Our Team

Dr. Amanda Barbour is currently the Assistant Director of English language development here at Niagara University. She is responsible for the oversight, development, and continued growth of the English as a Second Language program.

Influenced by her undergraduate studies in Spanish and a year of living abroad in Tunisia and Granada, Spain, Amanda has been working in the field of second language education since 2012. She began working as an ESL instructor for the SUNY Buffalo English Language Institute while pursuing her doctorate in Foreign and Second Language Education at the University at Buffalo. During her studies, she continued teaching ESL while also working as a teacher-educator for pre-service and novice language instructors.

After completing her doctorate, Amanda began working at Head Start of Erie and Niagara County as an education specialist. In this role, Amanda worked as a teacher-educator for the staff of five schools in Erie County to ensure the design and implementation of high-quality lessons supporting the achievement of critical developmental and academic milestones. In 2017 Amanda returned to the classroom as an ESL instructor at Niagara University and continued her work with pre-service and novice teachers through UB’s Graduate School of Education before transitioning into her role at NU.

Kathryn DeCecco is the Assistant Director of International Services. In her current role she acts as a resource for international students who are studying at Niagara as either exchange or degree seeking students and also coordinated all programs and events for international students. In addition, she oversees the Niagara University study abroad program as well as all short-term international faculty led trips.

She previously worked for nine years in the NU College of Hospitality and Tourism Management as the Director of Experiential Opportunities where she worked as the liaison with alumni and industry partners, helped students find jobs and internships and also oversaw the college's international programs.

Prior to coming to Niagara University she worked as a hospitality professional, primarily in the sales and event planning aspect of the business.

Kathryn has a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Administration from Boston University and MBA from Niagara University.

On a personal note, she and her husband Erik have two small children, Camilla and Julius.

Sarina serves as the International Student Advisor/SEVIS Coordinator for the International Relations Office. In her role she is responsible for administering the process of ESL, exchange, undergraduate, and graduate Certificate of Eligibility Form I-20 applications and serves as an International checkpoint for students here at NU. She issues Form I-20 to facilitate the entrance of international students in accordance with Homeland Security(DHS). She is responsible for maintaining international student records whilst providing support and guidance to international students overall.

Sarina acquired her M.S. in Student Personnel Administration at Buffalo State College in 2009 and has worked for Niagara University since 2011. Prior to working for the International Relations Office she worked for the Records Office serving as the Designated School Official coordinating the SEVIS program and was eventually moved to the International Office in 2019. While on her journey to acquiring her M.S. she had interned at Medaille College, concentrating in Academic Advisement and Niagara County Community College, concentrating in Student Development. Along the way she has gained valuable skills in regards to mentorship, advisement, counseling, and building programs and systems that have helped guide the successes of her current position.

Sarina enjoys the 1 on 1 aspect of her job as she believes that establishing those connections with students and families is worthwhile. She takes pride in knowing that she can possibly make a difference in a student's life. Sarina hopes that by being apart of a great team in the International Relations Office she can establish or implement a form of organization and consistency of policies and procedures within the SEVIS program.