Director of School, School of English & University Pathways (SEUP)

Ms Urica Lopez is the Director of the School of English & University Pathways (SEUP).

Urica is an accomplished educator and leader with 23 years of experience in the English Language Teaching (ELT) sector across the US, Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Under Urica’s leadership, SEUP has extended opportunities to study at RMIT University by differentiating pathway offerings to include Foundation Studies, English for Post Graduate Preparation, Aviation English, and IELTS Test Preparation programs. SEUP also initiated the RMIT Access program to develop guidelines and expectations for the use of equitable learning materials across the University.

From the start of her Directorship, SEUP has thrived through the turbulence of COVID-19, positioning the School as a leader in digitally enhanced learning. In 2022, SEUP was given an award for online delivery by NEAS, the global leader in quality assurance for the ELT sector. SEUP was also invited to co-develop English Australia's Guide to Good Practice in Online Teaching and contribute to research initiatives under the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Grant to provide recommendations for the Vietnamese ELT sector.

Urica Lopez landscape Urica Lopez, Director of the School of English & University Pathways (SEUP)

Urica's contributions to the language teaching community include co-founding the RMIT Teacher Talks series that supports Vietnamese teachers of English. SEUP has also consulted on the development of the Vietnam Standardised Test of English Language Proficiency (VSTEP). In addition, Urica has played a key role in developing understanding of leadership through times of change, and inclusive learning and teaching practice through numerous conference presentations, panels, and industry roundtables.

Urica is committed to student articulation and experience, innovation and best practice in ELT, and inclusive and empowering leadership. As a member of the RMIT Vietnam Executive Leadership Team and in collaboration with RMIT Training in Melbourne, Urica provides strategic leadership to evolve and deliver pathways to RMIT University in Australia and Vietnam and contribute to the University’s position as a leader in global experiences and digitally enhanced learning.

Qualifications: International Diploma in Language Teaching Management (IDLTM), University of Queensland, 2018 / Master of TESOL, La Trobe University, 2009 / TESOL Certificate, International TEFL & Teacher Training, 2005 / Bachelor of Arts: Political Science & Sociology, University of Southern California, 2003

Contact

Location: RMIT Saigon South