International Student Academic Advisors
"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
"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 is married and has two kids.
Phone: 206-533-6758
Email: cokawara@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
"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
"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