How to Open a University: A Comprehensive Guide to the CIE New Institution Application
About Expert Education Consultants
This involves helping our clients understand all the legal and financial requirements around university establishment, as well as providing marketing and branding advice to ensure their university or college stands out from other educational institutions.
Our competitors can only offer a limited service, either licensing or accreditation, as most don't have the skills or team required to provide a turnkey service. This is why EEC stands out from the crowd – we can offer our clients everything they need to get their university off the ground easily and efficiently.
At EEC we're looking at building a long-term relationship with our clients, where launching a university is only the first step.
We are confident that no other company can match our team of experts and their specialized knowledge.
A Team Of 35 Experts
Our team consists of 35 motivated and qualified professionals with a variety of skills and expertise, including state licensing and accreditation consulting, recruiting, accounting, project management, and more.
When you work with us, you can trust that our team has the necessary expertise and knowledge to help you achieve success.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Sandra Norderhaug
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Dr Sandra Norderhaug holds a PhD in Education from Aalborg University in Denmark, Doctor of Medicine and MBA and is a seasoned leader and expert in starting and managing universities in both Europe and the United States.
During her 30 years of experience, Dr Sandra Norderhaug held several prominent leadership positions in the academic sector, most recently as the Chief Academic Officer and Accreditation Liaison Officer for American Tech and Management University in California in the U.S.
Passionate about education and teaching, Dr. Norderhaug is dedicated to supporting new universities in realizing their goals efficiently. She has served as an educational consultant and licensing and accreditation advisor for multiple private universities in the U.S. to successfully obtain their state license and accreditation in record time.
As the founder and CEO of Expert Education Consultants, Dr Norderhaug has successfully led a team of experts to help over 48 colleges, universities and vocational schools to obtain their state authorization, establish their university and obtain accreditation.
Richard Norderhaug
Chief Operating Officer / Chief Technology Officer
As both Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer, Richard is responsible for the company’s business operations, clients’ success, project management, quality assurance, information technology and security, growth and execution of the company's future strategic endeavors to grow Expert Education Consultants into the future.
With over 25 years of leadership, system design, compliance and implementation experience in the Information Technology industry with Fortune 500 companies, such as Bank of America, Hewlett Packard, SAP and Pacific Gas & Electric; Richard has a wealth of experience, knowledge and business acumen to deliver high-quality, software and cloud solutions for clients.
With his exceptional management skills and technical knowledge, Richard leads his teams to overcome challenges and roadblocks to ensure client solutions are successfully delivered on time with high-quality standards and complying with governing regulators.
Richard is an expert in cloud computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), system integration, computer systems (CentOS, Redhat, Windows), networking systems (Cisco, F5, HP, Juniper, RuggedCom), and Internet security systems (Cisco, Check Point, Juniper, Palo Alto).
Dr. Christopher Schnupp
Lead State License Consultant
Chris Schnupp holds an executive Juris Doctorate from the Concord School of Law as well as Master’s Degrees in History and Library Science. He is currently enrolled in a PhD in History at Liberty University.
Chris began his career in education as a high school history teacher before pursuing administrative roles in higher education. He has served as an Associate Dean for Touro University as well as Dean of Academic Affairs for Fortis College Columbia, St. Paul's School of Nursing in Queens and Staten Island and Mildred Elley.
During his time in higher education he has completed self-studies and visits with Middle States, ABHES, ACICS, New York State, and South Carolina. In addition, Chris has extensive experience with licensure and accreditation in Florida and Texas.
Dr. Joanne Ceres
Lead Accreditation Consultant
Joanne Ceres brings over 30 years of experience in higher education to her role as Lead Accreditation Consultant at EEC. Holding a Master's degree from Rider University in New Jersey, Joanne has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to offer.
Most recently, Joanne was a member of the leadership team at Cape Fear Community College in North Carolina, where she served as the Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management. In this role, she helped guide the institution through the SACSCOC reaffirmation process.
Joanne has extensive experience working with clients seeking accreditation through various agencies, including WASC, DEAC, Middle States, and SACSCOC. Dedicated to her work, Joanne is committed to helping institutions of all sizes and types successfully complete their initial accreditation or reaffirmation process.
Her expertise, passion, and drive make her a valuable asset to EEC's clients.
Dr. Andy Halvorsen
Accreditation Consultant
Dr. Andy Halvorsen holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Illinois and an M.A. degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Seattle University. Andy has nearly 25 years of experience in curriculum and materials development and has worked extensively with the U.S. State Department on programmatic evaluation and curriculum development projects around the globe including in China, Pakistan, Bolivia, and Vietnam.
Andy has been involved with the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the last 10 years, first as a volunteer site reviewer, and then serving an elected three-year term as a commissioner. He has detailed knowledge of specialized accreditation policies and procedures related to English language programs both in the U.S. and abroad.
At Expert Education Consultants, Andy provides English language programs with guidance on curriculum development, faculty training and support, and accreditation compliance.
In his free time, Andy enjoys hiking and trail running in the great state of Oregon.
Dr. Jeremy W. Hoshor-Johnson
Accreditation Consultant
Jeremy Hoshor-Johnson holds a Juris Doctorate from The Ohio State University, University Moritz College of Law as well as Bachelor's Degrees in Journalism and Political Science from The Ohio State University.
Jeremy began his career in education opening numerous small colleges and institutes in Ohio beginning in 2005. He later guided Hondros College of Nursing to unprecedented growth beginning in 2013. He served as Director of Accreditation, Chief Academic Officer and Provost, Chief Administrative Officer, and Executive Vice President for Business Strategy and Regulatory Affairs. During his tenure, the College doubled its enrollment to 2600 students in 2020, and opened five new campuses in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.
During his time in higher education he has completed more than 50 self-studies and site visits with Middle States, SACS, Cognia, ABHES, ACICS, DEAC, ACCSC, State of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and North Carolina, among others. He also has experience leading the accreditation and compliance efforts for the National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS). Jeremy serves as an administrative team lead and program specialist evaluator for ABHES. Jeremy lives in Columbus, Ohio, and is a lifelong Ohio State Buckeye.
Dr Sara Traylor
Accreditation Consultant & Nursing Curriculum Specialist
Dr. Sara Traylor, PhD, RN, CNE is an accomplished nursing academic leader and educator with over 25 years of experience in nursing and nursing education. She holds both Master's and PhD degrees in Nursing Education and is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). Dr. Traylor is renowned for her strong background in academic leadership, strategic planning, and her unwavering commitment to fostering excellence in higher education.
In her most recent role as Director of Nursing, Dr. Traylor successfully developed, implemented, and maintained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Her expertise extends to nursing and allied health program development, including initial and continuing Board of Nursing approval processes, accreditation processes, and data collection and reporting to legislative and accrediting bodies.
Dr. Traylor has extensive experience in program policy and handbook development, curriculum development, and maintaining high licensure exam pass rates. Her strategic approach and dedication to student success have consistently resulted in exemplary program outcomes. Dr. Traylor’s commitment to excellence makes her a valuable asset to the field of nursing education and a driving force behind successful nursing programs.
Dr Johna McClendon
SEVP Expert
Dr. Johna McClendon is a seasoned expert in international student immigration compliance with over a decade of experience in higher education. She has successfully led teams and organizations to provide a comprehensive internationalized experience through her expertise in immigration compliance, partnership relations, student services, and advising.
Dr. McClendon’s responsibilities extend to strategic planning and audit assessments, coordination of student success and retention initiatives, and university collaboration programming. She actively serves on committees and task forces aimed at enhancing the holistic organizational experience, ensuring that institutions are well-equipped to support their international student communities.
Dr. McClendon earned her Doctorate in Education Administration (Higher Education) from Texas Southern University. She also holds a Master's Degree in Urban Education from Langston University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Her dedication to improving the international student experience and her extensive background in higher education make Dr. McClendon an invaluable asset to any institution seeking to enhance its global engagement and compliance efforts.
April Colbert Cortright
Lead Licensing & Accreditation Consultant
April Cortright holds a Master of Science in Management in Leadership from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She also holds Bachelor and Associate degrees in Business Administration with a specialty in Healthcare Administration from American InterContinental University.
At Expert Education Consultants, April works in the areas of state authorization and accreditation. Over the years, Ms. Colbert has worked with state authorization agencies in all 50 states and surrounding territories; state medical boards for medical doctors, nursing, pharmacy, massage therapy, dental hygiene/assisting, medical lab technicians, & veterinary assistants/technicians; institutional accreditation agencies, programmatic accreditation agencies, international agencies and others.
In her free time, April loves to travel internationally with her twin daughters.
Emad Safwat Youssef
Lead Project Manager
Emad Safwat Youssef serves as the Lead Project Manager at Expert Education Consultants, bringing over 20 years of extensive experience in project and legal management and corporate administration to the role. Emad's expertise in strategic planning, contract negotiation, and organizational efficiency uniquely positions him to lead complex projects and ensure the successful establishment and acquisition of post-secondary educational institutions.
Throughout his career, Emad has demonstrated exceptional leadership and management skills, most notably during his tenure at Orascom Construction Industries (OCI). As the Area Contracts and Administration Manager, he oversaw the administrative and legal facets of high-profile infrastructure projects, including the New Administration Capital in Egypt. His strategic approach and meticulous attention to detail ensured the seamless execution of contracts and adherence to project timelines and budgets.
Emad holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the International Business University of Scandinavia, Denmark, and a Bachelor of Law from Cairo University, Egypt. His extensive training in management, leadership, and legal matters further enhances his capability to lead and deliver Expert Education Consultants' ambitious projects.
Emad’s strategic vision, combined with his unwavering commitment to excellence, makes him the ideal Lead Project Manager for Expert Education Consultants. His leadership ensures that every project is executed with precision, aligning with the firm's mission to provide premier educational consulting services.
Mary Shahid
Senior Financial Controller
Mrs. Mary Shahid is a highly experienced financial professional, serving as the Financial Controller for Expert Education Consultants. She holds overall responsibility for the financial reporting and controllership activities within the organization.
With over 25 years of experience in accounting and financial services, Mary is an expert in tax preparation and financial consulting. Her diverse background includes managing accounting for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as serving as an IRS auditor for small businesses and self-employed individuals for over a decade.
As the Financial Controller, Mary is responsible for delivering a range of financial services, including accounting, treasury, reporting, budgeting, and insurance management. She ensures that all services are provided in accordance with legislative requirements and the organization's policies and strategies.
Mary's wealth of experience and expertise make her a valuable asset to Expert Education Consultants.
Paula Suarez
Financial Controller
Paula Suarez, with a Master's in Taxation from Suffolk University, has enriched Expert Education Consultants with over two decades of comprehensive accounting expertise. Her technical strengths span preparing financial reports, compliance with tax regulations, auditing, cost and management accounting, and a thorough understanding of GAAP.
Paula adeptly harnesses digital tools, showcasing proficiency in software like QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics, advanced Excel functions, and visual data analytics using Tableau and Power BI. Emphasizing cybersecurity and versed in ERP systems, she ensures integrated and secure financial processes. Originating from Colombia and now a Boston resident for 20 years, Paula balances her demanding profession with outdoor adventures, often alongside her Australian Shepherds, making her both a vital and vibrant member of our team.
Rebecca StAime
Senior Recruitment Specialist
Rebecca StAime is a Senior Recruitment Specialist at Expert Education Consultants with over six years of experience in recruitment and sourcing. Her expertise in employer branding, talent acquisition, and community partnerships makes her a valuable asset to the team.
Rebecca is known for her strategic mindset, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence. She excels in identifying and attracting top talent to support the company's mission of establishing and acquiring post-secondary educational institutions. She has played a key role in driving EEC's recruiting efforts, utilizing her skills in metrics-driven recruiting, lead generation, and headhunting.
Rebecca focuses on developing diverse candidate pipelines and optimizing recruitment processes to secure top talent. She is dedicated to creating a positive candidate experience and advocates for diversity and inclusion, ensuring a fair and equitable recruitment process.
She has improved diversity in candidate sourcing, and enhanced the employer brand image. Rebecca’s strategic approach and commitment to building sustainable vendor partnerships make her a standout professional in the field.
Rebecca’s expertise and dedication are crucial in building high-performing teams that drive the success of Expert Education Consultants and uphold its mission of providing premier educational consulting services.
James McLaughlin
University Compliance Consultant
James earned his undergraduate degree in Biological Science from Florida State University in 2004 and his Masters Degree in Biological Science from St. Joseph College in 2010. He has functioned as an assistant, coach, and professor in courses ranging from Cell Biology to Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science, Critical Thinking, and more.
James has extensive knowledge and expertise in Online Higher Education Policy and Operating Procedures, as well as curriculum development.
At Expert Education Consultants, James helps to draft and tailor policies and procedures specific to new and growing Online Institutions of Higher Education.
In his free time, he enjoys most outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking surfing, boating, and biking.
Cynthia Cavoto
Sales and Marking Manager
Cindy is a seasoned professional with over 14 years of experience in project management and marketing. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and Marketing from Post University in Connecticut.
As the Head of Project Management at Expert Education Consultants, Cindy is responsible for ensuring the smooth and timely execution of all projects.
In her free time, Cindy enjoys reading and leading her women's Bible group. She is also an avid cat lover, spending her leisure hours with her beloved kitties, Draco and Addie.
With her expertise, passion, and dedication to her work, Cindy is a valuable asset to EEC and is committed to delivering exceptional results.
Eltonada Demollari
Paralegal Associate
Eltonada has a master's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida.
As a paralegal associate at Expert Education Consultants, Eltonada prepares service agreements and non-disclosure agreements, and manages the signing of all legal documents. Eltonada works closely with EEC's legal counsel to assist in reviewing all legal documents before sending them to the clients.
She loves learning new languages and is a natural polyglot with fluency in Albanian, English, Italian, and Spanish.
Melissa Mendoza
SEVP Expert
With over 18 years of experience in higher education, Melissa offers specialized consultation on the SEVP I-17 application process, ensuring a seamless and compliant journey for institutions and stakeholders alike.
Melissa facilitates a seamless application process, gathering essential information and ensuring smooth progression. Her proactive approach includes staying updated on the latest SEVP regulations, allowing her to promptly communicate changes in this ever-evolving landscape.
Throughout her career, Melissa has embraced diverse educational roles, from teaching and student organization advisement to serving on campus committees, fostering a well-rounded and enriching educational environment.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys traveling and photography.