Each year, we're delighted to welcome a new group of faculty and staff to add fresh and exciting perspectives to the LAS community. This year's crew comes from all around the world, bringing increased depth and diversity to our Global Family! Read more about our new hires throughout the post below.

 

 

 

 

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Eila Overcash - Library Coordinator

(Eila, center)
 

Fondue or Raclette?                Raclette!

Summer or Winter?                  Autumn!

Skiing or Snowboarding?        I’ve never had success with either, but I’m looking forward to trying again. And again. And again.

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I love reading (which seems pretty obvious!) 

Walking, hiking, and backpacking bring me joy.

The only time I’ve been to Europe (before coming to LAS) was a trip to my mother’s home country (Norway) when I was 6 years old.

 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

I am from Oregon (USA). I’ve lived in Bend, Oregon for 27 years, and I grew up in the Portland, Oregon area. Bend is very casual. Dressing up means wearing clean jeans and a nice flannel.

 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

Absolutely everything. I’m excited to meet people from all over the world. I can’t wait to work with students and teachers on their academic pursuits. Cheese. Learning French. Exploring Switzerland and Europe. Living in a dorm. The list is endless.

 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

Packing, with a few backpacking trips thrown in.

 

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Virginia Frontan - Spanish Teacher

 

Fondue or Raclette?                Both!

Summer or Winter?                  Summer & Spring

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Snowshoeing or cross-country skiing

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

Exploring the world is one of my greatest passions, and I love discovering new cultures through travel.

I’m a bit of a language geek—I genuinely enjoy learning new languages and find grammar oddly fun!

I spent five incredible years sailing from Spain to New Zealand.
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

I was born in Argentina, raised in Barcelona (Spain), and have spent the past 17 years living abroad—including the last 12 years in New Zealand. At this point, I am a true cultural mix…I am not even sure where I am from anymore!
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

I am really excited to experience the multicultural environment at LAS, pick up words from my students’ languages, get to know all my new colleagues, and enjoy everything Switzerland has to offer. I am also looking forward to being in the heart of Europe—with so many places nearby to explore—and having the chance to speak French again!
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

I packed up and said goodbye to New Zealand, then spent some time in Spain enjoying tapas with family and friends before arriving in Switzerland.
 

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John Blake - University Advisor

Fondue or Raclette?                 Raclette

Summer or Winter?                  Winter

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Hiking

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I'm the oldest of four siblings.

I've lived and worked in Switzerland for the last 25 years.

I love drinking tea.
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

I was born and raised in a small village in West Clare, Ireland. The Irish have a saying "Céad míle fáilte," which means one hundred thousand welcomes. 
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

Working as part of a team again, being able to exchange ideas with like-minded individuals and also learn French. 
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

I was still working at my previous school and spent part of my holiday at home in Ireland. 
 

 

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Luka Stanojevic - Student Life Assistant

Fondue or Raclette?                Raclette

Summer or Winter?                  Summer

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Skiing

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I grew up in Leysin and know the LAS campus and community very well.

I played football at the highest youth level in Switzerland.

I love traveling and discovering new cultures.
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

I’m from Switzerland and grew up in Leysin. My family is Serbian, and one fun fact is that we celebrate two New Years — one on January 1 and another on January 14.
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

I’m excited to join a diverse and international community, connect with new people, and contribute to a school I’ve known since I was young. Being in Leysin feels like home, and I look forward to sharing that with others.
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

I spent time in Serbia with family and friends, went to Montenegro for a beach trip with my best friend, visited a childhood friend in Spain, and came back to Switzerland just in time for the national holiday.
 

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Bleona Bytyqi  - Finance Associate

Fondue or Raclette?                 I enjoy both, but I tend to eat fondue more often.

Summer or Winter?                  Both!

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Skiing

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I love traveling! 

I’m a huge Coca-Cola fan! Not long ago, I used to drink up to 1.5 liters a day. I know…not my proudest health moment!

I speak three languages fluently—and French is well on its way to joining the club!


Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

Born and raised in Slovenia, with family roots in Kosovo. 
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

I love working with people from all around the world, learning about their cultures, and making new friends!
 

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Álvaro Pérez Costa - Math Teacher

Fondue or Raclette?                Fondue

Summer or Winter?                  Winter

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Skiing

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I have traveled to nearly 40 countries and lived in five of them: Spain, Hungary, Finland, Andorra and now Switzerland.

I love hiking, playing table tennis, traveling and skiing.

A few years ago, I won a contest that allowed me to attend the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago with my best friend—it was an unforgettable experience!
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

I am from Valencia (Spain)—a coastal city known for its festive spirit, traditional paella, and Las Fallas, a world-famous celebration where enormous sculptures are paraded and then burned in spectacular fashion.
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

I am thrilled to be part of a multicultural, forward-thinking community like LAS. I am especially looking forward to working closely with students and colleagues from all over the world and to enjoying the natural beauty, snow sports, and peaceful lifestyle that Switzerland offers.
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

This summer, I traveled with my parents and younger brother to Paris and London to celebrate my mother’s 60th birthday. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family before starting this exciting new chapter at LAS.
 

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Jamila Abraymi - Nurse

Fondue or Raclette?                Raclette

Summer or Winter?                  Spring

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Sledding!

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I love solo travel, it's how I reconnect deeply with myself, it makes me feel free and wonderfully adventurous.

I’m obsessed with good energy: dancing, laughing, and feeling joy is my favorite state of being.

I was born in Morocco and raised in France since I was two years old. I’ve always lived between two cultures, that's why the international environment feels familiar to me.
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

I come from France, but I also have Moroccan roots. One funny thing both countries have in common? Bread! I honestly can’t live without it, whether it’s a warm French baguette or traditional Moroccan bread, it is a must-have at almost every meal for me! 
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

I’m really looking forward to working in a dynamic environment, rich in different cultures. I’m also excited to experience completely different landscapes, surrounded by nature, mountains, and a new rhythm of life.
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

I spent my summer working as a nurse, but I also visited my family and friends in the south of France, enjoying the sunshine ! 
 

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Chiao-Hua Chen - Library Assistant

Fondue or Raclette?                Street Food!

Summer or Winter?                  Summer

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Shopping!

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I love traveling.

I enjoy shopping.

I am currently doing my Master's degree.


Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

Taiwan. Bubble tea is from Taiwan.
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

This is my second year working in the library. I enjoy staying with my students and hanging out with the staff.
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

Spending time with my family and friends.
 

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Andree Kehn - Marketing & Advancement Associate 

Fondue or Raclette?                Fondue

Summer or Winter?                  Winter

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Skiing

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

My first job was working as a carny at fairs and festivals.

I most recently was a staff photographer at a regional daily newspaper in Maine. 

I used to be involved in large-scale home composting and once composted an entire deer that had been the victim of a traffic accident.
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

Maine, USA! Almost everyone skis or snowboards in Maine—it is the default to partake in some sort of winter sport!
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

Soaking up Swiss culture.
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

Working at Summer in Switzerland!
 

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Esther Carrique - Beau Réveil Residential Assistant

Fondue or Raclette?                Fondue

Summer or Winter?                  Summer

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Skiing

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I love traveling, sunsets, gym, games, memes and my partner. ♥️

I am very social and easygoing. I like to meet people as a hobby but I also love my quiet time. 

I like art in all its forms: visual arts, music, cinematography, literature, photography, sculptures…and I am good at some of them. 🧐
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

I am from Pamplona, a northern town in Spain. Some people know the place throughout Hemingway, who wrote about our city and its festivities in his novel: “Sun also Rises”. Some others would have heard about the crazy people that run in front of 6 bulls dressed in white and red (the people, not the bulls 😜). That’s where I come from, but I have never done it and I never will. 😅 💃🏻
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

Community and real connections.
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

I have finished my job as nanny in July with an amazing American family. I have spend 10 amazing days with my boyfriend in a peaceful and stunning island in Croatia. Also I have visit by family and friends in Spain before moving from Basel to Leysin. 
 

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Travis Longoria - Director of Technology

Fondue or Raclette?                Fondue

Summer or Winter?                  Fall

Skiing or Snowboarding?        Skiing

 

What are three fun facts about yourself?

I'm a certified paraglider pilot.

I enjoy cooking, especially Mexican and Asian dishes, and I make a mean Spam fried rice.

I love going to the movies. Back in the US, I had a pass that let me watch up to three films a week.
 

Where are you from (whatever that means to you!), and what’s one fun fact about your culture?

Born and raised in Colorado (USA). I come from a mixed-race family (Mexican/American). During the holidays, my whole family gets together and makes a lot of homemade tamales. We also love our green chile in Colorado. 
 

What are you most looking forward to about working at LAS and in Switzerland?

Living in and exploring the beautiful outdoors, having easy access to surrounding countries, and having the opportunity to learn a second language.
 

How did you spend your summer before arriving at LAS?

Lots of yard work and vacationing in Hawaii.