Author: John Kissell

Creation of Auburn International Accelerator to enhance international student experience (more…)

Shorelight CEO Tom Dretler talks about the tipping point of higher education and how Shorelight is exploring new opportunities in public-private partnerships

Tom Dretler, Shorelight Education, USA

FIU Global First Year will enhance international student experience

Boston, MA – November 25, 2014 – Shorelight Education has partnered with Florida International University to create the FIU Global First Year. The FIU Global First Year will build upon FIU’s current international student programs and provide wraparound support to help international students successfully meet the academic rigors of an FIU education and assist them in navigating the cultural and social differences of an American university education. The first students will be enrolled beginning in August 2015.

The FIU Global First Year is a comprehensive program that combines intensive English language instruction with academic course work and programs to help acclimate the students to the FIU and greater Miami communities. The program will offer either a three term or a two-term option, depending upon a student’s English proficiency level. Upon successful completion of the FIU Global First Year program, students will be eligible to enroll in FIU degree programs with full sophomore status.

“The traditional American university experience is changing. Along with superior academics and an integrated community, diversity is an invaluable part of attending college for students both domestic and international,” said Dr. Elizabeth Bejar, Vice President for Academic Affairs at FIU. “We continue our commitment to making the FIU student body a representation of the best and brightest students from across both the United States and the world.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Florida International University to expand upon their ongoing efforts to bring the best international students from across the world to their campus,” said Tom Dretler, CEO and Co-Founder of Shorelight Education. “The partnership comes at a time of tremendous demand for FIU’s programs from abroad, and we look forward to working closely with their entrepreneurial and growth-minded leadership team in the days ahead to advance the goals and vision of FIU.”

In addition to its work with FIU, Shorelight is also a partner with The University of Kansas, University of Central Florida, and Bath Spa University.

About Florida International University
Florida International University is recognized as a Carnegie engaged university. Its colleges and schools offer more than 180 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations, architecture, law and medicine. As one of South Florida¹s anchor institutions, FIU is Worlds Ahead in its local and global engagement, finding solutions to the most challenging problems of our time. FIU emphasizes research as a major component of its mission. FIU has awarded 200,000 degrees and enrolls 50,000 students in two campuses and three centers including FIU Downtown on Brickell and the Miami Beach Urban Studios. For more information about FIU, visit http://www.fiu.edu/.

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. www.corporate.shorelight.com

Media Contacts
Shorelight Education
Alex Goldstein
617-429-4027
alex.goldstein@corporate.shorelight.com

Position to Deepen, Complement Shorelight’s Extensive Experience in International Higher Education

Boston, MA (September 24, 2014) — Dr. Mitch Leventhal, a pioneer in creating higher education opportunities for global students, has joined Shorelight Education as a company Fellow and Entrepreneur in Residence. Leventhal will serve as an advisor to Shorelight executives as they continue to expand the company’s international presence with university and college partners.

Previously, Leventhal served as Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs at the State University of New York. Leventhal for three decades has been a leader in international education policy and practice, including recruiting practice reform, campus internationalization, technical systems, and engagement with corporate partners.

Prior to joining SUNY as vice chancellor for global affairs in 2009, Mitch served as vice provost for international affairs at the University of Cincinnati. He developed a database for managing the university’s global operations that became the foundation for the UCosmic® global standards consortium. He is also a co-founder and past president of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) and serves as senior advisor on academic affairs to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC).

“With decades of experience, Dr. Leventhal is a leader in higher education, and we are honored to welcome him to the Shorelight team,” said Basil Cleveland, executive vice president and co-founder of Shorelight Education. “His extensive understanding of the higher education landscape will be an invaluable asset as Shorelight continues its commitment to international expansion and global diversity.”

About Shorelight Education
Shorelight Education is a U.S.-based education company 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.  Shorelight’s purpose is to Educate the World – a call to action that defines their people and 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. www.corporate.shorelight.com

Media Contact
John Kissell Shorelight Education
802.498.7887
john@corporate.shorelight.com

University of Central Florida launches new partnership with Shorelight Education to grow international student population, success

ORLANDO, FL. (September 26, 2013) – Since 1992, two of the five goals guiding the University of Central Florida have focused on the importance of international programs and activities to the university.

A new program will “jump start” those goals and draw some of the best international students to UCF. Partnering with Shorelight Education, UCF will create an innovative partnership to bring students from around the world to the university.

“This program will benefit our Florida students as well as our new international students,” said UCF Provost and Executive Vice President Tony Waldrop. “Our in-state students will be immersed in different perspectives, cultures and ideas. It will prepare them for competing in the global economy and workforce.”

Details are still being finalized, but an agreement is expected soon. This is among the first U.S. partnerships for Shorelight Education, a Boston-based higher education company.

“We invest in partnerships with great institutions that are both student-focused and innovative,” said Tom Dretler, CEO and Co-Founder of Shorelight Education. “UCF is recognized nationally not just for its size, but for the quality education it provides students.”

The new program would start in summer 2014 with about 60 students who will be admitted following a rigorous screening process. The students in this program will be in addition to UCF’s traditional students – no qualified in-state or out-of-state students will be denied acceptance to UCF because of this program. New international students in the program will embark on an intensive first-year experience that provides them the academic, social, and language skills to succeed in a UCF bachelor’s degree program in a variety of fields including sciences, engineering, business, and the humanities.

“When international students come to the U.S. to study, they make personal and business connections that last a lifetime,” Waldrop said. “They are also global ambassadors for their universities and regions, and we look forward to international students helping to promote the university and Central Florida region.”

Shorelight, which will cover all of the start-up costs, will jointly manage the program with UCF. The university will maintain control of all academic matters, ensuring that the program meets UCF’s academic standards, including those impacting curriculum, admission criteria, faculty qualifications and student success measures.

There are currently about 2,100 international students at UCF of the university’s more than 60,000 students. Many large and prestigious universities, such as Columbia University, Stanford University and Cornell University, boast that more than 20 percent of their students come from other countries.

“Great American universities attract the best and brightest students from every corner of the globe,” Dretler said. “This partnership is another big win for the students of an institution that is clearly on the move.”

50 Years of Achievement: The University of Central Florida, the nation’s second-largest university with nearly 60,000 students, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013. UCF has grown in size, quality, diversity and reputation, and today the university offers more than 200 degree programs at its main campus in Orlando and more than a dozen other locations. Known as America’s leading partnership university, UCF is an economic engine attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s success now and into the future. For more information, visit http://today.ucf.edu.

About Shorelight Education
Shorelight Education is reinventing the international education experience for students worldwide. Based in Boston, the company partners with top-ranked, nonprofit American universities to build innovative degree programs and services that are both high-touch and technology-driven to help talented students succeed on campus and become globally minded alumni.

Media Contacts
Grant Heston University of Central Florida 407-823-5988 grant.heston@ucf.edu

Alex Goldstein Shorelight Education alex.goldstein@corporate.shorelight.com