Marie Elguira is all about networking. Now she wants to network with Highline’s network.

Elguira is Highline’s new program manager for international marketing and recruiting. She will be responsible for recruiting new international students.

Elguira is from California, but she has a multicultural background, having lived in three different continents. Since she was exposed to other countries from her childhood, she said she understands students’ concerns about living in another country, and also parents’ concerns about sending their children abroad.

Before she came to Highline, Elguira had her own education consulting business that connected international students to American universities. Through her business, she established a network and local connections with different parts of the world.

She opened her business in 2016 and worked to target the international community in Los Angeles County, such as the Vietnamese, Cambodian and Japanese community. She worked there for about three years, and cultivated relationships. 

Her very goal-oriented mind brought her to Highline, Elguira said.

She left her business and transited to Highline after she accomplished her goals for the business..

“When I accomplish the goal, I want to move to another place, so I can grow professionally,” Elguira said. 

The reason she decided to come to Highline was because of the people. 

“People in Highline are genuinely nice, they genuinely care about students, which is very important for me. That’s what I did with my business and former career,” Elguira said.

“I will never forget this, during the first interview, it was not like an interview but it felt like a conversation among friends. Right after the first interview, I knew that I wanted to be a part of Highline because they made me feel I belong,” Elguira said.

As a program manager for international recruitment, Elguira’s goal is to visit Southeast Asia to recruit new students by actually meeting people.

Since Highline has established strong connections with local agencies in Southeast Asia, that is where the demand is. ISP will work to make the connection even  stronger and make it sure it will grow, she said.

The ultimate goal for ISP is to ensure Highline is well known globally, but their short-term goal is to build a stronger connection with Southeast Asia.

“Highline is in a unique position. We offer bachelor’s degrees, not only associate degrees. Not everyone is aware of that advantage of Highline,” said Elguira.

Elguira and ISP will start facilitating virtual sessions where prospective students can ask questions about academics. In addition, Highline is building its social media presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok to communicate with prospective students.