Check Out Francis Hewitt’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francis Hewitt.

Hi Francis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 1985 I started as a Freshman at Seattle University – it was at this time that my first job was a work study student in the Admissions Office. I instantly fell in love with the process of helping families/applicants apply to the school as well as assist with giving tours. In 1989 after graduating as an undergraduate at the university, I began to work full time as one of the 6 admissions counselors. Because of my fluency in Spanish and French, I was assigned as one of the international recruiters, focusing my efforts not only on my local US territories but also South America, Europe and parts of Africa. I also became a specialist of issuing F1 visas to incoming international, full-time students. By the time I left Seattle University in February 1995, I was one of the Senior Admissions Counselors. These solid ten years in the admissions office became a solid foundation for me as I began my next chapter in the world of admissions.

In 1995 I then moved to Oregon where I became the Enrollment Director for the Oregon Graduate Institute of Technology (Now OHSU) – a graduate only institution focusing on science and information technology. I was responsible for setting up the entire admissions department and process for the school. I also assisted with the local recruitment of potential graduate students within the Beaverton, OR area who were currently in the high tech field. My past experience at Seattle University assisted me at OGI in helping the school reach the highest enrollment in the history of the school.

In 1998 I moved to Northern California and opened up my own business, FHI Marketing Consultants where I would evaluate foreign credentials for high tech firms and attorneys and write an equivalency report for the purpose of obtaining an H1B working visa. I had my business from 1999 to 2021 and evaluated over the time, over 4,500 education evaluations, all with a 98% acceptance rate.

Moving forward, my husband and I moved to Scottsdale, AZ in 2022. I wasn’t really in search of employment but definitely wanted to find a place where I could volunteer and utilize not only my 25+ years of admissions experience but also my fluent Spanish and French. I found the International School of Arizona (ISA) and contacted the Head of School. When I came in to meet with him I was specifically looking for volunteer work but one thing led to another, and an opening for a Director of Admissions and Marketing opened up! In my current position at ISA I have assisted the private school in being voted the Best Private School and Best Preschool in the Scottsdale area for the past three years. In my role as Director, I am currently in the community representing ISA in a multitude of facets recruiting prospective students and giving tours to countless families in the area.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing is ever smooth like we would like it to be….however I have been very fortunate in my employment within the field of education. I think if anything, it was my early career vs. today. When I started at Seattle University in 1985, everything was paper files, spreadsheets and voicemail messages – no cell phones, no email, no computers..where as today, we are AI and technology driven! One has to learn to adapt to change and learn from that change.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am known for being the voice of the International School of Arizona in public networking events. It is my job to inform our community who we are and what we offer. This ‘education’ is an ongoing process. I am most proud that in my three years of being at the school, I have helped them be voted Best Private School, Best Mascot and Best PreSchoo in all of Scottsdale. These accolades mean a lot to me as a representative of the school but also to prospective parents that are looking to enroll their children at our school.

What sets me apart from others is not just my ‘time served’ (25 years) in the education field but it is the rate institutional cultural perspective that younger professionals simply cannot replicate.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I was born in Spain to Cuban parents who fled communism in 1965.

Spanish is my ‘native’ tongue and I lived in France and speak fluent French as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.isaz.org