Shelby Cearley

Workshop trainer (20+ Foundations or CEPs in last decade)
Wrote & presented 50+ presentations at TAICEP, NAFSA, ACCRAO, NAGAP, TACRAO, and more
Industry experience as Secretary for TAICEP, NAFSA regional admissions liaison, TAICEP Committee for Membership Outreach, IIE Schwarzman Scholars program, NAFSA Trainer Corps, NAFSA Academy Member and longest-running Academy coach, NAFSA wRAP-Up Newsletter co-credentials editor, Online Guide to Educational Systems around the World contributor, TAICEP Talk Newsletter author, poster fair coordinator, etc

EDUCATION:

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, Master of Arts in Communication Studies May 2017, Area of Concentration: Rhetoric and Persuasion, GPA 3.923

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies December 2003, Area of Concentration: Communication in Public Affairs, Minor: History, Magna Cum Laude, GPA 3.738

South Plains College, Levelland, TX, Associate of Arts in Speech Communication May 1994, Cum Laude, GPA 3.690

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Walden University, Columbia, MD, August 2021-present Senior Global Transcript Evaluator

Accurately review and understand foreign educational documents to determine U.S. degree comparability and course-by course comparability
Use various resources to identify appropriate recognition/accreditation bodies, grading scales, and education ladders • Develop intimate knowledge of global education systems
Execute name verification for applicants residing in sanctioned countries via public lists maintained by the U.S. government • Prepare correspondence to institutions and applicants
Perform document authenticity/verification reviews when needed
Perform other duties and responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time

International Education Evaluators, Inc., Charlotte, NC, August 2019-July 2021 Senior Evaluator / Evaluation Team Lead

Oversee junior evaluator staff, including hiring, providing ongoing in-house training, and reviewing all credential evaluation reports done by junior evaluators
Have ultimate responsibility for all credential evaluations performed under my supervision
Maintain significant appropriate contacts with professional associations in the professional fields for which foreign educational credentials are evaluated, for purposes of certification, licensure, registration, employment, or professional membership upon such credentials
Create/recommend new policies and procedures based on research as well as industry changes • Liaise with customer service and operations staff to create and maintain cost-efficient, customer-centric and team-friendly workflows
Represent organization at various professional conferences

AACRAO International, Washington, DC, August 2018-present Contract Credential Evaluator

Review and assess international credentials
Countries of Specialization: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, Israel, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela • Perform primary research on non-US education systems
Correspond with applicants, institutional officials, government officials, and others to request further information, additional documentation, and to verify document authenticity
Use web-based platform to generate evaluation reports

Transcript Research, Dallas, TX, July 2018-August 2019 Contract Credential Evaluator

Review and assess international credentials and educational documents in terms of their equivalency to the US system of education
Perform primary research on non-US education systems, credentials and programs
Correspond with applicants, institutional and/or government officials, and others to request further information, additional documentation, and to verify document authenticity
Use web-based platform to generate evaluation reports
Adhere to Transcript Research policies and procedures to produce accurate evaluation reports

South Plains College, Levelland, TX, July 2018-August 2019 Admissions Clerk

Assist with student record-keeping, scanning of records, registration, semester processes, and graduation • Advise prospective students about the admission process
Process admission applications, including review and evaluation of US and non-US academic transcripts, test scores, English proficiency scores for non-US applicants
Review and assess international credentials and educational documents in terms of their equivalency to the US system of education
Perform primary research on non-US education systems
Provide ongoing training for international credential evaluation staff, including updates to education systems, credentials, and evaluation methodology
Process add/drop requests, application and student withdrawals, and administrative drops
Update student/applicant name and/or demographic changes as needed
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Dean of Admissions and Records

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, February 2012-July 2018 Director of Graduate Admissions/Designated School Official