Abroad at AU Staff

Dr. Sara E. Dumont, Director

Sara grew up mainly in Connecticut, but spent several formative years in the UK, where her mother is from. Her first “real study abroad experience” was in France when she was 15. She hated it – not France, which was wonderful, but the program, which was not! Perhaps that was prophetic. After completing degrees in Music History at Yale and Oxford universities, Sara had several career changes before finally landing in the field of international education administration. She has worked in study abroad for 12 years, and is excited now to be part of all the new things happening at AU.

Mark Hayes, Associate Director of Marketing and Recruitment

After his first study trip abroad to Ecuador and Peru at the tender age of 15, Mark caught the travel bug. While In college at Amherst, he studied in St. Petersburg, Russia, and then followed up with a semester in Sydney, Australia while getting his MBA at Duke. For the last six years, he has been living all over Europe (London, Cyprus, Prague, Moscow and Munich) working first for Intel Corporation and then later a large IT distribution company. He landed back on American shores in the summer of 2004, and immediately joined the AU team. Email Mark.

Awilda Marquez, Director of Fiscal Operations

After managing the Financial Operations of a family-owned construction company in Puerto Rico, Awilda returns to American University where she previously worked as the Coordinator of Business Management, 16 years ago. As a former study abroad student in Washington, DC, Awilda appreciates how such an experience can be life changing for any student. Awilda earned her BBA in Accounting from George Washington University and her MIS from American University. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and China. She is thrilled to be part of the AU Abroad and Abroad at AU team of professionals and to have the opportunity to foster international relations. Email Awilda.

Alison Nagy, Incoming Student Advisor

With a BA in Sociology, Alison's love of culture and observing people extends beyond the academic realm. Her first international experience was during her own study abroad in Krakow, Poland. She quickly realized the addictive nature of travel and was eager to return to Europe after graduation. She spent the better part of four years living and working in England and Hungary, as well as a brief stint in Morocco. Alison finds herself at home in the AU Abroad ~ Abroad at AU Office as the Advisor for international students attending AU for a semester or year, and working on marketing initiatives for the office. In addition to working in the office, Alison is also pursuing her master's in public communication at AU. Email Alison.

Alison is the advisor for students coming to AU on the Abroad at AU program from Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Sarah Beumer Harlow, Incoming Student Advisor / Financial Assistant

After two summer abroad trips to Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica while still in high school, Sarah discovered her love of travel and culture. She continued her interest in international studies at American University by spending a semester in Argentina and earning a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish language and Latin American Studies. While still in college Sarah also completed a number of internships in the field of international education. After graduation and 3½ years at an immigration law firm, she is thrilled to be back at AU and in the field of international education. Complimenting her work in the office, she is working towards a master's in international training and education at AU. Email Sarah .

Sarah is the advisor for students coming to AU on the Abroad at AU program from Africa, Middle East, Turkey, North America and Latin America.