About our team

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Executive Director
Responsible for overseeing the quality of the CEA accreditation process and agency operations as a specialized USDE-recognized accrediting agency for intensive English programs. Ensures that the Commission performs as a well-governed, high-functioning, and reliable accreditation decision-making body. Leads implementation of CEA’s Strategic Plan and represents CEA and its standards to accredited sites and the public. Heidi has over two decades of experience in ESL teaching and language program administration at US-based and international sites. She holds an MA in Applied Linguistics & TESOL, a PhD in Applied Linguistics and is a former EnglishUSA Executive Board member, former TESOL Journal Editorial Board member, and is a member of the spring professional development committee of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).
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Accreditation Process and Technology Manager

Provides guidance to sites from the application for eligibility through the submission of the self-study, including managing the eligibility review and reaccreditation process. Rachel manages CEA’s educational technology and is a trained site visit representative. Rachel has experience as a DSO, IEP Director, and educational technology specialist in higher education settings. She has an MA in TESL and an MS in Educational Technology. She has served in regional leadership roles in MIDTESOL and is an active member of NAFSA, TESOL, and AECT.

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Accreditation Review Manager

Manages the site visit process, including proposing and implementing policies and procedures related to the site visit and review process. Trains reviewers, conducts site visit scheduling, provides support for site visit representatives, and serves as the staff liaison to the Reviewer Selection Committee. Melissa holds an MA in TESOL and an MEd in Educational Leadership. She has taught English language and academic writing at the postsecondary level in the US and internationally and has also created and managed teacher training and professional development programs internationally. Melissa is a member of the TESOL International Association and served on the association's Standards Professional Council from 2018-2021.

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Compliance and Regulatory Specialist

Supports CEA’s compliance reporting activities for review by the Standards Compliance Committee and provides regulatory support throughout aspects of the accreditation process. Serves as the staff liaison to the Research Committee. Acts as a site visit representative, reviews site reports, delivers workshops and training events. Emily’s prior experience includes program coordination and teaching in various settings, including adult education, community college settings, and in private and public institutions abroad. She has an MA in TESOL and is the chair of the fall professional development committee of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).

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Director of Compliance

Manages the review of interim reports, annual reports, substantive change reports, and responses to reporting requirements issued with the grant of accreditation. Acts as the staff liaison for the Standards Compliance Committee and is a site visit representative. Masha’s prior experience includes program management, teaching, and curriculum development. Masha has an MA in TESOL and a PhD in Linguistics. She is a former membership secretary for Washington Area Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (WATESOL), a regional affiliate of TESOL, and recently finished a three-year term on the membership committee of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).

Engin Ayvaz
Accreditation Administrator

Supports compliance reporting and accreditation process activities. Acts as a site visit representative, reviews site reports, and delivers workshops and training events. Serves as the staff liaison for the Policies and Procedures Committee. Engin holds an IDLTM (International Diploma in Language Teaching Management) and is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has worked at higher education institutions in the US and Türkiye as an ESL/EFL instructor and administrator, and was a director-at-large on the Executive Board of EnglishUSA and served as an academic board member on the Board of Directors of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA).

Rebecca Yoon 
Accreditation Administrator

Supports compliance reporting and accreditation process activities. Acts as a site visit representative, reviews site reports, and delivers workshops and training events. Serves as the staff liaison for the Standards Review Committee. She has experience in teaching, assessment, immigration, development, and administration in English language programs and institutions, as well as K-12 international education and has been a trainer and director of a site location for the Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program. Rebecca has an MA in TESOL and is currently a doctoral student in Educational Leadership. She has presented at regional and national TESOL and NAFSA conferences, is an active member of NAFSA, TESOL, EnglishUSA, and serves on the NAFSA Trainer Corps leadership team.

Gina Spears
Finance Manager
Responsible for oversight and management of CEA’s accounting and business operation functions, including cost and general accounting, reimbursement processing, budget, payroll and banking. Supports the Executive Director in monitoring the budget and agency financial position, advises the Finance Committee on financial policies. She has experience in nonprofit financial and fiscal management, holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Radford University and a certificate in human resource management.