Committee: Annual Conference Committee (ACC)
Position: Chair, Annual Conference Committee
Term Dates: January 2026 - June 2028
The Annual Conference Committee (ACC) Chair is responsible for setting the vision for the NAFSA 2028 Annual Conference & Expo, scheduled to be held in Washington, DC, and leading the ACC in the conference planning process. The ACC Chair oversees the Executive Team that provides direction and guidance to the committee, the Content Team that develops programmatic content and networking activities, and the Local Arrangements Team that creates excitement about the annual conference city and manages local volunteers. Throughout the 18-month planning process, the Chair leads the ACC and LAT volunteers and coordinates their efforts to develop the core professional development programs for the annual conference and to promote its offerings to NAFSA’s diverse audience. At the conference, the Chair also participates in plenary sessions and other special events and partners with the staff and volunteers to ensure a welcoming environment for all attendees and guests.
The NAFSA annual conference offers dynamic, comprehensive, and timely professional development and networking opportunities for international educators from across the field and from around the world. It also hosts an international expo for universities, service providers, and vendors who work with the international education community.
Position updated August 2025
NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership to learn about available opportunities.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
- Articulate and implement the vision for the annual conference
- Manage the 2028 ACC; leverage skills, expertise, and enthusiasm in the conference planning process
- Plan and lead 2028 ACC meetings and activities
- Work to ensure comprehensive and unmatched conference program content
- Assist NAFSA staff to promote the annual conference
- Support the financial goals of the conference
- Assist in the review and selection of sessions, workshops, and poster fairs
- Contribute to the work of the 2027 Annual Conference Committee in the role of Chair-Designate
- Recruit and appoint the Content Chair, Poster Chair, Member, Global Perspectives and the co-Chairs of the Local Arrangements Team.
- Develop resources that help prepare session and workshop trainers. Foster an inclusive environment in alignment with the NAFSA Diversity and Inclusion Statement.
Commitment
Volunteer Commitment
- The time commitment for this position 30 months (2.5 years), starting in January 2026 and ending in June after the 2028 annual conference. The Chair spends the first year shadowing the 2027 Annual Conference Committee, and then leads the 2028 ACC for the remaining 18 months. Overall, the time requirement does not exceed 15% of a typical workweek, except during specific periods, such as the selection process of sessions and workshops in early fall. This review and ranking of proposals requires approximately 20 hours per month in September/October.
- Below is a breakdown of the calendar of activities:
- January 2026: Attend ACC 2027 Orientation Meeting virtually
- May/ June 2026: Attend 2026 Annual Conference and attend ACC 2027 debrief meeting onsite at Annual Conference location (Orlando, FL)
- August/ September 2026: Review proposals for NAFSA 2027 Annual Conference virtually
- October 2026: Recruit and select 2028 Content Chair, Member Global Perspectives and Poster Chair in discussion with staff virtually; Attend 2027 content planning meeting onsite at 2027 Annual Conference location (Los Angeles, CA)
- January 2027: plan and lead 2028 ACC orientation meeting virtually over 2-4 days
- May/ June 2027: Attend 2027 Annual Conference in Los Angeles, CA, and lead ACC 2028 debrief meeting onsite
- August/ September 2027: Review proposals for NAFSA 2028 Annual Conference virtually
- October 2026: Select 2028 Local Arrangements Team Co-Chairs virtually; plan and lead 2028 content planning meeting onsite at 2028 Annual Conference location (Washington, DC)
- Spring 2028: Help promote the annual conference via web and social media
- May/ June 2028: Attend the 2028 Annual Conference in Washington, DC; participate in plenaries and other special events
- This position is also expected to attend 1-2 monthly conference-related calls (1 hour each) in 2026, and lead 1-2 monthly conference calls (1 hour each) in 2027 and 2028.
Relationships
Relationship with NAFSA Staff and Board of Directors
NAFSA Board Vice President for Scholarship and Institutional Strategy (VP-SIS) governs the work of the ACC. The ACC Chair works closely with the VP-SIS, as well as with NAFSA professional staff members, including the Deputy Executive Director for Knowledge Development, the Senior Director of the Conference Program, and their teams. This is a collaborative partnership, in which the staff’s skills and time complement the skills and time of the chair. These staff partners are the main contact between this position and all other departments within the NAFSA office, and help bring their resources and expertise as needed for specific projects.
Relationships with Other Committees
The ACC shares its responsibility to create and disseminate knowledge in the field of international education with NAFSA’s Knowledge Communities (KC). Members of the Content Team are appointed jointly with the KC chairs, ensuring clear communications between the KC and the ACC and development of the highest quality offerings possible to meet the professional development needs of the audience members. The Chair also seeks recommendations from other constituencies not represented on the committee to ensure quality offerings for NAFSA’s diverse global audience.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Understanding of NAFSA annual conference programs, services, and attendees
- Enthusiasm for the NAFSA annual conference and the conference location
- Experience leading a collaborative volunteer team and ability to lead decision making and build consensus
- Demonstrated strategic planning, management, networking, and delegation experience
- Strong coordination, analytical, oral, and written communication skills, including proficiency in using various tools of communication
- Experience using evaluations and other data to inform decision making
- Ability to manage unconscious bias in the assessment and decision making processes
- Awareness of a broad range of international education issues and understanding of the challenges facing international educators in a variety of settings
- Broad knowledge of the association, its leadership structure, its members, and their professional needs
- Understanding of the goals of NAFSA’s Strategic Plan
- Ability and willingness to travel to conferences and meetings
- Five or more years of membership in NAFSA and NAFSA membership throughout the length of volunteer service
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior service on a planning committee for a previous NAFSA annual conference
- Knowledge of or service on NAFSA’s regional or KC teams, task forces, or working groups
- Experience in collaborative member leader – NAFSA staff partnerships
Benefits and Appreciation
Professional Development and Recognition Opportunities
- Each year, leaders in this role receive complimentary access to two NAFSA e-learning courses, during quarter 1 and quarter 4.
- Leaders in this role are invited to an invite-only appreciation reception at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Leaders in this role are asked to attend online and onsite leadership community gatherings throughout the year, with themes focused on the NAFSA International Education Professional Competencies 2.0.
- Leaders in this role are recognized with special signage at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
Expenses
- Travel, per diem, and lodging expenses are reimbursed for in-person meetings such as the ACC Fall Meeting, and registration is waived for the 2027 and 2028 annual conferences. In addition, lodging is provided for the 2028 annual conference. Other operating expenses incurred by the chair in his/her office or at home, such as phone calls, etc. are not reimbursed. Conference calls are set up by staff and covered by NAFSA.
