Episodes

EdUp International | Season 3, Episode 8 (Part A): Study New York Special In this special two-part series, recorded in collaboration with Study New York, we spotlight the incredible diversity of academic opportunities across New York State—and how they connect to real-world careers. In Part A, host James Shafer is joined by two outstanding guests: Kellie Fasano from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), who breaks down the unique value of CIA’s associate and bachelor’s degree programs—where...

In this episode of the EdUp International podcast, we introduce you to the hosts of the new exciting segments of the show: EdUp International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)—where today you'll meet the hosts of EdUp ISSS—and of EdUp International Enrollment Management (IEM) that will continue to be hosted by James Shafer. New EdUp-ISSS hosts Jennifer Kenyon (SUNY Geneseo) and Tricia Herritt (SUNY Buffalo State) share their journeys into international education and discuss the critical role ...

What does it take to connect international tech talent with U.S. employers? In this episode of EdUp International, James Shafer talks with Leanne McKeown, Director of Corporate Outreach & Career Development at Touro University’s Graduate School of Technology. Leanne shares her own bold move—studying abroad in the Philippines—and how that experience shaped her passion for helping international students succeed in the U.S. job market. Through career fairs, alumni mentoring, networking panels, an...

In this episode of EdUp International, host James Shafer heads to the City of Brotherly Love — Philadelphia — to explore how one organization is helping international students not just study in the U.S., but belong here. James is joined by Marissa Amos, Community Engagement Manager at International House Philadelphia (IHP), a long-standing hub for cultural exchange and global connection. This conversation dives into how IHP supports international students, scholars, and employers in building an...

In part 2 of this special Study New York edition of The EdUp International Podcast, we continue the discussion about international credential evaluation. Host James Shafer moderates a thoughtful discussion with three higher ed experts: 🎓 Jennifer Kenyon – Assistant Director of International Admissions, SUNY Geneseo 🎓 Cynthia Yu – Assistant Director of International Admissions, University at Buffalo 🎓 Freddy Cicchetti – Director of International Admissions, Long Island University Together, they...

In this special Study New York edition of The EdUp International Podcast, we dive into one of the most technical — and often misunderstood — areas of international admissions: international credential evaluation. Host James Shafer moderates a thoughtful discussion with three higher ed experts: 🎓 Jennifer Kenyon – Executive Director of Global Engagement, SUNY Geneseo 🎓 Cynthia Yu – Associate Director of International Admissions, University at Buffalo 🎓 Freddy Cicchetti – Director of Internationa...

In this episode of EdUp International, we continue last-week’s conversation with Ben Waxman, CEO of INTEAD, who introduces a powerful new metaphor for international student recruitment: the metro map. Instead of a straight line from lead to admit, Ben encourages institutions to think of their campus as city central and their website as the main subway station—a hub of engagement and discovery for each prospect’s journey. Ben shares real-world examples of institutions building long-term global b...

Community colleges are often misunderstood outside of the U.S.—frequently not recognized as a legitimate pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Before she could recruit in Taiwan, Dr. Jia-Yi Cheng-Levine, Dean of International Affairs & Global Engagement at College of the Canyons, had to launch a campaign to educate key stakeholders in Taiwan and elsewhere—government officials, parents, and agencies—about the U.S. community college model. In this episode, Dr. Cheng-Levine shares how she became a recog...

🚀 EdUp International Podcast – Season 2, Episode 8 Developing an International Student Recruitment Plan with Study New York (Part 2 of 2) How can universities craft a smart, sustainable international student recruitment plan? In this episode, we bring you Part 2 of the Study New York webinar, featuring five international recruitment and marketing experts from leading institutions across the state. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✅ How to make the most of resources using tools like Open Doors Data from the...

**🎙️ EdUp International Podcast – Season 2, Episode 7: Developing an International Student Recruitment Plan with Study New York (Part 1 of 2) ** In this episode of the EdUp International podcast, we hear from international student recruitment and marketing specialists from five Study New York member universities as they share insights into building a strategic and effective international recruitment plan. This episode covers:✅ Understanding the difference between an international student recru...

In Season 2, Episode 6 of the EdUp International podcast, Jay Ligon, Founder of Enrollment Charts, and Ted Conway, Chief Operations Officer, unveil their data-first, analytical approach to international student recruitment and marketing. This episode dives deep into: Leveraging concepts like mean reversion and buying the dip to power data-driven strategies. Rethinking institutional long-term strategies with tools like Enrollment Charts’ country scores. Distinguishing long-term trend...

In this episode of EdUp International, we’re joined by two powerhouses in international enrollment management: Clay Harmon, Executive Director of AIRC (The Association of International Enrollment Management), and George Kacenga, Vice President of Enrollment Management at William Paterson University in New Jersey. We’ll explore: 🌏 Their journeys as leaders in international enrollment management, highlighting Clay’s deep expertise on China and George’s mastery of enrollment management. 🌟 ...

🎙️ EdUp International is back with Part 2! 🚀 Join us for the conclusion of the Study New York Roundtable on International Student Recruitment, where the insights keep flowing! Your host, James Shafer, once again teams up with an amazing panel led by Tricia Herritt of Buffalo State and featuring:🌟 Amanda Stevens from the Culinary Institute of America🌟 Jennifer Kenyon from SUNY Geneseo🌟 Freddy Cicchetti from Long Island University. In this episode, we unpack even more recruitment strategi...

🎙️ Welcome to Season 2 of EdUp International! 🚀 We’re kicking things off with an incredible two-part Study New York Roundtable on International Student Recruitment! Your host, James Shafer, is joined by a stellar panel led by Tricia Herritt of Buffalo State, featuring:🌟 Amanda Stevens from the Culinary Institute of America🌟 Jennifer Kenyon from SUNY Geneseo🌟 Freddy Cicchetti from Long Island University. This dynamic conversation dives into the latest in international recruitment strateg...

🚀 Season 2 of EdUp International is on fire! 🎙️ Join your host, James Shafer, for an inspiring Episode 2 featuring two extraordinary guests from One To World: Marisa Silva, Senior Director of Membership & Programs, and Deepesh Dhingra, Executive Director. In this episode, discover: 🌍 The journeys that led Marisa and Deepesh into international education and nonprofit work. 🤝 How One to World’s impactful programs, such as Thanksgiving with a Host Family, and participation in intercultural confer...

🚀 Season 2 of EdUp International is here! 🎙️ Join me, James Shafer, as I kick off the first episode of Season 2 with special guest Dhruv Mohan, Manager of International Recruitment at Western Continuing Studies of Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. With over a decade of experience in student recruitment for top institutes in Canada and Australia, Dhruv brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. Not only has he led student-centric projects in collaboration with NDTV (Indi...

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 12 of EdUp International, where YOUR time to #EdUp has arrived! I’m your host James Shafer, joined by Shaun Carver, Executive Director at International House at UC Berkeley. Shaun has served in several leadership positions in international education, including stints in Beijing and Shanghai, and he is currently pursuing his doctorate in education (Ed.D.) at the University of Southern California. In this episode: 🌟Shaun shares the rich history of International House, star...

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 11 of EdUp International, where YOUR time to #EdUp has arrived! I’m your host James Shafer, joined by Sara Schmitt, COO and Cofounder at Adro. Sara is also a philanthropist, business advisor, and graduate-level educator. In this episode: 🌟Sara addresses banking and finance barriers, scams, and tips for establishing credit for international students. 🌟Learn about good and bad financial habits and how international offices can help students establish the good habits, with...

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 10 of EdUp International, where YOUR time to #EdUp has arrived! I’m your host James Shafer. Your guest is Cassandra Wong. Cassandra is an international marketing consultant and former Head of Marketing at New York Language Center, a proprietary language school that has built a thriving social media presence. We conclude the episode with SEVIS Education Insights with Jesse, where Jesse Ruhl of SEVIS Education and Consulting looks at F1 transfer issues and the transfer rele...

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 9 of EdUp International, where YOUR time to #EdUp has arrived! I’m your host James Shafer. Your guest is Ward Deutschman. Ward is an expert in accreditation for higher education institutions and in international student regulations and in international student & scholar offices. We conclude the episode with our 2nd installment of SEVIS Education Insights with Jesse, where Jesse Ruhl of SEVIS Education and Consulting takes a deep dive into immigrant vs non-immigrant in...

🎙️ Welcome to Episode 8 of EdUp International, where YOUR time to #EdUp has arrived! New! Our first video episode! Watch Episode 8 on Spotify on your phone (search "EdUp International"), or on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@TheEdUpInternationalPodcast. I’m your host James Shafer. Your guest co-host is Nichole Barbé, a leading higher education consultant for international student marketing and recruiting. Your special guest is Robert Sovik, Founder and Director of Harpier, ...

🎙️ Ready to elevate your understanding of international student and scholar visa regulations? Welcome to Episode 7 of EdUp International, where YOUR time to #EdUp has arrived! In this episode, we bring back the dynamic Jesse Ruhl, President of SEVIS Education & Consulting LLC, a true authority in F1 & J1 regulations training. Hosted by YOUR guide, James Shafer, this installment unveils a groundbreaking segment: SEVIS Education Insights with Jesse! 🌟 The PDSO (Principal Designated School Offici...

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp with EdUp International Episode 6. YOUR guest is Dr. Jennifer Fullick, Director for Health, Safety, and Security at the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA), providing Future-Focused Study Abroad solutions. YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠James Shafer⁠⁠⁠⁠, Director of International Student Recruitment & Enrollment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Touro University⁠⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, we chat about: The "early and honest" communication philosophy of IFSA STEM students embracing Study Abroad...and getting their S...

In this podcast episode, Jason Hall shares his career journey from tech to higher ed, discussing both the challenges and joys along the way. He gives a shout-out to INTO Global, talks about the changing landscape for Pathways Providers post-COVID, and highlights the Globe Trotters United Facebook group and his famous visa appointment wait times spreadsheet. The episode delves into the topic of AI and cheating, covering how-to-cheat videos, false accusations against second-language learners, crafting effective AI prompts, and using AI tools to prevent cheating. Finally, the discussion turns to the impact of AI in admissions, addressing issues like overcoming language barriers for parents, replacing cumbersome chat flow spreadsheets, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through AI, and emphasizing the continued need for human engagement in the admissions process.