Staff & Interns
Amy Alice Chastain
Executive Director
Amy Alice Chastain's teaching and learning have taken her to France, China, the Middle East, and beyond. Having previously served as an Associate Professor of Instruction
in the University of Iowa’s Department of Linguistics, she is proud to use her professional experience there and abroad in her work with global exchange as the Executive Director of Global Ties Iowa. Upon discovering this organization and the International Visitor Leadership Program, Amy knew she had found her people—her community—and could continue to maintain an international connection while living and working in eastern Iowa. Because of the profound impact her time abroad had on her academic and professional development, Amy Alice's driving vision is to build diplomacy one relationship at a time.
Leila Assadi
Communications
Fellow
Leila is a senior at the University of Iowa majoring in Political Science and Economics with certificates in International Business and Political Risk Analysis
on the pre-law track. Originally from Bettendorf, Iowa, Leila enjoys reading, thrifting, and listening to music. On campus, Leila is co-President and co-founder of Ethics Bowl and a member of the Middle Eastern and North African Student Association. She also worked as a research assistant for the Disasters, Migration, and Violence Lab in the Department of Political Science, and is currently a Peer Mentor for the Tippie Direct Admit Seminar. Leila spent the Spring 2025 semester studying at Korea University is Seoul, South Korea and returned for a summer 2026 internship at the Korean educational non-profit Wish School.
Anna O'Connor
Program Coordinator
Anna is a senior at the University of Iowa from Dubuque, Iowa. She is pursuing a double major in International Studies and Social Work, with minors in Spanish and Political Science. At the
University of Iowa, Anna has been involved in numerous extracurriculars on campus, namely Dance Marathon, the Social Work Student Association, and Homecoming at the University of Iowa. In her free time, Anna enjoys spending time with her family and friends, singing, reading, musicals, watching sports, and traveling. She also loves music, especially Harry Styles. Anna loves everything that has to do with respectfully learning about other cultures. Last spring, she was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to study abroad in Argentina.
María José Blanco Arias
IYLEP Program Intern
María José is from Bogotá, Colombia, and a sophomore at the University of Iowa majoring in International Studies (Human Rights and Public Service track), International
Relations (International Business and Economics track), French (Arabic Studies track), as well as doing an Arabic Minor, on the pre-law track and in the Honors Program.
At the university, María José is deeply involved on campus in extracurriculars as Programming Director of Hawk The Vote, a residential assistant at Catlett Dorm, and former President of the Hall Association Working for Catlett. In her free time, she listens to all kind of music, enjoys having movie nights with family and friends, and playing volleyball.