International Staff
Ryan Griffith
Interim Vice President for International Programs
griffithr@uiu.edu
As Executive Director for International Programs at Upper Iowa University (UIU), Mr. Ryan Griffith supervises the UIU International Programs office and coordinates faculty, staff, and student support at UIU's international centers.
Mr. Griffith comes to UIU after serving four years with the University of North Carolina as a director, immigration officer, and adjunct lecturer of Political Science.
A graduate of the University of Southern California and Australia's Queensland University, Mr. Griffith specialized in international relations and Asian politics. Prior to 2007, he spent nearly a decade living, working, and studying in Asia-Pacific. He enjoys international travel and learning about the customs, cultures, and language(s) of the countries he visits.
Edwin Tan, MBA
Director of Asian Programs
tane@uiu.edu or edwinkwant@pacific.net.sg
At Upper Iowa, Mr. Edwin Tan currently serves as Director of Asian Programs for all UIU International undergraduate programs in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, and additional territories as assigned. His primary role is to coordinate with the Asian Centers in providing administrative supports and assuring the compliance in UIU policies, local accrediting authorities and the home accrediting association. He provides training and support for center staff to ensure smooth center operations and in compliance with Upper Iowa University policy including the Catalogue and International Operations Manual.
Sarah Bjork
Director of English as a Second Language Program
bjorks@uiu.edu
Ms. Sarah Bjork serves as the Director of English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at Upper Iowa University, Fayette. Prior to this position, she served for two years as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher at Lutheran Language Institute, Tokyo, Japan. From her time in Japan, she was inspired to pursue a MA of ESL at Hamline University, St. Paul, MN. As a result of studying and interacting in Japanese on a daily basis for proficiency, Bjork can effectively teach to the nuances of learning a new language. Bjork is excited to build a solid ESL program that will ensure the success of her students in Upper Iowa's undergraduate programs, and contribute to Upper Iowa's global vision. Outside of her professional goals, Bjork enjoys spending time with her family and cycling.
Alice Hung
Center Director
alice@uiu.edu.hk
Ms. Alice has served as Center Director of Upper Iowa University (HK) Limited since August 2006. She started working in education following her graduation from the University of Science and Technology. Before becoming the Center Director for the UIU Hong Kong Center, Alice worked in a multinational company as a center director. With the passion and commitment to education service, Alice believes education can bring people a brighter future and improved one's quality of life.
She has more than seven years experience in a managerial role in education including strategic planning, program development, student enrollment marketing, recruitment, training and center operation. Alice's main focus for the UIU (HK) Center is to increase the awareness of its reputable U.S. degree in the local regions.
Click here to view a full list of our Hong Kong Center Staff
Mr. Kalai Ponniah
Malaysia Program Director
ponniahk@uiu.edu
Dr. David Eicher
Lead Faculty for Hong Kong and Assistant Professor
eicherd@uiu.edu
Dr. David Eicher will serve as the Hong Kong Academic Coordinator. Dr. Eicher began his business career in 1966 in the telecommunications industry after serving 4 ½ years in the U.S. Navy, and has held non-management and management assignments in both line and staff positions up to the director level. Many of Dr. Eicher’s assignments were managing and directing the technical telecommunications network functions of both field operations and corporate strategic operations for over 35 years. Dr. Eicher was responsible, while working with GTE laboratory scientists, for leading the strategic direction of state-of-the-art technical network platforms using artificial intelligence and expert systems to automatically respond to telecommunications network trouble indications. Dr. Eicher completed his American Corporate career in 1992 and began his own business as an electrical contractor. He managed this business until retiring in 2007 to teach business and management classes at Brenau Womens College in Gainesville, Georgia, and ultimately at Upper Iowa University in Hong Kong.
Dr. Eicher earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver Colorado, and his Master of Arts degree in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior at the University of Phoenix in Denver. He earned his doctorate in Management of Organizational Leadership from the AACSB accredited business school at the University of Phoenix. Dr. Eicher’s personal interests are reading, teaching talented students, and fishing when the opportunity arises.
Cathy Langel
International Enrollment Advisor
langelc@uiu.edu
Ms. Cathy Langel began working at Upper Iowa University in October 2008. As an International Enrollment Advisor she is responsible for doing initial evaluations of student transfer work, entering and maintaining student information in our computer system, registering students for courses, recording grades, developing transcripts, doing academic reviews, and posting degrees when requirements are met. She also advises and maintains degree plans for students and advises center personnel in carrying out Upper Iowa University operations. Her work includes internet research and email communication.
Ms. Langel is a Fayette native and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Upper Iowa University in December, 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Her work experience includes teaching grade levels four through eight, operating a silk wedding floral business, and performing duties in the computer applications field.
Ms. Langel and her husband enjoy raising three children and their many pets on their acreage. Other hobbies include gardening, reading, sewing, and utilizing the beautiful Upper Iowa Recreation Center.
Nancy Grinna
International Advising Assistant
grinnan@uiu.edu
Ms. Nancy Grinna serves as the International Advising Assistant (IAA) for Upper Iowa University's Office of International Programs. Her primary responsibility is to support and assist the International Enrollment Advisors with daily operations as they pertain to the students and staff of Upper Iowa's international centers. As the IAA ,Grinna organizes, processes, and records graduation applications into the university database. Her work also includes creating student files and processing applications and document information related to UIU admissions procedures.
In 2006, Grinna earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS), Computer Applications Technician Diploma and Office Technology Diploma from Northeast Iowa Community College.
Grinna and her husband Gary raised their three sons in Postville, Iowa. Blaine is a student a Brown University, Brad graduated from College of the Holy Cross, and Brent graduated from Brown University and is a student at Harvard Business School.
Micah Boyum
ESL Program Coordinator
boyumm@uiu.edu 
Mr. Micah Boyum began work at Upper Iowa University in August of 2010. As ESL Program Coordinator, Boyum’s responsibilities include: supporting and guiding the International Ambassador Program, researching and coordinating cultural outings for the ESL students, as well as developing a line of communication with faculty for ESL students to observe undergraduate courses.
Boyum is a 2010 graduate of Bethany College of Missions, Bloomington, MN, where he earned his Associate of Arts in Global Christian Ministry. In pursuing his Degree, Boyum spent four months living in the Philippines where he studied and interacted with Filipino culture through service projects and English teaching. Along with his cross-cultural experience, Boyum has also spent a short amount of time in China, aiding those who want to learn English. Other things that Boyum enjoys include: time with God, time with family, teaching Sunday School, and playing piano.
Ben Onyango
Assistant Director for International Programs.
onyangob@uiu.edu
As Assistant Director for International Programs, Mr. Onyango provides support for international students and scholars on the Upper Iowa University (UIU) Fayette campus. He will provide guidance on immigration matters and assist with meeting the internationalization goals of the university.
In addition to that, he will also assist the Office of International Programs in meeting internationalization goals of the university, including cross-cultural training, faculty exchange and faculty/student international experiences.
Mr. Onyango, a native of Kisumu, Kenya, received his undergraduate degree from Trinity College, MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and LLM from Birmingham City University in Birmingham, England.
Prior to coming to UIU, Mr. Onyango taught Global Business and Leadership & Management courses at the University of Wisconsin in Platteville. Before that, he taught in England and worked in local government and the banking industry.
Madalina Florentina Tincu
Coordinator for International Enrollment
tincum@uiu.edu
Dr. Madalina F. Tincu is the Coordinator for International Enrollment (CIE) at Upper Iowa University (UIU), Fayette. She serves as the primary university contact for international students interested in studying with UIU and the primary resource for UIU on issues regarding international student enrollment strategies. She develops partnerships, programs, resources, and recruitment practices to assist with the implementation of the International Programs recruitment strategy. In cooperation with key Office of International Programs' (OIP) staff and other university offices, she also advises international students through enrollment and immigration processes.
Dr. Tincu earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology/TESOL from the University of Northern Iowa. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and French from Ovidius University in Romania. Throughout her professional career, she has been dedicated not only to supporting students' success in education through international experiences but also to preparing students to live, work, and serve as global citizens. Her theoretical and practical knowledge of cross-cultural adjustment and communication has been enhanced by her personal and professional experience with study abroad and international experiential learning programs, providing her with the insights of a student, teacher, advisor, consultant, and coordinator.
Prior to beginning her role at UIU, Dr. Tincu was a University of Phoenix faculty member teaching business communication and college writing (2006-2011) and a program assistant for the Four-Country Study Abroad Program at the University of Northern Iowa (May 2011).
Samantha Hansel
International Enrollment Advisor
hansels@uiu.edu
Ms. Samantha Hansel began working at Upper Iowa University (UIU) in August 2011. As an International Enrollment Advisor she is responsible for conducting initial evaluations of student transfer work, entering and maintaining student information, registering students for courses, recording grades, developing transcripts, performing academic reviews, maintaining degree plans, posting degrees, and collaborating with international center personnel.
Ms. Hansel is from Elkader, IA and a UIU graduate. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, in May 2011. Throughout her undergraduate career Ms. Hansel served as a work-study student for UIU Admissions and International Programs. She was also elected president of Phi Beta Lambda and the Drama Club in addition to being a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Honor Society.
When Ms. Hansel in not spending time with her family, friends, cats, or watching movies, she enjoys cruising riding her motorcycle and decorating.
Jenna Rinehart
International Enrollment Advisor
rinehartj@uiu.edu
Ms. Jenna Rinehart began working at Upper Iowa University (UIU) in May 2010. As an International Enrollment Advisor she is responsible for conducting initial evaluations of student transfer work, entering and maintaining student information, registering students for courses, recording grades, developing transcripts, performing academic reviews, maintaining degree plans, posting degrees, and collaborating with international center personnel.
Ms. Rinehart graduated from Iowa State University in 2009 with an Interdisciplinary Studies degree in Asian Cultures and Marketing. She spent a semester studying at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, where she improved her Chinese language skills and assisted exchange students with their visa application process. Prior to beginning her role as International Enrollment Advisor, Ms. Rinehart served as the Administrative Assistant for International Programs at UIU.
In addition to her international interests, Ms. Rinehart enjoys reading, riding her bike, and playing piano.
Kara Hanson
Administrative Assistant
hansonk@uiu.edu
Ms. Kara Hanson has been a part of the Upper Iowa University (UIU) family since 2006. Among her multifaceted responsibilities as the Administrative Assistant for the Office of International Programs (OIP), are maintenance of faculty files, arranging accommodations for international visitors and assisting the Senior Vice President with special projects. Prior to her role in OIP, she served as the Administrative Assistant for Career Development, Counseling & Disability Services at Upper Iowa University. In both roles at UIU, Ms. Hanson most enjoys the opportunity to build relationships with students from all over the world in a small town environment.
Ms. Hanson holds an Associate of Arts degree in Professional Photography. In addition to her photographic interests, she has a passion for international missions and culture studies and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Studies: Anthropology and Language. In her free time she enjoys reading, movies, kayaking and building LEGO creations with her son.
