Linden China Spring Tour 2013: Getting to Know the Group!
Thanks so much to everyone who responded to our little icebreaker! Here are the emails that we
exchanged about ourselves before the tour, just in case anyone missed out on any of these bios.
Safe travels to you all and see you soon!
Best wishes,
Amber and Jody
I will be your tour leader, and I am looking forward to traveling with all of you. I first worked for
Linden in 2002, when I led tours to Asia and the Middle East. Over the years, I’ve helped Linden with
various projects on a part-time basis, in addition to working for other organizations in the
international education and travel industries. It keeps me very busy, but I just couldn’t resist when
Kathy Harrington invited me to lead this year’s Spring China Tour.
I am also excited to announce that Jody Stein, Communications Coordinator for Linden, will join us
on the tour. Jody previously accompanied a Linden Tour to Beijing and Shanghai, and she will be a
great help on the road.
We have a number of new faces on the tour, and I invite each of you to take a moment to introduce
yourselves to the group.
Amber
Amber S. Kelleher
China Tour Leader
Linden Educational Services
Hello Linden China!
As Amber mentioned in her update, we have many new faces on this spring's China Tour, so I will
start off our introductions with a quick bio of myself. I have had the pleasure of traveling with a few in
the group before, but I am certainly looking forward to meeting those of you I have not met and to
seeing a few familiar faces again in China.
Here goes the bio: I grew up in Tennessee and will always consider it home. I played every sport
offered in my home town until high school, when I decided to focus on synchronized skating, which I
continued through my senior year in college. My best friends are scattered throughout the world, and
I spend as much time as possible visiting them. I love all dogs - big, small, old, young - but have a
special place in my heart for smushnoses (Pugs, Bulldogs, Frenchies, etc.).
If you want to know my professional background, check my LinkedIn page or the Linden Staff page.
In short, my intern days were spent mostly in public relations, my first job out of college was in
international nonprofit, and I found my way to Linden through an interest in public diplomacy and
several conversations with hometown connections on the Hill. Travel is my real passion, and I enjoy
finding ways to make it as meaningful as possible. Studying and volunteering abroad provided me
some of my most prized experiences, and I'm happy to be working in an environment that helps
others find similar opportunities through international education. Of course, getting to travel with a
fabulous group of international recruiters from schools around the country is quite the added bonus!
I look forward to your electronic intros and to seeing you in China!
Safe travels and see you soon,
Jody
Jody Stein
Communications Coordinator
Linden Educational Services
Greetings travel partners!
I'll follow Jody's lead and provide my bio to the group. This is my second trip to China, but my first
trip as a part of a Linden tour. I'll be joining the group in Shanghai and Beijing, and look forward to
getting to know everyone.
I grew up in Michigan, downriver Detroit in my early years, then moved to the middle of the mitten
just before entering school. Like Jody, I also grew up playing every sport I could find, of which
football and basketball were my favorites. After graduating from a small town high school I went to
Central Michigan University (Class of 2000), which is also where my career in Higher Ed began. I
worked for a couple years in athletics before making the shift to admissions. I've been at Alma
College, a small, private liberal arts college in mid-Michigan for 3 years now. Here's my LinkedIn
profile.
I really enjoy my job for a couple reasons. First, I like working with optimistic, young people and their
families and helping them see their education options. I believe my parents and my education are
the reason I'm the person I am today, and I'm happy with the opportunities that they have given me. I
also enjoy the goal oriented, sometimes high pressure atmosphere that admissions provides. That
might be because it reminds me of my athletics days, but also because it tends to attract other folks
who I like to work with--those who enjoy working as a team toward a common goal.
While in China I'll be missing my wife Beth, and my two young children, William (4) and Aubree (7),
but I've assured them I'll come home bearing gifts! I look forward to meeting you all Shanghai. Take
care!
Bob Garcia
Bob Garcia
Vice President for Enrollment
Alma College
Greetings, all! I’m excited to get to know a little bit about everyone in advance!
I grew up in south-central Pennsylvania (good ol’ York County), and still enjoy spending time there
when I visit my family, with whom I’m very close. I’ve always loved music; chances are, you’re going
to experience me humming or singing without realizing it during the tour! I enjoy getting lost in good
books, baking cookies, sending snail mail (I’m obsessed with postcards), and am an avid NPR
listener.
After graduating from Albright with a dual degree in English and French, I ate a lot of cheese, bread,
and olives while teaching English in a French high school in Provence. I then returned to my alma
mater and have been working in the admission office ever since. While I have recruited
internationally before, this is my first Linden trip, and my first recruiting trip to mainland China. I am
currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration, and while I am exploring
other areas of student affairs work, admission has my heart for now. I enjoy working with students
as they explore the possibilities open to them at different institutions, and love the team atmosphere
in my office (it keeps me sane!)
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
--Loren
Loren A. Morgan '05
Associate Director of Admission & Transfer Coordinator
Albright College Admission
Hello Fellow Lindenites!
I’m sure I’ve met some of you during one of the Asian tours with Linden. This will be my third time
traveling with Linden to China, and I’m very much looking forward to it. Last March was my first trip
to China, and I had no idea that I would fall in love with the country and the people as much as I
have. Traveling with Linden is always fun and a complete adventure. Looking forward to another
great trip with amazing people.
I’m originally a midwest girl, but have lived in Florida now for 17 years. Embry-Riddle is my alma
mater, and I graduated with a degree in Human Factors Psychology. Before stumbling into higher
ed, I worked for the government doing research on occupational safety and health issues, and I’ve
also worked for a local military simulation manufacturer as an international marketing representative.
I’ve joked with several colleagues that no one grows up saying: “I want to be an international student
admissions counselor!” but somehow we have all ended up here. I will echo Bob’s comments in
saying that I love working with bright, optimistic young people and their families! I feel incredibly
blessed to have ‘stumbled’ into my dream job. Obviously the travel is a huge bonus, and something
I’m very passionate about.
Looking forward to our upcoming China adventure and meeting more fabulous recruiters.
Kind Regards,
Terra Brock
Terra Brock
Assistant Director of International and Graduate Admissions
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Hello Everyone,
Well, I’m a new comer on the Linden Tours but have heard great things and am excited to participate
fully. I’ll be along for the entire tour from start to finish and including Mongolia. I’m looking forward to
meeting you all and experiencing Mainland China for the first time.
As fate would have it, I studied Geography with a focus on Chinese culture at Oregon State years
ago (1989). However, i was never inclined to travel to China until lately. Instead, I was redirected to
Indonesia where I’ve lived on and off since 1995. Now I finally have a chance to see if I can
remember anything from my undergraduate studies.
I grew up in the Western US as the youngest of 7 kids. Primarily we lived in the Rocky Mountain
States and in Oregon and Washington. My parents instilled in me that education and life experience
is invaluable. After high school in Portland, I became a River/Backcountry Guide and have been
guiding in remote regions of Alaska, Idaho and Montana for the past 26 years. I have also had
opportunities to guide on occasion in Chile, Indonesia and the Arctic. For obvious reasons I needed
to develop a professional career to afford my outdoor interest. Therefore, I started a business
developing and producing educational kites in Bali in 1994 and ran that business for a decade. All
great things eventually come to an end and in 2005 I need to reevaluate my future. I then went back
to school and entered into a graduate program at Montana State researching traditional market
economies and culture in Indonesia. I was very fortunate to receive a Fulbright to support my
research and it propelled me into the education sector where I’m thrilled to be. For the past couple of
years I have been working on scholarship programs and education in Indonesia. While in in Asia
MSU asked me to help widen their foot print in Indonesia and then offered me a job full time based
back in Bozeman. I find education to be a very rewarding career and I especially enjoy working with
international students.
I’m interested in learning a great deal more from you all on this trip as I can see we have a very
experienced group. You can see my background in more detail at LinkedIn
Take care and see you all soon!
Brent
L. Brent Leavell
International Program Specialist
Office of International Programs
Montana State University
Greetings from High Point University!
I hope this email finds you well. I am looking forward to traveling with Linden again. This will be my
third trip. Last March was my first trip to China, and I’m excited to return so I can meet more students
and counselors and have the opportunity to share the amazing opportunities US higher education
can provide.
I am originally from Canonsburg, PA, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA. I took a leap of faith
and left home to attend High Point University in 2001. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in
Human Relations with a concentration in Human Services and a minor in Sociology. Throughout
college I spent my free time playing intramural sports, volunteering in the community, leading several
organizations and cheering on our Division I athletes.
I joined the High Point University Admissions team after graduating in May 2005. I have worn
several hats during the course of my Admissions career. When I look back over the years, I can’t
help but smile as I remember all of the excited students and families I have encountered. However, I
feel great pride in working with the international population. My current position as Associate Director
includes: overseeing all International, Re-Admit, Transfer, Non-Degree Seeking, as well as
Prospective Freshmen from Colorado. I also supervise 4 amazing young ladies, who travel in Florida
and throughout the West, and assist with many of our campus events. I thoroughly enjoy traveling,
working with students, parents and counselors, as well as my Admissions Team. Click here to see
my HPU staff profile and here to see my professional Facebook page (please know I do not log-in
everyday).
On a personal note, one thing you will hear me talk about is my four legged little man, Tuxedo.
Tuxedo is a Dalmatian mix and is 3 years old. His nicknames include: Tux, Tuxie, Tuxie Baby,
Bubba, and Mr. Tuxedo. For those interested, I have attached a picture.  Oh and as you know,
you shouldn’t trust the water in China so don’t be concerned if you see me drinking more beer than
water.
I look forward to seeing some familiar faces, and meeting everyone else! Safe travels 
Have a GREAT day!
Sincerely,
Amy
Amy Galbraith
Associate Director of Admissions
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
High Point University
Hello from Dubai!
I’m currently participating in the Linden Gulf/South Asia tour with JoBeth and the wonderful group
she has brought together. This is my first Linden tour but now that I have experienced it I am looking
forward to meeting even more Lindenites in China! It will be my second trip to China; the first time I
was completely on my own for nearly a month so I am looking forward to exploring it again
surrounded by other adventurous folks!
A little about me: grew up in Colorado, just outside of Boulder, and received both my undergrad and
grad degree from CU-Boulder. Took off to work in Germany for a couple of years after that, and then
I received the wonderful opportunity to work with the Admissions office at CU-Boulder that I just
couldn’t turn down! As much as I like gallivanting around the world, Colorado is truly home. I’m
actually more of a hiker/snowshoer than a skier (blasphemy in CO!); I am a former basketball player
(which will not surprise you when you see me) but now my preferred sports are soccer and ice
broomball (mostly because I like to laugh at people falling down*-- including myself).
I like to try new foods when I am traveling, but my threshold probably stops at dried duck tongue (my
sweet tooth, on the other hand, is unstoppable), so I’m hoping there are some fellow adventurous
eaters in this group as well who will push me. Looking forward to meeting you all in Shenzhen in
March!
Natalie Koster
Natalie Koster
Assistant Director – International Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
Hi Everyone,
So glad to meet some of you in advance online. Unfortunately, I will not be able to participate in the
entire spring China tour with Linden due to important matters to take of on campus in early March. I
will go to Chengdu, Shanghai and Beijing. I look forward to meet all of you then.
Foothill and De Anza Colleges are two community colleges. We are quite large so sometimes I feel
like I'm still working at a university. I used to work for one of the California State Universities -- San
Francisco State University. I have been to China many times, either traveling individually or with a
group. Hence, I am fairly knowledgeable about the China market. If anyone has any questions, I
would be glad to share information with you. I was also a NAFSA Trainer for ADSEC before.
Chinese New Year starts this weekend. I wish everyone a Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Marilyn
Marilyn Cheung
Director
International Student Programs
De Anza College
Hello, all,
I am glad that I will be participating Linden China this year. I signed up both Linden Asia and Linden
China this year and hope to meet some of you in Linden Asia tour if any of you are there too. This is
my first time to work with Linden, but I used to recruit in China every year. I recently moved to PA
working for Susquehanna University. Before that, I worked at Morehead State University in Kentucky
for many years.
I am excited about the opportunities to work with you in China. I look forward to meeting you all in
person!
I also wish you a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year!
Weihong
Weihong Sun
Associate Director of International Admissions
Suquehanna University
Greetings from Arizona State University,
This will be my first time traveling with Linden to China. I am very excited and look forward to
meeting everyone soon!
In the past few years, I had worked in different higher education institutions in California. Recently, I
moved to Arizona and joined the international admissions team at Arizona State University. This trip
will be very special for me because I was born in Chengdu and I had been living in Shenzhen for
over 10 years. The last time I have been to China was about 2 years ago. This time, I will change my
strategy to: work hard (we all do), eat wise (to try out unlimited food in a limited time), and sleep well
(to gain more energy).
Safe trips!
Yue
Yue Song
International Admissions Specialist
Undergraduate Admissions
Arizona State University
Sawatdee Kaa from Bangkok!
I am currently traveling with the Linden Asia group and on my way to Bangkok today. Along with me
are a few of our fellow lindenites who are also in the China group (ie Weihong and Amy). I will be
meeting the the rest of you in Guangzhou and I am looking forward to it!
A little brief intro about myself: I was born in Hong Kong but raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I am very
close to my family, especially my parents. I am the youngest of 5 girls and I have a beloved pup
named Cielo (six year old white bichon frise).
I am proud and happy to represent my alma mater, John Carroll University, which is located in
Cleveland. I received both my undergraduate (business marketing) and graduate (MBA) degrees
from John Carroll. JCU is one of the 28 Jesuit universities in the US. As an alumna, I truly value the
jesuit tradition of educational excellence and educating the whole person. On the road, I enjoy
sharing the jesuit story and my personal experiences at JCU with high school counselors, students,
and parents.
I am an avid runner/worker-outer. In the past 2 years, I have run one full and two half marathons
plus a number of 5k and 10k races. On this tour you will most definitely see/hear of me working out
often as I am preparing to participate in the Cleveland Rite Aid Half Marathon again in May.
There's a snap shot of me for now. Can't wait to meet and chat with all of you in person!
Until then!
-Lily
Lily Fong
Assistant Director of International Recruitment
John Carroll University
Dear All,
I am looking forward to participating with everyone in the Linden Tour in China and Mongolia. Reps
from University of Bridgeport have participated in Linden Tours in past years, but this will only be my
second time. The last time was an amazing visit to Libya just prior to the major changes that took
place there. It was a tremendous experience with many great memories.
A little bit about myself: I have worked in Admissions at UB for 11 years. I came here after living and
working in Latin America for 20 years. My children were born in Montevideo, Uruguay and my wife
and I enjoyed our experience there tremendously. After coming to UB, I have worked in all areas of
admissions, both on the domestic and international sides, with both undergraduate and graduate
students. After working as Director of International Admissions for almost four years I moved over to
the English Language Institute, where I worked as Assistant Director. This past August I returned to
my former position and am now enjoying my first full recruitment cycle since returning.
I have been to China a number of times and always enjoy visiting and meeting with students and
parents. I have travelled to many parts of China, but the tour will take us to the south of China where
I have not had much experience. So, I am really looking forward to it.
My best to everyone! See you in Shenzhen!
Steve Boyd
Director of International Admissions
University of Bridgeport