Our Story
Find out how our founders and history play an ongoing role in our commitment to our mission, and why API is committed to delivering high quality programming that is safe, affordable, and accelerates learning and career growth.
Honored for Our
AWARD-WINNING PROGRAMS
Innovation in Online Programming Winner
People’s Choice Award Winner
Innovation in Sustainability Award Winner
People’s Choice Award Finalist
Innovation in Online Programming
Dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable
Experience-Centered Programs
Our Founding
Academic Programs International (API) was founded in 1997 by our founding mamas, who were dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable study abroad programs for U.S. students. Their diverse experiences abroad, first as students and later as professionals, shaped their philosophy on the value of international education as a means of promoting intellectual curiosity, cultural sensitivity and holistic personal development.
We Believe…
…in putting students at the heart of all we do. Through responsive student advising, thorough program preparation, and strong, local support services on-site, students arrive feeling confident and ready to experience, learn, and explore. We strive to make international educational experiences accessible to as many participants as possible through scholarships and by providing multiple program components at a low program cost.
Experiencing Programs with API
Experiencing Programs with API
Experiential Programming
Through the creation of APIConnect, an experiential education technology platform, API helps colleges, universities and students create and discover learning experiences customized to meet their needs. APIConnect offers a vast library of destinations, accredited courses, internships, and original programming geared toward maximizing students’ college experiences so they are better prepared for the workforce upon graduation. API sends thousands of students on hundreds of experiential programs both virtually and in more than 60 cities in nearly 25 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America, North America, and the Middle East.
Our Mission
We encourage students of all ages to embark on an experiential education journey that enriches lives and communities, helping every student, college, and company to achieve their goals.
Our Vision
To lead advances in global, experiential learning.
API Volunteering with Central Texas Food Bank
Our Core
Values
Pursue your passion.
By doing what we love, we can change the world.
Innovate.
We bring creativity, a collaborative spirit, and the resources to develop transformative and accessible experiences for students.
Embrace individuality and diversity.
We foster respect, empathy, and perspective.
Deliver superior service, safety and quality.
We deliver exceptional experiences with student well-being as our highest priority.
Learn and grow.
We promote personal growth and learning from the world at large.
Demonstrate the highest integrity.
We are committed to honest, ethical practices and adherence to social and governmental norms wherever we operate.
API is backed by
Avathon Capital is all-in on fostering innovation and impact across the education and workforce management markets.
We work to create meaningful connections and new possibilities – not just for our partners and their companies, but for all of their constituents. We use our networks to connect our partners to market experts and influencers who can support them with ideas and expertise. Our portfolio companies also support each other, giving our executives a peer network where they can collaborate and share insights.
Our Leadership
Team
Patrick Vogt
He | Him | His
Chief Executive Officer
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Patrick Vogt is CEO of API, he has been with API over five years as a board member, CEO and Investor. He has more than 30 years of experience building innovative technology and products, accelerating company growth, and establishing mission-based organizational cultures.
Prior to joining API, Patrick was CEO of The National Research Center for College & University Admissions™, which is now a part of ACT®. Patrick also served as CEO for both public and private digital media technology companies and has held senior executive positions at some of the most prestigious brands in the world, including The Weather Channel, Sony, HP, and Dell.
Patrick received a bachelor of science degree in business from the State University of New York and holds an MBA from the Hagan School of Business, Iona College.
Kristin Flor
She | Her | Hers
Chief Operating Officer
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As Chief Operating Officer, Kristin oversees operations, finance and accounting, globally. She is a seasoned business partner with broad experience at both public companies and venture-backed startups. Prior to joining API, Kristin was CFO of The National Research Center for College & University Admissions™, which is now a part of ACT®. Throughout most of her career, Kristin has led the hyper growth of technology companies through organic growth, global expansion, and M&A activity. A key part of executive management teams, Kristin has been responsible for the company’s corporate finance function and has raised several rounds of capital and secured various debt financing arrangements at Integral Ad Science and PulsePoint: both digital marketing technology companies. She also held positions at Thomson Media, a former subsidiary of the Thomson Corporation, and she began her career in Boston at Arthur Andersen LLP, where she served start-up and growth clients in the software and bio-tech industries. Kristin holds a BS in Accounting and a minor in Finance from Providence College, and earned her CPA in 2000.
Scott Paprocki
He | Him | His
SVP of Programming, Product & Data Science
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Scott Paprocki is the most recent addition to our executive team, and is a driving force behind the API Connect platform. He has 20+ years of Software as a Service (SaaS) technology experience in fast moving and high growth environments. He is , and is author of a patent filing for data aggregation and modeling. Scott’s proven track record for building teams and market disruptive products will help API to redefine and make experiential learning more accessible.
Scott earned his BBA from the Red McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Management Information Systems.
Mary Kay Hyde
She | Her | Hers
SVP of Marketing & Enrollment
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Mary Kay Hyde joined API in November of 2020 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment. In her role, she and her team help students find and enroll in life transforming API experiences, and help colleges and universities discover the benefits of APIConnect affiliation and membership.
Mary Kay has spent her career in technology beginning with semiconductor sales and then, in marketing at tech giants Compaq, HP and Dell. Prior to joining API, Mary Kay was CMO at HotSchedules, which merged with London-based Fourth in 2019. She also worked in higher education in her role as Vice President of Marketing at NRCCUA, which was acquired by ACT in 2018.
Mary Kay received Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Communications from Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin, respectively. In her free time, Mary Kay helps her teenagers peruse API’s high school summer and gap programs. She also enjoys running, reading, and visiting her family in California.
Howard Lurie
He | Him | His
SVP of Research and Evaluation
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Howard Lurie is the Senior Vice President for Research and Evaluation and joined the API Abroad team in September 2021. He is responsible for establishing and leading API’s new research and evaluation services, focused on assessing the preferences and motivations of both prospective and alumni learners seeking study away/abroad and experiential learning opportunities.
Prior to joining API Abroad, Howard served for six years as the Principal Analyst for Online and Continuing Education at Eduventures, an independent research and advisory firm. At Eduventures, Howard designed and directed nationally representative research studies investigating the adult learner market, competency-based education (CBE), alternative credentials, and Online Program Management (OPM) services. Howard was the principal investigator for Eduventures’ 2016 – 2019 study Deconstructing CBE: An Assessment of Institutional Activity, Goals and Challenges in Higher Education. In addition, Howard provided research-driven advisory services to a broad range of higher education institutions and technology companies.
Previously, Howard served in management and leadership roles at Acrobatiq, EdX, and WGBH where he co-founded and directed PBSLearningMedia, a free digital resource used by millions of secondary and postsecondary students.
Howard holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Teachers’ College, Columbia University. He has taught history at the high school, community college, and postsecondary levels. Howard is an avid sailor and runner, and has completed seven marathons throughout North America.
Emily Wattman-Turner
She | Her | Hers
SVP of Strategy
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Coming soon!
Sherri Gilmore
She | Her | Hers
SVP of Training and Strategy
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Coming soon!
Craig Bonnist
He | Him | His
Chief Legal Officer | Student Privacy Officer
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Craig Bonnist is an attorney who, prior to joining API, was a partner with the law firm McCarter & English, LLP. Craig has many years of experience practicing law, with a particular expertise in Employment law, regularly counseling employers and representing them in employment disputes. As a litigator, he successfully defended his clients in matters ranging from breach of contract and restrictive covenant claims to discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation claims. He has successfully litigated through verdict in numerous cases, including several notable favorable and published decisions.
Craig’s prior expertise included negotiating and drafting employment contracts as well as retention, separation, release, confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-compete agreements. He has represented corporations and
chief executive officers in negotiating complex contracts and retention agreements. In addition to handling employment and compensation matters, Craig regularly defended and counseled businesses on contract and other commercial litigation matters.
Craig formerly served as a Co-Chair of the Westchester County Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section, was a member of the Labor and Employment Section with the American Bar Association. Craig was also a frequent lecturer, author and commentator on issues affecting employers. He has been a
CNBC contributor, offered employment advice in several financial publications, and presented on employment law topics for several continuing legal education programs. He authored a chapter entitled “The Objectives of Employment Agreements and the Inclusion and Drafting of Effective Provisions to Fulfill Those Objectives” in the 2015-2016 edition of the book Negotiating and Drafting Employment Agreements and co-authored an article titled “Sexual
Harassment Claims – Changing the Response Calculus” for Bloomberg’s Daily Labor Report.
About Our Broader Team
Our success is owed in large part to the dedication of our staff, both stateside and abroad, our spirit of innovation, and the strong relationships we have cultivated with partner institutions.
We strive to provide individual attention to every participant and attract students from across the U.S. and the world.
ABOUT OUR ADVISORY BOARDS
The API Strategic Academic Advisory Board
API established the API Strategic Academic Advisory Board (SAAB) with the goal of considering innovative perspectives from senior international officers and other senior campus leadership at key US partner institutions. The SAAB assists API as we evaluate strategies for improving existing programming and as we design or expand new academic experiences.
The Strategic Academic Advisory Board complements our existing API Advisory Board, which focuses on a broad scope of programmatic and policy considerations. Meet our API Advisory Board here.
Kalpen Trivedi, Chair
Vice Provost for Global Affairs, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Chris Domes
President, Neumann University
Jane Gatewood
Vice Provost for Global Engagement, Rochester University
Sean Kaylor
Vice President, Enrollment Management, Marist College
Betsy Morgan
Academic Affairs, Provost's Office, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Uttiyo Raychadhuri
Vice Provost, University of Denver
Heather Ward
Associate Provost for Global Affairs, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The API Advisory Board
The API Advisory Board plays a crucial role in providing API with tangible recommendations regarding academics, API’s programming and policies, and Student Success initiatives. Members also periodically assesses API sites and individual programs.
Sara Branley
Director of Study Abroad, Santa Clara University
Karen Boston
Senior Assistant Dean for Student Success, University of Arkansas
Dr. Godlove T. Fonjweng
Executive Director of International Programs, Prairie View A&M University
Jason Kinnear
Associate Dean of Study Abroad & Exchanges, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Cindi Lewis
Executive Director of Global Education, Bryant University
Whitney Longnecker
Director of Study Abroad for the Office of International Affairs, Texas Tech University
Jamie Patterson
Director of Career Services and Student Experience, Clemson University
Megan Wood
Associate Director, Global Engagement and Programs, Dartmouth College
