OUR STAFF

Judith A. Green, Director

When Judith was an undergraduate student at the University of Massachusetts, she was a summer resident hall advisor on an international student floor. She then spent a year studying abroad, and she began to understand how international education could serve as a vehicle for social change and peace. She has worked with international students and scholars as an advisor and a director at several universities along the US east coast. She joined the staff at Mason in August, 2007, and loves working here. “The field of international education has changed many times in the past twenty-five years,” she says, “but what never changes is my respect for the courage and commitment of those who leave so much behind to enter a new culture for education. Working with international students and scholars is a pleasure and a privilege. I surely have the best job on campus!”

email: jagreen@gmu.edu

Sandarshi Gunawardena, Assistant Director, J-1 Student and Scholar Advisor

Sandarshi Gunawardena has worked in the field of international education for over 10 years and has been at OIPS since July 2000. Prior to that she was the Overseas Educational Advisor at the US- Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission in Colombo. She is a native of Sri Lanka and was a Fulbright scholar from Sri Lanka when she did her master's degree in Architecture at Clemson University, South Carolina. She did her bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka and taught at the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Moratuwa. Sandarshi's interest in international education grew from her personal experiences of studying in the United States and her belief in the ideals of international education and exchange.

email: sgunawar@gmu.edu

Amy Moffitt, Assistant Director, International Student Advisor

Amy Moffitt has been with OIPS since December 2002. She graduated from GMU with an M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution in May 2007. She also received a B.A. in English literature and Western philosophy from Covenant College in 1998. Ms. Moffitt's international experiences include studying at the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Oxford, England; working for SITEL Consulting in London, England through the BUNAC program; and teaching English as a Second Language as a volunteer for 2 years. She has traveled extensively in the U.K. and recently studied Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala.

email: amoffit1@gmu.edu

Brian Lenius, International Student Advisor, Technical Coordinator

Brian has a Masters degree from George Mason University combining Organizational Development and Telecommunications. He is a global nomad and spent his High School years in Germany. He is an Advisor to the Global Nomad Student Association. Some of his other interests include: Whitewater rafting, snorkeling, underwater hockey, dancing, Yuri's Night, hearing peoples stories, telling stories/writing, reading popular science, fiction, history, politics, sustainable living and traveling.

email: blenius@gmu.edu

Alina Menyaylenko, Coordinator for Programs and Outreach

Alina Menyaylenko started working in George Mason's Office of International Programs and Services in 2006. She is originally from Uzbekistan where she taught English as a Foreign Language to university students. She holds M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA. International Education, Intercultural Communication and Information Technology are the areas of her interest. Alina really enjoys getting to know students from different parts of the world while managing OIPS programs. She also likes classical music, art, traveling and various ethnic food.

email: amenyayl@gmu.edu

Christina Lapel, International Tax Coordinator

Christina joined the OIPS staff in July 2007. She is native of Springfield, Missouri where she was the International Payroll Specialist at Missouri State University for 11 of the 17 years employed there. She graduated Cum Laude from Missouri State University in 1983 with a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and was working on her M.B.A. prior to leaving Missouri State for George Mason. She is looking forward to resuming her MBA studies at GMU.

email: clapel@gmu.edu

Christina Lehnertz, Assistant Director
International Employee Services

Christina has always been drawn to the greater international community since grade school, where she had penpals from Japan, the Netherlands, and Ecuador. Christina graduated with a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy and with an MPA from the University of North Dakota. She spent six years as an Air Force Officer, which afforded her the wonderful opportunity of international travel. Entering the field of International Education in 1991, she has had the experience of working in all sectors to include regulatory, programming, management, and study abroad issues. Christina worked in the corporate sector in Group Fitness and Fitness Management for several years and is happy to be back at George Mason University working with faculty, staff, students, and departments.

email: clehnert@gmu.edu

Anisha Woodley, International Student Advisor

Anisha Woodley grew up in Philadelphia, PA. She is originally from Trinidad and Tobago. After studying in Manchester, England with The Pennsylvania State University’s Communication Program, Anisha decided to pursue a career in International Affairs. Anisha obtained a B.A. in Journalism at Penn State and went on to obtain a M.A. in International Affairs at the Florida State University. At FSU, Anisha worked at the International Center assisting prospective international students. She enjoys reading, poetry, sports, and traveling.

email: awoodle1@gmu.edu

Mary Yamani, Budget Analyst

Mary has worked in the field of accounting for more than twenty years. Prior to joining the George Mason University in 2007, she worked for CPA offices providing accounting and tax services. Mary received her B.A. in Economics from Alameh University in Tehran, Iran. Being an international scholar herself she is very enthusiastic about being a part of the OIPS team. Other than keeping track of the budget, she enjoys cooking, learning nutrition facts, and spending time with her family.

email: myamani@gmu.edu