Alina Angulo’s journey into the world of language assessment was, and still is, powered by a deep belief in the power of education and an unwavering commitment to expanding access to English certification.
As business development manager for Mexico at Michigan Language Assessment, she brings a unique blend of academic insight, cultural awareness, and strategic vision to her role.
Turning Bilingualism Into a Global Career
“English has always been a key part of my life,” Angulo said. “Being bilingual opened doors I never imagined—from studying abroad to launching my career.”
Angulo began her professional path over 12 years ago as a Programa Nacional de Inglés (PRONI) teacher in rural Mexican communities while completing a degree in international relations from Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa. PRONI is a government initiative aimed at improving English language instruction in public basic education, particularly in elementary and secondary schools.
And while many may assume that her career path was always planned, Angulo shares that her first ESL teaching job was simply a way to support herself through school.
With the support of government scholarships, Angulo had the chance to study in both Poland at the University of Warsaw and the United States as fellow at the University of Illinois. These are key experiences that shaped her understanding of language as a powerful tool for connection and advancement.
After graduation, she became the academic coordinator for ESL teachers at Colegio de Bachilleres del Estado de Sinaloa, supporting educators across Sinaloa, Mexico. That role strengthened her dedication to educational equity and exposed her to a range of initiatives that connected classroom learning with global standards. Over time, Angulo transitioned into the language services sector, joining a test center as a special projects coordinator and collaborating with organizations like Cambridge University Press & Assessment to provide teacher training and development.
“These experiences helped me see language assessment from both the instructional and strategic angles,” she said. “That naturally led me to Michigan Language Assessment, where I now work to expand access to high-quality, meaningful English certification across Mexico.”
The Power of Relationships in Business Development
What excites Angulo most about her current role is the chance to connect local educational needs with global opportunities.
“There’s something deeply rewarding about helping institutions realize how English certification can empower their students in a number of ways: career advancement, academic mobility, or migration,” she said.
For her, the foundation of that work is relationships.
“One lesson that’s stuck with me is that strong relationships drive meaningful results,” she said. “Listening first, before offering solutions, has helped me build partnerships based on mutual respect and shared goals.”
Working Across a Diverse Country
When asked what makes working in Mexico unique, Angulo highlights the country’s rich diversity. And because Angulo has grown up and lived in Mexico for most of her life, she brings strong background knowledge of the needs of Mexicans to the table in her work.
“Every region, and often every institution, has a unique set of needs, priorities, and challenges,” she said. “One day I might be working with a rural high school, and the next I’m collaborating with a top-tier private university.”
Her approach to navigating that complexity is rooted in consistency, empathy, and curiosity.
“I make it a point to understand each partner’s context and avoid one-size-fits-all solutions. Even small gestures, like checking in regularly, help turn professional relationships into real partnerships,” she said.
A Day in the Life
While no two days are exactly alike, Angulo enjoys putting routines in place where she can to create structure.
“My mornings start with my dog, Canelo—he’s my alarm clock and insists on a long walk,” she said. “If I can, I’ll fit in a workout and some breakfast before diving into emails and planning out my tasks.”
Being in a time zone behind much of her team, Angulo sometimes has to adapt quickly, but she stays grounded through simple habits: writing down priorities, staying physically active, and taking regular mental breaks.
She credits running with having a major impact on her life and her work. It started as a way to stay active, but it has taught her many things: patience, discipline, and the importance of consistency over perfection.
“Movement is a big part of my routine,” she said. “Running especially helps me clear my head. I get some of my best thinking done while I run.”
Motivation and Impact
What motivates her most is the impact of the work.
“Whether it’s helping a student access a scholarship or supporting a nurse on their path to a U.S. visa, what we do at Michigan Language Assessment opens real doors,” she said. “That sense of impact, especially in sectors like healthcare and education, keeps me inspired.”
One project she’s especially proud of is a pilot program supporting nurses in Mexico in partnership with Health Carousel International.
“Watching universities engage, seeing candidates take steps toward working in the U.S.—that’s the kind of impact that defines success for me,” she said.
Angulo’s journey shows how unexpected opportunities can lead to meaningful work. What started as a way to support herself through school became a lifelong career rooted in impact, connection, and growth. Whether she’s partnering with schools or walking Canelo between meetings, Angulo brings heart, purpose, and curiosity to everything she does—and that’s what makes her work so powerful.