Team

Jenna Sices

Director of Client Success – US
Jenna brings over 15 years of experience in international higher education, with expertise in sales, client success, and strategic enrollment growth. She has partnered with institutions around the world to expand their global reach and build sustainable recruitment strategies. Before joining Grok, Jenna led the sales team at Gen Next Education as Assistant Vice President of Global Partner Development and previously served as the senior leader of the US Partner Relations team at ApplyBoard. Earlier in her career, she managed international recruitment, admissions, and marketing at the University of California – Irvine Extension, TCS Education System, and Southern New Hampshire University. Jenna holds a Master of Education in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago and a BA in French and Classical Studies from Tulane University. She has lived in six countries and visited nearly 100, experiences that fuel her passion for global education. Jenna is proficient in Spanish, conversant in French, and has basic proficiency in Portuguese and Korean. In her free time, Jenna can often be found working with her hands—whether she's creating ceramics, knitting, baking bread, gardening, sewing, or metal smithing.

When did you join Grok?
January, 2025

Describe yourself in three words:
Creative; Grounded; Curious

What were you doing before working at Grok?
Prior to joining Grok, I spent over 15 years in international education, both in the U.S. and abroad, focusing on recruitment, marketing, and global partner development. I started out teaching English in Chile and South Korea, eventually moving into curriculum design before shifting into higher education administration after earning my M.Ed. I led international recruitment and marketing at UC Irvine Extension, followed by senior leadership roles at TCS Education System and Southern New Hampshire University. I later transitioned to the private sector, where I led U.S. partner strategy at ApplyBoard and headed the sales team at Gen Next Education. At Gen Next, I also conceptualized and launched the recruitED platform, a tool designed to support agent management and counselor training.

What was your first job?
My first job was actually a big swing from international education—I was a sales representative at DC Comics! Yep, superheroes before students. I helped grow niche accounts and even opened up new markets in school libraries. Turns out, promoting Batman was great training in branding, marketing, and sales strategy. I may not have worn a cape, but I did learn how to make a message stick—and that skill has been a superpower ever since.

What does international education mean for you?
It means building bridges—between people, perspectives, and places. International education unlocks not just academic potential, but deeper empathy, curiosity, and a sense of possibility. It creates ripple effects that go far beyond one student or one institution—touching families, communities, and futures.

What is one of the most satisfying outcomes you’ve helped a client to achieve?
While not a client, in my role at UC Irvine, I helped our department achieve a 47% increase in gross international program revenue in just three years; it was incredibly rewarding. At SNHU, under my purview we expanded recruitment from 50 to over 70 countries, revamped marketing and digital communications, and implemented new tech tools like a VR campus tour and online chat tool—all of which contributed to our global success.

What is your favourite book?
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I love romantic comedies, books about time travel, and speculative fiction in general—and this one blends all of that beautifully. It’s also set in Chicago, my hometown and home base, which made me love it even more. The storyline is emotionally rich, intellectually satisfying, and structurally brilliant—I defy anyone to find a logic loophole in its complicated timeline!

What is your dream travel destination? Why?
I adore traveling and I’m humbled to have already visited nearly 100 countries. I’m enamored of Central Asia. Now, Georgia and Armenia are at the top of my list. I’ve already been to Baku and loved the culture, scenery, and food. I’d love to explore more of the Caucasus region.

What is your favourite food to eat with friends?
Eating out is one of my go-to activities with friends here in Chicago. I love Mexican and Indian cuisine—anything bold, colorful, and full of flavor! I’m also a bread-baker and could probably eat sourdough for every meal.

What is something you’ve learned from somebody inspirational?
As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I try to live by this, striving to leave a positive impact on everyone I encounter.

What was your favourite subject at high school or university?
Witchcraft in the Modern World — a fascinating course that explored literary, historical, and cultural portrayals of witches and the social dynamics behind them.

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