IDP Education Introduces New U.S. Study Opportunities; Welcomes First Secondary School Partner

IDP Education Introduces New U.S. Study Opportunities; Welcomes First Secondary School Partner

Grier School joins as IDP Education’s inaugural U.S. high school partner, marking the company’s entrance into the secondary school segment in response to international student demand.

PHILADELPHIA, Mar. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX – IDP Education has announced its first U.S. high school partner, Grier School, located in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.  Since 1853, Grier School has provided 7^th through 12^th grade students a world-class boarding school experience, where dedicated faculty and staff create a rigorous academic environment with additional Signature Programs in dance, riding, and the arts.  Grier School’s close-knit community of 260 girls has long been educating international students, who represent nearly fifty percent of enrollments and hail from more than ten countries.  As stated by Andrew M. Wilson, Grier School’s headmaster, “We are always seeking intellectually curious, community-minded students, especially in countries not yet represented at Grier School.  IDP’s global reach and documented success at the university level suggests IDP will be a valuable partner in Grier’s international recruitment efforts.” 

“IDP is quite pleased to welcome Grier School as its newest U.S. study option and we look forward to introducing additional secondary schools to students and families overseas in the coming months” said Chris Elam, IDP’s director of U.S. business development and client relations.  IDP Education’s global student recruitment platform is made possible through the efforts of more than 500 company-employed counselors, who assist students in identifying appropriate educational opportunities and are able to recognize student trends in their respective regions.  “Grier School, which offers exceptional student programming, was identified as an ideal partner through close collaboration between IDP’s teams in North Asia and the States” commented Michael Haines, IDP’s manager of operations and client development in the U.S.

The addition of Grier School to IDP’s student offerings is indicative of the increased level of attention focused on international student recruitment by U.S. secondary schools and universities more broadly.  In response to the growing demand from institutions for internationally-based recruitment assistance, IDP Education continues to provide professional, student-centric counseling services in key source markets.

About IDP Education
IDP Education is the world's largest student placement firm, with more than 70 counseling centers in over 20 countries. The company is jointly owned by 38 Australian universities and is one-third owner of the IELTS English proficiency exam, along with the British Council and University of Cambridge. The IDP USA venture is an expansion of the already successful Australian student placement service. For more information, visit www.usa.idp.com

IDP Education Announces New Director of US Business Development

IDP Education Announces New Director of US Business Development

Christopher Elam will lead business development and client relations operations as the world’s leading international student placement firm continues its expansion in the United States.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The world’s largest student placement firm, IDP Education, has named Chris Elam director of client relations and business development for the USA. Chris joins IDP with more than 18 years of experience in higher education management roles across business, finance and student services.

“I look forward to successfully representing the US higher education system with new strategic collaborations that will help us grow our international student populations,” Elam says. Before coming to IDP Education, Chris spent 18 years managing higher education sales teams for several of the largest financial institutions in the world, including Bank of America, Sallie Mae and Lehman Brothers as well as the Language Testing division of Pearson. In his various capacities he has successfully led national sales teams in developing new business, driving sales growth, developing new channels of business, turning around declining operations, and building and motivating teams.

IDP has been placing students in Australia for more than 20 years. The organization expanded to the United States in May 2009, and since that time has built the largest portfolio of university partners of any agency worldwide.

The size and scope of the counseling network sets IDP apart from other student placement services and allows it to act as a global advocate for higher education in the United States. The relationship between IDP and the American university is a trusted partnership: IDP’s mission is to fully understand all aspects of an institution and the types of students it seeks to recruit. This approach ensures the best match and makes IDP a vital part of the recruitment process.

About IDP Education
IDP Education is the world's largest student placement firm, with more than 70 counseling centers in over 20 countries. The company is jointly owned by 38 Australian universities and is one-third owner of the IELTS English proficiency exam, along with the British Council and University of Cambridge. The IDP USA venture is an expansion of the already successful Australian student placement service. For more information, visit www.usa.idp.com