About Sector Coaches
UAlbany Peace Corps Prep program participants receive specialized advising and mentorship from experienced Sector Coaches.
If you have not yet chosen a sector, please contact UAlbany's Peace Corps Prep Coordinator Dr. Annette Richie at [email protected] for assistance.
Agriculture Sector & Environment Sector Coach: Michael Elliott
Michael Elliott is the Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at UAlbany and teaches First-year Experience courses for new students.
He has worked in the field of international education for more than 25 years and has had a number of experiences abroad including studying in Germany, participating in a Fulbright administrators program in Japan, and recruiting students in China, South Korea and Taiwan.
Michael has traveled to many countries like Argentina and Spain, where members of his immediate family are dual citizens. One of the most formative international experiences Michael has had is with the Peace Corps (1989 to 1991), where he taught biology and physics in a Kenyan high school off the East African coast of Mombassa.
Contact Michael Elliot at [email protected].
Community Economic Development Sector Coach: Susan Appe
Susan Appe is Associate Professor of Public Administration and Policy at UAlbany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. She researches and teaches courses on nonprofit management, philanthropy, public management and public policy.
Dr. Appe is regularly invited to guest lecture and has held visiting professor appointments at universities in Latin America and Africa. She is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, serving in North Macedonia (2001) and Bolivia (2002 to 2004).
Contact Susan Appe at [email protected].
Education Sector Coach: Susan Gorga
Susan Gorga has been teaching at the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at UAlbany for more than 25 years. In addition, she has also organized activities and events for IELP students and UAlbany student volunteers.
She was in the first Peace Corps group to go to Poland (1990 to 1992) and taught in Chełm. Other international teaching experience includes IREX grants to Romania, teacher training in China, two more teaching stints in Poland, and Brazil.
Contact Susan Gorga at [email protected].
Health Sector Coach: John Justino
John Justino serves as the Director of UAlbany's Center for Global Health and holds a faculty appointment in the Health Policy, Management and Behavior Department at UAlbany's School of Public Health.
He has nearly 30 years of experience working in global health and international development, and has lived and worked extensively abroad. Mr. Justino is a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, having served in Cameroon (1992-1994).
Contact John Justino at [email protected].
Youth in Development Sector Coach: Annette Richie
Annette Richie serves as Director of Global Learning: Engagement and Excellence at the University at Albany. Annette spearheads UAlbany’s inclusive global learning initiatives: COIL, Global Distinction, International Studies, and Peace Corps Prep. Annette is a “third culture kid” who researched and taught in medical anthropology, archaeology, and ethnohistory for two decades before finding her way to global career and curricular mapping. Annette holds a doctorate in Anthropology from the University at Albany. Annette also serves as the Peace Corps Prep Coordinator and approves Peace Corps Prep Exit Checklists.
Contact Annette Richie at [email protected].