New to my Role (1-3 years)
Designed to support those who are newer to International Student Programs
grow your ISP
Welcome to the New to my Role Cohort at ISPI 2025—ideal for those newer to the international education field (1-3 years). This track offers a comprehensive foundation across core areas like student recruitment, marketing, program development, and academic support. Through guided workshops and team-building sessions, you’ll gain actionable insights, collaborate with peers, and build essential strategies tailored to your program’s growth. Bring your team to maximize learning and create a unified vision for your school’s future.
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:
Mapping out an Annual International Student Program Operational Timeline
During our time together we will walk through typical monthly tasks for an international student program. We will discuss how to prioritize and plan essential program elements to have in place including orientation, student activities and services, key documents, admissions and recruitment. The goal is to equip program leaders with the tools and strategies they need to plan effectively to deliver a high-quality experience for international students. There will be time to workshop and create a yearly timeline specific to your program.
Presenter
Charity Moon and Rochelle Yang
Session #2:
Home Away from Home: Creating an Exceptional Homestay Experience
An exceptional Homestay experience involves effective recruitment, retention, and training, ensuring both hosts and students are aligned in expectations. Most importantly, making students feel loved in a homestay setting is about creating a caring, supportive atmosphere where they feel valued, respected, and part of the family. An outstanding Homestay program is key to the success of an International Program.
Presenter
Julie Grant
Session #3:
Designing Impactful Recruitment Trips: A Strategic Approach for International Programs
In this session, participants will learn how to think strategically about their school’s recruitment efforts and design recruitment trips that align with long-term goals. We will cover essential topics such as building a reproducible recruitment strategy, scheduling productive meetings with current or prospective families, and creating a clear timeline for successful recruitment trips. Attendees will gain insights into how to plan trips to various regions, coordinate with agents, and optimize their recruitment efforts to ensure consistency and growth year over year. By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped with a practical approach to building relationships with key international stakeholders and ensuring your recruitment trips are aligned with your institution’s objectives.
Presenter
Gay Bennett
Session #4:
Intentional Support: Building Trust in Your ISP Program
This session will discuss ways to be intentional with each aspect of your program, from academic support classes to communication, to build student and family trust in your ISP staff. The goal is for students to improve their academics but also enhance their comfort and trust in their support system, knowing that the staff is there for them and will support, mentor, and guide the students (and parents) throughout their time at your school.
Presenter
Amy Smith
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.
Facilitator
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.”
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.
Gay Bennett
International Host Family and Student Coordinator (2014–2025) | Wheaton Academy, West Chicago, IL
💼 Professional Experience
Julie Grant served as the International Host Family and Student Coordinator at Wheaton Academy from 2014 until her retirement in February 2025. She began her time at Wheaton Academy in 2011 as a School Nurse before transitioning to the international program, where she combined her passion for international students with her expertise in specialized care. In her role, Julie worked closely with the school counselor to address international students’ medical and emotional needs while also coordinating host families. Her family has hosted numerous international students over the years, giving her firsthand insight into the unique challenges and profound joys of hosting.
💬 Personal Message
Julie is passionate about supporting students as they take the bold step to study abroad and about equipping families to provide a welcoming and nurturing home environment. She finds immense fulfillment in fostering strong connections between students and host families, creating a foundation for meaningful and transformative experiences.
Amy Smith
International Student Program Director | Prestonwood Christian Academy, Plano, TX
💼 Professional Experience
Amy Smith has spent the past eight years developing Prestonwood Christian Academy’s International Student Program, playing a pivotal role in building and shaping its success. She holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MS from Texas Woman’s University. Amy’s approach emphasizes intentionality in every aspect of international programs, from the classroom to the home.
💬 Personal Message
Amy is passionate about supporting international students by building trust and fostering connections that enable them to thrive during their time abroad. She is dedicated to ensuring students have a meaningful and transformative experience as they navigate their educational and cultural journeys.
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.