FORT COLLINS, CO – Following a national search, Amy Lepp has been named Director of Enrollment and University Relations at the Institute for Shipboard Education | Semester at Sea.
Lepp was previously the Senior Regional Director of Enrollment and University Relations for the West region, working directly with university partners and students from Colorado to California and Hawaii, while building and managing a team of more than 90 Global Ambassadors. Prior to that role she spent two years as the Regional Director for the Mountain and Southwest region. She joined ISE in 2018 as Assistant Director for Field Programs, coordinating and managing day and overnight programs for voyagers in 18 different countries on five continents. She sailed in that role on the Spring 2019 and Fall 2019 voyages of Semester at Sea.
“We are thrilled to have Amy leading our enrollment and university relations efforts at ISE,” says Jason Hughes, Vice President of Marketing and Recruitment. “Even in an outstanding pool of candidates, she stood out for her experience and expertise across higher education, international affairs, and the tourism industry. On top of that, Amy has long been a leader within our organization and team, a passionate and action-oriented advocate for international studies and study abroad, and a dedicated partner to universities, students and her colleagues.”
In addition to her work at ISE, Lepp has coordinated recruitment activities and dual enrollment programs for Reedley College, served as an academic advisor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and led service-learning programs as an International Director for Global Leadership Adventures. Other experiences include roles with Justin Vineyards & Winery, Walt Disney World, the World’s Fair, the U.S. Open, American Councils, and 10 years as a Leadership Workshop Facilitator for World Link Inc.
She has a Master’s of Science in Counseling from California State University, Fresno, and earned her B.S. in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration at Cal Poly. Her master’s work centered on helping university students become global citizens, and her undergraduate research focused on empowering children living in extreme poverty in the Huruma slum in Nairobi, Kenya.
“I’ve had the privilege of experiencing the magic of our program on two voyages and I believe wholeheartedly in the power of Semester at Sea and comparative study abroad to create passionate, engaged, and lifelong global citizens,” Lepp says. “Building partnerships and working with students for the past three years has given me so much joy. I’m thrilled to take on this role, continue to grow our partnerships, and make it possible for even more young people to experience this life-changing opportunity.”
Lepp succeeds Kelly Wilkinson, a Semester at Sea alum, who resigned earlier this year to take a new role. She will lead a team of four regional directors and an enrollment assistant.
Semester at Sea is a 60-year-old study abroad program that takes students on semester-long voyages to 10 countries on three continents each fall and spring semester. Colorado State University has been the program’s academic partner since 2016.
