Tara Michael Skultety, MBA
University Relations & Strategic Partnerships
Contact Tara
Skype: tiggau8
As the Director of Business Development and University Relations, Tara Michael Skultety is responsible for overseeing all global endeavors related to strategic partnerships and academic development. Michael focuses her time on building Global Players' collaborative efforts with Host Universities across the world. She most recently received a MBA degree from the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Business School. In 2004, she graduated with honors from American University (AU) in Washington, D.C. with a multi-disciplinary degree in Communications, Legal Systems, Economics, and Government. Tara received the Patriot League Scholar Athlete of the Year award in 2004 for her efforts in the classroom as well as First Team honors in 2003 and 2004 for her success on the lacrosse field.
"I realized I could either take advantage of my options in college or take them for granted. I chose the former. Studying abroad changed my life in more ways than I could have imagined. I am so thankful for having the presence of mind to make that decision - it changed who I was, who I am, and who I will become.
Being surrounded by AU's diverse student body sparked Tara's interest in international affairs, but it wasn't until she tore her ACL sophomore year that she seriously considered a semester abroad. After surgery and rehab, she headed to Namibia and South Africa where her love of travel and culture was born. Tara has since traveled to over 40 countries on six continents, playing lacrosse in Australia, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and Holland along the way. She now resides in Haarlem outside of Amsterdam in the Netherlands with her husband and their son.
Blaire Modic, MA
Program Development
Contact Blaire
Skype: blaire.modic
Blaire Modic's passion for international study programs can be traced back to his first trip to Latin America in 1998. Something about the hello's between strangers on the street and the amazing nature-scape made him feel like he was finally home. In the 14 years since then Blaire has traveled all over the Western Hemisphere, most notably while working for a service learning organization in Costa Rica. His time as a professional in Costa Rica was set up by college and graduate school semesters in Ecuador and Mexico. Blaire will use his skills to support students' experiences and to contribute to Global Players' department of program development (so look for new program offerings in the near future- hint, hint). From academic and program development, to human resources and marketing Blaire focuses on creating and facilitating opportunities for student athlete achievement, global competence and personal growth through quality international education using standard practices from the Forum on Education Abroad.
Jessica Beard Thornton
Marketing & Communications
Contact Jess
(678) 756-3784
Skype: jesslax7
As Director of Marketing and Communications Jess Beard Thornton ensures all team members not only achieve the mission of Global Players on a daily basis but make sure they are promoting the brand with integrity and authenticity.
She contributes extensive hands-on experience to the day-to-day operations at GP, to ensure students' and universities' experience with us is a positive and rewarding one. Jess graduated an All-American from James Madison University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Marketing and immediately recognized the potential to use sport as a platform to travel all over the world.
After committing to several months of global service in the region of Southeast Asia, from Tsunami relief to orphanage work, Jess settled in London where she continued her service as a lacrosse development officer. Committed to mentoring young men and women on and off the field, Jess co-founded Global Players soon after her return to the US, with the desire to offer the same opportunities to student-athletes in college now.
Kristine Zamastil, Ph.D., J.D.
Academic Director- Prague
Contact Kristine
Dr. Kristine Zamastil, originally from Chicago, Illinois, is a Visiting Professor at the University of Economics, Prague (VŠE, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze) and the Director of the Summer University hosted by VSE. She is also the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the European Study Abroad Center (ESAC) of which Global Players has united efforts with for the purpose of providing a unique study abroad opportunity that specializes in high quality, good value study abroad programs in business, marketing and humanities in Prague, Czech Republic. Participating students are guaranteed solid academic experience with first rate faculty and an amazing cultural immersion.
As a Visiting Professor at the University of Economics, Prague, Kristine teaches International Management and Business Law in the College of International Relations. Currently she resides in Florida during the academic year where she continues to manage the Academic components of both GP and ESAC while also teaching part-time for various local universities. Kristine spends summers in Europe facilitating the program and assisting U.S. universities in coordinating study abroad programs in Central Europe.
Kristine holds a Ph.D. from the University of Denver ’03, a Law Degree from John Marshall Law School ‘91 and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She continues to publish articles on legal issues in higher education and liability in study abroad.
Global Players is very fortunate to have such an outstanding and highly achieved administrator to ensure our study abroad programs meet the academic rigor and standard of practice of higher education.
Ing. David Vondra, MA
Program Manager- Prague
David comes direct to us from Prague, Czech Republic as the Program Manager for the University of Economics, Prague (VŠE, Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze) Summer University and the Director of Marketing for the European Study Abroad Center (ESAC) of which both he and Kristine run. With a Masters Degree from the University of Economics, David works to coordinate and develop the Summer University Programs to ensure students receive a solid academic experience combined with site visits to local Czech firms. David is also responsible for overseeing the students cultural experience by providing advice on the best kept secrets in Prague as a local himself!
With a background in Economics and IT with companies such as Lucent Technologies, DHL and CSG Systems, he develops the technology to ensure each student gets the most out of their experience in Prague. David comes to Global Players with a wide array of expertise as well as experience living in England, the United States, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Europe.
David is an incredibly valuable addition because he comes with an unmatched local approach to our host country as a native of the Czech Republic himself. In addition, he provides an array of knowledge to support our student athletes throughout their study abroad experience. Whether securing an internet connection, making sure each participant is comfortable in their housing or making sure they embrace all that Prague has to offer, he makes the overall experience unique and authentic.
Mirjam Schieveld
Academic Director- Amsterdam
Contact Mirjam
Mirjam Schieveld studied cultural anthropology at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Research interests include: sex education, commercial sex, and addiction. She is the co founder and programme director of the Summer Institute on Sexuality, Culture and Society as well as the Summer Institute on Addiction. She teaches for IES a course on Sexuality and Gender in the context of Amsterdam and has given various guest lectures in the field of social problems in the Netherlands. She is also the general manager of the Summer programmes of the Graduate School of Social Sciences.
As Academic Director for the Global Players summer study abroad program in Amsterdam, Mirjam and her academic team focus on setting a high standard of academia. They developed an outstanding curriculum cut from the cloth of the Graduate School of Social Sciences. Students on the Amsterdam program can be sure that they will be challenged both in and out of the classroom while studying at UvA.
Eva Visscher-Simon
Program Manager- Amsterdam
Eva is the Assistant Programme Manager at the Summer Institute of the Graduate School of Social Sciences. She studied anthropology and international relations at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, USA. Eva grew up in the USA and also lived in Japan and Slovenia. Eva also studied abroad during high school in Germany as a CBYX Scholar and in Vietnam with SIT. Traveling is in her blood and she hopes to help as many students with their study abroad experience.
Global Players is excited to have such a vibrant, hands-on program manager such as Eva to ensure students not only have a greater knowledge of the Netherlands and the world around them, but they have fun while doing so.
Eamon Thornton
Academic Director- International Coaching Program (ICP)
Contact Eamon
(404)693-7375
Skype: eamonthornton
As Program Director of International Coaching Program Eamon Thornton is responsible for developing the coaching curriculum to prepare participants for careers in coaching, teaching or general leadership positions on the youth, collegiate and global scales. He not only develops the core competencies that are taught overseas through the Global Players Global Campus, he implements and facilitates these courses directly to the student athletes as well. He has been with GP since the beginning and has been an instrumental member of Staff in making it what it is today. Due to his efforts, collegiate athletes that came on our program as coaching beginners now hold jobs both nationally and internationally at all levels of coaching and management.
Mr Thornton graduated a Lacrosse Academic All-American from Hampden-Sydney College in 2006. While working in England as a Development Officer, Eamon learned the value of getting out of one's comfort zone and becoming immersed in another culture. Upon returning to the US, Eamon quickly became certified as a Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine in addition to coaching lacrosse at Archbishop Spalding High School in Baltimore, MD and went on to found NXT Training, sports specific personal training for young adults interested in lacrosse. Currently, Eamon is a teacher and coach at McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Jon Beard
Student Advisor
Contact Jon
(410)991-3987
Skype: jonbeard47
Jon Beard is a key addition to the Global Players core staff as Student Advisor. Our friendly and knowledgeable Student Advisors ensure that all student athletes receive full advising and support in preparation for your GP journey. All are specialized in their fields and can relate firsthand to what it is like to be a 'GLOBAL PLAYER' as not just experienced staff members but as GP alumni. Beard is extremely passionate about the GP brand and helping to guide more student athletes through this once in a lifetime experience. Past Global Players have said that Beard is a one of a kind addition to the team and contributed to their memorable experience through both his humor and dance moves.
Beard graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Economics. He was a member of the Terps 2006 Final Four team and finished his career with a tournament appearance in 2007. Prior to going to Maryland, Beard played lacrosse at Essex community college. At Essex he won a National Championship in 2004 and was named 1st team All American both seasons. In 2005, he was named Essex Student Athlete of the Year and National Offensive player of the year.
Beard participated in Global Players in the summer of 2009. In addition to helping select our future GP participants, Beard is currently in charge of Lacrosse Operations at Mt Paran Christian School in Kennesaw, Georgia where he has been successful in transferring his passion to the growth of the game of lacrosse in the state.
Maeghan Ross
Student Advisor
Contact Maeg
Skype: maeghan22
Maeghan Ross joined Global Players last year as a Student Advisor and has returned from two months in Cambodia to join the Advising Team once again. We are extremely excited to have Ross's enthusiasm, sincerity and dedication on the GP team. Previous Global Players have said of Ross that she is approachable, supportive and wants to help each student athlete fully embrace their experience abroad while learning more about themselves.
Ross recently graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Communications and Psychology. As a student athlete in college, she was able to balance her rigorous academic and athletic responsibilities granting her recognition as the only player of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference to be named to the Pilgrim All-Region team and the Eastern Athletic Conference DIII team her Junior year while excelling in the classroom. She has also received MVP and Offensive Player of the year for the second consecutive season in addition to being selected to First Team All Conference. While studying and playing abroad with Global Players 2009 program, Maeghan discovered her love of travel and cultural values. Passionate about the program, Ross seeks to help other student athletes gain the same opportunities through studying and playing abroad.
Robbie Trainor
Student Advisor
Contact Robbie
(978)394-2987
Skype:trainor8813
Robbie Trainor is a member of the Global Players core staff and development team. As Student Advisor Trainor ensures that you receive full advising and support in preparation for your GP journey. All are specialized in their fields and can relate firsthand to what it is like to be a 'GLOBAL PLAYER' as not just experienced staff members but as GP alumni.
Trainor was a member of the Division I Men's Lacrosse program at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. He was also honored at center ice during a Boston Bruins hockey game for winning the Sportsmanship Award for the D1 league of Massachusetts hockey.
As a GP 2010 participant Trainor performed above and beyond as one of our best defensive contributors. We could always depend on Trainor "nugget" ability. (Definition of "nugget": Interception of the ball from an opponent's pass.) He was not only a vital part of the GP team on the field but also witnessed on the dance floor as being quite the "rug cutter". Possibly it is due to his 7 years of gymnastics training or even his obsession with Soul Train, MTV videos and Michael Jackson. Nonetheless we are really grateful for his spunk and drive to help more student athletes see the world through the GP lens.