NAFSA: Association of International Educators

SIGN-UP & VOTE NOW: SXSW EDU PanelPicker! We’re proud to share that NAFSA CEO Dr. Fanta Aw is a featured speaker in the proposed session: “Higher Ed’s Losing Global Talent and the Bill Is Coming Due.” In this urgent conversation, TOEFL’s Omar Chihane is joined by Dr. Fanta Aw of NAFSA and Esther Benjamin of WES, with moderation by Karin Fischer of The Chronicle of Higher Education, to unpack why global student mobility is collapsing and what colleges must do now to stay competitive. Community voting is open now through August 24. Note: You’ll need to create a free SXSW account before casting your vote! SIGN UP & VOTE HERE: https://lnkd.in/dG4ka9RP Learn more about this topic: https://lnkd.in/gFeKsV5F Votes count toward 30% of the final selection, so your support can help spotlight international education on one of the world’s biggest stages. #SXSW #SXSWEDU #SXSWPanelPicker #SXSW2026 #HigherEd #GlobalEd #InternationalEducation #NAFSA #TOEFL #WES #TheChronicleOfHigherEducation

🚨 Save the Date! Join us live on LinkedIn for an insightful discussion: International Student Visa Overstays, Immigration Decline, and Economic Loss: Myths and Realities with Stuart Anderson 📅 Date: August 22nd 🕚 Time: 11:30 AM 📋 Register below Explore the facts and misconceptions around current immigration trends and their economic impact. Don't miss this important conversation between NAFSA CEO Dr. Fanta Aw and Stuart Anderson, Executive Director of the National Foundation for American Policy. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the current landscape of international education and immigration. #InternationalEducation #Immigration #PolicyDiscussion

BOLD and BRIGHT ideas ahead. 🖊️ Deadline: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT 🔗Click the link to learn more and submit your proposal: www.nafsa.org/proposals Clock’s ticking. And your idea deserves to be shared. Follow NAFSA: Association of International Educators for the latest!

The 2026 NAFSA Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization application cycle is now open! Nominate your institution for its outstanding achievements in campus internationalization. Submissions are due October 15, 2025. Curious about how to apply? Learn more at: https://bit.ly/SimonHowTo

What’s in Your Leadership Toolkit? A Competency-Based Discussion with International Education Leaders🧰 Join us for an interactive session where you’ll reflect on your leadership journey, set personal goals, and expand your professional toolkit. 💡 Hear real stories from NAFSA leaders Kira Mendez Espiritu, Ph.D., Todd Lee Goen & Dr. Roopa Rawjee 🤝 Connect with peers in small-group discussions 📈 Walk away with insights, inspiration, and actionable next steps Whether you're a new or experienced leader, this session will help you assess where you are—and where you want to grow. 📅 Wednesday, August 27, 3-4 PM ET 🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/45z5fP8

🚀 Join NAFSA and your peers for this live virtual workshop: Employment-Based Permanent Residence, led by Robin Catmur, Director of Immigration Services at the University of Georgia! 📅 August 20–22 | 2:00–5:00 PM EDT 💻 Live on Zoom 📩 Register at: https://bit.ly/3T1ZjGO 🌟 Why Attend? • Advance Your Expertise: Build on your knowledge and explore the pathways to employment-based permanent residence. • Practical Application: Work through real-world case studies involving both faculty and non-faculty scenarios. • Strategic Development: Learn how to effectively engage with key stakeholders shaping institutional permanent residency sponsorship policies. • Professional Networking: Connect with fellow professionals and expand your support network. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your skills to the next level! ⭐ Registration closes on August 19th – Register Today! https://bit.ly/4fgbydH

📢 Join NAFSA staff members David Fosnocht and Steve Springer for a discussion of new visa issues and a recap of peak visa season 2025. We’ll briefly review the legal framework and discuss new issues including social media vetting, travel bans and possible expansion, recent reductions in visa validity for many countries, revisions to the visa interview waiver policy, and “visa integrity fees.” We’ll also review the results of NAFSA’s survey on the impacts of Department of State’s suspension of visa appointment availability. Most important, though, we want to hear from you about your students and scholars’ experiences during the 2025 peak visa application season and visa denial rates and delay problems. Register Today: bit.ly/3ITcwR1

🎥 Missed this week’s LinkedIn Live? Watch the recording now! IE30: U.S. International Student Enrollment Trends and the Shifting Recruitment Landscape is available to stream below. As Fanta Aw said during the discussion, it’s not too late for the government to course correct. The U.S. must urgently allocate more resources to student visa processing before the fall semester begins. It is time to keep the pressure on Congress to engage the Department of State on two critical actions: ✅ Expedite student visa processing ✅ Exempt students from the travel ban currently impacting nationals from 19 countries How to get involved: ✅ Write a letter to your representative, here's a template you can customize with stories and impact from your area https://lnkd.in/eaiJ7_vE ✅ Use the data from the Fall 2025 International Student Enrollment Outlook and Economic Impact tool https://lnkd.in/eF2WZKYu ✅ Sign up for the Connecting Our World Newsletter https://lnkd.in/eJyQ_4bK 📺 You can watch the full event below. #InternationalEducation #IE30 #StudentVisas #StudentMobility

🎉 Congratulations to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of our Spotlight Award Winners for the Simon Award for its IGlobal Program! The Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that are making significant, well-planned, well-executed, and well-documented progress toward comprehensive internationalization—especially those using innovative and creative approaches. There are two categories in which an institution can receive a Simon Award, Comprehensive and Spotlight. 👏 We were proud to celebrate them at #NAFSA2025 in San Diego!

Ready to take the next step in your international education leadership journey? Join us for the NAFSA Management Development Program (MDP) — returning in person this October in Washington, D.C.! Designed by international educators, for international educators, the MDP is NAFSA’s premier training program for developing essential management and leadership skills. Over 2.5 immersive days, you’ll gain practical tools to: ✅ Build and support effective teams ✅ Navigate organizational change ✅ Cultivate a network of peers ✅ Manage resources and priorities strategically Whether you're stepping into a management role for the first time or looking to sharpen your leadership skills, the MDP offers a collaborative, supportive learning environment led by experienced trainers who understand the unique challenges of our field. 📅 October 1–3, 2025 📍 Washington, D.C. 🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/3HacT9m Spaces are limited—secure your spot and invest in your future as a leader in international education! #InternationalEducation #NAFSA #LeadershipDevelopment #HigherEdLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment