Ernest sincerely believes that the U of G’s “Improve Life” motto works like magic.
Words can’t express how much he loves U of G’s campus, its inclusive community and safe environment. He will also tell you that Canada, and its multicultural spirit, offers you so many opportunities to explore and work. That could be why Ernest has adventured here, himself, from Ghana.
Ernest finds that being on the road has proven, over and over again, that the greatest satisfaction is the smiles and joy he witnesses from the students and their families. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” This quote fuels his passion for recruitment.
Ask him, and he just might sing to you about the U of G!
Education:
University of Ghana, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in Agri-Business
University of Guelph, Master of Food in Agricultural and Resource Economics with International Development
Rachel Estok
Rachel is our International Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator. A U of G graduate herself, Rachel loves the campus community and culture that makes everyone feel right at home.
Rachel used to be a competitive figure skater, is now an aerial hoop artist and loves to act, sing and dance in theatre productions!
Rachel is so excited to meet prospective students and assist them as they apply to the University of Guelph. She is thankful to be able to play a small part in helping future Gryphons have their own unique and meaningful experiences here in Guelph.
Education:
University of Guelph, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
McMaster University, Master of Arts in Health, Aging and Society
Jimmi Hemmenbach
Jimmi is our Regional Operations Manager, Middle East and South Asia (ROMMES). Student recruitment is something Jimmi is very familiar with, and we are extremely excited to welcome him to the International team. When speaking to the U of G, he can’t speak highly enough about the community – that is crucial in the integrity process. He’ll also chime in about the food here, so be sure to ask him about that.
Speaking of food, this is something he also looks forward to when on the road. He sees the culinary explorations, along with connecting with other international recruiters, as a privilege. As an international student himself throughout his undergrad (and having been to almost 50 countries), he can sincerely speak to what it means to come to another country to explore academic options. He knows you, and your parents, will find this very helpful.
Coming from Sweden, you know he’s a soccer aficionado. He even played semi-professionally in Europe! In addition, you might even find him singing as he continues his travels throughout the world.
Education:
Hawaii Pacific University, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Gothenburg University, Master of Arts in Spanish Philology
Lesley Jump
Meet Lesley! Though she doesn’t travel around the world, she recruits and admits international students from the comfort of her office. She likes to think of herself as “mission control” – which is very true.
In fact, her favorite part of her job is in September when the international students arrive. She finally gets to meet the students she has been in contact with throughout the year, and introduce them to the welcoming community at U of G.
Growing up in the United Kingdom, she came to Canada when she was 18 and never left. She is still a fan of Manchester United and Coronation Street, but she loves that Canadians embrace the four seasons, even in the cold. Just be sure to bring a warm jacket!
Hirak Mandal
In-country Representative in India
Hirak represents the University of Guelph at official recruitment events and activities in India. He is the go-to contact for students studying in India and is a great resource.
Working for U of G allows Hirak to connect with students and parents across India, and create great relationships with them while utilizing his sales and marketing skills, and his love of meeting new people.
Education:
University of Derby, Master of Arts in Marketing Management
Astrid Morphet
Meet Astrid, our Assistant Manager for International Admissions.
Astrid has worked in undergraduate recruitment and admissions for nearly 10 years and has stuck with it because she finds educating, encouraging and supporting prospective students very rewarding. She loves watching students grow both personally and academically during their time on campus and seeing them cross the stage to accept their degree during convocation.
Astrid is originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and moved to Ontario as a permanent resident when she was 14 where she went through the English as a Second Language Program, as English is her third language.
While Astrid tries to visit Bosnia as often as possible, she loves calling Canada “home” because of the many opportunities to explore various landscapes and cultures.
Education:
Western University, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Political Science
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning in Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management
Leanne Stillman
Leanne is the Assistant Registrar, International Recruitment & Admissions. She came to the University of Guelph over 10 years ago, and remained because of the caring environment and inspiring students she meets on campus and around the world. Her passion to constantly improve the student experience within international admissions guides the spirit of the amazing team of people that make up International Recruitment and Admissions (IR&A).
As the number of international students from around the globe increases at the U of G, it is her goal to continue to take time to connect with people one-on-one and to find time to learn and grow.
In her free time when she is in Canada, you can find her volunteering and developing rugby programs for youth in Toronto.
Education:
Mount Allison University, Bachelor of Arts, Spanish and Latin American Studies
University of Leeds, Masters of Arts, International Education Management
Amy Van Rensburg
Amy is our Assistant Manager, International Recruitment. Her favourite thing about travelling is experiencing new cultures and learning how people within those cultures celebrate and communicate.
Amy was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, attended high school in Chile and recently moved back to Canada after living in the UK for seven years. Her favourite thing about Canada are the various seasons we experience here. From snowy winters to crisp spring days, and hot summers to leafy beautiful fall days - we experience it all here!
Amy loves the U of G community and finds that help is always available here. She can't wait to meet students from all over the world and hear their stories!
Education:
Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution - University of Victoria
Bachelor of Arts in History - University of Rhode Island, USA
David Zhou
Meet our newest International Recruitment Officer, David. He enjoys working in student recruitment because it allows him to help prospective students make a decision that will impact the rest of their lives.
David loves the diversity of the people and the cultures in Canada. He appreciates that as Canadians we are able to hold onto our roots and traditions from all over the globe, while growing and accepting others regardless of race, skin colour or background. When it comes to his feelings about the University of Guelph he says his favourite things are the welcoming people and the beautiful campus.
When David isn't recruiting he enjoys playing sports, cooking and baking! He can't wait to get on the road to meet and connect with all of you future gryphons. While his goal is to educate you about what the University of Guelph has to offer, he has a strong feeling that he'll learn a lot from you all as well!
