Author: John Kissell

Innovative Alliance to Support International Student Success on Campus and Expand Opportunities for International Students

BOSTON, Mass. (October 1, 2015) – Adelphi University and Shorelight Education today announced a new jointly operated program that will broaden global access to Adelphi’s highly regarded undergraduate and master’s degrees for international students. Adelphi and Shorelight will together create an innovative program to support the recruitment, progression, and success of international students on campus, as well as a comprehensive English language school.

“At Adelphi, student success is at the heart of everything we do,” said Dr. Christine M. Riordan, President of Adelphi University. “Shorelight’s student-first philosophy, integrated programs, and tailored approach to helping our international student population grow and thrive are critical elements of a partnership that will prepare our students to live and work in a global society.”

The development and implementation of the International Accelerator Program (IAP) aligns with Adelphi’s emphasis on global learning across the curriculum in a diverse and inclusive climate. Adelphi’s IAP will broaden educational opportunities for students from across the globe and help the University become a model for international access and student success. By combining intensive English language instruction at a state-of-the-art English language school with coursework and supplemental support resources, the program will expand upon the University’s international student services and recruitment.

“Shorelight is proud to build a program with Adelphi University that will offer international students a transformative experience at a signature U.S. institution,” said Tom Dretler, CEO of Shorelight Education. “In addition to having access to one of the most dynamic learning hubs — New York City — students will benefit from an intimate, community-focused program with highly ranked academics and personalized support that will follow them through their very first days on campus to their successful graduation.”

The International Accelerator at Adelphi will provide dedicated enrollment management and high-touch retention services for students coming to Adelphi from diverse geographies and academic backgrounds. The program will build upon existing infrastructure within the University to grow international student enrollment, expand Adelphi’s global brand, and support international students transitioning to a US academic environment. Adelphi University will welcome its first IAP students in the fall of 2016. Learn more at www.adelphi.edu/international.

About Adelphi University
New York’s Adelphi University (www.adelphi.edu) is a nationally ranked, doctoral research university where students succeed by gaining the skills, knowledge and exposure to thrive as professionals and active citizens in an interconnected and fast-paced global society. Today, nearly 8,000 students from 38 states and 46 countries pursue degrees in person and online through Adelphi’s eight distinguished schools and programs—the College of Arts and Sciences, the Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, the Honors College, the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, the College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work. Chartered in 1896, Adelphi is known for offering a personalized education—one in which students are mentored by talented and committed faculty members and readily find opportunities to initiate, innovate, explore and understand. With dynamic learning hubs on Long Island, in Manhattan and in the Hudson Valley, Adelphi serves communities, both regionally and globally, through the research and practice of its faculty, the collaborative initiatives undertaken by its centers and programs, the staging of distinguished cultural events and, most essentially, the education of future leaders and informed citizens.

About Shorelight Education
Shorelight Education is a U.S.-based education company that partners with leading nonprofit universities to increase success for international students while driving institutional growth. Shorelight’s purpose is to “Educate the World”—a call to action that defines its people and its point of view. Shorelight is committed to helping talented, diverse learners around the world discover and succeed at U.S. flagship and tier-one research universities. Visit www.corporate.shorelight.com for more information.

BOSTON, Mass. (July 16, 2015) — Louisiana State University and Shorelight Education today announced the creation of an innovative new program to support LSU’s efforts to attract, recruit and retain the most qualified and capable international students from across the world.

The newly created International Accelerator Program (IAP) will provide wraparound support to international students and help them thrive in LSU’s rigorous academic environment. The program will also assist them as they become an integral part of the LSU community and navigate the cultural and social differences of an American university education.

The IAP is a demanding academic program that combines intensive English language instruction with course work and supplemental support resources that help acclimate the students to LSU and the surrounding community. The program will be offered to students at multiple levels depending upon a student’s English proficiency level. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to enroll in LSU’s degree programs with sophomore status. The first students will be enrolled beginning in Fall 2015.

“We are thrilled to partner with LSU to bring the best international students from across the world to join LSU’s extraordinary community,” said Tom Dretler, CEO and Co-Founder of Shorelight Education. “Through this partnership, we will work with LSU to pair a rigorous academic curriculum with real-world resources available within and beyond the classroom, and we will provide the tools and services international students need to thrive at LSU.”

The new program comes at a time of increased demand from international students seeking an American college experience, while academic institutions are striving for more globally diverse campus environments. According to the Institute of International Education, a record setting 886,052 foreign students came to the United States to study in the 2013-2014 school year. With this partnership, LSU is uniquely positioned to attract top students from around the world to its campus while bringing global diversity and new perspectives to the LSU student body.

“We are looking forward to kicking off this program and assisting students from around the world in achieving their goal of an LSU degree,” Kurt Keppler, vice president for student life and enrollment services, said. “In the past few years, LSU has been enrolling and graduating some of the most diverse classes in the university’s history. Diversity benefits our entire community, and international diversity is a large part of that endeavor. We want to bring together Louisiana and U.S. students with students from across the world, so they can learn from each other and share the experience of attending a rigorous but spirited and exciting university like LSU.”

Shorelight Education currently partners with top universities from across the country, including Auburn University, Florida International University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Kansas and the University of South Carolina.

About LSU
As the flagship institution of Louisiana, LSU is a leading research-extensive university, challenging undergraduate and graduate students to achieve the highest levels of intellectual and personal development. Designated as a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution, the mission of LSU is the generation, preservation, dissemination, and application of knowledge and cultivation of the arts.

Media Contact: Alex Goldstein
Alex.goldstein@corporate.shorelight.com
617-429-4027

BOSTON, January 14, 2015 — Shorelight Education, a company that partners with leading nonprofit universities to increase access for international students, today announced the hiring of Jim Sheehan as its chief financial officer.

Sheehan was previously the CFO and Treasurer of edX Inc., a leader in online learning and MOOCs. He brings 30 years of financial and operations management experience to Shorelight Education.

“Jim’s demonstrated track record as a successful CFO at EdX and hands on business and education experience made him the perfect candidate to step into this important role on our management team,” said Tom Dretler, CEO and Co-Founder of Shorelight Education. “Jim’s extensive financial and management experience will be constructive to our mission of helping universities become more global through innovative partnerships.”

“I am proud to join Shorelight Education and to work with a diverse and talented team of higher education experts,” said Sheehan. “The existing leadership team and I have a shared commitment to creating opportunities for students, and I look forward to matching my experience to their efforts.”

He was the Senior Vice President and CFO of Ember Corporation, which sold to Silicon Laboratories in July 2012. He has also held senior finance positions at Demantra (acquired by Oracle), BISYS Networking Services, EMC, and Epoch Systems. Sheehan earned his degree at St. Bonaventure University.

About Shorelight Education
Shorelight Education is a U.S.-based education company that is focused on partnering with leading nonprofit universities to increase access and drive success for international students, boost institutional growth, and enhance an institution’s global footprint. Its purpose is to Educate the World – a call to action that defines its people and its point of view. Shorelight is committed to inspiring change that creates more opportunities for students and cross-cultural exchange, ultimately leading to better, more healthy, peaceful, respectful, compassionate and sustainable communities. For more information, visit www.corporate.shorelight.com