About
Sivas Language Academy and Test Prep is located in beautiful West Lafayette, Indiana, the home of internationally known Purdue University. Our mission is to assist students achieve their educational and professional goals through English acquisition and test preparation.
Some people have asked why the name Sivas. Sivas is a region in eastern Turkey that was once home to the grandmother of one of the founders. Nimzar Gagosian came to the United States not speaking any English in the early 1900’s. She learned English while raising 13 children in a new environment. The school is names in her honor and prides itself on helping non-native English speakers achieve their dreams of an outstanding education and improved opportunities.
Sivas was founded by C. Tad Brinkerhoff and Stephen W. Moriarty.
C. Tad Brinkerhoff
Co-Founder
C. Tad Brinkerhoff is a native of the great state of Utah and is currently the director of the MBA and MS programs at Purdue’s Krannert School of Management. He spent 4 years living in Japan – 2 years on the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program in Shimane Prefecture and 2 years as a Coordinator of International Relations (CIR) in Kochi Prefecture. He also spent two years in Guayaquil, Ecuador as a volunteer worker for a non-profit group. He earned his bachelors degree from Southern Utah University in Spanish and chemistry and later earned his MBA from Brigham Young University in strategy and international Business. He and his family love to travel – he has been to Turkey, Brazil, South Korea, Greece and United Arab Emirates just to name a few. He and his wife had 5 kids and a dog named Buddy. He is excited to work with you on your next educational adventure.
Stephen W. Moriarty
Co-Founder
Steve is a West Lafayette native and proud graduate of West Lafayette High School. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Purdue University in 1997. Following his time at Purdue, he served 4 years in the US Navy onboard the USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG 57) stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He remained in Hawaii to pursue his master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Upon completion of his degree he moved to Seoul, South Korea. From 2003 until my return to West Lafayette in the spring of 2014, he taught English the first two years at Ewha Womans University Language Center, and the final 8 years as a full time instructor at Hongik University. In addition to my university duties, he provided business English instruction to several companies and government agencies in the Seoul metropolitan area including Samsung, Hyundai, and the Seoul City Government. He has taught two summers in the Krannert School of Management’s Business English Boot-camp, an 8-week intensive English course for incoming International MBA students. His current position is a Continuing Lecturer in the newly formed Purdue Language and Cultural Exchange (PLaCE) program. Helping students reach their language goals in a positive learning environment based on mutual respect has always been his top priority as an English instructor. When outside of the classroom, he and his wife enjoy traveling and looking for new and creative ways to entertain our two young children. He looks forward to working with you and helping you achieve all your language goals!