Large Group of Students, Faculty and Alumni Participate in Regional NAFSA Conference

Program Chair Katherine Punteney presented on “Success Strategies for Scholar-Practitioners and Developing Global Competence in Youth,” and with faculty member Daniel Chatham updated the community on current research findings in the field. Professor David Wick presented a session entitled “Empowered Storytelling for Making Change.” Professor Wick also presented with current practicum student Evelyn Lueker MAIEM ’18 on “Building International Programs for Students Who Are Not Like Us,” and with current students Nicole Gager MAIEM ‘19, Yoki Moody Wong MAIEM/MPA ‘19 and Caroline Tegeler MAIEM ’19 led a session on “Increasing Education Abroad and International Student and Scholar Services Marketing and Recruitment Efficiency with Funnels.” Stephanie Kim MAIEM ‘13, a graduate of the first cohort of the international education management class at the Institute, was awarded the Rising Star Young Leader award for her work in K-12 international education.

At NAFSA conferences, international education management students have the opportunity to meet practitioners in the field, build their professional network, and look for potential future jobs and practicum opportunities. In addition to networking, students can present research findings and learn alongside other professionals about current trends in the field and the innovative things that practitioners are doing. “The big takeaway was that it was great to see practitioners in the field discussing and putting into practice what we have been learning in this degree program,” said Caitlin Shepherd MAIEM/MPA ’19. “It made the field more tangible. I feel like I gained more traction in my professional direction and it was great to see themes that this particular region of the US is dealing with in terms of international education.” There was a strong Institute presence at the NAFSA conference, including three faculty members, over a dozen alumni and thirty current students.

After the conference in Reno, nine students volunteered at the Lessons from Abroad SF Bay Area Conference at Skyline College in San Bruno, California. At the conference students shared their experience at the Institute with other students and young professionals who studied abroad, helped review resumes, and served on panel discussions, including “Finding and Funding an International Graduate Program” and “Teach Abroad: Not Just for Future Teachers.” Both the Lessons From Abroad and NAFSA conferences provided international education management students the opportunity to make connections in the international education field and supplement the learning done in the classroom with additional professional experiences.