International Education Staff

"People in other countries are quickly discovering the hidden gem within the U.S. higher education system, namely community colleges!"

Samira Pardanani
Associate Vice President for International Education and Global Engagement
Samira has been with Shoreline's dynamic IE department for over 10 years and loves working with a team that is innovative and dedicated to students and the field of international education. Before joining Shoreline, Samira was an International Student/Scholar Advisor at the University of Michigan. She has two Masters degrees - in German and in Teaching English as A Second Language. Originally from India, she has also lived and studied in Europe and speaks several languages.

Phone: 206-546-6940
Email: spardana@shoreline.edu

"Helping international students here in the US is my way to repay the kindness of the people around the world who assisted me when I was far from home and needed help and support."

Lianne Almughirah
Director, International Admissions & Student Services
Lianne is originally from Vermont but has lived all over the U.S. She has also lived in Sweden and Russia. Lianne previously worked as an International Student Advisor at North Dakota State University and Assistant Director for International and Multicultural Student Services at Arkansas Tech University. Lianne attended the University of Maine at Farmington, where she received tremendous support and guidance from the staff and faculty. It was this experience, along with being an international student herself, that created her passion for service as a mentor and guide for international students during their college experience.

Phone: 206-533-6664
Email: lalmughirah@shoreline.edu

"Never be late to start a new adventure. Apply to Shoreline and get started!"

Harumi Kendall
Program Specialist/F1 Specialist
Harumi is originally from Japan and earned an A.A.A.S degree in the Business Technology program at Shoreline Community College. She joined the office in 2005 and has been assisting the admissions and immigration areas of our office since 2010.  She loves yoga, watching movies, and spending time with her dog and cat. 

Phone: 206-546-4676
Email: hkendall@shoreline.edu

“I enjoy meeting students from all over the world and being part of their U.S. academic experience.”

Kristine Towns-von Stauber
Program Specialist/F1 Specialist
Kris joined Shoreline Community College in January 2014. Previously, she worked as a Student Immigration Advisor at The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geography. She enjoys helping students understand U.S. immigration laws so they can be successful in their academic goals. When not at work, she likes spending time with her husband, two daughters, and many pets.

Phone: 206-546-5890
Email: ktowns@shoreline.edu

"Wherever your journey takes you, I hope Shoreline will be a memorable experience for you. It is an honor to have you here with us and I wish you the best!"

Kachouaz Lyfoung
Program Assistant, Student Services
Kachouaz (Kat) is French by birth, Hmong by ethnicity and American by citizenship. Kat holds a B.A. from the U of MN, Twin Cities in Global Studies with a focus on Culture, Ethnicity and Identity. Prior to Shoreline, Kat worked for a Tour Operator and for an airline. She has enjoyed traveling multiple times to Europe and Asia. As a multicultural individual, Kat understands the challenges of adjusting to a new environment and juggling different identities. She looks forward to supporting international students during their growth here at Shoreline Community College. Kat enjoys tiny living with her two cats and spending time with her niece.

Phone: 206-546-4697
Email: klyfoung@shoreline.edu

“There is much to be learned outside our comfort zones – whether traveling internationally, or to a new part of your city or country. Go with ears and heart open!” 

Colleen Ferguson
Associate Director, Global Learning & Engagement

Colleen attended the University of Puget Sound where she earned a degree in International Relations and Foreign Languages. She feels fortunate that she had the opportunity to study for a semester at the Universidad de Alicante in Spain. After college she taught English in Japan, and later returned to the U.S. to earn an M.Ed. at the University of Washington. Colleen has worked in the International Education field for over 20 years, including teaching Intercultural Communication, developing and managing study/teach abroad programs and international college partnerships, meeting with prospective students and their families overseas to share the value of a community college education, administering federal grants to internationalize campus & curricula, and serving as a domestic and international student advisor.

Phone: 206-546-4697
Email: cferguson@shoreline.edu

“International education promotes peace, mutual understanding, and the pursuit of scientific truth.”

Bo Fu
Director, International Outreach
Bo Fu has lived in the United States since 1995 and holds a master’s degree in International Studies from Peking University in China. In the early 1990s, Bo lectured on international politics and relations at Shandong University. He has also taught Mandarin Chinese at several colleges in the Seattle area. With over two decades of experience in international education, Bo has actively contributed to student recruitment and the development of global partnerships on behalf of Shoreline College. He believes that international education and global cooperation are essential to protecting the environment, improving human well-being, maintaining world peace, and fostering mutual understanding and respect for cultural diversity. Bo enjoys traveling, taking road trips, and listening to classical music.

Phone: 206-546-6960
Email: bfu@shoreline.edu

“My utmost passion is empowering people from around the world to pursue their educational dreams and helping them discover the best version of themselves through the amazing opportunities at Shoreline and within the wider community. I really look forward to working with you!”

Sarah Stackhouse
Senior Associate Director, International Outreach
Sarah has worked in higher education for quite some time in a variety of different roles. Born and raised in Michigan, she has lived in the Midwest most of her life. In high school she was a Rotary exchange student in Thailand, studied as an international student for her BA and MA in the U.K., studied abroad in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and participated in the U.S. Dept. of State CLS program in India. Her education started at a technical college in Wisconsin (studying online while on exchange in Thailand) and she was a transfer student to the U.K.  Traveling to 55+ countries, she truly appreciates cultures, people, and flavors all around the world. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, traveling, baking, and being creative. She is an active Rotarian and community member.

Phone: 206-546-6916
Email: sstackhouse@shoreline.edu

“The world is a fascinating place. Get out and learn more about your neighbors!”

JoAnna Buxton
Administrative Assistant, Budget & Outreach Support
Originally from a small town in central Montana, JoAnna has been in the Seattle area for over 20 years. She has a background in small office management and bookkeeping and joined the Shoreline Community College family in 2015. She believes that global understanding and exchange are important in our ever shrinking world and is excited to be working in the dynamic environment of the International Education Department. When not at work, JoAnna enjoys sewing, reading, and spending time with her husband and two active little boys.

Phone: 206-533-6616
Email: jbuxton@shoreline.edu

“International education is a great pathway to connect the whole world by learning and experiencing different cultures.”

Xiaohan Linda Du
Special Programs Manager
Linda is originally from Baoding, China. She first came to the U.S. in 2010 as an exchange student at Danville High School in Arkansas. After completing her undergraduate studies at Arkansas Tech University, she chose to earn a master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration because of her dedication to supporting international students and promoting internationalization in higher education. Linda understands the challenges most international students face and how to support them so they can be successful here at Shoreline. She loves watching movies, traveling, and cooking Chinese food.

Phone: 206-533-6656
Email: ldu@shoreline.edu

"Let me help you plan your academic  life and transfer."

Cynthia Okawara
Academic Advisor
Cynthia has been advising at Shoreline since 2006. She comes with years of experience in international education, including fifteen years of advising. She loves helping students achieve their goals and become successful. She believes student involvement is the key to success! Cynthia was born in Seattle, but lived most of her early years in Minnesota. She has a B.A. from the UW in English/Elementary Education and an M.Ed. from Western Washington University. She lived in Japan for five years and speaks some Japanese. She has also traveled to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. She has two kids.

Phone: 206-533-6758
Email: cokawara@shoreline.edu

"When I lived overseas so many people were kind and helped me. I like to repay that kindness by helping our students!"

John Tankersley
Academic Advisor
John has been an international student advisor since 2004 and has lived in Washington since 2007.  He is originally from Tennessee, where he attended university and received a Bachelor's in Economics and a Master's in ESL Education.  He has traveled extensively round the world, and lived and taught English as a foreign language in Poland for one year and Japan for two years. He settled down in Seattle because of the people, the culture of the area, and the mild climate.  He loves meeting with students and helping them through their educational journey in the U.S.

Phone: 206-546-4697
Email: jtankersley@shoreline.edu

 "I look forward to getting to know you and helping you throughout your educational journey!"

Jessica Galán
Academic Advisor
Jessica is originally from California, and settled in Seattle in 2000 after earning a Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies from the University of Oregon, and a Master's degree in Student Development Administration from Seattle University. Jessica has been advising international students in the Seattle area since 2004. She has lived and studied in the Basque Country in Spain, where she has family, and has traveled to over 15 different countries around the world. Jessica is excited to get to know students at Shoreline and help them achieve their educational goals in the U.S.

Phone: 206-546-4697
Email: jgalan@shoreline.edu

"The exchange of ideas and perspectives that comes from hosting international students on our campus is a gift to our community!"

Ginger Villanueva
Academic Advisor
Ginger has been advising international students since 1999 and has a Master’s degree in Higher Education. She is originally from California and received her undergraduate degree from UC Davis. Her passion for intercultural experiences was sparked by living in Spain, Germany, and Austria for three years and loves that her job brings the world to her! She is excited to help students adjust to life in Shoreline and prepare for successful careers. Ginger loves to travel and has been to China, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and many countries in Europe.

Phone: 206-546-4697
Email: gvillanueva@shoreline.edu

"Students are the heart of what I do, and helping them navigate through the intricacies of transfer and of the U.S. education system makes me extremely happy!"

Kanchana Kularatne
Academic Advisor
Kanchana was born and raised in Sri Lanka. She lived and studied in England and traveled abroad to many parts of Europe, South and East Asia. Her undergraduate degree is in Sociology from Sri Lanka, and she earned a Master's in Education (specializing in TESOL) from University of Washington. Her awareness and true passion for education started in 2004 when she moved to Seattle as an F-1 international student in a community college. Kanchana has been an Academic Advisor since 2013, and she loves being able to relate to students and their lived experiences in the U.S.

Phone: 206-546-4697
Email: kkularatne@shoreline.edu