Student Sessions: Summer Sessions

5/18/2020

To support and inform international students and educational systems navigating the current challenging and evolving climate, Study in the USA established Student Sessions on Facebook and Instagram Live this past spring. The weekly program connects current and prospective international students with universities and peers. All sessions will be recorded for viewing after the live broadcast.

June–July Presenters & Topics

Christine Delgado, Director, Irvine Valley College
Choosing a Community College
Christina Delgado has been the director of the International Student Program at Irvine Valley College in Irvine, California, since 2014. Prior to that, Christina worked as the director of the International Student Program at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California, for 17 years. With more than 20 years of experience in international education at the community college level, Christina has had the pleasure of working with both large and small international programs and has seen students from all walks of life flourish in the community college environment and successfully transfer to prestigious 4-year universities.

Vincent Konchellah, California State University, Bakersfield
Completing Your Application for Admission
With 13 years of experience in higher education at three different universities, including University of Oregon, Chemeketa Community College, and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Vincent Konchellah is presently an international students & programs recruiter at CSU Bakersfield.

Ryan Loughrey, Services Student Coordinator, Shasta College
The Heart of Northern California
Ryan Loughrey is the student services coordinator at Shasta College. He attended college in Southern Oregon University and is now a passionate advocate of international education at Shasta. He coordinates the study abroad programs and assists international students access student services on campus. He is part of a small and dedicated team that helps international students find their success at Shasta College and beyond. International students have high transfer rates and are an integral part of our community. Ryan enjoys hiking, reading, writing, and spending time with friends and family.

Arlene Spencer, Director, Fulton-Montgomery Community College
Jodi Rossi, Associate Director of International Admissions, Paul Smith’s College
Jackie Girard Vogl, Associate Vice President, Global Education and Director,
SUNY Plattsburgh
“A New York State of Mind”
Arlene Spencer is director of international student & ESL programs at Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FM), a two-year college of the State University of New York (SUNY). Arlene is not only a 30-year veteran of FM, but is also an alumna. She is a graduate of SUNY’s University at Albany campus with a bachelor’s degree in English Education, a master’s in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages), and has completed doctoral graduate work in International Comparative Education from Walden University. Arlene is a mother of three teens (two of whom are graduating from FM this month) and loves living in her friendly home town community located at the foothills of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains.

Originally from Ohio, Jodi Rossi of Paul Smith’s College attended Miami University and New College of Florida where she earned a degree in cultural anthropology. Jodi spent several years working at archaeology sites on the gulf coast of Florida specializing in Paleo-Indian mortuary ponds before moving into international higher education. She spent summers in the Adirondacks in upstate New York with her family and always knew she wanted to eventually live there full-time. Her son is a current Paul Smith’s College student studying recreation, adventure education & leisure management. She loves the peace and energy of Paul Smith’s College as well as the spirit of community both on and off campus.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Girard Vogl has been a professional staff member at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh since 1990. Since 2003, she has served as the senior international officer. As such, she manages all functions within the college related to worldwide student mobility: international recruitment and admissions, international student services, and study away. Jackie holds a BA in classics from the College of the Holy Cross and an EdM in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University.

Cortney Dowdle, Associate Director, Lake Mary Preparatory School
Benefits of Boarding Schools in America
Cortney currently works as the Associate Director of Admissions at Lake Mary Preparatory School in Central Florida. She has more than eight years of experience working in international education at the secondary and post-secondary level. With a BA in English and an MA in international affairs, Cortney is passionate about engaging with students and sharing education and culture around the world.

Daniel Tamayo, Director of International Students Program, West Hills College
Community Colleges in California, IGETC Program (Transfer to a UC Campus of your Choice)
Daniel Tamayo has been the director of international students at West Hills College in Coalinga, California, for 19 years. For 16 years, West Hills College was a member of the USA Community College Consortium. This group of five colleges, located in five states conducted outreach in Asia, Europe, and South America. During his time at West Hills College, Daniel has been awarded the Central California Export Achievement Award for the contributions that West Hills College has made in international education. Daniel is an alum of West Hills College, before he transferred to UCLA. He has received the Alumni of the Year Award in 2017. Daniel is also a founding member of the Study California initiative. He has been involved in City Council for two non-consecutive terms. He enjoys welcoming students to West Hills College and helping facilitate their time at the school and in the United States.

Sean Pitzer, Associate Director, St. Cloud State University
Preparing for Your Journey to Graduate School at St. Cloud State University
Sean Pitzer is the associate director of admissions in the School of Graduate Studies at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Sean represents nearly 60 graduate programs and degrees in numerous fields, including education, business, science & engineering, health services, public affairs, and more.

Andrew Stephens, Project Manager, Hillsborough County Community College
2+2 Programs in the U.S. — Why Community College is the Wisest Educational Investment You Can Make
Andrew Stephens is project manager for International Student Affairs and Recruitment in the Center for International Education at Hillsborough Community College (HCC) in Tampa, Florida. He is responsible for student recruitment and partnership development in the Asia and Caribbean regions, and he also manages student development, programming, and retention for HCC’s 370+ F-1 visa students. Prior to HCC, Andrew worked for INTO University Partnerships in the United Kingdom. He holds bachelor’s degrees from Florida State University, a Master’s in French Studies from New York University, and a Master’s in International Studies/International Education from the University of Denver.

Emily Gifford, Coordinator of International Student Services, Mohawk Valley Community College
Benefits of 2+2 System of Community College
Emily has a master’s degree in international education and has been working at Mohawk Valley Community College with international students for 3.5 years. Previously she worked for a study abroad company and an international payments (foreign exchange) organization.

Corry Spring, Coordinator, Rockland Community College
Benefits of a Community College and Rockland Community College
Corry Spring is the coordinator of international students at Rockland Community College (RCC) in Suffern, NY. She has been in international education since 2003, with prior work experience in international admissions at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Felician University before joining RCC.

Harriet Coutinho, Regional Representative, University of Kentucky
Agriculture, Food, and Environment with Career Outcomes
Harriet Coutinho works with University of Kentucky as a regional representative (focusing on India, the subcontinent & the Middle East). She is passionate about counseling students for higher education with a holistic outcome and enjoys exchanging ideas and initiatives with high school counselors. She has more than seven years of counseling experience. Harriet believes her experience is full of learning, which helps her to always rise above, that the world is moving forward, and the youth always teaches us what’s new.

Rob Medrano, Pace University
Studying in NYC
Rob Medrano works at Pace University, in New York, as the director of international admission and recruitment for undergraduate and postgraduate. For the last 10 years, Rob has been dedicated working towards internationalization and making the campus' global. Previously, Rob also had roles as director of graduate and international admission along with working in digital marketing assisting International students find information about universities in the United States. Rob has travelled to over 50 countries with a one goal in mind: To assist students with studying in the U.S.

JoAnn Orrell and Sharika Kaul, Unilodgers
Post Covid: Moving to America as a Student
JoAnn Orrell is an expert on university students. She has been one (Wake Forest University and University of North Carolina), is the mother of three, and has worked in multiple verticals of the student housing and multifamily industry. She offers a wealth of knowledge about student housing support services, operations, and technology. At Unilodgers, the world’s first and now largest student housing provider, she leads development of partnerships with student housing operators, managers, and universities and works closely with their international operations and student hub teams, helping students across the globe find apartments. Reach her at joann.orrell@unilodgers.com.
Sharika Kaul is an expert on thriving in new cultures. Born in Jammu and Kashmir (India), she has lived in Singapore and Shanghai, studied in London and LA, and is now working in New Delhi. Sharika is a graduate of Scripps College (California) and the London School of Economics, after which she worked at an immigration law firm in the U.S. She is currently working on the operations team at Unilodgers, helping the next generation of students make the change from home to university. Reach her at sharika.kaul@unilodgers.com.

Mona Chorera, Director, Midway University
International Admissions Information Session
Mona resides in Lexington, Kentucky. She graduated from University of Bridgeport with a masters in technology management in 2007 Just like the students she serves, Mona first came to the United States to study as an international student. She has traveled to India, Nepal, Belgium, Hungary, and Canada. Midway is a small, safe community that offers the experience of rural America while still being within driving distance of several major cities — Louisville, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, are only an hour away. Lexington, KY, is even closer at only 20 minutes away. Mona works with international students and is dedicated to assisting them as they transition to life at Midway University.

Dr. Kurk Gayle, Director, Texas Christian University
Learn English with Compassionate Experts! Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, TCU Was Already Teleclassrooming on our Campus and Everywhere
Dr. Kurk Gayle directs the English language learning and TESOL certificate programs at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up multilingual and multicultural in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia before moving to the USA for his university studies. He’s formally studied 10 languages and loves working with other adults to improve speaking and writing in English

Heather Pearson, University of Wisconsin LaCrosse
Receiving University Credit for A Levels, AS Levels, AP, IB, and Others
Heather Pearson has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, with a focus on transfer student and international student recruitment and admissions. She has developed transfer agreements and been a campus lead in dual degree articulations with colleges and universities in several countries. She most enjoys working with students as they explore their options and take the steps to enroll at their chosen university.

Jill Matolyak and Gissela Arias, Harrisburg Area Community College
Everything You Want to Know About a Community College
Jill Matolyak works as the international & virtual admissions coordinator at Harrisburg Area Community College, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College (HACC). HACC is a two-year, multi-campus college with more than 200 international students. Jill has worked in college admissions for almost 20 years, with the majority of her time being dedicated to international admission and international education.

Gissela Arias is a current international student at HACC from Ecuador. Gissela started at HACC in the fall of 2019 and is majoring in exercise science. Gissela works in the Center of Global Education at HACC and helps new and current international students. She has a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition from the San Francisco de Quito University located in Ecuador. Her dream is to become a registered dietitian one day.

Will Leadingham, Manager, Highline College
Understanding the U.S. Education System and your options: Community College Basics and University Transfer Partnerships.
Will is serving Highline College as the program manager of international student recruitment. He has served a handful of colleges and universities around Seattle, Washington, and has been working in international education since 2008. Will grew up in Washington state and has studied and lived in China, Thailand, and Bolivia. He earned a BA in international business and a BA in Chinese language from Washington State University. His love for the outdoors, family, friends, and entrepreneurial pursuits keep him active, and his insatiable curiosity to explore and learn about other countries, languages and cultures keeps him engaged. He enjoys supporting students in their personal and academic pursuits and loves watching the personal transformation students undergo while studying in the U.S.

Haley Fox, Valencia College
What is a 2+2 Program?
Haley Fox is a international recruitment specialist at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida. She holds a BA in International Studies. Haley is happy to help students from around the world apply to start their studies in the United States.

Pieter Vermeulen, Director of International Recruitment, University of North Texas
Gordon Clark, Assistant Dean & Director, IELI
How to Find Scholarships and Study in the USA on a Limited Budget
Pieter Vermeulen is Director of International Recruitment at the University of North Texas (UNT) in the Dallas metropolitan area. He has pursued a 25-year career in higher education at leading graduate schools in Europe and the US, directing MBA and executive development programs, consulting to multinational corporations, coaching business professionals, and recruiting students globally. Mr. Vermeulen holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration, a master’s degree in political science, a post-graduate certificate in diplomacy, an MBA in international management, and is completing his Ph.D. in network science at Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

Gordon Clark is the Director and Assistant Dean of the premier 42-year-old Intensive English Language Institute at UNT. He holds an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language and has worked for 30+ years in English language training including three years in Japan and in international education exchange. His professional service includes three years as the president of EnglishUSA. He also serves as a site reviewer for the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA).

Erica Swenson, International High School Completion Program Coordinator, Green River College
Claudea Jennefer, Applied Mathematics major, University of California, Berkeley
Finish High School and Start College at the Same Time!
Erica Swenson grew up in Washington State, and as a child, soaked herself in books and stories of faraway places, wanting to experience those adventures herself. Fast forward to her first year at Biola University, she sat down in an anthropology class doing exactly that: listening to stories of people and cultures all around the world. She knew that was what she wanted to study and even had the opportunity to study abroad in East Africa. Since then, she has had many adventures around the world, worked with five different nonprofit organizations, and found a home with the students and staff at Green River College in 2014. She works with two different programs on campus, High School Completion and Foundation for Success (mentoring), where the stories continue to be shared and loved. It is her hope that she can help you at the start of your adventure at Green River and make the high school diploma process as smooth as possible.

Hearing about the High School Completion program in the U.S., Claudea was eager to skip two years of high school by attending Green River College. Upon her arrival, she was warmly welcomed by the school’s International Program (IP). Orientation helped her connect with resources on campus, become involved in events and organizations, and gain volunteer and work experience. The housing program allowed her to live with a host family for two years. She was treated like a family member and was able to experience the life of an American teenager. IP also has an amazing advising team, who helped her stay on track with her transfer plan and guided her every step of the way during her university application process. Altogether, Green River has not only prepared Claudea to transfer academically but also gave her an unforgettable college experience.

Rachel Good, Assistant Director, Olympic College
Navigating the U.S. Education System: What Type of College is Right for Me? / Explicación del sistema educativo en los Estados Unidos: ¿Qué tipo de institución es la adecuada para mí?
Rachel Good is the assistant director of international education and study abroad at Olympic College, a public 2-year community college in Washington State. In this role, she oversees international student recruitment and travels around the world to meet with education advisors, educational institutions, and prospective students and parents. She is passionate about helping international students achieve their educational goals and navigate the U.S. education system. Rachel also lived and worked in Ecuador for 5 years, so she understands the unique challenges and opportunities of adjusting to a new culture, language, and way of life. She holds a BA in international relations and a master of public policy from the University of Virginia. / Rachel Good es la Subdirectora de Educación Internacional y Estudios en el Extranjero en Olympic College, un colegio universitario de 2 años en el estado de Washington. En este puesto, supervisa el reclutamiento de estudiantes internacionales y viaja por todo el mundo para reunirse con asesores educativos, instituciones educativas, y futuros estudiantes y padres. Le apasiona ayudar a los estudiantes internacionales a alcanzar sus metas educativas y entender el sistema educativo de los EE.UU. Rachel vivió y trabajó en Ecuador por 5 años, por lo que ella entiende los desafíos y oportunidades únicos de adaptarse a una nueva cultura, idioma y estilo de vida. Ella tiene una licenciatura en Relaciones Internacionales y una Maestría en Políticas Públicas de la Universidad de Virginia.

Petra Marlin, University of Southern Mississippi
Honors Colleges in the USA
Petra Marlin has worked in the international admissions and advising field for the past 20 years. She has been employed in admissions at University of Maryland University College, Honolulu Community College, Colorado State University, and The University of Southern Mississippi. Educated abroad in Germany herself, she has a strong passion for international education. Mrs. Marlin holds a bachelor of arts in international relations from University of Maryland University College and a masters of education in counseling from University of Hawaii – Manoa.

Lei He, Assistant Director, Bellevue College
How to Choose the Right School? University vs. Community College
Lei He serves as assistant director of international recruitment in Bellevue College, Seattle metropolitan area, WA. He holds an LLM degree from University of Groningen in the Netherlands and worked in China for 16 years before moving to the U.S. Lei worked in recruitment, school partnership, and student advising at a variety of private education companies and colleges throughout the U.S. and traveled in 10+ countries for recruitment. He is familiar with demands of international students, and would like to share information about how to choose the right school, university vs. community college.

Brian Childs, Director, California State University, Monterey Bay
On-Campus Employment, Internships, OPT (other experiential programs, such as service learning and undergraduate research)
Brian is the director of international student & scholar services at California State University, Monterey Bay. In this role, he manages the admission, advising, immigration, and other services for international students and scholars. Previously, Brian was the international academic programs coordinator where he served as an academic advisor for international students. With more than a decade of higher-education administration experience, he has held roles that span international education, graduate management education, and online education.

Natalie Brown, Executive Director, Truckee Meadows Community College
Amanda Stibick, Program Manager
Benefits Beyond a Big City: Studying in the USA
Natalie Brown has been working in higher education for 20 years and particularly enjoys working with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. She oversees the international student services department and supports the staff wherever needed. Prior to her work at TMCC, she worked at community colleges and four-year, public institutions in Utah and Nevada. She obtained her undergraduate and master’s degree in Spanish and her Ph.D in educational leadership and policy. She loves to travel to places where she can keep up that language skill as well as new countries she has never been to before.

Amanda got her start in international education more than 15 years ago. She began working with domestic students interested in studying overseas. Her experience started in Germany where she worked with American study abroad students, then for a non-profit organization based in New York City, assisting college-aged individuals with overseas internship opportunities. She has worked in higher education with incoming international students for the past seven years and enjoys getting to know students from all over the world. In her free time, Amanda enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and catching up on the latest movies and TV shows. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in German and master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Dr. Michael Anderson, Director, University of Minnesota St. Paul
Enhancing Your English Skills While Studying in a U.S. Degree Program
Michael Anderson is the director of English language programs at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he works with international students from around the world and the faculty who teach these students. His research focuses on multilingual students and their experiences while studying at U.S. universities, and he is interested in how students can continue to grow their English skills while in graduate and undergraduate programs. He holds a Ph.D. in second languages and cultures education and has taught English and language teacher education in the U.S. and other countries for more than 20 years.

Kristin Kelley, Manager, University of California Irvine
Finding Programs that Give You a Full Cultural Experience
Kristin Kelley currently serves as an international marketing & recruitment manager at the University of California Irvine’s Division of Continuing Education, bringing more than 10 years of experience in international education to its diverse operations. Having studied abroad for a year in Bordeaux, France, Kristin is keenly aware of the unique challenges that come with second-language learning, cultural immersion, and how opportunities for international education are so much more than just the academic program.

News

Student Sessions: Summer Sessions

June–July Presenters & Topics