About the English Language Center
Learning English at The University of Texas at San Antonio is not simply going to class. It’s an experience.
The welcoming environment at our university is one-of-a-kind. Our campus is located on the north side of San Antonio, a South Texas city that celebrates multiculturalism and diversity.
We think you’ll like it here.
Coming from more than 90 countries, UTSA students are some of the friendliest and brightest. When you make UTSA your home, you won’t just be a student, you’ll be family.
Enjoy a virtual tour and learn more with the UTSA Virtual Experience!
A Welcome From The Vice Provost For Global Initiatives:
As Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, this is what I want for you:
- I want you to feel welcome and safe as you make lifelong friends.
- I want you to learn all you can from our amazing faculty.
- I want you to be successful in whatever career path you choose.
Our faculty and the staff are committed to your success and well-being. From the moment you apply until you graduate, we are here to guide and assist you. We hope you like what you see here and apply. We look forward to meeting you!
LISA J. MONTOYA, PH.D.
VICE PROVOST FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES
Lisa J. Montoya, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Global Initiatives
Dr. Lisa J. Montoya has been at UTSA since 2005, serving in various roles, most recently as Vice Provost for Global Initiatives. Previously, she served as the COB Associate Dean for undergraduate programs, for professional development, and for international initiatives. She earned her Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, MPA from Arizona State University, and BA from the University of Denver.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: lisa.montoya@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7370
Blanca Pokorney
Director
Blanca Pokorney has been in the field of International Education for over a decade. Performing in different roles, Blanca has served as a cultural liaison to the international student population in the San Antonio Metropolitan area. As Director, she leads a team of dedicated professionals who support lifelong learning. Her expertise among many involves program development and management in Higher Education. Blanca received her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her areas of interest include Diversity and Inclusion, Institutional Management, and Immigration Policy and Law.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: blanca.pokorney@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-6136
Minako Shibazaki
Senior Program Coordinator
Minako has been an instructor for the Academic English Program at UTSA for 25 years. She is also a consultant for UTSA’s English Language Center and volunteers her time with Japanese and multicultural student organizations. Minako earned her master’s degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at UTSA. Originally from Japan, Minako also lived in Montreal before moving to San Antonio as a teenager.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: minako.shibazaki@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-8177
Leidy Bello
Student Development Specialist
Leidy Bello is originally from Colombia and has been a member of the UTSA community since November 2021 serving in Administrative Operations and the area of Student Services. Her educational background is in Business Administration with an emphasis on accounting. She has ample experience in the management of language programs, serving in the field of education for over 8 years. Leidy is passionate about student success and supporting students from the beginning of their registration process until the culmination of their studies.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: leidy.bellocristancho@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7677
Cristian Aldrete
Project Specialist
Cristian is a San Antonio native and an alumnus of the UTSA Class of 2020, where he received his B.A. in Global Affairs. After graduation, he spent the summer of 2021 studying Spanish abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica and Medellin, Colombia. He is bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish. A founder and former VP of the UTSA Global Intelligence Association, and a former member of the UTSA Model United Nations Society, he is a highly motivated professional who knows how to get the job done. He has a passion for intercultural exchange and has been working with the English Language Center since January 2023.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: cristian.aldrete@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7677
Maria Clarke
ESL Specialist
Maria Salinas Clarke has been teaching for thirty-plus years and has been at UTSA since 2009, first as a graduate student and then as a faculty member. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Art History and Museum Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and her Master’s degree in Bilingual/ESL Education from UTSA. She also holds certificates in Montessori Education, English Language Arts, Dyslexia training, Spanish, Art, and Art History. Maria is a native of Texas. As such, she loves to do genealogy research and read about Mexican and Spanish history. She is a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and does volunteer work for their organization.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: maria.clarke@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-8177
Jason Orozco
ESL Specialist
Jason is a Texas native and graduate of UTSA’s MA in TESL program. He holds additional certification in Technology for Language Education. Courses he has taught include grammar, academic writing, oral communication, and TOEFL iBT preparation. Jason’s interest in language education stems from his experience as an Arabic-language student and analyst. His current professional hobbies include exploring the ethical/equitable applications of emerging technologies in the classroom.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: jason.orozco2@my.utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-8177
Karlene Bannister
ESL Specialist
Karlene Bannister has traveled and lived in many countries around the world, including China and Jamaica. She earned her Master’s degree from Georgia State University in Applied Linguistics with a focus on Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Karlene is currently an ESL Specialist with the ELC program, and enjoys interacting with students from countries where she had once resided.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: karlene.bannister@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-8177
Karly Semenov
ESL Specialist
Karly Semenov has returned to teaching at UTSA after spending nearly two decades in the publishing industry as an editor and writer of English Language Training materials. A teacher at heart, Karly enjoys seeing students pick up new vocabulary and figure out grammar structures. The best part of Karly's job is interacting with people from all over the world and helping them to pursue their goals here at UTSA. She is originally from California--with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and a minor in Spanish from the University of California, Davis. She earned her Masters degree at Wheaton College Graduate School in Intercultural Studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: karly.semenov@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-8177
Joshua Zapata
ESL Specialist
Joshua is from a very small town called Sinton, TX. He came to UTSA in the Fall of 2018 and completed his bachelor's degree in Modern Language Studies in the Spring of 2022, with a focus in Japanese, East Asian Culture, and Audio Production. He then continued his education and obtained his master's degree in TESOL in the Spring of 2024, with relative work in Technology for Education and Linguistics. He has gained much experience through his program and is now in the classroom as a professor. Joshua is very passionate about language and hopes to bring many different kinds of people together through language!
Email: joshua.zapata@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7677
Adriana Rodriguez Puertos
Marketing Intern
Adriana is originally from Tampico, Mexico, and speaks English and Spanish. She is currently studying for a master’s degree in Business Administration and will graduate in May 2025. She completed her bachelor's degree in Marketing in the Spring of 2023.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: adriana.rodriguezpuertos2@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7677
Alexandra Graelles
Student Associate
Alexandra was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has lived in many U.S. cities before coming to San Antonio in 2018. She began pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UTSA in the Summer of 2022. She also holds certificates in pharmacology, phlebotomy, and mental health first aid.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: alexandra.graelles@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7677
Zoe Rodriguez
Student Associate
Zoë Rodriguez is from San Francisco, California, and will graduate in 2026 with a Bachelor's in Business Administration (BBA) and a minor in Music Marketing. She is passionate about fostering community through music and entertainment. Her personal projects have led her to organize local events for San Antonio residents, as well as large concerts for big-name artists in other states.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: zoe.rodriguez@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7677
Maria Orencia
Student Associate
Maria is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology at UTSA since Fall 2022. She has previously lived in Japan and Italy before moving to San Antonio in 2016. She is also curious and passionate about learning about the different experiences, cultures, and languages from all over the world.
Location: Graduate School and Research Building, Room 2.116
Email: maria.orencia@utsa.edu
Phone: 210-458-7677
Office Location
Graduate School and Research Building 2.116
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
Click to visit our Virtual Office in Zoom.
Click to schedule a virtual appointment.
The University of Texas at San Antonio Academic English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for the period April 2022 through April 2032 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S. For further information about this accreditation, please contact the CEA, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.
Additional information can be found below:
CEA Standard
Complaints Against an Accredited Program
