The Higher Education Admissions Council

Meet the experts on our Admissions Council

The Higher Education Admissions Council was set up by Cambridge English with experts from the higher education sector in the US and Canada. The council meets regularly to discuss the latest thinking, challenges and opportunities in the US and Canada’s higher education sector.

The committee members bring a wealth of experience and expertise in the areas of student recruitment, admissions, international education and student support. It includes members from diverse higher education institutions in the US and Canada including California State University - Northridge, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, Johns Hopkins University, Seneca College, The Juilliard School, University of Alberta and Wellesley College.

Vanessa Andrade
California State University, Northridge

Vanessa Andrade is the Director of International Partnerships and Program Development and the Deputy Senior International Officer at California State University, Northridge. She has over 25 years of experience in the international education industry and currently serves on the Board of Directors of AIRC and the Study California State Consortium as president-elect.

John Gregory
University of Alberta International

John Gregory leads the international recruitment team at the University of Alberta, one of Canada’s top five universities. John’s success has been recognized with multiple awards: the BCCIE, Excellence in International Education Marketing Award; and two Navitas Marketing Innovation awards.

Kathleen Tesar
The Juilliard School

Kathleen Tesar, BM, MM, EdD, is the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management at The Juilliard School. She presents frequently on topics related to performing arts admission and is co-author of College Prep for Musicians (Bosler, Greene, Tesar).

Kylie Dowling
Johns Hopkins University

Kylie Dowling is an Associate Director of Admissions at Johns Hopkins University, and she helps oversee all international recruitment and strategy for the undergraduate campus. She has worked at JHU for almost 10 years.

Doug Hammond
Seneca College

Doug Hammond is the Associate Registrar of Enrolment at Seneca College in Toronto, where he has built his career through the Office of the Registrar over the last 13 years including managing the operations for Domestic Admissions, International Admissions and Registrarial Services.

Marissa Sterrett
Wellesley College

Marissa Sterrett is the Senior Assistant Director of Admission at Wellesley College and was born and raised in Southern California. She worked in admissions at Scripps College and UC Irvine before moving to New England. Marissa is very passionate about supporting students from a diverse range of backgrounds and low-income communities.

Grace Han
Columbia University

Grace Han is the Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University. Grace is responsible for attracting outstanding students to SIPA from around the globe. She also oversees the fellowship process at SIPA.

Meet the experts on our Admissions Council

Vanessa AndradeCalifornia State University, Northridge

John GregoryUniversity of Alberta International

Kathleen TesarThe Juilliard School

Kylie DowlingJohns Hopkins University

Doug HammondSeneca College

Marissa SterrettWellesley College

Grace HanColumbia University