Meet Our Staff
International Student Programs (ISP) Office
ISP staff is available to you for in-person and virtual services and also through email. All admissions-related questions should be sent to ISPadmissions@highline.edu. All general questions should be sent to int@highline.edu.
If you are in the local area and you have questions or concerns about your classes, immigration status or life in the US, feel free to visit us on the 5th floor of Building 25 or come to our Zoom Lobby during our open hours. We are dedicated to making your education at Highline as fun and interesting as possible, so please let us know how we can help you.
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.
Tiffany Huang
Associate Director, International Student Recruitment
Email: thuang@highline.edu
Tiffany Huang is the Associate Director of International Student Recruitment at Highline College, bringing a wealth of experience in higher education recruitment and student services. Originally from China, Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Hotel and Resort Management from Edith Cowan University in Australia. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, she excels in connecting with diverse student populations.
In her current role at Highline College, Tiffany leverages her skills in student recruitment, marketing research and analysis, and event coordination to support international students and foster their academic success. Her dedication to authenticity ensures that every student feels valued and understood.
Outside of her professional life, Tiffany is a casual dancer specializing in Chinese classic dance, reflecting her passion for cultural expression and artistic performance.
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.
Mina Vo
Global Programs Manager
Email: mvo@highline.edu
Mina Vo is the Interim Global Programs Manager at Highline College, overseeing study abroad opportunities and other global programs initiatives. She is also an integral part of the international student recruitment team. As a proud alumna of Highline, Mina brings a fresh perspective to her role, drawing from her extensive professional background across multiple industries, including her experience as an HR professional. Well-versed in recruitment and adept at working with diverse populations, Mina leverages her skills to build meaningful connections with students from around the world Originally from Vietnam, Mina was born and raised there until moving to the United States at the age of five. Fluent in both Vietnamese and English, she uses her bilingual abilities to bridge cultural gaps and provide exceptional support to international students.
In her current role, she coordinates study abroad programs, facilitating cultural exchanges, and fostering a welcoming environment for those transitioning to Highline College. Outside of work, Mina is passionate about singing, exploring new cuisines on food adventures, and traveling with her family. Her global perspective and personal interests further enrich her ability to foster cultural exchange and inclusivity in her role 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 currently sings with Choral Sounds Northwest, a Burien-based choir that performs everything from Beethoven concertos to Disney songs.
Olha Isaieva
International Student Advisor, Special Populations
Email: oisaeiva@highline.edu
Olha Isaieva is an International Student Advisor specializing in supporting a special population of students. Originally from Ukraine, Olha moved to the U.S. to pursue a second master’s degree. During her time in the US, she developed a great passion for working with international students. Her personal experience as an international student enhances her ability to connect with and assist others in navigating their unique challenges.
In addition to her professional role, Olha is a huge rock music fan with a background in playing drums, keyboards, and vocals in a band. She also has a keen interest in exploring psychological phenomena and reading novels. In her spare time, Olha enjoys connecting with family and friends overseas.
Olha believes that authenticity is a key component for effectively supporting international students and strives to bring this quality into her work every day.
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.