Stuart Chipres
Resident Director
E-mail: director@saiie.com
Stuart Chipres was born and raised in Seville (Spain) with a huge international background (Dual-citizenship: American-British). He studied at the French School in Seville for 10 years. Once graduated from High School, he jumped into the American system going to SAIIE, to finish graduating as a student of the University of Wisconsin- Platteville with an International Studies degree.
In 1999 he began working for the SAIIE program. He has moved through all the departments at the program. In 2009 he became the SAIIE Resident Director.
Fluent in three languages (Spanish, English and French), he loves travelling around the world and has been almost everywhere (US, Asia, Europe and Africa). However, his biggest passions are a clear representation of Andalusian culture: Soccer, Semana Santa and the overall lifestyle.
"It's a pleasure to share my International experience, views on life and passion for Sevilla with American students from all over the US and different backgrounds. Their transformation is breathtaking and makes me prouder than anything else in my life."
Samantha Chipres
Director
E-mail: samanthac@saiie.com
Samantha is the youngest of four, following her brother's steps in education: went to the French School where she graduated from High School to later jumping into the American system through SAIIE to finally graduating with a Bachelors degree in International Studies from UW-Platteville.
In 2007 she began working in SAIIE as Assistant Student Affairs. In 2010, she became the Student Affairs Director; amongst her duties, she organised excursions and cultural activities, served as the 24/7 emergency contact for all students, placed students with corresponding households and roommates, carefully selected host families through a comprehensive interview process and arranged contracts.
In 2016, Samantha moved to London to continue her education and pursued her Master's Degree in International Business at the Regent's University of London.
With her new role as Director back in SAIIE, her responsibilities are to continue helping in the Student Affairs department, as well as to work with the Program Manager in the decision-making process for upcoming projects, developing new strategies and ideas to improve our services for the students and to create potential partnerships with U.S. universities.
"My number one passion is to travel to different parts of the world and getting to know their culture. To be able to be a small part of an unforgettable experience such as studying abroad is an honour. Seeing the students sad to leave Seville and us at the end of the semester means that we have done our job to show them that this city and this program are special".
Sean Chipres
Program Manager
E-mail: seanrc@saiie.com
Sean Chipres graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Platteville with honours in an International Studies degree.
Prior to his studies in the US, he had received his entire education in Seville, Spain. He is fluent in Spanish, English and French.
He began to work for SAIIE in 2001.
He's currently the Program Manager for SAIIE and oversees the following programs for SAIIE: faculty led programs, gap year programs, high school programs & athletic programs
His biggest passions include travelling and meeting new people from around the world.
“I love my job and international education. The most gratifying part of my job is to see how students evolved throughout their study abroad experience and how they turned into new people after their experience is over, and to know that we played a big part in it”.
Jose Luis Sierra
Academic Director
E-mail: academic@saiie.com
Jose Luis Sierra began working for SAIIE in 1988 as a teacher, and since 1992 he has had the responsibility of being the Academic Director of the program.
Mr Sierra has a degree in Geography and History from the University of Seville in 1985 with a speciality in Contemporary Spanish History (19th and 20th centuries). Afterwards, he broadened his studies related to the evolution of the European left-wing parties.
At the same time, he completed the classes of Pedagogical Adaptation that Spanish law requires to be able to teach. Professionally his first steps were not related to teaching.
Mr Sierra began working for the autonomous administration conducting field studies about seasonal migration in Andalucía. He later participated in making a toponymic map of the Doñana National Park (Huelva), a study run by the Superior Council of Scientific Investigation.
In over these 20 years, Mr Sierra has taught different classes such as Geography of the Mediterranean Lands; Spanish Painters of the 16th-20th Centuries; Latin American History and 20th Century Spanish History.
"I love reading, music, cinema, and also enjoy travelling. My biggest reward is the much appreciation we get back from our students!"
Regla Rojo
Office Manager
E-mail: administracion@saiie.com
Regla Rojo began working with interns at expositions and fairs in PR while completing her studies as Administrator and Management Secretary. In 1990 she began working at the Spanish-American Institute of International Education working in Administration as the assistant to the Registrar.
Little by little her work shifted to adapt to the changing needs of the growing program. During all these years she has witnessed many students passing through SAIIE.
"I like to see the evolution and changes that the students experience from arrival until the very end of the program. What I most enjoy is feeling useful and providing information to the students. Among my hobbies what stands out is listening to 80´s music, going to the movies, reading, and spending time with my family."