GEO's English Language Program students reach language goals and graduate program
By: Liam Velazquez
Communications Intern
Contact: (804) 828-6463
Richmond, VA (June 5, 2025) — This spring, the Global Education Office graduated 27 international students from its English Language Program as they completed the requirements of the three-level program. Students from 17 countries participated in varying courses from beginner to advanced, completing the coursework depending upon their proficiency levels. Of the graduating students, 11 are enrolled in degree-seeking programs at VCU in fall 2025; one will continue to graduate school in engineering management.
Moe Greene, Ph.D., director of the English Language Program, speaks of how integral the program is for international students studying English at the university and touts the support of ELP faculty and GEO staff as reasons for the students' success.
“I am proud of the accomplishments of the English Language Program (ELP) graduates,” Greene said. “Their achievements are inspiring. I am honored to have been part of their learning journey.”
“Our students graduate from the program with strong English language skills and the confidence to apply those skills beyond the classroom. They engage in opportunities that connect classroom learning with the community. The progress they have made reflects their commitment to learning, hard work and perseverance,” he said. “None of this would have been possible without the support and dedication of our faculty and staff in the English Language Program, the Global Education Office and beyond. Our graduates will always be part of the ELP family.”
Audrey Short, ELP faculty member, spoke about the strong character traits that helped the international students succeed as they increased their English speaking skills during the program and the benefits of having them at VCU.
"The students' curiosity, perseverance, resilience and positivity are qualities that will carry them far in their future endeavors," she said. "Sharing their cultures, questions and perspectives has enriched our community, and we are so lucky to have the students here to continue enriching conversations."
Fully accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), the English Language Program supports international students by teaching the skills necessary to help them succeed at the university level. The program assists students with improving reading, writing, speaking, and listening as well as strengthening academic skills. The program also offers community courses that include pronunciation, English grammar, test preparation and a course for refugees that helps them become acclimated to Richmond in addition to increasing English proficiency.
Read below about the journeys of some of the ELP graduates, and the plans they have for the future.
Juliana Martins
Juliana Martins moved to the U.S. from Brazil six years ago, and she has been enrolled in the ELP since August 2023.
A challenge Martins faced during her time with the ELP was being older than most of her classmates, as she was 37 when she started learning English. Despite the generational and experience gap, she was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming and inclusive environment of the program.
“They have a lot of support,” Martins said. “This is unique for me. Not many universities, not many schools have these opportunities.”
Activities outside of the classroom were highlights for Martins. Teachers took her class to the Virginia State Capitol, a community vegetable garden and even a musical instrument store to learn more about business. These experiences offered practical learning opportunities and helped her grow as a person, according to Martins.
After this experience, Martins shared some advice she has for other international students.
“For those who are starting their international academic journey, dive headfirst into this ocean of opportunities,” Martins said. “The ELP is much more than a learning program – it is a cultural and intellectual metamorphosis.”
Martins plans to pursue a degree in business administration from VCU, and use it to enter into the beauty industry. She previously opened her own spa in Brazil and currently manages a business remotely.
Sang Huynh
Sang Huynh is from Vietnam and moved to the U.S. last July. He has a degree in marketing and will be starting a master’s degree in decision analytics at VCU in the fall. While he did take English courses in his home country, Huynh says that they focused primarily on writing, academic vocabulary and grammar. This left him with a lack of experience with spoken English.
“I [didn’t] have much real conversation to talk and practice my English skills,” Huynh said. “So, when I came to the United States, I had a good opportunity for me to work on this and improve my English.”
Huynh credits the ELP for helping him progress his English skills, and for giving him a wider exposure to different cultures and accents. The program has given him the tools to take things further, according to Huynh.
“Right now I think I'm still working on pronunciation, but after the class, I [will] know how to improve my English by myself.”
Karen Jassir Hoyos
Karen Jassir Hoyos moved to the U.S. from Colombia about a year and a half ago. She came to the U.S. only to study English.
During her time at VCU, she said she found the community to be “nice” and “lovely.” Hoyos emphasized how helpful GEO programs and events such as the Global Cafe were in helping her feel more comfortable within the program.
Hoyos has said that her experience in the ELP has been “wonderful.” She also spoke highly of her teachers and the experience, knowledge and understanding they provided.
“Not only because I have learned English and improved my English skills,” Hoyos said, “but also for the opportunity to meet people from different countries and cultures and for having wonderful teachers who have been very supportive and made learning English enjoyable. I think without them, maybe the experience would have been completely different.”
In her free time, Hoyos enjoys sharing time with her family and friends.
