Spotlight on Marketing and Admissions (S4.01)

15:30 – 17:00 CEST, 18 September 2024 ‐ 1 hour 30 mins

Spotlight session

The EAIE Thematic Committee Marketing & Admissions focuses on the range of issues connected to how higher education institutions, programmes and initiatives present themselves in the world and position themselves as a destination of choice for international talent. This is an opportunity to discuss and learn how to effectively align your institution's marketing and admissions initiatives to attract and support international students in an increasingly competitive and challenging environment. In a context in which both finding the right quality and profile of students as well as ensuring the fairness of admissions processes are more crucial than ever, join us to explore how to overcome barriers and enrich the international student journey and experience.

Speakers

Kelly Smith

Murdoch University, Australia

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Isaac Garcia-Sitton

Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada

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Marlies Overbeek

Navitas, Netherlands

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Monique Swennenhuis

Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands

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Kelly Smith

Murdoch University, Australia

Kelly Smith completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Curtin University in 1987. After further study in teaching English as a second language, he taught for 10 years in Japan and then at The University of Western Australia’s Centre for English Language Teaching.

In 1999 he moved into a role in the administration of internationalization in the University’s International Centre. After completing an MBA at The University of Western Australia in 2000, he worked for a time in the private sector with Study Group before returning to The University of Western Australia initially as Associate Director and then as Director of the International Centre. In November 2015 he took up the position of inaugural Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) at La Trobe University. In 2018 he was additionally appointed as Director of La Trobe’s Confucius Institute.

He has been at Murdoch University since January 2020 and is currently Pro Vice Chancellor International. External roles have included Chair of the Australian Universities International Directors Forum, Deputy Chair of Study Perth, Board member of the International Education Association of Australia and Steering Committee member for the Australian International Education Conference and APAIE 2024.

He is a Senior Fellow of the International Education Association of Australia and is currently undertaking a Doctor of Business Administration focusing on the benefits of studying abroad for First Nations peoples.

Isaac Garcia-Sitton

Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada

Isaac Garcia-Sitton is a respected leader in higher education and a former diplomat with over 20 years of experience in international relations and business development. Recognized among the leading voices in international postsecondary education across North America, Isaac currently serves as the inaugural Executive Director of International Student Enrolment, Education & Inclusion at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has previously held leadership positions at York University and McGill University in Canada.

As a thought leader in the international education community, Isaac has actively advocated for policy measures to enhance international student support and wellbeing. He serves as a Board Director and Executive Committee Member for the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and is a member of the International Education Working Group that informs Council of Ontario Universities (COU) advocacy on international education to provincial and federal governments. Additionally, he leads industry best practices in internationalization and global engagement through board and advisory roles in prestigious international associations and organizations, such as the Council of International Schools (CIS), the International Network of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), IDP, and the British Council.

Isaac holds a PhD in Education with a research focus on immigration policy-making in international education in Canada. As a scholar-practitioner, he studies current and emerging policy issues relevant to Canadian postsecondary education and has worked extensively towards the advancement of international education in the region. His efforts to support immigrant communities have earned him recognition as one of the 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians in 2018 and the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2020.

: isaac-garcia-sitton/

Marlies Overbeek

Navitas, Netherlands

Monique Swennenhuis

Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, Netherlands

Monique Swennenhuis works as a strategic advisor international marketing and international affairs at Hanze University of Applied Sciences. She is a member of the Marketing and Recruitment steering group and has a keen interest in subjects like data driven marketing, CRM, optimization of the student journey, innovative marketing solutions and AI.
She has delivered sessions and workshops, both in person and virtually, at a number of conferences, and is also an EAIE and NAFSA trainer. She gives trainings in international marketing subjects in various countries and contexts, loves sharing her expertise and inspiring people. In May she was elected for the new Thematic Committee on Marketing and Admissions.

: moniqueswennenhuis/