ALI Staff

	Jeremy Slagoski, PhD Assistant Dean Phone: 816-235-5399 jdslagoski@umkc.edu With a PhD in Foreign Language & ESL Education from the University of Iowa, Jeremy Slagoski has over 20 years’ experience in the field of English language education, teaching and administering programs in Japan, Korea, Russia, and China as well as in Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, and Illinois. Dr. Slagoski oversees all administrative and academic functions of the ALI.
	Adam Shoemaker Associate Director / Lecturer Phone: 816-235-5436 shoemakers@umkc.edu As a student, Adam studied language and culture in Brazil, Chile and Germany, receiving his BA in Spanish and a minor in German from Rockhurst University in 1997. Adam received his MA-TESOL from UMKC and has been with the ALI at UMKC since 1998. Adam has been a guest professor/teacher-trainer at Harbin Medical University in China, Universidade de Caxias do Sul in Brazil, and Taegu Catholic University in South Korea.
	Elisa Day Business Support Specialist II Phone: 816-235-5435 daye@umkc.edu Elisa has lived and worked throughout the US and in Brussels, Belgium. She has a master’s in Higher Education Administration and in Photojournalism from the University of Missouri and a bachelor’s in Russian from the University of Kansas. Elisa has been with the ALI since 2014. She handles ALI’s scholarships and is the person to contact for questions about tuition and fees and other money matters.
	Chelsey Butts Student Support Specialist II Phone: 816-235-5405 buttsce@umkc.edu Chelsey Butts graduated from the University of Kansas in 2014 with a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in TESOL and a minor in Linguistics. Before joining the ALI, she taught English as a second language at the University of Kansas’ Applied English Center.

ALI Faculty

	Tammy Adams Lecturer Phone: 816-235-1186 adamstam@umkc.edu Before joining the ALI in 2005, Tammy completed her ESL Certification at the University of Texas, Arlington, and she worked with international and immigrant students through non-profit organizations, high schools, and community colleges.
	Kate DeBenedetti Lecturer Phone: 816-235-5139 debenedettik@umkc.edu Kate holds a Master’s in TESOL from Canterbury Christ Church University in Canterbury, England and an ICELT Certificate (In-Service Certificate in English Language Teaching) from the British Council. She has been teaching at the ALI for many years and has taught basic to advanced students. Prior to teaching at the ALI, Kate taught at the Language School of the University of Guanajuato in Mexico. While there she taught in a variety of university settings, including to English language students and as a teacher trainer in the BA, TESOL program. She is fluent in Spanish and has traveled to several Spanish-speaking countries.
	Stephen Holland-Wempe Lecturer Phone: 816-235-5438 hollandwempes@umkc.edu Steve has 25 years of experience in international education in Latin America, Asia and the United States, conducting teacher trainings, and teaching both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His specialty area is Cross-Cultural and Diversity Studies, included as well in interdisciplinary Discourse. In addition, he has taught ESOL, Spanish, and French. Of his publications, he is an award winning translator. His Ph.D. studies research focus is Intercultural Transitions between Latin America and the United States.
	Clint Hughes Lecturer Phone: 816-235-5136 hughesjo@umkc.edu Clint has lived and worked abroad in China and Taiwan for two years, and directed Intrax International Institute for six years before joining the ALI. To learn more about Clint, click here.
	Michael Turner Lecturer Phone: 816-235-5138 turnermic@umkc.edu Michael Turner graduated from Truman State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in English and from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon with a Master’s degree in Linguistics in 1999. Michael’s interests include interlanguage phonology and computer assisted language learning. To learn more about Michael, click here.