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.
example sessions
Session #1:
Marketing to the International Student
A key to a healthy international program is developing a healthy enrollment funnel. In this session, we will talk about strategies to not only increase your funnel of students, and utilize the information you learn about potential students to improve your success. We will discuss how to look at your funnel, maximize data, consider personas, and customize messaging to help your school’s international enrollment! Phil will use a workshop format to allow you to apply lessons learned to your own school.
Presenter
Phil Strzalka
Session #2:
Tell the Story of your ISP … enroll others in your vision by engaging them in the story!
Discover new strategies to tell the story of your ISP in the narrative of your school, and ALL stakeholders.
Presenter
Gay Bennett
Session #3:
Admissions 2.0: Building Digital Connections
This workshop is designed to help you navigate the shifting tides of the current education market. Discover how to leverage the latest tools in technology to maximize efficiency, get more done with fewer resources, while opening new entry points into overseas education markets. Learn strategic methods to find new leads, build effective partnerships, and transform your admissions approach to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Presenter
James Brannon
Session #4 (open to all attendees):
How to plan and maximize recruitment trips
Create a plan to recruit students that is reproducible and repeatable with families and agents
Presenter
Gay Bennett
Session #5 (open to all attendees):
Creating Strong Recruitment Partnerships
TBA
Presenter
Phil Strzalka
Faculty
Gay Bennett
HS Assistant Principal / International Program Director | Linfield Christian School, Temecula, CA
Gay has been serving as the HS Assistant Principal & International Program Director at Linfield Christian School in Temecula, CA for the past 18 years. Mrs. Bennett is an educational veteran, having worked in the public and private school sector for the past 35 years. She founded a Preschool & Elementary School in the US, administrating there for 15 years before moving to Linfield in 2006 as a classroom teacher. In 2007, she was promoted to serve as the Assistant Principal of the High School.
In 2010, Gay founded the Int’l Program at Linfield Christian School, providing educational opportunities for international students in grades K-12. Throughout the past 14 years, a large number of international students from 15 different countries of origin have successfully navigated an American HS experience, many graduating with honors to attend top American universities. The mission is to have them experience the love of Christ in community, and ultimately experience personal transformation. Ultimately, they become a member of the Linfield family and “LIONS for life!
Phil Strzalka
Executive Director | Wheaton Academy Institute, West Chicago, IL
Phil brings more than 25 years of experience as an attorney and a management consultant developing and implementing people and operational solutions at educational institutions and other not-for-profit organizations across the country. His deep experience includes 100s of projects involving strategic planning, performance improvement, organizational design, business process redesign, and talent/leadership development for administrators, faculty, and staff. He has grown to become a regular thought leader, author, and speaker.
“I strongly believe that Christian educators have never been so well positioned to make an impact. It is my honor to currently serve as the Institute’s Executive Director. Soli Deo Gloria!”
James Brannon
International Recruitment | West Chicago, IL
James spent his early years growing up in China, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia, before moving to Southern California to attend university. There he discovered his calling while volunteering on campus to help international students cross culture and succeed in reaching their academic and personal goals.
Upon completing his undergrad (Biola University, B.S., Biochemistry), James shifted his focus to international education and exchange, developing programs that hosted over 1,000 international students from various provinces of China.
James currently resides in West Chicago, working as Wheaton Academy’s Director of International Recruitment. He enjoys staying active and traveling with his family, as well as studying philosophy, science, and geopolitics.
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.