Staff Directory

Staff Directory

Our staff are dedicated and experienced training and education professionals.

Matt Rosenstein

Director, Global Education and Training


Matt Rosenstein became Director of Global Education and Training (GET) in 2015. He is also Director of the Shanghai Office since 2017 and the Intensive English Institute since 2018. Prior to joining GET, from 2010-2015 he was Senior Associate Director of the European Union Center (EUC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Rosenstein also served as EUC’s Director of Graduate Studies for the Master of Arts degree program in EU Studies. Previously, Rosenstein was Associate Director of the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security (ACDIS) at Illinois from 2001-2010. He holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a B.A. degree from Duke University.

Shujun (Amy) Chen

Associate Director for Administration and Operations


Amy joined Illinois International in January 2024. Amy holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and BA and MA degrees in English Language and Literature from Northeastern Normal University in China. Prior to joining GET, she worked in UIUC’s Grainger College of Engineering, where she was the Program Coordinator for Records and Admission within the Zhejiang University-University of Illinois joint institute (ZJUI). In her current position, she provides administrative and operational oversight for GET, including the Shanghai Office.

Grant Brewer

Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives


Grant has been a member of the Illinois International team since 2011. As Associate Director for Global Education and Training (GET), Grant works to grow the mission of GET and IEI, and assists in administration of the Shanghai Office. Grant also oversees the Intensive English Institute (IEI) by providing day to day leadership. Previously, Grant was the Assistant Director for Financial Management in Illinois International Business Operations (IBOPS), where he helped manage fiscal, operational, and business activities for all units under Illinois International. Prior to that role, Grant was an International Training Coordinator at GET, where he helped facilitate educational and training programs for international executives.

Robert Marinelli

Associate Director for Program Implementation


Rob Marinelli joined GET in 2009, where he began developing professional exchange programs, primarily for senior Chinese executives and administrators. Currently Rob oversees many of GET’s flagship training programs for China’s top banks. In this role, Rob works closely with the faculty members, GET team members and graduate students, and community volunteers to ensure each visitor experiences the best of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and State of Illinois. Supporting academic and educational exchange within the International arena for nearly decade, Rob has cultivated his passion for leadership development, and he believes that educational and intercultural exchange are essential to fostering understanding and cooperation across cultures.

At GET, Rob has facilitated programing initiatives for executives and students from China, South Korea, Colombia and Argentina, and supports ongoing development initiatives in areas of proposal development, grant writing, and program implementation. Rob earned his B.A. in management at the University of Illinois Springfield and was a member of the Illinois Air National Guard for nine years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, and sharing a great meal with friends new and old.

Shynar Imangaliyeva

Global Education and Training Program Coordinator


Shynar Imangaliyeva is a distinguished professional in Global Development and Strategic Partnership with extensive experience in leading large-scale projects, developing and managing innovative programs, and overseeing a portfolio of customized educational products. Her professional background spans diplomatic missions, United Nations agencies, higher education institutions, and international donor organizations. Currently serving in Global Education and Training at the University of Illinois, Shynar draws from a wealth of experience across Kazakhstan, Belgium, Finland, and the United States. She has collaborated extensively as an expert and co-author on national, regional, and international projects with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the UNDP Regional Center for Europe and CIS.

Her expertise in globalization and development strategies has led to speaking engagements at numerous international conferences across the USA, Europe, and Asia. Recognized by the U.S. Department of State, she was selected to evaluate scholarship applications within Youth Exchange Programs, highlighting her impact on educational policies and global practices. With a Master of Education in Educational Policy and Management from The University of Manchester and a foundation of research fellowships, Shynar is committed to lifelong learning. Fluent in English, Russian, and Kazakh, she effectively engages diverse stakeholders to drive innovation in education and forge impactful global partnership.

Melissa Ramos Vaesken

Global Education and Training Program Coordinator


Melissa holds a Ph.D. in Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, a Master of Arts in Education and Development from University of East Anglia – Norwich (UK), and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language from National University of Asuncion (Paraguay). Prior to joining GET, she worked as Senior Project and Pedagogical Coordinator at Fundación Paraguaya, and as Teaching Professor at the Instituto Superior de Lenguas (Higher Institute of Languages) at National University of Asuncion, among other positions. In her current position, Melissa coordinates, plans, and implements a variety of educational and training programs for international professionals and students.

Wendy Spencer

Global Education and Training Program Coordinator


Wendy received a B.S. in Education from University of Wisconsin Whitewater, with a major in English Education and a minor in Special Education. She is currently working towards a Master of Education in Diversity and Equity in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Before joining GET, Wendy taught as an English teacher at Indian Trail High School and Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Her experience also includes teaching English at Southwest University in Chongqing, China for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. As a Program Coordinator at GET, Wendy coordinates, plans, and implements a variety of educational and training programs for international professionals and students.

Allison Wheeler

Global Education and Training Program Coordinator


Allison received her B.A. in Global Studies and German Studies and her M.A. in European Union Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining GET, Allison worked for the non-profit STEAM Genius; the UI Research Park and EnterpriseWorks; and the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club. Before that, she was an Illini Science Policy Fellow with the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology. As a Program Coordinator at GET, Allison coordinates, plans, and implements a variety of educational and training programs for international professionals and students.

Nianhua Wang

Representative, China Training Programs


Mr. Wang graduate from Shanghai University of Science and Technology (SUST) in 1975. He received an M.A. in Business Administration in the People’s University of China, Beijing in 1986. He was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1990, and earned a MSBA degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1992.

He was the Administrative Director of the Faculty Development Office at SUST for eight years. He developed programs to retrain faculty members, was in charge of international exchange programs, and designed long-term programs to develop high quality faculty at SUST. After he received his Master’s degree from the People’s University of China, he became the Director of Business Administration Teaching Section at SUST. He was in charge of Advanced Management Training Programs for senior managers of the major Chinese companies. He developed and taught business management courses for both university students and managers, served as a consultant on international business, and represented two American companies to draft joint venture agreements and business documents.

Currently, he is the Representative of China Training Program for Global Education and Training at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In this position, he has developed contracts with the China Association for International Exchange of Personnel for EDC. He has coordinated many successful programs including Ministry of Machinery and Electronics Industries, Chinese Academy of Science, Bank of Communications, Ministry of Public Security, State Science and Technology Commission, and Bank of China, etc.

Shared Services

Our operations are supported by the shared services teams in Illinois International: Global Communications, Human Resources, International Business Operations, and Shared Administrative Services.

Affiliated Faculty and Staff

GET retains an extended staff of part-time employees to provide content expertise or administrative support for its training programs. Our core staff work closely with faculty experts, talented student staff, skilled translators and interpreters, and a diverse pool of academic staff.