Sue Mathias
Sue Mathias is Director of Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs (GCIP) in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. She has been part of the GCIP team since 2018, working with master’s and PhD engineering students on a variety of oral, written and intercultural communication topics. Sue earned her MA in Teaching ESL and MEd in Curriculum and Instruction at Penn State, where she focused on foreign language education. Her time as an undergraduate and graduate exchange student in Japan continues to inform her pedagogy and passion for intercultural communication and understanding. Sue loves outdoor adventures with family and friends, traveling, spoiling her dog, and trying new recipes!
Angus Bowers
Angus Bowers brings over 16 years of teaching and language coaching experience to the Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs at Pratt, having taught at UNC, NS State, and Wake Tech. Angus holds master’s degrees in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and Political Science and English Linguistics from NC State University and finds helping students improve their communication and intercultural skills extremely rewarding. Having lived in France, Japan, the UK and Bolivia, Angus enjoys learning languages and exploring different cultures.
Melissa Damann
Melissa Damann joined the Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs team at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering as a Communications Consultant in 2024. Through teaching courses, leading workshops, and providing one-on-one coaching, she helps graduate engineering students improve their oral and written communication skills. Melissa is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience teaching English language learners. She earned a BS in Human Development at Cornell University, an MA in Linguistics from UNC-Chapel Hill, and is pursuing her PhD in Educational Leadership at NC State. Melissa’s passion for travel and lifelong learning has taken her across the US, Europe, Africa, and Asia, shaping her dedication to fostering inclusive, engaging connections in a multicultural environment. In her free time, Melissa loves reading, supporting live theater, and spending time in nature.
Allison McIntyre
Allison McIntyre is a Communications Consultant with Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs in the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University. She has been part of the GCIP team since 2022, teaching oral and written communication through one-on-one coaching sessions, developing and instructing courses, and facilitating workshops for master’s and PhD students. Allison earned her BA in English Literature at Texas A&M and her TESOL certification from University of Texas at Dallas. She has 25 years of experience working with international communities, including two years serving in the United States Peace Corps in Papua New Guinea. Her time there helped Allison build a foundation and passion for connecting with our global community and a desire for fostering intercultural competency through communication.
Marcie Pachino
Marcie Pachino has been a Communications Consultant with Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs (GCIP) in Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering since 2018. She teaches classes, leads workshops, and coaches master’s and PhD students on oral, written and intercultural communication. Prior to Duke, she taught English as a Second Language, journalism and social studies to high school students in Durham Public Schools. Marcie has also taught English in Madrid, Spain and Coyhaique, Chile, and ESL strategies to graduate students in Duke’s Master of Arts in Teaching program . She earned her BA in history at Duke University, her MAT at the School for International Training, and her N.C. Teaching License at N.C. Central University. Marcie speaks Spanish and tries to remember some Chinese she learned as an undergrad. In her free time, Marcie enjoys reading fiction, seeing movies, traveling domestically and internationally, and spending time with friends and family.
Ilana Palmer
Ilana Palmer is a Communications Consultant with the Pratt School of Engineering’s Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs (GCIP). She has over 15 years of experience in education, including work in program development as well as teaching and coaching domestic and international students. Ilana has a passion for advancing student achievement through innovative pedagogical approaches. In the graduate classroom, Ilana’s goal is to foster a dynamic learning environment. As an advocate for student success, she seeks to impact her academic community by leveraging emerging learning technologies that increase student agency, self-reflection, and personalized learning. Ilana holds a BLA in Psychology from Harvard University and a MEd in TESOL from Boston University.
Please email gcip-pratt@duke.edu with any questions.
We look forward to helping you deliver your message with confidence!
