Coursera, "Teach English Now!" Before joining ASU in 2013, she taught at Southeast Missouri State University and Chosun University in South Korea. She holds a bachelor's degree in German and Communications from Truman State University and a master's degree in TESOL from Southeast Missouri State University. Her professional development interests focus on integrating the work of Dr. Brené Brown on empathy, vulnerability, and leadership, along with Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication practices into her roles at Global Launch and ASU. Jessica has completed Brené Brown's "Dare To Lead" training and over 200 hours of Nonviolent Communication training.