Our International Academy has many complexities and requires leadership from experienced professionals in the areas of curriculum development, educational project design, foreign politics and cultures, travel logistics, health, safety and medical services. Besides the capable and experienced administrative staff at Nawa Academy, our traveling programs are blessed to have a dynamic advisory team that is available to the teachers and administration. The Advisory Team provides support to groups in the field, helps with future planning and problem solving, and offers specialized intercultural education and advice. This unusual group is strongly connected to Nawa Academy and provides invaluable services that go well beyond the ordinary to give the program greater depth.

    Steve Galvan, M.S.W., has his M.S.W. from George Williams University and is currently the Director for International Programs at Nawa Academy. Prior to joining Nawa Academy, Steve was the Regional Managing Coordinator of Social Workers for Mercy and St. Elizabeth Hospice for Mercy Hospital. He was a previous high school principal and bilingual leader of Latin American trips for teens. Steve has traveled extensively throughout Latin America, Asia and the South Pacific.

    Mike Barnum, M.D., has his M.D. from Temple University and is an emergency physician with Doctors Medical Serves in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike worked as an instructor with Nawa Academy during the early 1990s. He has served as a firefighter on several departments and was a fire department training officer. He was certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and holds certificates in Swift Water Rescue and Vertical Rescue. Mike is a pilot and Eagle Scout.

    Jeff McClure, M.S., has his B.A. in Science from Hastings College and his M.S. in Physics from Creighton University. He is currently working as an Inspector for the Department of Energy in the Office of Independent Oversight and Performance Assurance. During his two years at Creighton, he was nominated to Sigma Pi Sigma. He is a certified instructor for Swift Water Rescue, and Vertical Rescue and has an EMT. Jeff has also been a volunteer with Mountain Search and Rescue.

    Matt Spalding, M.Ed., has his B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Georgetown University where he graduated Cum Laude. He has his M.A. in Education from Harvard University and is currently working towards his doctorate in clinical psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. Matt served two years as a trilingual academic instructor for the International Academy program. As a cofounder of the Experiential Educators' Network, he served as the chief financial officer, developing civics and citizenship curriculum that is now a model for Russian Émigré education.