Contact Us

Pronouns: She/her
Hometown/Country: Spokane, Washington, USA

Amber McKenzie has worked in international education for nearly 30 years, inspired by a life-changing study abroad experience to Japan when she was 20. Her background includes ESL administration, teaching, international recruitment, study abroad, curriculum development, and global student services across private, public, and community college settings. She is passionate about authentic leadership, mentoring, and expanding worldviews through global engagement. Amber is a passionate advocate for the access, diversity, and opportunity that community colleges offer, and she finds deep fulfillment in her role at Spokane Colleges, where she builds meaningful connections with both students and colleagues!

Why should international students’ study at Spokane Colleges? Community colleges benefit international students in several ways, but here are my top two:

SCC/SFCC offers a high quality two-year undergraduate education at half the cost of university.

We are student-centered and offer extra student support services, including tutoring, smaller class sizes, individualized support, counseling services, food security, on-campus work opportunities, and more!

Best part of your job? Working with international students and helping them with their life in the U.S.A. and learning about cultures and traditions that are different than my own. International students have taught me more about the world than any other education I’ve received!

Pronouns: She/her
Hometown/Country:  Jerusalem

My name is Majda Ritchie I am originally from Jerusalem, I moved to the United States in 2008 as an international student, and my journey as an international student has shaped my passion for supporting students from diverse backgrounds. Working with and advocating for international students is not just my job—it's my dream career; one I deeply connect with and care about. I earned my bachelor's degree in international relations and international law from Gonzaga University. Throughout my career, I’ve felt a strong calling to advocate for justice and uplifting underserved communities. For over a decade, I’ve dedicated my work to supporting refugees and immigrants through various organizations, before transitioning into Spokane colleges—where I continue my commitment to equity, access, and student success.

Why should international students study at Spokane Colleges? I graduated from Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) before transferring to Gonzaga University. As a product of community college, I am a strong believer in the transformative power and value of our institution. Community college not only provided me with affordable education—reducing my tuition costs significantly—but it also helped me navigate my career path, whether in the U.S. or beyond. At SFCC I built lifelong friendships and formed meaningful connections with mentors, many of whom I’m still in touch with today.

Best part of your job? The best part of my job is our students! seeing our international students thrive. I am passionate about ensuring that they feel supported, heard, and understood, especially as they navigate life far from home. I strive to create a sense of family for them, providing the care and advocacy they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Another aspect of my work I cherish is the incredible team I’m privileged to work with. I am deeply grateful for my colleagues, whose collaboration and support make every day fulfilling and rewarding.

Pronouns: She/her
Hometown/Country: Berlin, Germany

I was born and raised in a little town outside of Berlin, Germany. My life has been shaped by rich international experiences, having lived in five different countries, which has broadened my perspective and deepened my cultural understanding. This all led me to get a master’s degree in social work which has a deep commitment to supporting individuals and communities, no matter where I live in the world. I love being part of the Global Education team because I am able to support international students by helping them adjust to the lifestyle here in the U.S. while also opening the world to domestic students to study abroad. I’m a proud parent of two boys and married to a pilot, which keeps life dynamic and full of adventure both at home and abroad.

Why should international students study at Spokane Colleges?

Spokane Colleges is a great starting point for an international student’s educational journey. Classes are smaller, campus is well connected to the city, lots of clubs to get involved in, on-campus resources available to the student for free (tutoring, counseling, food pantry, advising, events etc.). It is a wonderful way to be introduced to the American higher education system and your Global Ed team is ready to help.

Best part of your job?

I love working with my international students because they bring so much to our office and campus by sharing their identity, culture, and values. I get to learn from them about their upbringings, families & friends, food, as well as helping them navigate a new world while also not losing themselves in it. Being foreign in a new country can be a bit scary and overwhelming. I can relate to many of my international students because I came on a J-1 visa to the U.S., back in 2005. I was able to live in many countries the last few decades (Japan, England, S.Korea, Germany, and a few different states in the U.S.) and I always enjoy immersing myself into other cultures and seeing how they view the world and why. And now those students come to my office and share their world with me, right here in Spokane.

I love working with study abroad students and helping them explore the world is an amazing experience. The best part is when those students return and share their newfound love for a country and the desire to continue to go out in the world. Studying abroad can bring so much value to a student's life, not only for their educational journey but also for their personal journey. Being able to explore the world, reflect on their own culture in hopes of bettering themselves and others around them. 

Hometown/Country: Ljubljana, Slovenia, EU

My name is Mateja Lonar, and I originally come from Slovenia. I have been in the USA since 2013 and working at the SFCC Pullman Campus since 2023. From a young age, I have dedicated my life to sports and physical activity—there hasn’t been a time in my life when I wasn’t either active or competitive. Currently I am a passionate hiker and my favorite place to hike is the Alps.

Sports opened the door for me to travel, which soon became another passion of mine. I’ve traveled a lot, but there are always more countries to visit and new things to discover. One of my favorite places I’ve been to is South Africa. The country is incredibly diverse, and the natural beauty is breathtaking. The mountains surrounding Cape Town and the merging of two oceans at the Cape of Good Hope are simply unforgettable. It’s a place I definitely hope to return to.

One piece of advice I’d like to share comes from my father, something he told me while I was traveling: “Be kind to people and ask politely, and people will respond politely. But if they don’t, don’t assume everyone is the same.”

Why should international students’ study at Spokane Colleges? 

If you would like to continue your education at a four–years institution, it is a great start for half of the price, smaller classes and the more personable approach of our instructors.

If you just want an experience to study in the USA, it is a great opportunity to meet new people, improve your language skills (if English is not your first language) and it is, again, much cheaper that other institution.

Best part of my job?

Working with international students and helping them navigate through life here in the US. It is enjoyable for me to meet people from diverse cultures, countries, continents just expanding my horizon and help me understand the world around me better. Since I don’t travel as much as I would like, this job seems like students are bringing their countries to my office. 

Pronouns: Her/She
Hometown/Country: Russia

I was born and raised in Russia. I received my Bachelor’s Degree is in Teaching English from a university in Russia and started my instructional journey there teaching English as a foreign language. Upon immigrating to the United States, I earned my Master’s in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Gonzaga University, where I taught ESL to college-bound international students for several years. I worked for Community Colleges of Spokane (CCS) for 9 years (2011-2020), 8 of which I was an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) co-director and an ESL instructor. In 2022, I returned to CCS in a non-instructional capacity as an ABE Enrollment and Onboarding Advisor (later renamed Pathway Specialist) in Registration at SCC Student Services. I am now excited to continue my journey as an International Admissions Specialist with the Global Education office, where I get to work once again with international students! When I am not working, I love attending cultural events in the Spokane area and beyond, working out, hiking, downhill skiing, spending time with friends, and reading!

I love traveling and out of all the counties I got to experience, I loved Thailand and Vietnam the most, for many reasons but mainly because of indescribably hospitality

Best part of your job? 

I love working with all the students, but the international students have a special place in my heart! In my new role, I want to continue doing my part to ensure that students have a positive experience at Spokane Colleges and feel included, supported, and heard.