Office of Student Life
At SLU-Madrid, we encourage you to become the best version of yourself.
In the spirit of the Jesuit tradition, our Student Life team believes in caring for and educating the whole person; we are concerned with the life of the mind, body and spirit. We facilitate programs, services and experiences that help students become leaders who are critically reflective and socially aware.
Most importantly, we are committed to offering top-quality services to our students, supporting them and offering opportunities for them to succeed in college.
We are here to help.
Office of Student Life Staff
Ines Barretto
Coordinator, events and orientation
ines.barretto@slu.edu
Ext. 239
Ines Barretto was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She earned her bachelor's degree in educational psychology from De La Salle University. After graduating, Ines worked as a reading intervention specialist, helping students improve their literacy skills.
She also served as a camp counselor for an international peace organization, traveling to places like India and Mexico, as well as camps in the Philippines, to promote peace and cultural understanding.
Later, Ines moved to Spain, where she spent three exciting years teaching and working as a student coordinator, supporting students in their educational journeys. In June 2024, she completed her master's degree in global higher education from the Teach & Learn Program at the University of Alcalá.
When she's not working, Ines loves discovering new restaurants, playing tennis, and traveling, always on the lookout for great food and new adventures.
Responsibilities include:
- Coordinating and planning events and activities for students.
- Organizing and executing orientation programs.
- Supporting student engagement and campus life.
Sharrad Belin
Coordinator, trips and volunteering
sharrad.belin@slu.edu
Ext. 240
Sharrad was born in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. He attended Nassau Community College on Long Island, New York, where he received his Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. He later received his undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Queens College, City University of New York. After obtaining this degree, he worked with a team of substance-abuse counselors and on-staff psychologists as a psychiatric attendant at South Oaks Hospital in Amityville, New York, for one year. He later attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, where he received his Master's in Public Administration, specializing in management and operations. Since 1998, Sharrad has worked primarily in the business and finance sector in New York City.
Starting from the position of bank teller at 19, Sharrad was eventually elevated to supervisory positions in commercial banking. He has held positions ranging from supervisor to assistant manager and finally lead department manager at Apple Bank for Savings, where he helped implement the company's Depositor Services Department. Sharrad's passion for higher education and personal growth and development inspired him to move to Madrid in January 2018, where he worked as an English teacher for a language academy for over four years. He joined the Office of Student Life team at SLU-Madrid in the summer of 2022.
Responsibilities include:
- Connecting students with volunteer opportunities around Madrid.
- Creating trips for students during orientation.
- Supporting faculty-led academic trips.
Ismael Carmona
Coordinator, Student Government Association and clubs
ismael.carmona@slu.edu
Ext. 286
Ismael was born and raised in Spain, where he lived in multiple cities including Valencia, which he considers his hometown. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he was awarded bachelor's degrees in supply chain management and in international studies. He also completed a master's degree in global affairs at the same institution. Ismael joined the Office of Student Life team at SLU-Madrid in August 2024. Prior to joining SLU-Madrid, he held positions in higher education, public administration, nonprofit organizations and consulting.
Outside of SLU-Madrid, Ismael enjoys traveling, activism, learning new languages, being physically active, and a good cup of coffee. He has lived in four countries and loves getting to meet new people.
Responsibilities include:
- Promoting community involvement to guarantee the success of student-run events.
- Overseeing the creation, functioning and success of student clubs and their activities.
- Supporting the Student Government Association in their pursuit of bettering the campus community.
Beatrice Torres de Azcárraga
Coordinator, Housing and Campus Ministry
beatrice.torres@slu.edu
Ext. 245
Beatrice Torres de Azcárraga joined the SLU-Madrid campus in February 2023. She was born in Fresno, California and has lived in Madrid for over 20 years with her husband and their two sons. She graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with a bachelor's degree in business administration-accounting. She has worked as a financial aid and career services advisor for other American universities.
Responsibilities include:
- Overseeing host family housing processes, including assigning students tot heir home and supporting students and their host families.
- Supporting students with housing-related concerns.
- Partnering with the Campus Chaplain and the University community to promote Bible studies, events, retreats and other interfaith activities through Campus Ministry.
Campus Chaplain
James O'Leary, S.J.
Campus chaplain
james.oleary@slu.edu
Ext. 279
James O'Leary, S.J., is a native of Chicago. He entered the Jesuits in 1981. After being ordained a Catholic priest in 1991, he lived in Peru, where he worked in popular education and jail ministry. He has been the campus chaplain and a professor of theology at SLU-Madrid since 2007.