Meet our team of bilingual experts!

 

headshot of Allwyn Avalos

Allwyn Ávalos

Bilingual Call Center Representative

  • Over 8 years of experience in education, focusing on bilingual student support.
  • Holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Alliance University and is passionate about helping students succeed academically.
  • Committed to supporting Spanish-speaking students in his role as a Bilingual Call Center Representative, assisting with questions on financial aid, student accounts, and registration.

 

 

Headshot of Luis José Camacho

Luis José Camacho, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor of Business, International Business, and Marketing

  • Assistant Professor of International Business and Marketing with decades of experience, serving as the Academic Coordinator for the Spanish BBA program.
  • Holds a Doctor of Education in distance education and instructional technology, a master’s degree in marketing, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
  • Specializes in teaching marketing, international business, and sustainability, preparing students for success in a global environment.

 

 

Headshot of Lyanne Garcia-Boswell

Lyanne García-Boswell

IT Support Specialist

  • Nearly 5 years of experience in higher education, educational technology, and student support, focusing on underrepresented students.
  • Holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature from SUNY Potsdam.
  • Committed to their role as an IT Support Specialist by offering students guidance, tech support troubleshooting, and connections to Spanish-language resources.

 

 

Headshot of Silvia Mejia

Silvia Mejía, Ph.D.

Director of Spanish Language Programs

  • Director of Spanish Language Programs with over 20 years of experience in higher education.
  • Holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature and an M.A. in contemporary Latin American literature from the University of Maryland, College Park.
  • Leads the development of the Spanish BBA at SUNY Empire, drawing on her background as an Ecuadorian immigrant and her commitment to empowering Spanish-speaking students.

 

 

 

Headshot of Liv Thygesen

Liv Thygesen

Bilingual Disability Specialist and Student Veteran Association Club (SVAC) Executive Board Disability Liaison

  • Bilingual Disability Specialist at SUNY Empire with a diverse background, including service as a U.S. Marine Corps aviation electrician.
  • Holds dual bachelor's degrees in Spanish and education from The College of Saint Rose and a master's in education (ESL) from Meredith College.
  • In her role with the Spanish BBA, Liv assists students in accessing resources to remove barriers due to disabilities, advocating for equitable access to education.

 

 

 

Headshot of Maria Vega

María Vega

Bilingual Student Success Coordinator

  • Bilingual Student Success Coordinator with over 18 years of experience in higher education.
  • Holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from SUNY Brockport and a master’s degree in student personnel administration from SUNY Buffalo.
  • Focused on student success and support for bilingual and Spanish-speaking students and passionate about connecting with students in their native language.