email:
Nicole@elischer.org
Program
Administrator, (2000-2) John
F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Executive Programs/
Duke University, Duke Center
for International Development.
I was responsible
for the transition of the former Harvard Institute for International
Development (HIID) training programs to KSG Executive Programs; three were
transferred to Duke University early in 2001. For KSG in 2001 I ran the
remaining programs on Macroeconomics; The Global Financial System; Budgeting
and Financial Management; and the Management of Foreign Aid, with a total
budget of approximately $900,000 US. In 2002, with restructuring, I was able to
focus on the administration of the Budgeting and Foreign Aid programs. The
faculty chair of these two programs having died early in 2001, both programs
needed strong new direction.
As a response to
the School's decision in May 2002 to abandon the former HIID programs on Public
Finance, I negotiated the transfer of the Budgeting and Management of Foreign
Aid programs to the Duke Center for International Development. The Budgeting
program was run in Cambridge this July and will be in North Carolina next year.
I was administrator for the MoFA programs run in Nairobi in 2000 and 2001, and
in 2002 I moved it to South Africa where it took place successfully as a Duke
program. It is now a much more coherent and stronger program.
As administrator
of these two capacity building programs for international development, I have
networked within the World Bank and with other donor agencies as well as within
finance ministries throughout the world; was responsible for budget and
financial management; oversight of admissions, invoicing, enrolments and fee
collection; evaluations, curriculum development and coordination; as well as
oversight of logistics and supervision of operational staff. My success was due
to an understanding of the major issues in development and public finance and a
good working relationship with the course faculty, donors and participants from
many different countries. My priority was to ensure the future of the HIID
programs, so after leaving the Kennedy School in August, I have been working for
Duke as a consultant.
Acting Director, Office of Student Affairs, (1998) University of Notre
Dame Australia, with responsibility for staffing; budget; student
extra-curricular programs; establishing and enforcing policy for student
associations and clubs; newsletter; setting up new recreational facility;
negotiating with local Council and neighbours.
Program Coordinator, (1998)
University of Notre Dame Australia, as consultant for Kyoto English Language and Cultural Exchange Program, responsible
for overall planning, logistics and implementation of program. Worked with CIEE
(Council for International Educational Exchange)
Lecturer, (1997) Adult
Migrant Education Service, Labour Market Program. Course design and
implementation: ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas
Students) for TAFE International, Western Australia.
Program Leader, (1997) Kyoto English
Language and Cultural Exchange Program, University of Notre Dame Australia
(February-March).
Teacher, (1996) ELICOS, University
of Western Australia, Centre for English Language Teaching (July-December);
Level 2 General English, Conversation, and Business English electives.
Volunteer class teacher and private tutor (1993-5) in
E.S.L. for spouses of international students at the University of Notre Dame,
Indiana.
Teacher of Beliefs and Values (1991-2) (8-12)
and Yr 8 Form Teacher, Perth College,
Mt Lawley, Australia.
(Extra-curricular: Debating, Outward Bound)
Lecturer, (1986-90) Adult
Migrant Education Service, Western Australia.
1988 - '90
Centre-based courses, Independent Learning Centre, (Fremantle)
1987 - '88
Centre-based and Community Programs,
1986 - '87
Community and English in the Workplace Programs
Regional
Staff-Worker, (1986) Australian Student Christian Movement
Teacher
of German (1984-85) (K-10) and History (7), Yr 7 Form Teacher, Penleigh
and Essendon Grammar School, Moonee Ponds, Australia. (Extra-curricular:
Debating).
Master’s in
International Education (2001) Monash University, Australia.
·
Issues in International
Education – Distinction
·
Cross-Cultural Curriculum
and Pedagogy in a Global Context – Distinction
·
Managing International
Education – High Distinction
·
Educational Research
Methodology – High Distinction
·
Policy and Governance - High
Distinction
·
"A Tale of Three
Countries” Reading subject - High Distinction
Bachelor
of Arts, (1982) University of Western Australia.
Double Major: French and German, Minor: History
I would like to continue my involvement in education
administration, especially in the area of International Education. I have a
background in adult education, curriculum design and program administration.
Before coming to HIID and the Kennedy School I worked for two years on the
Steering Committee of the Student Research Conference at the Harvard Graduate
School of Education. I audited classes there on Interactive Distance Education
and Research Methods. I am also concerned with issues of educational policy and
the environment, and worked on the executive program on Understanding
Environmental Economics at KSG; attending a conference to assist with marketing
the programs more widely to the corporate sector.
My goal is to work within academic institutions,
gaining experience and expertise in the administration and design of effective
educational programs, in order best to serve the needs of an increasingly
globalized sector. I am keen to explore issues of quality and access, of
institutional change and the internationalization of tertiary institutions in
particular.
As a teacher, lecturer, program coordinator and
acting Director of Student Affairs I have demonstrated leadership and
flexibility. I have always worked well with my supervisors, colleagues and
students alike and have a strong awareness of issues of gender, race, class and
culture. Having dealt in a professional capacity with Croats alongside
Bosnians, Eritreans alongside Ethiopians, and generally diverse groups of
people, I have a heightened political awareness and well-developed diplomatic
skills. As a lecturer, I was often asked to take on the most difficult or
disparate groups for the same reason, and was asked by my peers to chair
staff-meetings. The University of Notre Dame Australia asked me to take on the
task of negotiating a land-use zoning settlement in a difficult situation. My
ability to communicate effectively and write clearly has been an asset in every
professional setting. More than anything else I enjoy working with a diverse
clientele and the challenge of providing good service and care.
I have greatly enjoyed the
challenge of developing the public finance executive programs at the Kennedy
School, with the special problems posed by working with government officials in
developing countries. I have learned a great deal about the Kennedy School and
its programs and hope to be able to use this learning elsewhere.
.
