Meet our International Staff
Education Director
Candise Leonard Schmidling started as an international student herself. She lived in Japan for an entire summer
in high school and convinced her family to host students from Bolivia, Peru, Germany, France, Korea, Ecuador,
Vietnam, and Japan. She later won a Rotary Scholarship and completed her Master's Degree in International Relations
at the London School of Economics. She understands the unique challenges and exciting adventures of living abroad.
Since moving to the east coast, Candise has been teaching international students from the University of Delaware at
the English Language Institute. She specializes in GRE, GMAT, and prep for LSAT. She is also the director of a
Huntington Learning Center franchise which provides tutoring for all ages K-12 plus helps high school students
who are getting ready for the SAT and ACT with important verbal and math strategies.
Many students have found their "second family" through Candise's connections. Homestay placement and support
are key factors in the success of her students. She offers community service projects, field trips, and holiday outings
to enhance the students' lives in America. Many families praise her for the authentic cross-cultural experiences they
enjoyed under her direction.
Contact Candise at 302-766-1786 or through her WeChat account: CS19707.
Admissions Director
Kathleen M. Rutherford is an education professional with over 20 years of experience in private school education with expertise in recruitment, and international student programming.
Mrs. Rutherford holds a BA in Communications from Brockport State University. Kathleen began her career as an ESL instructor at the Fay School in Southboro, MA. At Fay, Mrs. Rutherford also led a summer English immersion program. After the Fay School, Kathleen was hired by the Wardlaw- Hartridge School in Edison, N.J. as an ESL teacher and Director of their International Student Summer Program. A move to Delaware landed Kathleen a job at Junior Achievement Inc., in Wilmington, DE, as Educational Director of Operations for Kent and Sussex Counties. Here Kathleen brought financial literacy programming to over 60 schools in Delaware. Mrs. Rutherford was also involved in overseeing several grant funded projects as well as fundraising events. As the Director of Admissions at Saint Thomas More Academy in Magnolia, DE, Kathleen grew the international student program welcoming students from China, Brazil, France, and Africa. While at Saint Thomas More, Kathleen travelled to southern China with the Cambridge Institute to meet with prospective students and to learn more about the Chinese culture and educational system. In order to further develop her interest in international education, Mrs. Rutherford joined Renascentia Hall International in Newark, DE as the International Education Director. At Renascentia Hall Kathleen directed ESL curriculum development for the company’s summer camp and K-8 day school in Shanghai China. Kathleen also developed school partnerships in the U.S and in China.
Currently Kathleen is the Director of Admissions for American Academic Connections in Wilmington, Delaware.
In her free time Kathleen volunteers as a religious education teacher, enjoys traveling and international cooking.
Kathleen M. Rutherford is an education professional with over 20 years of experience in private school education with expertise in recruitment, and international student programming.
Mrs. Rutherford holds a BA in Communications from Brockport State University. Kathleen began her career as an ESL instructor at the Fay School in Southboro, MA. At Fay, Mrs. Rutherford also led a summer English immersion program. After the Fay School, Kathleen was hired by the Wardlaw- Hartridge School in Edison, N.J. as an ESL teacher and Director of their International Student Summer Program. A move to Delaware landed Kathleen a job at Junior Achievement Inc., in Wilmington, DE, as Educational Director of Operations for Kent and Sussex Counties. Here Kathleen brought financial literacy programming to over 60 schools in Delaware. Mrs. Rutherford was also involved in overseeing several grant funded projects as well as fundraising events. As the Director of Admissions at Saint Thomas More Academy in Magnolia, DE, Kathleen grew the international student program welcoming students from China, Brazil, France, and Africa. While at Saint Thomas More, Kathleen travelled to southern China with the Cambridge Institute to meet with prospective students and to learn more about the Chinese culture and educational system. In order to further develop her interest in international education, Mrs. Rutherford joined Renascentia Hall International in Newark, DE as the International Education Director. At Renascentia Hall Kathleen directed ESL curriculum development for the company’s summer camp and K-8 day school in Shanghai China. Kathleen also developed school partnerships in the U.S and in China.
Currently Kathleen is the Director of Admissions for American Academic Connections in Wilmington, Delaware.
In her free time Kathleen volunteers as a religious education teacher, enjoys traveling and international cooking.
Student Coordinator
Tianli Huang "Ted" was named the valedictorian in 2016 by his teachers at the English Language Institute in
Newark, Delaware. He is now a graduate student at the University of Delaware and will soon complete his master's
degree in Finance and Accounting. Ted is originally from Shenyang, China, where he was a top student at university
and won awards for his translation skills.
Tianli Huang "Ted" was named the valedictorian in 2016 by his teachers at the English Language Institute in
Newark, Delaware. He is now a graduate student at the University of Delaware and will soon complete his master's
degree in Finance and Accounting. Ted is originally from Shenyang, China, where he was a top student at university
and won awards for his translation skills.
Finance Manager
Dale Schmidling has worked in management for over 25 years and lends his expertise to AAC by managing billing and tuition payments.
He can answer any questions at info@AmericanAcademicConnections.com.