Staff Directory

Center Director

Mikle Merkley

Mikle enjoys the study and use of language, and the possibility to communicate despite language differences. He believes language is essential to an individual’s understanding of their world and their ability to build relationships.

Mikle’s passion for language began when he was young, as he grew up around individuals who spoke multiple languages. He first studied language (Spanish) formally throughout his four years in high school. Later, he studied Italian in a high-intensity, immersive program for six weeks before moving to Italy, where he lived for two years as a religious missionary. During that time he volunteered teaching English on a weekly basis, as well as tutoring students in an after-school program for a period.

Chief Operating Officer

David Merkley, BS

David’s journey into language education is marked by a deep-rooted passion cultivated from an early age. Following high school, he ventured to Brazil for a transformative two-year missionary experience, immersing himself in the culture and occasionally teaching English. Returning to the United States, David pursued higher education in Colorado, earning a bachelor’s degree in business. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for a successful career spanning two decades in corporate management and entrepreneurship.

Driven by a desire to empower others and fueled by his love for languages, David eventually transitioned into English language education. This career shift allowed him to merge his professional expertise with his commitment to linguistic empowerment. Today, David’s journey stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication and versatility, inspiring others in the realm of language education.

General Manager

Vinícius Nogueira

Vini honed his English language skills while residing in Brazil, a journey that eventually propelled him into teaching beginning and intermediate level students for a span of two years.

His tenure in the United States equipped him with valuable experience in logistics and problem-solving, enriching both his linguistic proficiency and his qualifications for his current role as the general manager at Internexus/Antares.

Academic Coordinator

Heidi Quist

Heidi has loved languages since junior high when she both started learning French and realized how much she loved reading and writing in English. Towards the end of her time as an undergraduate student, she lived in France for a year and a half as a missionary. Since then, her career has taken different directions, including working as a copyright expert teaching (and learning from) many multinational teachers in the U.S. Foreign Service Institute.

More recently, she has been teaching English and French since 2010. She has a BA in English, an MFA in Children’s Literature (Creative Writing), and an MA in French, with an emphasis in linguistics and teaching. Her passions related to English teaching include helping her students to improve in critical thinking, to develop their creativity, to understand the world around them, and to improve their abilities with English mechanics.

Teacher

Jamal Jaradat

Jamal earned his TESOL Certification from Huntington University in 2011, and taught at Exodus Refugee Immigration for a year and has been a part of the Globalcom family since 2012. Jamal has lived overseas for 23 years and is bilingual in English and Arabic. He enjoys playing sports, reading, and traveling.

Teacher

Curt R. Lentsch

Dr. Curt R. Lentsch, an esteemed educator, earned his MA in Applied Linguistics and PhD in Education (Curriculum & Instruction) from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1988 and 1999, respectively. He taught English in Chinese higher education institutions from 1989-1990 and 1997-2008, covering language skills, literature, Western Civilization, and linguistics.

From 2010-2017, he continued his career in higher education in Hong Kong, focusing on language skills and applied linguistics. Dr. Lentsch’s dedication to education and expertise in language instruction have left a lasting impact on his students and colleagues.

Teacher

Michael Norato

Michael, originally from Providence, Rhode Island, takes pride in his Italian-American heritage, with his family immigrating to the United States post-World War II. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in meteorology, a Master’s in administration/educational leadership, and a graduate certificate in mathematical sciences, Michael has dedicated 25 years to the field of education.

His teaching journey began instructing math and science to grades 7-12 before transitioning to a professorship in mathematics at the collegiate level in 2012. In 2018, he expanded his expertise by obtaining a TESOL certificate, leading him to venture into English education. Opting to return to teaching English in 2023, Michael finds profound fulfillment in his chosen vocation.