When we think of the movement of students and migrants we usually think of their motivations—what drives them and why they move. We think of money and financing, we think of visas, we think of all the universities and countries who want to attract them. But we often don’t talk about the role that someone’s degrees or credentials play in their ability to actually cross borders and be recognized for what they know and have learned. This episode’s guest is Margit Schatzman, President of Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that provides foreign credential evaluation, research, training in international education and free evaluations for refugees. Margit has also served as the president of the Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals (TAICEP).
Episode Themes:
What exactly is credential evaluations and why it’s important in opening the door to opportunity and global talent.
Margit’s personal and professional journey in finding her way into the field of credential evaluations and the critical role of Jim Frey, the founder of ECE.
Margit's reflections on the war in Ukraine, why the situation of refugees and displaced individuals resonates deeply with her, and how ECE is supporting refugees, asylees and other people whose education and careers have been disrupted in recent years.
The development of a National Qualifications Framework for the U.S. and why it matters.
Margit’s leadership advice for international educators.
Margit’s passion for making recycled silk quilts that reflect her immigrant heritage.
Episode Resources:
Margit's statement: 1939 All Over Again
Follow ECE on LinkedIn and Twitter
The National Qualifications Framework Project
My book: America Calling: A Foreign Student in a Country of Possibility
Sign up for America Calling: my take on the intersection of education, culture and migration
