Yanina is responsible for formulating and recommending policies and procedures to improve management capabilities and operational procedures for the software programs used to report on international students and study abroad students. She also maintains the UFIC website and provide statistical reports as needed to UFIC and UF Colleges and Departments.
Yanina is from Cordoba, Argentina, and joined UFIC in 2004 after receiving her M.S. in Management from the University of Florida. In 1995, she completed a Bachelors in Teaching Mathematics, Physics and Cosmography, from the Instituto Catolico del Profesorado. She taught Math an Physics to middle and high school students for five years in her home city, before she moved to Gainesville in 2001.
Yanina Morero
Yanina Morero is the Data Management Analyst at the University of Florida International Center. She has been with the Center for over 20 years, providing exceptional service to a wide range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, and international partners, all while ensuring the smooth operation of UFIC’s various programs and initiatives.
Yanina was born in Cordoba, Argentina, and spent much of her early life there. Early on, she developed a passion for education, becoming a high school math and physics teacher. This background in teaching set the foundation for her career in education and international support services. "After high school, I went to university at a tertiary education institution. It was a teaching college. They had seven or eight different teaching programs, and I studied math and physics to teach in high school.”
In the early 2000s, Yanina boldly decided to immigrate to the United States, arriving without speaking any English. Despite this challenge, she was determined to succeed. She began taking English classes at Santa Fe College and immersed herself in the language while simultaneously pursuing higher education. She decided to further her studies and earned a degree from the University of Florida. "I decided to apply to the Master's in Management program at UF because it seemed like a good opportunity to improve my English and get a degree. The cost was about the same as taking classes in ELI (English Language Institute), but I could get a degree at UF and practice English at the same time."
Her journey at UFIC began in 2004 when she was hired in an OPS position to work in the International Student Service unit. This was a transformative period for the International Center, as the Center was implementing a new computer system in 2006 for Study Abroad, Terra Dotta. “It was a big transition, and I helped manage the system’s integration." Over time, her responsibilities at UFIC expanded as her expertise and leadership skills grew. In 2018, she led the migration of the previous international student management system into another Terra Dotta solution. "Now, we don’t even need to print the I-20s for them. We can issue them electronically, sign them, and upload them into the system, where students can retrieve them."
Additionally, Yanina has been implementing several solutions using Power BI, a business analytics tool that helps not only streamline data analysis and reporting within UFIC and the UF community but also make the process more efficient for our staff when working with our students’ records. She is also responsible for overseeing the UFIC website, ensuring that it remains user-friendly, up-to-date, and accessible for students and staff alike.
Yanina's dedication to her work is evident in her commitment to supporting every department at UFIC. She takes pride in ensuring that international students maintain their status, and she works tirelessly behind the scenes to improve systems for the benefit of both staff and students. “My main goal is to make sure no one falls out of status. It's the most devastating situation when a student doesn’t get enrolled properly or there's a problem, and we didn't do anything to fix it," says Yanina. "So, we try to keep track of all the information and ensure everything is up to date so the advisors can have all the necessary data." She often remarks, “I’m still in education,” underscoring her ongoing commitment to learning, growth, and enhancing the student experience at UFIC. "I love teaching. Even though I don't teach students directly anymore, I teach and assist everyone I work with. I always say, 'If you need help, ask. I do not mind if you need to ask me the same question several times!"
One of her most memorable international experiences was through COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning), where she had the opportunity to travel to Valencia, Spain, for a special staff exchange with the Universidad Cardenal Herrara (CEU). The program, offered for the first time to UF staff, focused on connecting members of each group and working online to develop cultural understanding and get a taste of what it was like working in different countries. The program culminated with participants from all over the world meeting in Valencia for a symposium on the COIL initiative. Yanina recalled, "It was amazing to meet people from all over Europe. It wasn’t just a professional experience but also a cultural one. I was able to learn and connect with people from different backgrounds."
As a former international student, Yanina emphasizes the importance of being bold, “Get out of your comfort zone,” she advises. She also encourages students to embrace their identities, saying, “Don’t change yourself—you’re never going to lose your accent.” This advice reflects her own experience as an immigrant, where staying true to oneself has been essential for success. “Embrace your differences,” says Yanina, “We’re all unique, and that’s something to be proud of."
Outside of work, Yanina enjoys spending time in nature with her friends and family, a pastime she cherishes in Gainesville, where the natural surroundings offer a peaceful escape from her busy professional life. “I prefer quiet, peaceful outdoor activities with family and friends. My family loves going to places like the springs or even just walking around the nature trails." For her, this connection to nature is one of the best aspects of living in Gainesville, besides being an invaluable support to all our Global Gators!
Story by: Terrence Funke
Photos by: Christina Cozart and Mabel Cardec
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