Jesse Aspree

Director, International Student Programs
Email: jaspree@highline.edu

Jesse Aspree is the Director for International Student Programs (ISP). He manages the ISP office, providing direction and oversight for programs related to international education.

Born in Los Angeles, and raised in both Seattle and Honolulu, he developed an appreciation for different cultures, and diversity at an early age. This led to him becoming an international student in France, and eventually working in the field of international education. A proud graduate of community college, Jesse also received his Bachelors of International Studies at Seattle University, and Masters of Education at Western Washington University. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching football (soccer), and occasionally playing his ukulele.

Along with other ISP staff, he is dedicated to the success and enrichment of our international students during their time at Highline College.

Mike Gruberg

Assistant Director, Advisor
Email: mgruberg@highline.edu

Mike Gruberg is part of a great team working with both current and prospective international students. He handles student advising, government regulations, and much more, always with a big smile. He enjoys working with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, which gives him the opportunity to learn about customs and traditions that are different from his own.

Mike is from the Seattle/Tacoma area, but he has also lived in Mexico and Israel. He loves the rich history of the old city of Jerusalem. Outside Highline, he spends most of his time with his wife and two adorable kids, usually doing something with a Disney theme, like going to Disneyland or watching classics like Mary Poppins and Peter Pan. Just about the only thing Mike doesn’t like is paying taxes.

Ana Morales

Program Manager, Fiscal Management
Email: amorales@highline.edu

Ana is the ISP Program Manager, overseeing Fiscal Management, Contracts, Admission and the Front Desk. She coordinates insurance and scholarships for students, and works with agencies around the world. She loves helping people from all over the world and learning more about other cultures, food, and world history. Her passion and interest when she is not working is teaching group exercise. She likes dancing and getting a great workout. Her family means everything to her and she enjoys spending time with her two boys and her wonderful husband. She has traveled to Mexico and El Salvador, and her future plans include going to Spain. She has worked in higher education for many years and she enjoys working at Highline College.

Eva Engelhard

International Student Advisor, Principal Designated School Official
Email: eengelhard@highline.edu

Eva Engelhard helps international students understand the complicated government regulations that come along with being an international student in the United States. Her background and training is in teaching English as a Second Language, and she finds nothing more exciting than witnessing English language learners’ transformation to proficient speakers and writers.

Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Eva also lived in upstate New York, rural Japan, and suburban England before moving to Washington in 2007. Eva and her family love playing board games, watching movies, and attending musical and theater performances. She also loves coupon-clipping and getting bargains (and free stuff) everywhere she can, so if you’re trying to save money, ask Eva for tips.

Nga Pham

International Student Advisor
Email: npham@highline.edu

Nga Pham grew up 7,416 miles (11,935 kilometers) from Highline College in Saigon, Vietnam. When she was a teenager, Nga moved with her family to the U.S. and she enrolled in classes at Highline College. Drawing from her personal experiences, Nga easily relates to the students she meets as the International Student Advisor.

Nga enjoys helping students choose their major and classes, as well as plan for a successful transfer to university. Nga is passionate about assisting students. She is also an advisor for the Vietnamese Student Association at Highline College and serves on many committees in the local Vietnamese-American community. Nga’s favorite activities include cooking, traveling, trying new foods and meeting new people. Don’t be shy to say hello to Nga; her door is always open and she would like to meet you.

Thu Ho

ISP Front Desk Lead
Email: aho@highline.edu

Thu Ho is our ISP front desk staff. When you walk in ISP office, you will see her right away, and she is willing to help students with any questions. Thu is a former international student of Highline from 2006. She is from Vietnam which has warm temperatures year round. Now she is happy to live in Seattle. From her study abroad experience, she encourages international students to be active and to be open to learn new skills as well as adapting to the new environment, and interacting with other people. Off work, she enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with her family. In the future, she wants to learn more languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish so she can take her kids to travel around the world.

Adrian Ellison

Program Coordinator, Admissions
Email: aellison@highline.edu

Adrian Ellison is the admissions coordinator at Highline ISP. He was born in Kailua, Hawaii but was raised in Silverdale, WA. He graduated from Washington State University in 2013 with a Humanities major with a communication and Japanese minor. Adrian lived and worked in Hiroshima, Japan, for 5 years as an assistant language teacher. He has traveled to Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, and Korea and plans to travel to new places in the future. 

Adrian’s passions include traveling, social networking, studying foreign languages and bowling competitively. He is a motivated, friendly, resourceful and curious individual that enjoys learning new skills frequently.