Note: All session dates and times are are subject to last-minute changes!

See Thursday Sessions | See Friday Sessions

Wednesday

Session Chair Session Title KC Area Presenters
8:30 - 9:45 a.m. (1)
 
Kay Forsyth Media Matters! Innovations in Study Abroad Promotion EA Inger Bull
Trevor Wright
Kay Forsyth
How effective and cutting edge is our advertising and promotion of study abroad? This session will look at marketing study abroad from three different approaches--making use of online social networks, developing and implementing a DVD project, and reaching our audience with print materials.
 
Timothy J. Kell Resources for Foreign Credential Evaluation RAP Timothy J. Kell
There is a wide array of resources available for use when evaluating foreign educational credentials. Resources vary widely in scope, practicality, delivery and price. This session will focus both on where to find answers to your evaluation questions, and how to organize the knowledge you already have. Learn from a professional credential evaluation company's experience with the most useful evaluation tools, and our suggestions on how to organize your evaluation knowledge in a practical way.
 
Maria Beebe Basic Immigration for non-advisors RAP/EA Stacey Bailey
Maria Beebe
This session will provide basic immigration information on international students. It will include the following topics: Basic definition of F-1 and J-1 students and a comparison of the two; information about dependents, including what they can and cannot do; maintenance of status; employment rules and options while in school and after graduation; Social Security Numbers; travel; the visa process; and other visa types encountered at a university.
 
Elaine Kimbrell When Good Students Go Bad & Immigration Consequences of Criminal Behavior and/or SEVIS Termination ISSS Elaine Kimbrell
Maria Zellar
Linda Melville
This session will explore the common consequences of criminal behavior and SEVIS termination. What happens when a student is detained? How does a conviction affect a student's status, ability to travel, or ability to change status? What can a student who is terminated in SEVIS expect? What practical advice can a DSO give international students (i.e. what to expect from DHS if terminated)?
Download the Power Point Presentation used as handouts. (89kb Adobe PPT)
 
10:15 - 11:30 a.m.(2)
 
Adam Breen Como se dice, Differential Non-Linearity? Engineers and Study Abroad EA Adam Breen
Brandon Samter
Engineering majors are underrepresented in Study Abroad, yet the benefits of this experience are clear. What hurdles do these students and faculty face when trying to take their education overseas? How does ABET accreditation affect the possibility of Engineering students studying abroad? This session will focus on how to reach out to these students and faculty.
 
Suzanne House Using a Contract Program to Help Floundering Students ISSS/RAP Suzanne House
Sandra Issa
New international students academic performance can be negatively affected by issues of cultural adjustment, homesickness, unrealistic expectations, and newly granted independence. In an effort to support floundering students before poor attendance and grade problems send them down the path towards probation, IEP counselors can use a student contract program to provide monitoring and support. In this session, the presenters will describe such a contract program, identify its strengths and weaknesses, and explore additional ways to guide students who find themselves at the crossroads of potential failure and success.
 
Cinzia Donatelli Noble Crossing Roads in Italy: Education Abroad from a Faculty, Administrative, and Host Institution Perspective EA/IEL Luca Bonomi
Cinzia Noble
Aaron Rose
After several years of a successful cooperation between Brigham Young University and the Dante Alighieri Institute of Siena, we would like to present the different perspectives of the people involved in organizing study abroad and internship programs for American students: from the faculty directing the program, the administrators of the American university, and the director of the host institution. This will give a well-rounded indication of what is involved in organizing similar programs and the invaluable benefits for the students.
 
Phil Coleman-Hull Crossroads Under Construction: A Collaborative Approach Toward Designing an International Student Orientation Program ISSS Phil Coleman-Hull
Michael Ediger
This session will examine dual perspectives for implementing a week-long orientation program for new international students. A mid-sized university, Emporia State University, and a large-sized institution, The University of Kansas, both share in taking a collaborative approach that incorporates campus and community resources to welcome and transition incoming students to their new environment. The presenters will reveal a comprehensive overview of their agendas demonstrating how the various players, using both traditional programming and web-based technology, integrate efforts to address everything from essential physical needs to navigating campus check-in, screening and enrollment protocols, as well as connecting with international and domestic peers.
 
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.( 3)
 
Jim Paul Making Use of Government Resources: EducationUSA and the U.S. Department of Commerce RAP Jim Paul
Rosmery Romero
Gonzalo Claure
This session will examine best practices in using resources through the U.S Department of Commerce worldwide offices and U.S. Department of State Education USA Overseas Advising Centers. The speakers will share their creative application of technology and other services to promote international education, these agencies' collaborative activities, and client testimonials. DOC representatives will brief attendees on how to best develop and promote a state or city study consortium overseas, with reference to the examples of Study Illinois, Study Washington and Study Philadelphia. EdUSA advisors from Bolivia will provide cross-cultural perspective on the Bolivian higher education system, its structure and trends, and aspects of Bolivian society regarding education. Strategies for attracting Bolivian students to U.S. institutions will be discussed.
 
Charlotte Blessing Africa is not a Country! Study Abroad in African Countries EA Charlotte Blessing
Africa is a largely unexplored region in the world of study abroad. As more students begin to consider studying in non-traditional destinations how can we best empower and prepare them? This interactive session will ask us to examine our own preconceptions and discuss the challenges of developing programs in and advising for a region about which we may have little or no first hand knowledge. Whether you are an experienced Africanist or have never been to the continent, come share your ideas and experiences.
 
Kate Sullivan Focus On Fulbright:Strengthening Partnerships ISSS Kate Sullivan
Karen Crouch
Joanne Lagasse-Long
This will be an opportunity to meet some of the players who work behind the scenes of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and to learn more about how and why the Fulbright Program is administered the way it is, to learn about future directions within the Program and to discuss from the perspective of you, our campus partners, some of the challenges involved when communicating with IIE and providing support to Foreign Fulbright Students at your institutions.
Download the presentation (54kb Adobe PPT)
 
Christa Joy Research and New Directions in Study Abroad (Poster Session) EA Eric Leinen
Cinzia Noble
Sharon Rhode
Jelena Stojakovic
Four very interesting poster topics will be presented, including recent research focusing on how study abroad affects participant attitudes toward the U.S., and on the degree to which study abroad helps students gain cross-cultural awareness and intercultural competence. Both topics are very relevant to program development, marketing, and optimization. Another presentation addresses the quality of language instruction and overall experience that study abroad participants are likely to find at private language schools abroad. Will students have a real cross-cultural experience? What about accomodations, insurance, safety, scheduling, transfer credit, and many other important issues? Language study is critical, but students need to know how to make wise choices. Finally, take this opportunity to talk with the director of the very successful Dante Alighieri Institute's cooperative program with BYU. Both study abroad and internship programs are included, and provide a useful template for those contemplating similar ventures.
 
4:00 - 5:15 p.m. (4)
 
Ann E. Halpin Effective Institutional Management of Study Abroad: Strategies for Your Campus EA Ann E. Halpin
Sara Demko
Higher education leaders are responsible for encouraging and facilitating academically rigorous and effectively managed study abroad programs. Demonstrating institutional commitment, providing infrastructure and resources are crucial steps in this journey. Learn how campuses are leveraging the NAFSA report, "Strengthening Study Abroad: Recommendations for Effective Institutional Management" to accomplish these goals.
 
Kathy A. Singh Drawing the Line: Admission Requirements vs Immigration Regulations RAP/ISSS Kathy A. Singh
Carmen Varejcka-McGee
There are many requirements and procedures that we all work with in regard to college admissions and international student immigration. What happens when these areas start to blur? This session will look at the NAFSA code of ethics in recruiting, admission, and enrollment and discuss the ways admissions offices and international student service offices have worked to ensure that we are serving prospective international students while meeting NAFSA and institutional guidelines, without becoming immigration officers ourselves.
Download the presentation (141kb Adobe PPT)
 
Barb Seekins Toastmasters International: Helping to promote inclusiveness ISSS Barb Seekins
Mary Nellis
This session will describe the process used at UM to establish the UM Multicultural Toastmasters Club (an affiliate of Toastmasters International). The club is composed of grad students (primarily foreign and American Indian), university staff and community members and will have been in operating for two years in October 2008. The original purpose was to help develop public speaking and presentation skills of the members but it has also turned out to be a great venue for cultural exchange.
 
Ken Kuntzelman Building a Multicultural Learning Community within a Community College ISSS Ken Kuntzelman
Susanna Pino
Presentation (short video, powerpoint, and handouts) and discussion on connecting theory to practice: transforming a diverse group of learners into a group that learns by integrating administrative procedures, academics, orientation, student acativities, and cross-cultural relationships to enhance student learning and increase retention in a community college international program.
 

Thursday

Session Chair Session Title KC Area Presenters
9:00 - 10:15 a.m. (1)
 
Diana Carlin Bologna Process Challenges and Opportunities for U.S. Higher Education. What's Next? RAP/IEL Diana Carlin
What do trends in adoption of the Bologna Process mean for your campus? Increase your understanding of the tools of the Bologna Process: European Credit Transfer System, the diploma supplement and quality assurance. Learn what resources NAFSA provides to help international educators better understand the Bologna Process.
 
Megan Wood Look Both Ways Before Crossing Cultures: Proactive Approaches to Behavorial Issues Abroad EA Megan Wood
Cindy Kraft
This session will provide examples of screening processes for students going abroad and how to identify students who may display pink flags and red flags during the pre-departure process. It will further address how to emphasize and communicate the importance of appropriate behavior and set expectations for students' experiences abroad.
 
Randy Bush Community College Forum ISSS Randy Bush
Julie Pitts
Jen Sydow
This session is for community college international student advisors, both newcomers and experienced. Using problem scenarios and participant questions, a variety of challenges facing community college international programs will be discussed, including the challenges of the one-person office, developing institutional support, recruiting and retaining international students, facilitating transfers to universities, professional development, and access to NAFSA resources and programs. The session will identify key issues facing community college international educators and provide ideas and resources for addressing them.
 
Laura Welch Scholar Advising Update ISSS Steven Springer
Laura Welch
This session will review recent developments in laws, regulations, and agency policies and processes of interest to scholar (faculty and staff) advisors. We will focus on the H and J nonimmigrant classifications and lawful permanent residence, but will address news concerning other classifications as well. We will also look ahead to anticipate developments on the horizon.
 
10:45 - 12:00 noon (2)
 
Ken Carpenter How Study Abroad Advisors help students find funding for international study EA Karen Crouch
Ken Carpenter
Good advising is essential in helping students compete nationally and internationally for study abroad grants such as Fulbright, Gilman, Freeman Asia, NSEP, Rotary, DAAD, Congress-Bundestag, British Council, etc. How can study abroad advisors help students find and apply for outside funding? How can you enlist others on campus to help? This will not be workshop in how to apply for specific grants, but a broader look at how busy advisors can be most helpful to students on their campuses and also to the granting agencies.
 
Landes Holbrook Be Prepared: Education Abroad Security, Health and Safety EA Landes Holbrook
Grant Skabelund
Erik Davis
University education abroad professionals will address growing challenges in travel, safety, and health. They will present how to effectively determine international risks, conduct security advance work/analysis, and creatively train students and faculty using good practices, industry standards and web-based materials. The goals of this section are: Effectively determine international security/safety and health risks Conduct international security advance work on proposed program sites and on-going security analysis Creatively and consistently train student participants, faculty and staff using good practices and industry/institutional security, safety, health resources and standards.
 
Timothy J. Kel The Indian Mark System: A Practical Guide to Determining Credit and Grade Equivalences RAP Timothy J. Kel
Each year, India sends more students to the United States than any other foreign country. Having a practical and consistent method of converting Indian marks to US grades and credits is a need for most, if not nearly all international admission offices. This session will focus on a practical, hands-on approach to dealing with a variety of sample Indian credentials in order to determine grading and credit equivalences.
 
Deborah Kuiken SEVIS Updates ISSS/TLS/RAP JoAn Taylor
Elisabeth Royston
Amy Bullock
This session will provide an overview of actions that can be taken on active student records in SEVIS including: authorizing a reduced course load; authorizing or recommending employment and practical training; and the transfer process. Included in this session are reasons for Termination in SEVIS, tips on avoiding correction requests, and information on recent SEVIS enchancements.
Update: -----------------------------------
SEVIS Updates, Thursday October 23, 10:45 am - 1200 noon in Ballroom IV SEVP presenters include:  Ms. Elisabeth Royston (School Certification Branch Case Analyst), Ms. Amy Bullock (IT Specialist) and Ms. JoAn Taylor (Outreach, Branch Chief)
 
12:15 - 1:15
 
Sara Thurston-Gonzalez Becoming a NAFSA leader: Opportunities and Paths! ALL Christina Hertel
Helen O'Keefe
Susan Thompson
This session examines the benefits of volunteering in NAFSA, the areas where newcomers, mid-level managers and seasoned professionals can share their talents within the organization, the expectations of the leadership positions and the use of the Expertise Profile. There will be time for participants to ask questions of the leader/presenters.
 
2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (3)
 
Danny Damron Getting the Right Students for the Right International Internships: Screening Students through a Preparation Course EA Danny Damron
Clint Long
This presentation will describe the process of designing and leading an internship preparation course. It will outline activities like assessing student suitability, preparing students for the academic components of an internship, promoting intercultural sensitivity, and developing good workplace skills.
 
Daphne Johnston Here Come the Chinese Millenials RAP Daphne Johnston
Like many US institutions, are you both awed and challenged by the numbers and varieties of Chinese undergraduate applicants currently interested in pursuing study at your school? Join us in exploring the RAP response to the current trend of Chinese undergraduate interest in the US. We will examine the motivation, academic preparation, credentials, expectations, special needs and aspirations of the Chinese millennials. Join in our discussion of successful recruitment strategies, dealing with agents, admission policies and practices. Share special programs designed to address the unique needs and expectations of Chinese students in the USA.
 
Laura Welch Recertification Training ISSS JoAn Taylor
Elisabeth Royston
Amy Bullock
SEVP anticipates that recertification will begin in 2009. To help schools prepare for this process, SEVP has developed a training module on petition updates. Petition updates serve as a proxy for school reporting requirements, one of the elements, besides bona fides and student reporting, that will be reviewed during recertification.
Update: -----------------------------------
Recertification Training, Thursday October 23,  2 - 3:30 p.m. in Ballroom IV

SEVP presenters include:  Ms. Elisabeth Royston (School Certification Branch Case Analyst), Mr. Mike Hallanan (Policy Analyst/SEVP), Ms. Amy Bullock (IT Specialist) and Ms. JoAn Taylor (Outreach, Branch Chief)
 
4:00 - 5:15 p.m. (4)
 
Ken Bus Best Practices for Community College International Offices RAP/ISSS Ken Bus
Randy Bush
Community Colleges are one of the best kept secrets of American higher education. International students lack accurate information about how they can access community colleges. Some community colleges are ill-prepared to offer the full range of services that F-1 students need.
This session will present some of these issues by focussing on a "Best Practices" memorandum released by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
 
Claudia Giannetti Leadership for the 21st Century: Multicultural Skills for a Diverse World ALL/IEL Claudia Giannetti
Denise Pappas
There is a need to invest in the preparation of multicultural leaders for the 21st century who are open-minded; respect different worldviews; possess knowledge of diverse countries; and understand and reflect on diversity in the United States. Nowhere is this opportunity greater than at the intersection of study abroad programs and U.S. diversity programs and initiatives. This workshop will present the conceptual and practical dimensions of an initiative at the University of Denver entitled: Leadership for the 21st Century Program: Multicultural Skills for a Diverse World.
 
Liza Hensleigh Strategies for Sexual Assault Response EA Liza Hensleigh
Ann Halpin
Covers strategies on how to respond to incidents of sex assault on study abroad programs. Includes working with sex assault victims, (appropriate vocabulary, resources, etc.) issues in reporting, and case study examples. Focus on helpful skills, including working with primary and secondary victims.
 
Tina Tan Advising Students Processing toward Lawful Permanent Residence ISSS Steve Springer
International student advisors regularly encounter students pursuing one of the several routes to lawful permanent residence (a green card). These students often present complex advising situations. In addition to questions about the process in which they're engaged, students have questions about whether they can maintain their nonimmigrant status, when to abandon it, the consequences of abandonment, whether or how they may re-enter the U.S. after travel abroad, and whether such travel will harm the process, among others. This session will review the routes to lawful permanent residence, address the advisor's role, and provide useful information for answering students' questions.
 

Friday

Session Chair Session Title KC Area Presenters
10:15 - 11:30 a.m.
 
Sara Thurston-Gonzalez Global Nomads/Third Culture Kids: Who are they and how can we serve them? ALL Sara Thurston-González
Lynne Warner
Third culture kids/global nomads (interchangeable terms) are youth who have spent all or many years of their childhood living abroad due to their parents’ employment. Creating a better understanding of these students is crucial in order to create a more welcoming campus during admissions and once they have arrived.
 
Danny Damron Technology and Communication in Education Abroad Experiences EA Danny Damron
Barbara Fleming
Cynthia Banks
This session will offer attendees two approaches to technology and communication in education abroad experiences. The first will focus on current uses of technology in education abroad. It will explore ways to make small changes that minimize environmental impacts and create efficiencies which save fragile resources, money and time. The second will explore several modes of facilitating communication and information sharing between students, program administrators, supervising faculty, and host country contacts in education abroad experiences. It will outline and assess information sharing and communication via Facebook groups, blogs, print material, and E-Platform technology (Blackboard, WebCT).
 
Helen O’Keefe The NAFSA Academy ALL Helen O'Keefe
Kevin Green
Courtney Jacobson
NAFSA’s Academy for International Education will graduate its fifth class at this fall’s Regional Conferences. Talk this chance to find out why the Academy is a tremendous professional development opportunity and how you can get involved. After an informal panel presentation, there will be plenty of time for q & a with our regional coach and this year's academy participants.
 
Shama Ali Black and White and then there's Grey....Where to find Answers ISSS Deborah Kuiken
Shama Ali
Government policy is considered to be "black and white" because the immigrations regulations are contained in a Federal Code of Regulations However, real-life student situations, combined with school policy and personal interpretation contribute to the "grey" that international advisors face everyday. This presentation will supply you with the resources to help you work with these 'grey' areas in F-1 immigration regulations. There will be opportunity for case study discussions and/or a question/answer period.