Greetings, international educators, from sunny San Diego! The NAFSA 2014 Annual Conference is less than two months away! If you have not already registered, don’t forget that early-bird registration for the conference ends April 18.

This year’s conference includes a very special session designed to provide conference goers with  unique insights into the cross-border and cross-cultural issues and initiatives facing San Diego and Southern California. Inspired by the spirit of the innovative educational format of TED Talks, this session, I-Engage Talks, will be offered on Wednesday, May 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Organized by Local Arrangements Team (LAT) Co-Chairs Jane Kalionzes, San Diego State University, and Susan Atkins, CAPA International, and LAT member Malou Amparo, University of California-San Diego, this locally focused session will provide a series of short, crisp, provocative, entertaining presentations highlighting stories from a variety of local organizations, nonprofits, and community leaders.

The not-to-be-missed I-Engage Talks session will offer a fascinating and entertaining local San Diego perspective from a diversity of topics and community agents of change.

1. From Ridge to Reef: Education and Community-Based Conservation
9:00 a.m.–9:10 a.m.
Dr. Christine Browne-Nunez, Chief Social Science Researcher, Conservation Education Division, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global

2. Reimagining Borders and Nationalism
9:10 a.m.–9:20 a.m.
Joseph Ramirez, Program Coordinator, Cross Cultural Center, University of California-San Diego

3. One idea. One person. One action can change the world
9:20 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Jenny Amaraneni, Director, SOLO eyewear

4. Getting Students Stoked About Study Abroad
9:30 a.m.–9:40 a.m.
Jess Ponting, Director, San Diego State University Center for Surf Research

5. San Diego-Tijuana Border Lessons Learned for International Educators
9:40 a.m.–9:50 a.m.
Richard Kly, President and CEO, International Community Foundation

6. Journey from Sagag to San Diego
9:50 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Ahmed Sahid, President, Somali Family Services

7. Starchild: An Asian American Personal Journey
10:00 a.m.–10:10 a.m.
Lee Ann Kim, Director and Founder, PacificArts Movement

8. Blurred Borders: Inspiring Places, Spaces, and Faces
10:10 a.m.–10:20 a.m.
Enrique Meza, Program Director, San Diego Diplomacy Council

9. San Diego and the Craft Beer Industry
10:20 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Mitch Steele, Stone Brewing Company

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Bradley Moon is the Local Arrangements Team (LAT) communications chair for NAFSA’s 2014 Annual Conference & Expo. Bradley was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and spent a number of years living, studying, and working abroad. He earned his master’s degree from Hawai`i Pacific University in Honolulu and began his higher education career in in 2005 after touring with Cirque du Soleil throughout Europe and North America. Moon is currently the assistant director of international recruitment and communication at San Diego State University, having worked for Hawai`i Pacific University and the University of Hawai`i – Leeward Community College.