Brian Ary, a native New Orleanian, is presently the Program Director of the IELP. Brian graduated from University of New Orleans (UNO) with a Master's degree in Education in 2003 and Louisiana State University School of Journalism in 1987.

He worked in advertising for four years before discovering his love of teaching. Brian has more than twelve years of ESL teaching experience, including extensive work experience in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Through his work and travels abroad Brian has learned some German, Turkish, Chinese and Spanish. He is currently President of LaTESOL and is very active in the field of International Education at UNO. His hobbies include traveling, running and learning about different languages and cultures.

Dana Criswell is a coordinator and immigration advisor for the Division of International Education. She has a B.A. and M.A. in English literature from the University of New Orleans, and has completed some work toward a PhD in African literature at Louisiana State University. She spent one summer at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria studying theater. In the past she has taught English as an adjunct instructor at the University of New Orleans, worked as a technical writer and editor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and served as director of the Council for International Visitors of Greater New Orleans. She has been advising international students on immigration issues and coordinating student activities for the last seven years and loves working with people from around the globe. In her leisure time, she likes to read, travel, spend time with friends, and take long urban hikes with her husband Joe.