Public Policy
State Whip Network
In May of 2001, NAFSA launched the State Whip Network, an initiative to increase member involvement in raising awareness at the federal level of international education and its importance.
This initiative responds directly to NAFSA's strategic plan, which calls for establishing NAFSA as the nation’s premier grassroots advocate on behalf of international education, and has developed over the years into an effective tool in promoting international education issues with the federal government.
In brief, the state whip network consists of a small group of NAFSA members residing in key congressional districts who are responsible for maintaining relationships with their members of Congress and activating their fellow NAFSA members to participate in advocacy campaigns at the national level. Network members represent states that are selected based on their political significance in Congress.
This group is intended to be a small and nimble network that can react quickly to political developments. Periodic emails and conference calls serve as the major communication channels for the network. Network members are selected and managed by NAFSA's associate director of grassroots advocacy, Kari Lantos, who welcomes feedback regarding how to make the network most effective.
We hope that members find this an exciting and rewarding opportunity to expand the impact and recognition of their programs and to support the international education issues they care about.
Learn more about State Whips.
Recent Network Successes
This initiative responds directly to NAFSA's strategic plan, which calls for establishing NAFSA as the nation’s premier grassroots advocate on behalf of international education, and has developed over the years into an effective tool in promoting international education issues with the federal government.
In brief, the state whip network consists of a small group of NAFSA members residing in key congressional districts who are responsible for maintaining relationships with their members of Congress and activating their fellow NAFSA members to participate in advocacy campaigns at the national level. Network members represent states that are selected based on their political significance in Congress.
This group is intended to be a small and nimble network that can react quickly to political developments. Periodic emails and conference calls serve as the major communication channels for the network. Network members are selected and managed by NAFSA's associate director of grassroots advocacy, Kari Lantos, who welcomes feedback regarding how to make the network most effective.
We hope that members find this an exciting and rewarding opportunity to expand the impact and recognition of their programs and to support the international education issues they care about.
Learn more about State Whips.
Recent Network Successes
- Generated over 2300 letters to members of Congress to support the Simon Study Abroad Act. The bill has passed the House and is now awaiting a vote in the full Senate.
- Recruited more than 1600 new ACT members.
- Secured 18 House and Senate cosponsors for the Simon Study Abroad Act during Advocacy Day 2007.
- Generated letters of appreciation from constituents to members of Congress who have been particularly helpful on issues of importance to NAFSA.
- Raised congressional awareness on the impact elements of the immigration debate would have on students, scholars, universities, and U.S. competitiveness.
- Passed 7 state resolutions thanks to member advocacy efforts.
