Experienced in my role (3+ Years)
Designed to support those who are more experienced or have attended ISPI before
grow your ISP
The Experienced in my Role Cohort is designed for seasoned professionals (3+ years) ready to elevate their international programs with advanced strategies. Sessions dive deeply into innovative approaches for student recruitment, marketing, program development, and academic support. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative sessions, you’ll gain practical insights, connect with peers, and develop key strategies to support your program’s growth. We encourage you to attend as a team to deepen your learning and align around a shared vision for your program’s future success.
Please Note: Sessions for ISPI 2025 are still being finalized. The sessions listed below are examples from 2024 and may be subject to change, but they provide a preview of the types of learning experiences you can expect.
2025 sessions
Session #1:
Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Engaging Stakeholders in Your ISP
Unlock new strategies for sharing the story of your International Student Program (ISP) with all key stakeholders, from school administrators to board members and the entire school community. This session will guide you in crafting a compelling narrative that integrates your ISP into the broader story of your school’s growth and success. Learn how to effectively communicate the impact and value of your ISP, building engagement and support from those who are essential to its continued success.
Presenter
Gay Bennett
Session #2:
Building Global Enrollment: Marketing and Recruitment Strategies for International Programs at Every Price Point
This session will provide marketing and recruitment strategies suitable for any school budget. We will explore cost-effective approaches, such as using social media and word-of-mouth marketing, to build connections without significant spending. Additionally, we will discuss larger budget strategies, including family-focused recruitment trips, attending conferences, and targeted visits to current educational consultants. These strategies aim to strengthen existing relationships, enhance your program’s visibility, and attract the right students. Gain actionable insights to grow your program while staying within budget!
Presenter
Christine Sowers & Sol Persson
Session #3:
Senior Year and Beyond
Discover fresh ideas for meaningfully engaging with seniors as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives. Learn how to connect them with mentors at their future colleges and maintain purposeful relationships with them as international alumni students. This session will explore creative strategies for fostering a sense of belonging and ensuring a smooth transition to college life. You’ll gain practical insights into building lasting connections that support their academic, emotional, and cultural well-being well beyond high school.
Presenter
Pam Biasotti
Session #4:
Designing Language Experiences: Considerations for Short-Term Homestays and English Camps
Are you looking to expand your offerings to international students with programs outside the traditional school year? This session provides practical strategies for creating immersive language programs. We will focus on efficient budgeting, language/subject learning, and designing culturally enriching activities and excursions. Attendees will leave with the tools to offer students authentic, hands-on experiences that not only boost their English skills but also deepen their cultural understanding.
Presenter
Charity Moon & Rochelle Yang
Four Facilitated Conversations Descriptions:
Attendees choose 2 conversations to participate in about key topics for ISP consideration.
9:00-9:40am Sessions
Option #1:
Supporting Students in Crisis: Resources and Strategies for Effective Intervention
This facilitated conversation will explore essential resources and strategies to support students experiencing a mental health crisis. We will brainstorm how to collaborate effectively with host parents, home parents, school staff and outside sources to provide the necessary emotional and psychological support. We will provide a question set to guide your approach in managing challenging situations. Participants are encouraged to come prepared to share their experiences and insights from their International Student programs, fostering a collaborative environment for problem-solving and support.
Facilitators
Julie Grant and Charity Moon
Option #2:
Creative International Student Housing Options
This conversation aims to explore innovative solutions and opportunities for expanding housing options for international students. Specifically, we will focus on strategies to enhance and grow existing programs, such as expanding homestay offerings, and consider the potential of purchasing property to accommodate high school international students. Participants will share insights, best practices, and creative ideas to address the challenges of providing comfortable, affordable, and culturally enriching housing experiences for students from abroad.
Facilitator
Christine Sowers
9:50-10:30am Sessions
Option #1:
Advocating for Under-Resourced Students
This facilitated conversation will explore the needs for an increasing number of international students applying from financially under resourced families. This challenge is becoming more pronounced as many International Student Programs (ISPs) can only afford to offer a limited number of scholarships and have a capped capacity for students from low-income backgrounds. Many of these families are desperate to have access to Christian education that is aligned with their values that they could never have in their home countries. We will brainstorm strategies to effectively communicate the stories and struggles of these students to key stakeholders—school administrators, the school board, and potential donors.
Facilitator
Joelle Williams
Option #2:
The Global (Gospel) Tapestry
Join us for a collaborative discussion exploring how the truths of Scripture are woven into the fabric of cultures & languages worldwide. We’ll share a few examples and then open the floor for participants to share their discoveries as well. Understanding these connections will enrich our own faith, deepen cross-cultural conversations, and inspire new ways of contextualizing & sharing the gospel with our students.
Facilitator
Britnie Reid
Optional Post-Conference Sessions
Tuesday June 24th 1:30-2:30pm
Please indicate in your registation form if you would like to attend
Optional Session #1:
F-1 Visa Basics and SEVIS Reporting Requirements
Learn about the basic F-1 student lifecycle from admission to program completion. Document requirements, fee payments, visa appointments, travel, student and DSO reporting requirements will be covered. This session is for programs that are already SEVP certified or not yet certified and would like to learn more about the process.
Included with Registration cost (need at least 5 attendees to run)
Presenter
Local SEVIS rep Kelly Pilleux-Petronia
Kelly Pilleux-Petronia joined SEVP as a member of the first class of field representatives and serves the Chicago, IL territory. She previously spent 14 years working within international departments of varying institutions where she served as a P/DSO for nine years. She received her B.A. in Spanish and her M.A. in linguistics from Ohio University.
Optional Session #2:
Blueprints for Success: Constructing a Tailored English Language Learner Program
This session will focus on the foundational elements needed to construct a solid ELL class and program. Our time together will be spent addressing the specific academic English needs of students and ways to create curriculum that seeks to support learning outcomes. The format of the session will be workshop oriented and provide time to evaluate your unique teaching situation and how to apply the principles you learn. Topics covered include: communicating with administration, the role of an ELL teacher, identifying academic needs of ELLs, English language testing options, structuring the class, plus training faculty to work effectively with ELLs.
This session is geared for those looking to start an ELL class/program or looking to revise the class/program.
Additional $150 per person. Limited spots available (8). Pre-work required.
Presenter
Charity Moon
Faculty
Gay Bennett
HS Assistant Principal / International Program Director | Linfield Christian School, Temecula, CA
💼 Professional Experience
Gay Bennett has served as the HS Assistant Principal and International Program Director at Linfield Christian School for 19 years. Before joining Linfield in 2006 as a classroom teacher, Gay was the founder and administrator of a Preschool and Elementary School in the U.S., where she served for 15 years. In 2007, she transitioned to the role of High School Assistant Principal. Three years later, she launched Linfield’s International Program, which has provided educational opportunities to students from 15 different countries. Many international students have graduated with honors under her guidance, continuing to attend top American universities. Gay’s mission is to create a Christ-centered environment where students experience personal transformation and become a lasting part of the Linfield family.
💬 Personal Message
Gay is passionate about building a welcoming, faith-filled community for all students. She finds immense joy in helping international students thrive in their educational journeys and considers it a blessing to see them become “LIONS for life.”
Christine Sowers
Director of International Student Program | The King’s Academy, West Palm Beach, FL
💼 Professional Experience
Christine Sowers has been with The King’s Academy’s International Student Program for four years, serving as director for the past three. Under her leadership, the program welcomes 65-70 international students annually from 18-26 countries, offering family-style boarding and homestay residential accommodations. Before transitioning to education, Christine worked in the medical field, leveraging her studies in Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University and her B.S. in Psychobiology from Florida Atlantic University.
💬 Personal Message
Christine is passionate about creating a transformative learning experience for international students, ensuring they feel supported and thrive during their time at The King’s Academy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their three boys.
Sol Persson
ISP Marketing and Admissions Coordinator | The King’s Academy, West Palm Beach, FL
💼 Professional Experience
Sol Persson has served as the Marketing and Admissions Coordinator for The King’s Academy International Student Program for the past two years. Originally from Venezuela, Sol brings over a decade of experience in human resources, hospitality, and direct sales to her work in international marketing and education. A former international student herself, she earned a degree in Business Administration in Caracas and later pursued a Master’s in Human Resources Development at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
💬 Personal Message
Sol finds immense joy in promoting The King’s Academy to students worldwide, supporting their educational journeys, and helping them reach their fullest potential. She is passionate about empowering students to thrive as they navigate their international education experiences.
Pam Biasotti
International Student Advisor | Valley Christian Schools, San Jose, CA
💼 Professional Experience
Pam Biasotti has been a dedicated member of the International Student Program at Valley Christian Schools for five years, serving as an International Student Advisor. In her role, she works closely with students from around the world, providing guidance and support to help them thrive academically, socially, and personally. Pam is passionate about fostering meaningful connections with students and helping them navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of studying abroad.
💬 Personal Message
Pam is crazy about animals, especially her golden retriever, Kodi. She loves exploring national parks, getting lost in a good book, and experimenting in the kitchen whenever she has the chance.
Charity Moon
Marketing & Business Manager| Wheaton Academy Institute, West Chicago, IL
💼 Professional Experience
Charity Moon has been part of the Wheaton Academy community for 12 years and now serves as the Marketing & Business Manager for Wheaton Academy Institute. In her current role, she coordinates the Best Practices and ISP Intensives and supports the Wheaton Academy Global network of schools. Charity has also served in various roles within the International Program, including Assistant Director, ELL teacher for nine years, and Program Assistant. Her extensive international experience includes five years in China teaching English to both primary and college-age students. She continues to use her expertise in education and intercultural studies to support international students as they adapt to life in the United States. Charity has presented at numerous conferences, offering resources and guidance to schools with international programs.
💬 Personal Message
Charity is passionate about helping international students thrive academically and culturally in their new environments. She finds great joy in equipping schools and educators to better serve their international student communities.
Rochelle Yang
Director of International Students | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
💼 Professional Experience
Rochelle Yang has been part of Wheaton Academy for 11 years and currently serves as the International Students Director, in addition to teaching Mandarin Chinese. Now in her third year as program director, Rochelle previously supported international parents overseas. Born and raised in China, Rochelle came to the United States in 2006 for graduate school and began her teaching career at a charter school, where she worked for seven years before joining Wheaton Academy.
💬 Personal Message
Rochelle is passionate about teaching the Chinese language and culture, helping students understand the beauty of God’s design in the diversity of cultures around the world. She loves supporting and caring for students globally and finds great joy in connecting people and fostering meaningful relationships across cultural boundaries.
Cohorts
This summer the International Student Program Intensives will debut a redesigned cohort system to empower educators at every stage of their career. Participants can join one of two tailored cohorts: New to my Role (1-3 years in international education) or Experienced in my Role (3+ years of experience). This new structure ensures that attendees learn across all crucial areas—Marketing & Recruitment, Program Development, and Academic Support for English Learners—in alignment with their level of expertise. Through interactive sessions, participants will build networks, exchange best practices, and receive targeted guidance on strengthening their International Student Programs.
Whether you’re looking to establish foundational knowledge or expand advanced strategies, the 2025 ISP Intensives are crafted to equip you for the next level in international education. Join us to deepen your expertise, connect with like-minded professionals, and make a lasting impact on students’ lives worldwide.