Brazil Program Directors
Luiza Dreasher, Ph.D.
Multicultural Liaison Officer, Academic Adviser
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
102 Catt Hall
(515) 294-2805
maria@iastate.edu
Dr. Luiza Dreasher is from Brazil and currently is the Multicultural Liaison Officer and an Academic Adviser in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She worked in the Study Abroad Center from 2000 to 2005 where, among other duties, she coordinated language programs in Spain and Mexico. She has also accompanied ISU students to Spain on two occasions and has been the director of the Brazil Study Tour program since 2006.
She has extensive experience in designing and delivering cross-cultural training programs for individuals from both the U.S. and abroad. Her clients include Pioneer Hi-Bred International, The Learning Consortium of Des Moines, Ames Property Managers, Ames Chamber of Commerce, Central College, Des Moines Area Community College, and the United States Department of Defense.
She has taught intercultural communication for the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, and for the Honors Program. She is also in charge of teaching a seminar to newly recruited students of color through the APEX Program (Academic Preparation for Excellence) at Iowa State. She currently holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
Dr. Dreasher has published on the contributions of international students and programs to campus diversity and has international work experience in Ukraine. Her educational accomplishments include an M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language and a Ph.D. in Higher Education. Her native language is Portuguese but she is also fluent in English and Spanish.
James, McShay, Ph.D.
Adj. Assistant Professor
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
N 126 Lagomarcino
(515) 294-9453
Dr. James C. McShay received his Ph.D. at Iowa State University where he currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in multicultural education, ethnicity and learning, and antiracist education. He is also the program director for University Studies "Dialogues on Diversity" courses. Dr. McShay's research has a special focus on pre-service teachers' perceptions social justice in education and how digital technologies can be used to support critical multicultural learning. Dr. McShay serves as the faculty coordinator for two international student teaching locations in Puerto Rico. Additionally, he has served as a co-principal investigator for the Turkish Student Internship Project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State. He has published in refereed journals and presented papers at national and international conferences including the American Educational Research Association (AERA), National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME) and Society of Information Technology in Teacher Education.
