The People behind the scene
Meet our board
A collective of caring teachers from around the globe, committed to bringing the best out of their curious students.

Dr. Robert Stroud
Founder & Organizer in Japan
Robert has spent nearly two decades in Japan as a professor, empowering classrooms with a real purpose for learning. A sought-after speaker and prolific writer, he inspires educators worldwide to reimagine technology not as a replacement for thought, but as a catalyst for equity and critical inquiry. Robert’s vision is one where students grow as self-directed, socially conscious thinkers in an AI-shaped future. He is also the editor of The University Grapevine newsletter and co-author of the highly successful SMART Communication textbook series. Robert is also a highly rated TEDx Speaker addressing global education and technology issues. Find out more on his website.

Dr. Linh Phung
Board Member in the USA
Dr. Phung is a language educator, researcher, and creator with 20 years of experience in language education. She is the Founder of the Eduling Speak app (which helps power Culture Club learning. As an author, she has published four language learning books and three children’s books. As a researcher, she has her research published in high impact journals. Her professional experience also involves working as the Director of the English Language Program at Chatham University for 12 years, serving as an English Language Specialist with the U.S. Department of State, working at Shorelight as a senior research analyst, and being Chief Learning Officer of Pangea Chat.

Zarrina Salieva
Board Member in Uzbekistan
Dr. Salieva is an Associate Professor at the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages in Uzbekistan, where she has dedicated over two decades to advancing teaching, research, and academic supervision. With 20 years of experience in higher education, she has played a pivotal role in mentoring students and guiding scholarly inquiry across multiple disciplines. A regular presenter at leading international conferences, Dr. Salieva specializes in language education, translation studies, and applied linguistics. Her work consistently bridges theory and practice, offering innovative insights into multilingual pedagogy and cross-cultural communication.

Dr. Victor Talastas Reyes, LPT
Board Member in the Philippines
Dr. Victor Talastas Reyes, LPT, is a dedicated educator and cultural advocate, he bridges English language education with intercultural understanding through program development, faculty training, and inclusive leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature (with Academic Distinction) and is pursuing a second doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management. As a Program Committee Member of the Southeast Asia Research Academy (SEARA), he promotes regional collaboration and academic exchange. A published scholar and international speaker, Dr. Reyes’s work spans literature, education, tourism, and marginalized communities—advancing a culturally rooted, globally responsive vision of education.

Dr. Miguel Carlo C. Marasigan
Board Member in Japan
Dr. Marasigan is an experienced educator with over 14 years of teaching English and literature across elementary, high school, and university levels in the Philippines, China, and Japan. He holds a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature and specializes in English, Language Arts, and Literary Studies. Currently based in Japan, Dr. Marasigan is passionate about fostering creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills in all his learners. He also is proficient in educational technology, game-based-learning, and pedagogical gamification and is committed to cross-cultural education and professional growth.

Džalila Muharemagić
Board Member in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Džalila Muharemagić is a PhD candidate at University of Banja Luka in the field of Applied Linguistics and English for Specific Purposes. She is Senior Assistant in the Department of English Language and Literature, in the Pedagogical faculty of University of Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her research interests include English Language Teaching and Learning, English for Specific Purposes, Needs Assessment, and Language Policy Development. As an Expert advisor for research, she has worked on the development of the university’s research support capacities by increasing visibility of the university’s research, networking, and development of policies for research and open science.

Brandy Bippes
Board Member in South Korea
Dr. Bippes is Associate Professor (Lecturer) in Writing & Rhetoric Studies at the University of Utah Asia Campus and Director of the UAC English Language Lab. Her diverse background includes a focus in international instruction, rhetoric, and applied linguistics (TESL), corporate training & business education, computer science, computer applications, and technical communication. In addition to her love for education and excellence as an educator, her experience includes co-development of an international bridge pilot for colleges in Washington, directing a multi-site tutoring center, and editing several copy-left publications in writing across the curriculum.

Zareena Younis
Board Member in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Zareena Younis is the Head of Student Development and an Academic Lecturer in the International Foundation Programme and Undergraduate Law at the British International University, Erbil. Her expertise spans Law, ESL, Academic English, and Business Management. She holds an LLM in International Law from the University of Liverpool and an LLB (Hons) from London Metropolitan University and is a certified TESOL trainer. With broad experience across teaching, curriculum design, staff development, human rights advocacy, and policy guidance, Zareena has worked in the UK, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and the UAE. She has contributed to human rights research, analyzed high-profile legal cases, written for TEFL CourseNet, and actively mentors students.

Prakash Chandra Giri
Board Member in Nepal
Prakash Chandra Giri is an Instructional Designer at Global Trust Partners and English faculty at Gupteshwor Mahadev Multiple Campus in Pokhara, Nepal. He is also a research scholar at Nepal Open University and the Nepal Representative for the Africa Asia Scholars Global Network (AASGON), a UN Global Compact signatory and UKSSD member. He works freelance with TLS and was awarded by the British Council in 2017 for adding an international dimension to local curricula. A TESOL-certified teacher and life member of NELTA, he taught in the English Access Micro-Scholarship Program for four years. Prakash has presented at conferences globally and has led trainings in countries including South Korea, India, South Africa, and Turkey, with particular interest in open-source tools for education.

Diane Rozells
Board Member in South Korea
Dr. Rozells has 13 years of experience teaching at the university level in Korea and has spent the last 12 years teaching in the MA TESOL program at Sookmyung Women’s University where she also teaches undergraduate and PhD courses related to using multimedia and technology for teaching English. She is the recipient of a research grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea to develop a mobile adventure game application for learning English. She is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of TESOL Studies and a reviewer for the International TESOL Journal. She obtained her PhD from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and her research interests include CALL, reflective practice, and teachers’ beliefs.
Join Our Global Community Today!
Become a Board Member and Shape the Future of Culture Club!
Accepting Applications from 2026
What is the Culture Club?
Culture Club is a free online program designed for higher education students to practice English and share cultural experiences. It offers real-time speaking opportunities, global diversity, and access to the Eduling app, fostering connections among participants.
Who can join the Culture Club?
The Culture Club is open to higher education students worldwide, aged 18 to 30, who are interested in cultural exchange and language learning. All backgrounds and English proficiency levels are welcome to participate and connect.
What are the benefits of being a board member?
As a board member, you gain recognition for your contributions, access to a global network of educators, and the opportunity to influence the program’s direction. You’ll also receive certification for your involvement, enhancing your professional profile.
How can I apply to be a board member?
To apply, fill out the application form on our website from 2026, providing your name, email, institution, country, and a short paragraph about your motivation. We review applications regularly and will contact you with further details.
What is the schedule for the Culture Club?
The Culture Club schedule includes application deadlines, Zoom party dates, and certificate information. Students must attend at least three Zoom parties to complete the program and receive their certificates.
How can I contact the Culture Club organizers?
You can reach out to us by email through the contact link on our website. We’d love to hear from you and will respond to your inquiries as soon as possible.
