Student Sessions on Facebook Live

To support and inform international students and educational systems navigating the current challenging and evolving climate, Study in the USA is launching Student Sessions on Facebook Live on April 16 at 8 PM PST. This weekly program connects current and prospective international students with universities and peers. All sessions will be recorded for viewing after the session.

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​Presenters & Topics

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Karl Anderson and Emilija Sarma, University of Arkansas
What’s the Difference Between a Bachelor’s and Graduate Program?

​Karl Anderson serves as the Assistant Director for International Student Recruitment at the University of Arkansas. In this position Karl plans and implements a comprehensive international recruitment plan for prospective undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, he works to build and maintain relationships with overseas education advisors, non-governmental agencies, as well as secondary and post-secondary schools. Karl also helps to develop and manage materials for print and web marketing as well as helps to maintain current and relevant out-going materials for prospective students, education advisors, educational institutions, and international alumni.

​Emilija Sarma is a Fulbright Scholar and Ph.D. Candidate in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies. Emilija comes from Latvia in Northern Europe. Her research interests are gender studies, children’s and young adult literature, international exchange, and study abroad. She hopes to work in international student exchange after completing her degree to help other students have amazing experiences studying abroad all over the world.

David Law, Theatre of the Arts
Actor Training in America

​David serves as the Director of Education overseeing the two-year acting conservatory at the Theatre of Arts in Hollywood, California, the oldest acting school in Los Angeles. Formerly the Education Officer for the Regents Park Open Air Theatre in London, David is also an award-winning filmmaker and actor, with a career spanning 30 years. As an instructor of comedy and improv, David has taught all over the world and has performed standup all over North America and the UK.

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Bridget Flaherty, Associate Director, Lewis & Clark
How Admissions Counselors Review Applications

​Bridget Flaherty is the Associate Director of International Students and Scholars at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. In addition to advising international students on campus, she travels to Asia annually for student recruitment and evaluates applications for international applicants. Bridget has a master’s degree in Communication Studies with an intercultural emphasis from the University of Montana. She has worked in various areas of education, including teaching English in Japan through the JET Program. In her free time, Bridget loves traveling, hiking, cross country skiing, experimenting with new recipes, and reading.

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Jim Crawley, Director, Hope College
Benefits of a Small Liberal Arts College Education
Jim Crawley is the Director of Global Recruitment at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Jim has been recruiting international students for more than 25 years for both public and private institutions. At Hope College, he coordinates the strategic international enrollment management plan, and he recruits primarily in Latin/South America and Southeast Asia. He presents regularly on international recruitment and admission topics at state, regional, and national conferences.

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Carola Smith, Dean, Santa Barbara City College
Mabel Perez, Coordinator
Mirjam Maier, International Student
Community Colleges’ Guide to a Bachelor’s Degree, Benefits of Starting at a Community College, and SBCC Student Services and Response to Covid-19
Carola Smith currently serves as Dean of the Business Division and International Programs at Santa Barbara City College. In this role, she provides oversight for SBCC’s Study Abroad Program as well as for the college’s International Student Support Program; she is responsible for recruitment, enrollment management, international engagement, international admissions, program development, and risk management. For the past five years, she held various leadership roles within the NAFSA Academy and served two terms as Chair of the NAFSA Academy. Carola came to the U.S. as an international student and earned a bachelor degree, masters degree and teaching certificate in ESL from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She have lived and traveled abroad extensively and considers herself a product of international education.

Mabel Perez is the International Outreach and Admissions Coordinator and joined the International team at SBCC four years ago. She loves to share the benefits SBCC has to offer with prospective international students and enjoys meeting with them and their parents. During her lunch time, she takes advantage of SBCC’s close proximity to the beach to exercise on the sand.

​Mirjam Maier is an international student from Germany who came to SBCC two years ago. She majors in film production and marketing and is planning to work within these fields after she graduates next semester. Mirjam also works at the international education office on campus, where she creates marketing content for international students and the study abroad program.

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Cheryl Hansen, Director International Programs
Dave Stockdale, Director of Workforce Initiatives,
Walla Walla Community College
Community College Pathways to a Bachelor’s and Advanced Degrees

​Cheryl Hansen is the Director for International Programs at Walla Walla Community College. She holds a B.A. in Communications and an M.S.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration. Cheryl has worked at a variety of colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and has worked and traveled on all 7 continents. She is here to share information about the community college pathways to bachelors and advanced degrees.

Dave Stockdale is the Director of Workforce Initiatives and the Water & Environmental Center at Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, Washington. Dave earned a B.S. in Agriculture and an M.S. in Biology. He has worked in a variety university, college, state and county government, nonprofit and for-profit settings, developing and managing academic and community education programs.

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Melissa Randolf, Program Coordinator, Edmonds Community College
​Staying Engaged in an Online Campus

​Melissa is a Washington state local and was an Edmonds CC student through the Running Start Program. She is a Seattle University alumna and a former exchange student at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. Her time in Japan was the experience of a lifetime and influenced her passion to work with students from all over the world. Her goal as a Programming Coordinator is to help international students get to know the Seattle area and make new friends through ISS orientations, activities, and programs. Connect with her at melissa.randolf@edcc.edu.

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Carla Anderson, Associate Director, Lane Community College
Financing Your Studies

Carla Andersen is currently serving as Associate Director for International Student Recruitment at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Over the past five years, she has enjoyed meeting students and parents throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Carla is passionate about helping students achieve their educational goals and find success in a global economy.

​Originally from Oregon, Carla’s higher education pursuits took her to Nebraska, Ghana, South Africa, and Pennsylvania, culminating with her MBA from Eastern University. While traveling, Carla loves photography, trying new cuisine, visiting post offices (especially old ones), and sending postcards to her family and friends.

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Dr. Darren Lipscomb, Director
Jazmin Wright, Admissions, Delaware County Community College
The Benefits of Community College …Things I Wish I Knew

​Dr. Darren Lipscomb is the Director of the Admissions Office at Delaware County Community College. In this role, Darren helps students from around the world gain access to college and strategize around their academic careers. Darren has worked in higher education for nine years and has pursued academic credentials at four different colleges and universities while earning credits at several community colleges. Additionally, Darren is an avid traveler having visited 49 countries on six continents. In all, Dr. Lipscomb is a light-hearted world traveler committed to creating opportunities for students; he looks forward to the awaiting opportunities to grow in his ability to give back through education, mentorship, and advocacy.

​Jazmin Wright is an Admissions Officer for Delaware County Community College, conducting high school recruitment and supporting international student admissions. Jazmin is a two-time West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduate with a master’s degree in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs. Jazmin is also a former Delaware County Community College student. She is an educator who believes in the power of access to quality education. Jazmin hopes to make an impact on the college and community by sharing all of the great opportunities furthering your education offers to create paths to success.

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Peter Rodenberg, International Admissions Officer, SUNY Plattsburgh
How to Find the Best Fit College for You

Peter grew up in the small town of Warrensburg, Missouri, about 45 minutes outside of Kansas City. His college life was quite colorful and included performing in a number of bands, extensive travel, and studying abroad in the Netherlands. His study abroad experience was one of the key moments in Peter’s life as it started his journey into international education. After graduating with a T.E.S.L. degree he moved to Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China, and taught English at Jiaxing University for seven years. His study abroad experience, in addition to his time in China, has led Peter to the Global Education Office at SUNY Plattsburgh, and he couldn’t be happier.

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Kristoffer Toribio, Assistant Director, Orange Coast College
2-Year Community College and Transfer to 4-Year University

​Kristoffer is the Assistant Director of Global Engagement and Manager of International Admissions for Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California. He has 11 years of professional experience in undergraduate admissions. He previously worked for two 4-year universities, including his alma mater, and now proudly serves students at one of the largest and most comprehensive 2-year community colleges in California. He is excited to share the many positive reasons why 50% of U.S. students and nearly 100,000 international students choose to start their undergraduate careers at a two-year college.

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Katie Van Wyk, Assistant Director, Tacoma Community College
Don’t Overpay for U.S Higher Education

Katie Van Wyk is the Assistant Director for Global Outreach at Tacoma Community College. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.S.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration. Katie has worked at a variety of colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and is here to share ways to save money when earning your Bachelor’s degree in America.

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Dr. Lauren Nehlsen, Director, Elgin Community College
Choosing the Community College That’s Best for You: Why IEP and Homestay Programs Make a Difference in Your College Choice

​Lauren Nehlsen, Ph.D., is the Director of International Education and Programs at Elgin Community College. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Truman State University, an M.A. in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Westminster (UK), and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Illinois State University. She is committed to helping international students learn about the advantages of attending community colleges and exploring all that these two-year institutions have to offer, including affordability, cultural adjustment to the U.S., and small, quality class sizes.

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Dr. Celene M. Kalivoda, Program Director, Gannon University
Why International Students Should Study MBA in Business Analytics (STEM) Programs in the USA

Celene Kalivoda, herself a Gannon MBA aluma, is the Program Director at Gannon University with a focus on the Supply Chain Management Degree. This degree allows students to explore the world through classes on sourcing, logistics, operations, and supply chain management. Celene has 15 years industry experience in operations and supply chain management. Her experience allows her to present students with real-world challenges to best prepare them for a business career. She loves working with students to figure out what method of learning works best for them.