Welcome to the UVU International Center!

Dr. Danny Damron
Director International Center

From his initial international experience in Korea where he witnessed the student-led protests that led to democratic reform through his experiences teaching English as a Second Language in Korea, Puerto Rico, and the United States, Danny has developed a passion for understanding the world. This interest translated to pursuing a Master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and a Master's and PhD in Political Science. Upon completion of his PhD at Purdue University, Danny taught political science courses at Brigham Young University. While teaching in the Political Science Department, he founded and directed the European Governance Internships Program, placing over 160 students in government, non-government, and business organizations in England, Scotland, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Latvia. He also directed the Korean Business Internship Program. He began his current position at UVU in January 2009.

Danny enjoys skiing, ice hockey, triathlons, reading, woodworking, and international travel with his family. He is married to Julie (Asian and Near Eastern Languages faculty at BYU). They have three children.

Grant Paul Skabelund
Director - International Study Progra ms (ISP)

Grant considers Central Idaho his place of refuge and enjoys biking, gardening, hiking, reading, and spending time with Shari, Analyn, Andrew, Natalya, Joshua, and a few close friends. He also finds satisfaction in assisting faculty and students create memorable international study experiences. Grant dreams of stewarding a few acres in a self-sufficient, sustainable manner, while providing a bit extra to share with friends and neighbors, as well as folds who may get their only connection to land through that sharing process.

 Steve Crook
Assistant Director- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

Steve graduated from BYU with a Masters of Accounting. He spent eleven years living and working in Asia. Most recently, he worked for a joint venture company in the shoe industry. He is very excited to be working at the International Center at UVU. Steve comments, "UVU is such an exciting place to be! With the transition to University status, there are so many opportunities to shape the future of the institution. You really feel like you can make a difference." Steve is responsible for International Student & Scholar Services at UVU.

Steve is married to Jessica (dance education BA from BYU). They have 4 children: Tyler (12), Sydney (10), Naomi (7), and Aja (5). Steve is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and enjoys traveling, water skiing, outdoor recreation, and family time.

Junko Watabe
DSO/ Senior Advisor - International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

Originally from Fukuoka, which is located on a beautiful island, Kyushuu, south of the main island of Japan. Graduated with BA from Brigham Young University i n Linguistics and minored in TESL. Has four children: Leo, Andrew, Melanie and Emily. Her husband, Masasue, is a school teacher at Meridia n High School.

Has been working at UVU since 1990 as a Coordinator and a Senior International Student Advisor. She came to the United States as a student and became a naturalized citizen. Being a student from another country gives her a deeper understanding of the challenges and responsibilities of the internationa l students. She enjoys w orking with many great students from all over the world and with friendly and caring people at the university.

 Lorraine Gunn
RSO/Advisor - International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)

She understands a bit about being international. She was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and has many relatives who still live there. She gets a different pe rspective of the United States from them. She has been there many times, so she knows that there are many wonderful places outs ide of the United States.

She graduated with a B.A. in English and a minor in History from the University of Utah. She taught high school for one year at Clearfield High and then started rais ing a family. Her husband, David, was the director of Public Services for Provo City, is retired and serves many hours as a volunteer doing many good works. She has 3 children: Cassandra, Alex, and Tony. They are grown and now she has 2 beautiful grand daughters: Attison Anne and Roxy Lorraine . Of course, she thinks they are the best in the world.

She started working in the International Office in March of 1999. She has loved working here since she started. She was the office manager for 6 years and has been an international student advisor for the last 4 years. She loves the international students and thinks it's great to help all that she can. She can't visit all the world so the world comes to her. How lucky for her.

Leanna Escobar
Administrative Assistant

Graduated from Brigham Young University in 2005 with a bachelors degree in International Studies, minor in Latin American Studies. Participated in a study abroad program to the Dominican Republic. Served an LDS mission to Asuncion, Paraguay from June 2005 - January 2007. Married Ernesto Escobar of Santiago, Chile. They have one daughter Azaleia Mei. They love everything international, especially learning and sharin g the many languages and cultures of the world with everyone at UVU.

Marianna Henry
ISP - Student - Office Assistant & Publicity

Marianna is a Senior in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations. She is a first-generation American; her family hails from Poland. Marianna enjoys singing, planning events, eating international foods, and traveling in the U.S. and abroad. She's married to Tom, an assistant professor at UVU. She is excited to be around to help UVU Study Abroad students and promote all of the great things that the International Center does.

Jason Grotegut
International Center - Student - Media & Design

Jason is a Senior in Integrated Studies with emphases in Humanities and Graphic Design. He hopes to eventually attain a master degree in architecture. He loves the outdoors, snowboarding, soccer, and rock climbing. Other interests include computers, spicy foods, and hanging out with his wife of 6 years. He also spent two years in the Brazilian Amazon as an LDS missionary (1999-2001). He is pleased with the cooler temperatures of altitude de as a self-proclaimed lover of the mountains.

Bohyun Kihye Park
ISSS - Student - Office Assistant

She is a Junior student in the Art and Visual Communication program. She is from Seoul, South Korea. Kihye loves drawing, singing, designing some company logos, name cards, and posters. Also, she is a tie designer. She spent one and a half years in Busan, South Korea as an LDS missionary (2001-2002). She loves helping the international students here at UVU.

Yandhi Reynoso  
ISSS - Student - Office Assistant & Photographer

Art and Visual Communications major with an emphasis in Photography.  She is from Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She enjoys taking pictures, learning about other cultures, watching movies, playing piano, going to concerts, hanging out with friends, cooking Mexican food, and cold weather!!  She loves her job and helping international students.

Shoichiro Utagawa
ISSS - Student - Office Assistant

Shoichiro or Sho is from Tokyo, Japan.  He is in his first year at UVU in the Accounting program.  He is the youngest in his family and has three older sisters.  He likes singing, dancing, and playing sports.  He also served a 2 year LDS mission to Mesa, Arizona.