Marta Maruri was born in Madrid, grew up in Santander (Northern Spain), and spent her senior year of high school in the United States. She attended university in Santander then transferred to the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland, earning an honors B.A. in european business studies. While in Northern Ireland, Marta interned in the field of exports and later worked in marketing. Upon returning to Spain, she taught international and strategic marketing for Queen's University and the University of Humberside and Lincolnshire programs as well as ESL at different business schools. She has worked at SLU-Madrid since 2006.

During her time at SLU-Madrid, Marta has served on the SLU-Madrid Assessment Committee and is currently the director of student life and retention officer.  She formerly served as SLU-Madrid Title IX deputy coordinator. She has completed continued education in relevant fields, including student affairs, Spanish data protection policies, management, motivation, leadership, Title IX and the Clery Act.

Director of Student Life and Retention Officer
marta.maruri@slu.edu
Ext. 213

César Rioja was born and raised in Madrid. He received a bachelor's degree in physical education from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. For six seasons, César played guard for the Movistar Estudiantes, as a professional basketball team player in the Spanish Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto League ("the Spanish NBA"). He also played in the Spanish National Team. Since 1999, César has been the Sports Director at SLU-Madrid, where he is also the current academic advisor for all the athletes registered at SLU-Madrid. César assists all SLU-Madrid students wishing to practice the more than 20 different sports offered at the University.

Sports Director
cesar.rioja@slu.edu
Ext. 208

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.

Campus Chaplain
james.oleary@slu.edu 
Ext. 279

Paloma Gómez de Salazar was born in southern Spain, but has always lived in Madrid. She graduated from the Pontifical University of Comillas with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

She has done specialization in family and couples' therapy by completing two different masters and is currently studying for a master's in general health psychology at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR).

Gómez de Salazar has worked in many different areas, including as an instructor at the University Francisco de Vitoria and professor of Catholic religion pedagogy and didactic methods at the University Camilo José Cela. She has taught Catholic religion at Torrevilano School. She also has experience as a counselor in Covadonga Family Planning Centre and as a psychologist and coach in KilosOut, an innovative method of weight loss.

Counselor and Campus Minister
paloma.gomezdesalazar@slu.edu 
Ext. 218/230

Carlos Villar Moreu was born in Madrid and has lived most of his life here. He graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid with a bachelor's degree in history. Carlos has worked in different fields throughout his career, from data recording in a financial and legal consulting firm to teaching English and coordinating English teachers for a private academy. He has developed a special interest in helping students achieve their goals and assisting with obtaining the NIE, TIE and other official documents students may need.

Programs Assistant
carlos.villar@slu.edu
Ext. 239

Paloma Lladó was born and raised in Madrid. She studied three years of law before receiving an Athletic Scholarship to study at Florida International University, were she graduated with a degree in International Relations. At FIU, Paloma lead the International Relations Club, participated in the Debate Club and successfully played on the NCAA I golf teams. This gave her a profound experience of the American university system and the perks and challenges of being a study-abroad student.

After working some years in event management, protocol and media relations, Paloma completed an International MBA at IE in Madrid. Thereafter, she started her own event management company, where she worked over 10 years.

She has also lived in Brazil and Italy, always working with young people, organizing great cultural events, including over 70 exhibitions for the World Youth Days of Rio 2013, and participating in Favelas and university environments, inspired by working in human development and spiritual growth.

Passionate about students, she is studying a master's in educational accompaniment. Paloma joined SLU Madrid's Office of Student Life in 2021 as staff support for housing, service learning opportunities and campus ministry, among other areas.

Student Support and Housing Coordinator
paloma.llado@slu.edu
Ext. 245