"At Shoreline, students are not
simply numbers."

   

Contact Us

International Programs is a division of Shoreline Community College that oversees international student recruitment, orientation, immigration and academic advising, as well as study abroad programs and international partnerships.

Shoreline Community College
International Programs
16101 Greenwood Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98133

(click for map)

See who is here today: Click here.


Contact us:

Phone:

206-546-4697

Fax:

206-546-7854

Email:

ipadmission@shoreline.edu

Study Abroad:

Phone:

206-533-6656

Fax:

206-546-7854

Email

studyabroad@shoreline.edu

Recruitment Partners (Agents): click here


Meet Our Staff:

Executive Director

Thalia Saplad
Thalia oversees International Programs at Shoreline Community College. Born in Hawaii, where she lived until her teenage years, Thalia was also raised on the Micronesian island of Palau. Her blended heritage includes Chinese, Portuguese and Filipino (although her appreciation for good food crosses all borders!). An alumna of Seattle University, Thalia has worked at Shoreline since 1992. Thalia believes that international students are an important part of the Shoreline community, a place that celebrates diversity and values global perspectives -- both inside and outside the classroom. She adds that Shoreline is a place where people have fun together and respect one another. On behalf of the entire International Programs staff, Thalia welcomes your interest in Shoreline Community College, and hopes to have the pleasure of welcoming you personally to its beautiful campus in the near future.

Phone: 206-546-4512
Email:
tsaplad@shoreline.edu

 






"Good students, good services. That's International Programs!"
Assistant Directors

Sean Duke
International Marketing and Outreach

Moving from rural Vermont, Sean began his college studies near New York City because he knew his education would not be complete without meeting people from other countries. With a master's degree and teaching certificates in TESOL, he spent 7 years living in Korea and Japan as a Buddhist monk, exchange student and English teacher. Sean joined Shoreline's IP staff to help recruit new students and reach out to alumni. To do that, he'll be visiting many countries so maybe you'll see him in your city!

Phone: 206-546-6960
Email:
sduke@shoreline.edu
IM: Shoreline.Sean 
Online Status:     

   

 


"Let me help yourealize your dream of
studying abroad!"
  Colleen Ferguson
International Education

Colleen believes that an academic experience abroad is an important part of a comprehensive education: It helps prepare students to live and work in our multicultural, global society. Her own rich experiences as a student in Mexico and Spain, and as a teacher in Japan, led her to the field of international education. She has a B.A. in International Affairs and Foreign Languages and a MEd. in Intercultural Education. Colleen is here to advise all students on study abroad options as well as to assist International students with their advising needs.

Phone: 206-533-6676
Email:
cferguson@shoreline.edu


 



"I'm here to helpyou get connected
on campus."

  Mari Kosin
International Student Services
Originally from Japan, Mari attended community college, and obtained her B.A. and M.A. in Washington state. Mari manages and develops Shoreline's comprehensive programs and services for international students to succeed in college! Mari often travels to overseas to meet with students and their families, introducing what a prestigious and friendly place Shoreline is for many international students!

Phone: 206-546-4627
Email:
mkosin@shoreline.edu


 



"Where will your studies take you?"
  Pollie McCloskey
International Education

Pollie's love of learning more about the world through her travels motivates her to provide these opportunities for others. She believes that the study abroad experience is important to gain a better understanding of the interconnectedness of the world. She has traveled and volunteered in Europe, Central America and South America. Pollie has a Master's degree in International Relations and Religion from Boston University and has been designing and leading service learning trips to Honduras for churches and schools since 2004. Contact Pollie to learn more about how you can incorporate studying abroad as part of your academic experience.

Phone: 206-533-6656

Email: pmccloskey@shoreline.edu


 



"This college and cityprovide a great environment for International Students."

  Samira Pardanani
Admissions & Immigration

Samira manages the admissions and immigration areas of our office. She believes in providing exceptional service to our students and enjoys finding new ways to make processes work better. Before joining Shoreline, Samira was an International Student/Scholar Advisor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She has two Masters degrees - in German and in Teaching English as A Second Language. Originally from India, she has also lived and studied in Europe and speaks several languages. Samira likes spending her free time with her family and doing fun activities with her little daughter.

Phone: 206-546-6940
Email:
spardana@shoreline.edu


 




Erin

"I enjoy meeting new students and learning about their backgrounds."

 
International Student Advisors
(Students are assigned to an advisor based on the letters of their last name.)


Erin Walker

Erin joined the International Programs office in 2002. She has had various immigration and advising duties, but definitely finds advising to be the most rewarding. Erin holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Music from the University of Idaho. In her spare time, she enjoys singing and directs The Women's Chorale at Music Center of the Northwest. Erin loves to travel and her first trip was as a child to Quito, Ecuador where she lived for 6 months. Since then Erin has traveled to 18 other countries and is always looking forward to her next trip!

Phone:
206-533-6751
Email:
ewalker@shoreline.edu


 


"Let me help you plan your
academic  life and transfer."
  Cynthia Okawara

Cynthia is our newest International Student Academic Advisor. She comes with years of experience in the field of international education including, most recently, five years of international student advising. She loves helping students achieve their goals and become successful. She believes student involvement is the key to success! Cynthia has a B.A. from U.W. in English and Elementary Education and an M.Ed. from Western Washington University. She lived in Japan for five years and speaks some Japanese. While living in Japan, she traveled to Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia. She is married and has two elementary school aged kids -- one girl and one boy!

Phone:
206-533-6758
Email:
cokawara@shoreline.edu


 



"I enjoy helping students and
answering their questions."

  Lisa Hirayama

Lisa Hirayama has been helping Shoreline’s international students as an advisor since 1989.  Lisa is originally from Massachusetts, and spent time living in England, Denmark, and Japan.  Her undergraduate studies (Oberlin College, Ohio) were in East Asian Studies and Sociology.  She has a Master’s degree in Counseling (University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).  Lisa is married, with two sons (Kai, age 17, and Kian, age 8).  In her free time, Lisa is a flutist in the Bainbridge Symphony, Seattle Flute Society, and Salmon Bay Flute Quartet.

Phone:
206-546-4508
Email:
lhirayam@shoreline.edu


 




"I'll connect you with the right
advisor to help accomplish your
goals."
 
Support Staff


Harumi Kendall
Front Desk

Harumi attended Shoreline Community College and earned her A.A.A.S degree in the Business Technology Program. Harumi is the first person you will see in the office, and she is available to help answer your questions. If she doesn't know the answer, she can refer you to the correct person to assist you.

Phone: 206-546-4697
Email:
hkendall@shoreline.edu