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About the Intensive English Center (IEC) at TSU

Welcome to the TSU Intensive English Center (IEC)

The TSU Intensive English Center provides high-quality English language instruction for international students, scholars, and local residents seeking to improve their academic and professional skills. Located on Avon Williams Off-Campus Instructional Site (Tennessee State University) in downtown Nashville, we are dedicated to fostering global connections and preparing students for success in American university life and beyond in Music City, USA.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Our Mission

To provide English language instruction through an academically rigorous program to its learners in a student-centered and supportive environment so that they achieve their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Our Vision

By 2030, the Intensive English Center (IEC) at Tennessee State University will be recognized locally and internationally as a leading English language training center, known for its outstanding programs and highly professional staff. The Center will have established partnerships with countries and institutions worldwide. It will maintain all required certifications to ensure the highest level of student satisfaction and the continued development of their English language skills and knowledge.

Core Values

At the IEC, our core values guide everything we do. We are committed to fostering a community rooted in:

Respect for All Learners
Fairness
Pursuit of Excellence
Integrity
Learning

We foster an environment where continuous learning flourishes, every individual is treated with respect, and all members of our community are encouraged to achieve their full potential.

Meet the IEC Leadership and Faculty

A. Leadership and Administration

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Vladimir Betancur, M.Ed. | Director

Vladimir Betancur serves as the Director of the IEC. He holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from TSU, where he is also pursuing a doctorate. He is responsible for curriculum development, event planning, and student excursions, and is committed to supporting international students.

E-mail: vbedoya@tnstate.edu

Brandi Myers | Assistant Director / DSO

Brandi Myers serves as the Assistant Director and DSO. She holds a master's degree in TESOL and Curriculum and Instructional Design. She has extensive experience teaching English in the US and abroad, specializing in TOEFL preparation, academic English, and pronunciation.

E-mail: bmyers6@tnstate.edu

Teresa Raquel Bertaina | Coordinator | DSO

Teresa Raquel Bertaina serves as the coordinator of the Intensive English Center. She holds a degree in Business Administration and Management and brings more than 11 years of experience in educational administration. Dedicated to students' success, she provides guidance and support throughout the students' academic journey. Oversees SEVIS compliance and provides immigration advising and support to F-1 international students as a Designated School Official (DSO).

E-mail: tbertain@tnstate.edu

B. Instructors and Support Staff

	Beyza Aypay \| Instructor Beyza Aypay is an Instructor and ESL specialist. She holds an MA in Multilingual Education and has taught diverse students in Turkey and Kazakhstan. Her experience includes academic writing, IELTS preparation, and adult ESL. E-mail: baypay@tnstate.edu
	Nina Bucknor \| Instructor Nina Bucknor holds a BA in Spanish from Oakwood University, as well as a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from MTSU. She is passionate about creating engaging classrooms and ensuring learning retention. E-mail: nbucknor@tnstate.edu
	Dr. Devon Cooper \| Instructor Dr. Devon holds a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy and an MAT TESOL from the University of Southern California. She has taught English for nearly two decades in Spain, China, and the United States. Her areas of interest include General, Academic, and Business English. E-mail: dcoope42@tnstate.edu
	Linda Doctor \| Instructor \| Associate Director at the Office of International Programs and Academic Global Engagement Linda Doctor is an ESL Instructor specializing in English language instruction for adult learners from around the world. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in English Language, as well as a Bachelor’s degree and a first professional degree in Law. E-mail: ldoctor@tnstate.edu
	Natalia Vanegas \| Volunteer Natalia Vanegas serves as a Volunteer at the IEC. Originally from Colombia, she is a lawyer specializing in Procedural Law and a former law professor. As a former IEC student, she is passionate about serving the center's students. E-mail: nvanegas@tnstate.edu

C. Advisory Board Members

	Dr. Jewell Winn \| Executive Director \| Senior International Officer \| Fulbright Liaison Dr. Winn has more than 35 years of experience in education. She serves as the Senior International Officer for the Office of International Affairs at Tennessee State University, providing strategic leadership for the university's global engagement initiatives. Dr. Winn holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Business Administration. Her research interests include international affairs, global strategies for minority-serving institutions, cultural competence, and the acculturation of international students. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and book chapters on internationalization efforts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Dr. Winn is the Past President of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). She also serves on the American Council on Education Women's Network Advisory Council, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Commission on International Initiatives, and Alignment Nashville. In addition, she is a member of the Forum on Education Abroad, Women in Higher Education in Tennessee, and several other professional and civic organizations. E-mail: jwinn@tnstate.edu
	Mark Gunter \| Director \| PDSO \| International Student and Scholar Services E-mail: mgunter@tnstate.edu
	Kisha Bryan Jordan, Ph.D. \| Department Chair for Teaching and Learning Department \| Director on the TESOL International Board \| Associate Professor & EdD C&I Coordinator College of Education \| Tennessee State University E-mail: kbryan@tnstate.edu
	Kay Eaves \| Conversational Club Volunteer Coordinator Kay Eaves is a retired educator with over 45 years of experience helping international students adjust to university life. She holds an M.Ed. from Boston University and has volunteered with the TSU IEC since 2017, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to cultural exchange.
	Francesco Masala-Martínez, Ph.D. \| Assistant Professor of Spanish \| Language Coordinator \| ESL Instructor A native of Genoa, Italy, Dr. Francesco Masala-Martínez joined the TSU faculty in 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Kentucky and an M.A. in Italian Studies. His expertise spans sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, and migration studies. E-mail: fmasala@tnstate.edu
	Hyeon Jean Yoo, Ph.D. \| Assistant Professor \| Program Coordinator, M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction TESOL Dr. Hyeon Jean Yoo prepares future educators in TESOL and literacy at TSU. Originally a teacher in South Korea, she brings extensive experience in curriculum design and mentoring. Her research focuses on social-emotional learning, online instruction, and global collaboration in education. E-mail: hyoo@tnstate.edu
	Karina Garcia Suarez \| State of Tennessee Official & Non-Profit Co-Director Karina Garcia Suarez works for the State of Tennessee. As Co-Director of a local non-profit and co-founder of HablaNashville, she specializes in inclusive development and empowering the Latin American diaspora through civic engagement.

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	Beyza Aypay \| Instructor Beyza Aypay is an Instructor and ESL specialist. She holds an MA in Multilingual Education and has taught diverse students in Turkey and Kazakhstan. Her experience includes academic writing, IELTS preparation, and adult ESL. E-mail: baypay@tnstate.edu
	Nina Bucknor \| Instructor Nina Bucknor holds a BA in Spanish from Oakwood University, as well as a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from MTSU. She is passionate about creating engaging classrooms and ensuring learning retention. E-mail: nbucknor@tnstate.edu
	Dr. Devon Cooper \| Instructor Dr. Devon holds a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy and an MAT TESOL from the University of Southern California. She has taught English for nearly two decades in Spain, China, and the United States. Her areas of interest include General, Academic, and Business English. E-mail: dcoope42@tnstate.edu
	Linda Doctor \| Instructor \| Associate Director at the Office of International Programs and Academic Global Engagement Linda Doctor is an ESL Instructor specializing in English language instruction for adult learners from around the world. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in English Language, as well as a Bachelor’s degree and a first professional degree in Law. E-mail: ldoctor@tnstate.edu
	Natalia Vanegas \| Volunteer Natalia Vanegas serves as a Volunteer at the IEC. Originally from Colombia, she is a lawyer specializing in Procedural Law and a former law professor. As a former IEC student, she is passionate about serving the center's students. E-mail: nvanegas@tnstate.edu

	Dr. Jewell Winn \| Executive Director \| Senior International Officer \| Fulbright Liaison Dr. Winn has more than 35 years of experience in education. She serves as the Senior International Officer for the Office of International Affairs at Tennessee State University, providing strategic leadership for the university's global engagement initiatives. Dr. Winn holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Business Administration. Her research interests include international affairs, global strategies for minority-serving institutions, cultural competence, and the acculturation of international students. She has authored and co-authored numerous articles and book chapters on internationalization efforts at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Dr. Winn is the Past President of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). She also serves on the American Council on Education Women's Network Advisory Council, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Commission on International Initiatives, and Alignment Nashville. In addition, she is a member of the Forum on Education Abroad, Women in Higher Education in Tennessee, and several other professional and civic organizations. E-mail: jwinn@tnstate.edu
	Mark Gunter \| Director \| PDSO \| International Student and Scholar Services E-mail: mgunter@tnstate.edu
	Kisha Bryan Jordan, Ph.D. \| Department Chair for Teaching and Learning Department \| Director on the TESOL International Board \| Associate Professor & EdD C&I Coordinator College of Education \| Tennessee State University E-mail: kbryan@tnstate.edu
	Kay Eaves \| Conversational Club Volunteer Coordinator Kay Eaves is a retired educator with over 45 years of experience helping international students adjust to university life. She holds an M.Ed. from Boston University and has volunteered with the TSU IEC since 2017, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to cultural exchange.
	Francesco Masala-Martínez, Ph.D. \| Assistant Professor of Spanish \| Language Coordinator \| ESL Instructor A native of Genoa, Italy, Dr. Francesco Masala-Martínez joined the TSU faculty in 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Kentucky and an M.A. in Italian Studies. His expertise spans sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, and migration studies. E-mail: fmasala@tnstate.edu
	Hyeon Jean Yoo, Ph.D. \| Assistant Professor \| Program Coordinator, M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction TESOL Dr. Hyeon Jean Yoo prepares future educators in TESOL and literacy at TSU. Originally a teacher in South Korea, she brings extensive experience in curriculum design and mentoring. Her research focuses on social-emotional learning, online instruction, and global collaboration in education. E-mail: hyoo@tnstate.edu
	Karina Garcia Suarez \| State of Tennessee Official & Non-Profit Co-Director Karina Garcia Suarez works for the State of Tennessee. As Co-Director of a local non-profit and co-founder of HablaNashville, she specializes in inclusive development and empowering the Latin American diaspora through civic engagement.