Cross Borders Education Group.

Global Expertise. Tailored Solutions. Helping you navigate institutional challenges in higher education.

Supporting higher education institutions that foster global thinking.

We support the development of innovative and impactful global programs and institutions. An education that fosters the ability to seek and understand different perspectives is key to navigating the complex issues of today that transcend borders.

We bring decades of experience in designing and implementing programs and policies for both emerging and established educational institutions, including within complex political and social environments. We help you navigate challenges in a way that remains true to your institution’s mission, values, and stakeholders.

How we can help.

  • Strategy.

    We help you be prepared for, mitigate, and deal with challenges and crisis situations.

    What We Offer: Expertise in crafting robust protocols, drafting effective communications, and spearheading crisis management measures. Our aim is to preserve and bolster both the operations and reputation of your institution.

    Our Edge: We draw on our experiences with students from over sixty countries at institutions on three continents to offer unparalled insights into managing culturally and politically complex situations.

  • Design.

    We help start-ups and institutions seeking reform and innovation.

    What We Offer: Comprehensive guidance for institutions that are emerging, navigating transitions, or facing challenges. We help you create a clear pathway from foundation to future growth, including elements from infrastructure to program design.

    Our Edge: Leveraging a rich history in both startups and institutions centuries old, we have a deep understanding of evolving academic landscapes, we ensure both new and mature institutions thrive.

  • Coaching.

    We can help your team prepare for and engage with global environments through coaching, advising, and mentoring.

    What We Offer: Expertise in staff hiring, onboarding, and leadership coaching specifically tailored for academic settings, both domestic and international.

    Our Edge: With a focus on cross-cultural competence, we ensure that your staff are not just skilled but also culturally savvy, fostering a workplace environment that enhances your institution's global aspirations.

Our Team: A Global Perspective and Expertise.

The founding partners have been instrumental in the development of mission-driven programs and globally-focussed higher education for the past three decades. We have a wide network of experts in specific fields and regions of the world that we call on to provide tailored, culturally relevant solutions for your institutional needs.

Whether your institution brings students together from your region or from around the world, we can work with you to help you fulfill your institution’s unique mission - or help you define and articulate it.

Map of our Partner’s postings: blue flags for Melanie; red flags for Kyle.

  • Melanie Koenderman, M.Ed.

    PARTNER

    After working abroad as a Foreign Service Officer with the Government of Canada, Melanie spent fifteen years working as the founding Dean of Students at both Quest University Canada - Canada’s first secular, not-for-profit university, and the Schwarzman Scholars Master’s Degree fellowship program at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

    Melanie's distinctive understanding of global dialogue and diversity initiatives began while working as a diplomat in Canada’s Foreign Service, where she drafted international student immigration policy, and served in posts in South and Southeast Asia and Europe. Melanie leveraged those insights into the next fifteen years building out the student affairs portfolio at new academic institutions in Canada and China.

    As the founding Dean of Students at both Quest University and Schwarzman Scholars, Melanie developed and implemented programs, policies, and procedures to shape the student experience, from housing and health and wellness to student on-boarding, orientation, language and exchange programs, student governance and clubs, and unique community-building and leadership development programs. At both institutions, she worked with the other senior leaders to develop the programs as they grew, respond to crises, and build relationships with stakeholders.

    Melanie earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from McMaster University, a Bachelor of Education in secondary school teaching from the University of Ottawa, and a Master of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Melanie’s training as a leadership coach was with the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute.

  • Kyle Farley, Ph.D.

    PARTNER

    Kyle's career in higher education has spanned continents and institutions. From Yale University, where he served as Dean of Jonathan Edwards College and taught in the History Department, to Yale-NUS College in Singapore, where he was the inaugural Dean of Students. His expertise in bridging academic and student affairs was further honed as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at NYU Abu Dhabi, where he led a diverse team in providing comprehensive student services and fostering a vibrant community. In Australia, Kyle played a pivotal role in shaping educational pathways, working with Academies Australasia and a dozen Australian universities, and consulting on a project within the University of Sydney.

    With a Ph.D. in History from the University of Pennsylvania, Kyle brings a scholarly perspective to his leadership roles, infusing a deep understanding of cultural and intellectual traditions into innovative educational strategies. He now lends his experience to advising through Kearney Consulting, helping universities navigate the complexities of global higher education and achieve strategic success.

    Kyle's journey reflects a commitment to educational excellence and a passion for creating environments where students thrive. His international experience across the U.S., Australia, Singapore, and the UAE equips him with unique insights into the global educational landscape, making him a valuable asset to institutions seeking to expand their horizons.

  • Our Network

    CONSULTANTS AND ADVISORS

    We have a wide network of experts in specific fields and regions of the world that we call on to provide tailored, culturally relevant solutions for your institutional needs.

Let’s talk.

Would you like to discuss your institutional development needs with us? Do you have an immediate issue in need of a rapid response?

Send us an email or fill out the form below to ask any questions or to arrange a meeting to discuss your needs.