Kate McKeen has joined the IELTS

IELTS International announced today that Kate McKeen, former Associate Director of Undergraduate Student Recruitment at West Virginia University, has joined the organization as the U.S. Recognition Manager.

IELTS is recognized by nearly 6,000 organizations worldwide as a reliable indicator of authentic ability to communicate in English for higher education, professional accreditation and immigration.

McKeen is responsible for increasing U.S. recognition of IELTS as a leading English language proficiency test for international students. She will also work on building relationships with higher education associations and organizations supporting international education. She will provide on-campus and online informational sessions on the IELTS test and its use, and will represent IELTS at key national, local and regional conferences and events around the country. 

Currently, more than 3,000 educational institutions, professional organizations and accrediting bodies in the U.S. accept IELTS as proof of a test taker's English language skills. Recognition of the test has grown at the undergraduate, graduate and professional school levels offering more opportunities for U.S.-bound students.

"We're delighted that Kate decided to join the IELTS International team in this new position as Recognition Manager," says Beryl Meiron, Executive Director of IELTS International. "Kate's prior professional experience in admissions and her lifelong commitment to international education bring significant assets to the U.S. team to help increase the understanding and use of English language proficiency testing in relation to U.S. higher education admissions. As a test user at West Virginia University, Kate is familiar with the quality and reputation of IELTS."

"My new position is a great opportunity to be involved with a growing organization that has a strong international presence and reputation," said McKeen. "I'm looking forward to working with colleges and universities around the country and informing them about the quality, consistency and fairness of the test. One of my goals is to help U.S. schools understand that recognizing and using IELTS for admissions of non-native English speaker students is a clear advantage for students interested in studying in the U.S."

McKeen has recently relocated from Morgantown, West Virginia to Los Angeles, California, and began her work at IELTS International on October 3, 2011. 

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) IELTS is the International English Language Testing System, the world's most popular high stakes English language test. Over 6,000 organizations recognize IELTS as a secure, valid and reliable indicator of true to life ability to communicate in English for education, professional accreditation and immigration. IELTS is jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL).