International Education Staff

Cindy Schaarschmidt

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cindy schaarschmidt

Executive Director, Senior International Officer, cschaarschmidt@pierce.ctc.edu

Cindy Schaarschmidt has been working in international education for several years, and she is committed to creating transformational global learning opportunities, building reciprocal partnerships, supporting international students, and facilitating internationalization at the institutional level. Cindy holds an M.A. in Media Communications and American Studies from the University of Leipzig, Germany. A native German, Cindy has studied and worked abroad in the U.S., Guatemala, the U.K., Russia, and Spain. Cindy also serves as president of her professional association, the National Association of Fellowships Advisors (NAFA).

When she's not at work, she finds joy in learning languages and traversing the county on two wheels. She lives in Tacoma with her spouse and their dog.

Jacque Courduff

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jacque courduff

International Education Advisor, jcourduff@pierce.ctc.edu

Jacque is an International Education Advisor. She holds an M.A. in English from Claremont Graduate University, a B.A. in English from UC Santa Barbara, and a TESOL certificate. Her professional experience includes teaching positions in California, Italy, and South Korea, and she loves facilitating opportunities for success and well-being for Pierce's students. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, reading, exploring national parks, and spending time with family.

Takako Daniels

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takako daniels

Admissions Coordinator, tdaniels@pierce.ctc.edu 

Takako is the International Admissions Coordinator. She is originally from Japan and loves to travel. So far, she has visited 10 countries. Prior to moving to the U.S. Takako lived in Germany for over three years. Shortly after arriving to the U.S., Takako decided to attend Pierce College to further her education and later graduated with her associate's degree. Takako's experiences at Pierce College opened her eyes to the power of education and motivated her to obtain her Business Management bachelor's degree at George Mason University in Virginia. Outside of work, Takako loves to stay active and challenge herself. She is a certified Commit dance fitness instructor, certified personal trainer, martial arts fighter, and training as a weightlifter. She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and always willing to share her experiences and enthusiasm with others. 

Monica Flynn

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monica flynn

Administrative Assistant, mflynn@pierce.ctc.edu

Monica is the International Education Department's Administrative Assistant. Facing wanderlust in college, she left to teach English to students ages 3-84 in Tokyo, Japan for two years and discovered a love for teaching, English, and traveling. She then returned to the States to earn her bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from Wright State University. After a cross-country move to Washington state, she taught English to refugee and immigrant students for ten years in the K-12 system. Now she's at Pierce facilitating International Education higher ed and loving every minute. When she's not at work, she enjoys studying about how the human brain develops, learns, and adapts, road-tripping to the California redwoods, drinking all the matcha, and hanging out with her family and five pets.

Brent Leavell

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Brent Leavell

Associate Director, International Outreach and Partnerships, lleavell@pierce.ctc.edu

Brent manages the college's international outreach and partnerships, including marketing, recruitment, scholarship and admissions. He travels globally to promote Pierce College and build partnerships. Brent has lived, worked and studied overseas, and enjoys promoting international education and the life experience it offers students and scholars. He received a Fulbright for his research on how culture influences Indonesia's traditional markets and has a Master's in Earth Science, Human Geography. 

Mary Meulblok

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mary meulblok

Manager, International Student Services, mmeulblok@pierce.ctc.edu

Mary is the Manager of International Student Services at Pierce. She has worked in International Education for over ten years. Mary received her degrees in French and Education from Western Washington University in 1986. Her international experience includes a year as an au pair and student at L'Universite d'haute Bretagne in Rennes, France in 1981–82. Mary is married to a Dutchman (whom she met while he was an exchange student in college) and together they have three daughters. Her hobbies include travel, reading and spending time with her family.

Kate Strittmatter

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kate strittmatter

International Outreach Officer, kstrittmatter@pierce.ctc.edu

Kate is the International Outreach Specialist. She travels on marketing and recruitment campaigns overseas to meet with prospective students. Kate taught English to elementary school students in South Korea through the EPIK program. She received her M.A. from the University of Nebraska in Educational Administration. She's happy to have the opportunity to work with international students and help them achieve their educational goals at Pierce College!

Susan Taylor

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susan taylor

SEVIS and Immigration Manager, sjtaylor@pierce.ctc.edu

Susan has been working with international students for over 10 years. She has studied and lived abroad in Beijing, China and Taipei, Taiwan and has travelled to many countries throughout Asia (except Korea). Susan loves helping students achieve their goals and feels lucky to work with the wonderful international student community at Pierce. Her door is always open to students who have questions about their I-20's, F-1 visas, OPT, or anything else.

Chris Waraksa

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chris waraksa

Intensive English Program (IEP) Manager, cwaraksa@pierce.ctc.edu

Chris has had many years of varied experience in the field of education. He has taught English and ESL classes in public schools and universities in the United States and in South Korea. In Korea, Chris taught and directed business English programs for Samsung's Human Resources Development Center in Seoul. After returning to the United States, he directed international business programs for the University of Washington's Educational Outreach before joining International Education at Pierce College. In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his family at home, where there always seems to be something in the house or yard that needs his weekend attention. When not busy with home improvements and yard work, he enjoys such pastimes as reading, biking, hiking, camping, and taking in the occasional movie.