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2024 Annual Conference Sessions

This is our 12th year of bringing together stakeholders within the English language program industry and international education to interact, provide insights, and reflect on the current landscape of the industry. 


The theme of this year’s event, “Exploring New Horizons” not only reflects the content of the event, but also the ongoing resiliency, resourcefulness, and creativity on which our industry thrives. Conference registration is now open. Be sure to log in if you are an EnglishUSA member program, Associate, Partner or Friend so that you can take advantage of the discount.  

Wednesday, September 25th

Arriving Wednesday afternoon/early evening? Live in the D.C. area?  Come to Theismann's Restaurant (1800A Diagonal Rd.) near the hotel/King St. Metro and meet up with board members and other conference attendees 6:00 - 8:00 pm (ET)  


Thursday, September 26th

Registration, Breakfast & Networking (8:00 - 9:00am)

Sponsored by: IELTS USA

Welcome & Introductions (9:00 - 9:30am)

  • Daryl Bish, President, EnglishUSA; Assistant Director, University of Florida, English Language Institute

Session #1: Advocacy Updates and Impact on ELPs (9:30 - 10:30am)

  • Jeff Hutcheson, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, TESOL
  • Andrea Bodine, Senior Director for Policy & Government Relations-International Affairs, Alliance on International Exchange
  • Rachel Banks, Senior Director for Public Policy & Legislative Strategy, NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Coffee Break (10:30 - 10:45am)

Session #2: SEVP & Department of State Updates (10:45 - 11:45am)

  • Benjamin Brown, Fraud Protection Officer, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State

  • Andrew Janusz, SEVP Field Representative Unit (Maryland/Delaware), Department of Homeland Security

  • Sanna Serspinski, SEVP Response Center Section Chief, Department of Homeland Security

  • Sarah Stewart, Visa Policy Analyst, Department of State

Lunch & Networking - Table Topics (11:45- 12:45pm)
If you'd like, join a table to discuss a hot topic among colleague attendees!

* Expanding Horizons through EnglishUSA Certified Trade Mission

* Home Away from Home: Accommodations Updates for ELPsHome

* Amplify Your Voice: Submitting to the EnglishUSA Journal & PDC

* Supporting ELP Students' Mental Health

* Navigating the Visa Maze: Understanding Denials

Session #3: Accreditation: What's on the Horizon? (1:00 - 1:50pm)

  • Res Helfer, Executive Director, ACCET
  • Heidi Vellenga, Executive Director, CEA

Session #4: The Evolving Needs of TESOL & ELPS: Implications for Teaching and Learning (2:00 - 3:00pm)

  • Megan Kobzej, Executive Director, New America College
  • Debra Suarez, President, TESOL International Association
  • Mike Mayor, Director of Global Scale of English, Pearson
  • Cheryl Delk-Le Good, Executive Director, EnglishUSA
  • Alan Broomhead, Director of Academic Programs at Showa Boston Institute (Facilitator)

Coffee Break (3:00 - 3:15pm)

Session #5a: English Language Study and the B-Visa (3:15 - 4:00pm)

  • Daryl Bish, Assistant Director, University of Florida, English Language Institute
  • Haviva Parnes, Head of Operations, EC English
  • Igor Skibickij, Chief Operations Officer, BONARD

Session #5b: The Evolution of Pathway Programs: Where Are We Now and We Are We Going? (3:15 - 4:00pm)

  • David Lind, Director International Programs, Syracuse University
  • Olga Bedoya Arturo, Director of Academic Services, University of Central Florida
  • Ken Janjigian, Director, English Language and Training Academy, American University

Session #6: Beyond the Score: Exploring the Future of Proficiency and Placement Testing (4:15 - 5:30pm)

  • Fernando Fleurquin, Director-Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, Michigan Language Assessment
  • Daniela De Bem, Executive Director, TOEFL/ETS
  • Christina Wade, Director of Academic Affairs, iTEP
  • Leah Baines, Director of Business Development, Oxford International Digital Institute
  • Masha Kostromitina, Assessment Specialist, Duolingo English Test
  • Holly Robinson, Recognition Manager, Trinity College London
  • Meredith Stokes, U.S. Manager, Pearson PTE Academic
  • Ariel Foster, Executive Director/CEO, IELTS USA

Networking Reception (5:30 - 7:00pm)

Located at Hilton King Street, 1767 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Friday, September 27th

Registration, Breakfast & Networking (8:00 - 9:00am)

Sponsored by: Michigan Language Assessment

Remarks & Guest Speaker (9:00 - 9:30am)

Fanta Aw, Executive Director & CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators

 

Session #7: U.S. for Success Coalition (9:30 - 10:15am)

  • Jill Allen Murray, Deputy Executive Director, Public Policy, NAFSA: Association of International Educators
  • Jill Welch, Co-Founder and Senior Consultant, U.S. for Success Coalition; Senior Policy Advisor, Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration

Coffee Break (10:15 - 10:30am)

Session #8a: Partnerships 101 (10:30 - 11:30am)

  • Dana Saif, Founder, International Language Academy
  • Maria Arruda, Managing Director, CELOP, Boston University
  • Gokhan Alkanat, Associate Provost for International Education, Rowan University
  • Jackie McCafferty, Director, Center for American Language & Culture, Temple University
  • Caroline Gear, Executive Director, International Language Institute of Massachusetts

Session #8b: From Lesson Plans to Grand Plans: Reinventing Your Education Career (10:30 - 11:30am)

  • Joy MacFarland, Head of Regional Marketing ELT - US & Canada, National Geographic Learning
  • Noga La’or, Director of ELI Enrollment Management, Pace University
  • Alan Broomhead, Director of Academic Programs, Showa Boston Institute
  • Stephanie Gallop, Associate Director, Intensive English Program, Georgetown University
  • Lily Sorenson, Director, Center for English Language Learning, University of Missouri

Session #9: How and Why to Use ELP Annual Data (11:45 - 12:30pm)

  • Igor Skibickij, Chief Operations Officer, BONARD
  • Leah Mason, Deputy Director of Research, Evaluation & Learning, IIE
  • Daryl Bish, Assistant Director, University of Florida, English Language Institute
  • Haviva Parnes, Head of Operations, EC English


Lunch & Networking - Table Topics (12:30 - 1:30pm)
* If you'd like, join a table to discuss a hot topic among colleague attendees!

* Data Insights & Action: Harnessing Your Program's Potential

* Engage & Elevate: Getting Involved with EnglishUSA

* Pathway Programs: Challenges & Successes

* Together in the Office with Gen Z, Gen X, and Boomers

Session #10a: Focus on Agents (1:30 - 2:20pm)

  • Vanessa Goulding, Business Development Manager-USA and Canada, ICEF
  • Matthew Knott, News Editor, Study Travel Magazine

Session #10b: Government Agencies Working Together (1:30 - 2:20pm)

  • Jennifer Brown, Program Officer, EducationUSA, Department of State
  • LeeAnne Haworth, U.S. Commercial Service, Department of Commerce

Session #11: AI in the Classroom and in the Office  (2:30 - 3:20pm)

  • Andy Mattingly, Embry-Riddle Language Institute
  • David Patent, Assistant Director of Online and Special Programs for International Programs, Syracuse University
  • Hannaliisa Savolainen, Director, Embry-Riddle Language Institute

Session #12: Associations: Trends, Challenges, and Outlooks (3:30pm - 4:15pm)

  • Cheryl Delk-Le Good, Executive Director, EnglishUSA
  • Mike Anderson, President, UCIEP
  • Jennifer Wright, Director of Operations Certification, AIRC
  • Joann Ng Hartmann, Senior Impact Officer, NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Wrap Up (4:15 - 4:30pm)

New This Year!

In addition to our "one-room schoolhouse" format for general sessions with key stakeholders relevant to all types of programs and professionals, we will also be including sets concurrent "peer-to-peer" sessions on diverse topics to include instruction, assessment, and administration.

Confirmed peer-to-peer sessions include:

  • Future of ESL programs and MATESOL degrees
  • Transitioning from teaching to administration (and other career adjacent positions)
  • Partnerships 101 - in the U.S. and overseas
  • Multiple perspectives of English language study on the B-Visa
  • Agent networking & nurturing the relationships
  • State of pathway programs 
  • Current impact of AI in the classroom
  • ELP data: how to use it

We will also offer newcomer networking activities the night prior to the conference (September 25th).