Jameson Post – 2016 Back-to-School Issue
It is that time of year once again……back-to-school! Cooler weather, falling leaves, and football are all just around the corner. That means it is time for a Summer recap, and back-to-school edition of the Jameson Post. Enjoy!
NAFSA Denver Conference Wrap Up
The annual NAFSA Conference is always a week full of frantic activity, great networking, and meetings, meetings, meetings. Each time it does not seem possible that NAFSA week could get any busier, and yet each year tops the last. It is a great time though to connect with colleagues and to meet new international education professionals yielding new collaboration and partnerships.
This year, the NAFSA conference was in Denver, Colorado from May 29 – June 3. All of us at Jameson Global had a great week meeting with many of our current partner schools like SBBCollege, University of St. Francis, and Chaminade College Prep High School to name a few. At Jameson Global, we like to think that we are selective in choosing our institutional partners, and always come away from these meetings with confidence that any international students we send to our partner schools will be well taken care of – both inside and outside of the classroom.
Other highlights of the NAFSA Denver conference included:
The Jameson Global Quarterly Directors’ Meeting – we try very hard to hold one meeting each year at a MLB baseball stadium. We are on a roll – last year at Fenway Park in Boston, and this year at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado! There is nothing like talking through things during a baseball game.
In addition to baseball games, there are several members of Jameson Global who also like to sample the local cuisine each year during the NAFSA conference. Denver was no disappointment, and (vegetarians beware) is a veritable meat-lover’s paradise. The best stop was the Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant, Denver’s oldest dining establishment. Established in 1893, and boasting a long guest list of US Presidents and other famous historical figures the restaurant truly has an “Old West” historical feel. To compliment this ambiance, the menu for the night included buffalo and elk steaks.
Busy at the NAFSA Denver Conference! From left: Patti Jones, Deb Pierce, and Kay Thomas
No one is busier, or networks more, during the annual conference than JG Senior Consultant Patti Jones. As a recipient of both the Homer Higby award, and the lifetime achievement award, Patti has a long history of distinguished service to NAFSA. Even before the conference, Patti started off this year by being featured on NAFSA’s blog with a piece she wrote entitled, “We are Not Our Name Cards!”
Click here – it is definitely worth a read!
Last, but not least, a lot of work was done. As mentioned, the opportunity to meet with our partners and plan for the upcoming year was one of the goals accomplished. We also had a chance to attend sessions and receive updates on various international issues, trends, and best practices. We look forward to next year when NAFSA is in Los Angeles!
iTEP Midwest News
SLEP is dead….long live iTEP SLATE! The number of private middle/high schools in the Midwest who are switching from SLEP scores to iTEP SLATE scores for international admissions continues to grow. Although SLEP was discontinued in 2012, it remains a cheap and easy (and not secure or accurate) exam given by many agents in Asia. As the inventory of SLEP exams decreases, prospective students are now often given Xeroxed copies of old tests to take further calling into question the exam results.
iTEP expands into a new market! The establishment this year of 10 new iTEP test centers has greatly increased the opportunity for English proficiency testing in the country of Iran. With granted student visas for Iranians steadily increasing, this is a potential recruitment market for universities and colleges in the USA.
Planning for iTEP in 2017! Pictured from left: Mr. Jim Brosam II., Jameson Global & iTEP Midwest; Mr. Jemal Idris, President of BES/iTEP; and Mr. Perry Akins, Chairman of BES/iTEP
The 2016 iTEP International Distributors Conference was held in Denver this year in conjunction with the NAFSA Conference week. It is always a wonderful event that allows for networking among the iTEP distributors who come from all over the globe to learn about what’s new with the iTEP family of exams. The staff at Boston Educational Services (BES) once again did an excellent job hosting with the first day at Brown’s Hotel, and finishing up on the second day with the annual iTEP Appreciation Luncheon for partners at Venice Ristorante Downtown.
Perry Akins, Chairman and Co-founder of the iTEP exam, recently published an insightful piece on Linkedin that highlights the current state of IEP programs in the USA. Many programs are struggling for relevance after seeing their Brazilian and Saudi student populations decline. To read Perry’s article click here!
The network of iTEP schools continues to grow! Over 700 educational institutions now accept iTEP exam scores for international admissions. Adding iTEP to a school’s list of acceptable English proficiency scores can result in increased international student applications and/or a greater diversity of international applications. Prospective students in 49 countries around the world now take the iTEP daily in anticipation of studying in the USA.
Becoming an iTEP school is absolutely FREE. For more information on how to become an iTEP school today click here!
See who has recently joined the iTEP Midwest family!
Jameson Global – Moscow News
Knowledge Day, sometimes called “1 of September”, is the first day of school for students in Russia. Students from the primary grades through University head back to classes to pursue their studies. It also marks the official change of the seasons – from Summer to Autumn. Dr. Alla Gulyakova, Director of JG – Moscow recently gave a “Knowledge Day” welcome to new students. It can be read on the JG – Moscow page – click here!
Jameson Global – Moscow will also participate, and support two upcoming educational conferences:
The 9th Annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation
Seville, Spain
November 14 – 16, 2016
“Environmental Problems of the Third Millennium”
International Youth Scientific Conference
Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
Moscow, Russia
November 25-26, 2016
Jameson Global – Costa Rica News
Dr. Rick Carter presenting at Kamuk School.
In collaboration with our partner, the Costa Rican Language Academy (CRLA), JG-CR hosted a visit from Western Illinois University (WIU) to Costa Rica this past March. The primary purpose was for international student recruitment in addition to evaluating several potential educational projects. Dr. Rick Carter represented WIU and was able to visit a number of private high schools during the trip to give presentations and host question and answer sessions about studying in the USA with prospective students. Dr. Carter also met with school principals and many of the teachers to establish strong school-to-school partnerships. The visit to Costa Rica was followed up by a WIU visit to the Costa Rican Embassy in Washington DC. WIU will also host Veritas University and several high school delegations when they visit the USA. Jameson Global was honored to be able to host the WIU group in Costa Rica.
WIU Law Enforcement and Justice Administration majors to head to Costa Rica in 2017 for study abroad
Criminal Justice professionals encounter people from all countries and cultures during their work day. It is essential to recognize these differences and have a basic understanding of them to be successful in the field. For Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA) majors from Western Illinois University, Costa Rica will serve as a unique case study location–easily accessible, known for welcoming tourists, yet a completely different culture from the US. WIU Students will head to Costa Rica in summer 2017 to experience “International Criminal Justice” hosted by the WIU School of Law Enforcement & Justice Administration.
Conducted in cooperation with the Costa Rican Language Academy, the program will combine lectures and site visits covering criminal justice issues including the legal and penal system in Costa Rica, the Legislative Assembly, and law enforcement in Costa Rica. Time will be spent exploring the cultural side of Costa Rica as well, with a visit to the Pacific coast, Poas Volcano, and La Paz Waterfalls. For more information, contact the WIU Office of Study Abroad.
Other JG News:
Jim Brosam II. attended the 98th annual American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) conference held this past July in Miami, Florida.Over 400 high school and university teachers of Spanish attended the event. The purpose of exhibiting at the conference was to represent our partner, the Costa Rican Language Academy and to promote Spanish language study abroad programs.
Patti Jones
Senior JG Consultant, Patti Jones, has been nominated by the Leadership Development Committee of NAFSA for the position of Chair-elect of the Membership Committee. Election for this position, and other current ones, takes place on-line through NAFSA until September 30. Please read Patti’s bio and qualifications. We encourage all NAFSA members to vote in the current election of leaders.
The Chair of the Membership Committee/committee members are responsible for helping NAFSA’s national staff know what the membership is thinking, doing, and wanting to see. It also gives information about trends, problems, needs and what’s going on in the world of NAFSA members. The Committee makes recommendations about policies, procedures, and structures for membership in NAFSA to the vice-president for Professional Development and Engagement.
The specifics of the Committee may be found here.
Jameson Global recently entered into a student recruitment agreement with the College of Charleston. Established in 1770, the College is the 13th oldest institution of higher learning in the US. Located in beautiful and historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College has an enrollment of over 10,000 students and has international students from 62 counties. The College has an excellent English Language Institute and strong support services for international students. We are very pleased to be partners with the College of Charleston!
In 2016, Jameson Global secured membership in the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Two-year institutions are increasingly enrolling larger numbers of international students and offering study abroad programs for their domestic students. It is important to be actively engaged with our two-year partners, and we are pleased to be able to assist in their international efforts.
Jameson Global also began working with Wisconsin Lutheran High School (WLHS). Located in Milwaukee, WLHS offers unique on-campus residences for international students, as well as English language support and access to cultural and entertainment activities of Milwaukee and the Midwest region.
Jameson Global enrolled our first international student at WLHS this Fall. We are also working with the school to implement on-campus ESL testing for assessment/placement using the iTEP exam. We are very excited to be partners with Wisconsin Lutheran High School!
On the road – Fall 2016 Travel
Look for Jameson Global & iTEP Midwest at the following:
October 26 – 28, 2016
NAFSA Region V Conference
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Booth #A20 in exhibit area of
Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
Contact:
Patti Jones pattij@jamesonglobal.com
Jim Brosam II. jimb@jamesonglobal.com
NAFSA Region V Conference
Conference Presentation: “Untapped resource:
US High Schools with International Students”
Time and Room Location TBA
April Goldschmidt, Wisconsin Lutheran High School
Patti Jones, Jameson Global
Jim Brosam II., Jameson Global
November 6-10
NAFSA Bi-Regional III & VII Conference
New Orleans, Louisiana
Booth #43 in exhibit area of
New Orleans Marriott on Canal Street
Contact: Jim Brosam II. jimb@jamesonglobal.com
NAFSA Bi-Regional III & VII Conference
Conference Presentation: “Rethinking Recruitment and Agent Engagement”
Time and Room Location TBA
Brittany Kirby, ICEF
Karla Engel-Molnar, Valdosta State University
Jim Brosam II., Jameson Global
The Jameson Post is respectfully submitted by the Management Committee of Jameson Global.
