Internationalization is the conscious effort to integrate and infuse international, intercultural, and global dimensions into the philosophy of postsecondary education.
Successful internationalization efforts involve active and responsible engagement of the academic community in partnerships and global networks. NAFSA encourages and facilitates the discussion of issues concerning internationalization among international higher education associations, organizations, and NAFSA members. The organization equips international educators who have a role in internationalization with skills in leadership, collaboration, and change management.
NAFSA also seeks out the most innovative and successful U.S. institutions in the field of international education and honors them with the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization, and has annually since 2003. An annual report, Internationalizing the Campus: Profiles of Success at Colleges and Universities, features these institutions' exemplary practices and model approaches.