Past Sessions

Building Blocks of Culture

Hosted by: Kandy Turner (Widener University)
Date: Friday, April 30
Time: 2-3pm EST
Description: This workshop will focus on the building blocks of culture and effective cross-cultural communication based on Craig Storti's book Understanding the World's Cultures. Culture will be defined, the components of culture will be explored using various dialogues and scenarios, and common cultural miscommunications will be explained

• Resources: View the recording
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career

May 2021

F1 Tax Time: What are the Options?

Hosted by: Danielle Lee Davis (Radford University), Natalia Watkins (Old Dominion University), and Kristina Bautista (Liberty University)
Date: Thursday, May 27
Time: 11am - 12pm EDT
Description: Tax Day is stressful for everyone, but International Student Advisors have an additional concern: how do we best assist our F-1 students who must file? Different institutions take different approaches, from hands-off tax prep software to in-house information sessions with tax professionals. Each approach has its pros and cons, and it can be hard to identify the best approach for your institution. The presenters will break down the options, and help you help your students, even if you don't even file your own taxes without assistance!

• Resources: Click here for recording
• Knowledge Communities: ISSS
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career

June 2021

Supporting the Mental Health of International Students: Researcher and Practitioner Reflections on COVID-19

Hosted by: Natalie Cruz (Old Dominion University) and Jessica Watson (Tidewater Community College)
Date: Thursday, June 10
Time: 2pm-3pm EDT
Description: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) brought unprecedented challenges for all higher education stakeholders. During the pandemic, international students faced unique challenges such as balancing concerns about family, health, and decisions to stay in the U.S. or return to their home countries. Presenters will highlight findings from a study that sought to understand the impact of the complex traumas of 2020 on international students and how students perceived the support from their institutions. Presenters will utilize a collection of anecdotes from current students to highlight their experiences during the pandemic and offer examples of institutional responses to these experiences. Participants will have an opportunity to hear both researcher and practitioner perspectives on international students’ experiences during COVID-19, as well as reflect on their own experiences and learn from other attendees

• Resources: http://www.tinyurl.com/ISmentalhealth
• Knowledge Communities: ISSS, IEM, IEL
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career

NAFSA Region 8 Update Meeting & Happy Hour

Hosted by: NAFSA Region 8 Team
Date: Friday, June 11
Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm EDT
Description: Join the NAFSA Region 8 Team for regional updates, a fall conference (All-Region Summit) preview, and fun activities. This update meeting will be immediately followed by a happy hour with networking opportunities.

• Resources 
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

University Partnerships in Sustainability and Education Abroad

Hosted by: Marina Knapp (College of William and Mary), Hayley Spear (University of Virginia)
Date: Wednesday, June 23
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm EDT
Description: Presenters will share the origin of the UVA and W&M sustainability partnership among their Education Abroad Offices. The session will cover how our partnership was formed and how it functions, ways to initiate the conversation of sustainability in education abroad, challenges and successes we faced in the past year, and our future goals. Examples of our efforts include the development of sustainability concepts into program development content and evaluation, the creation of collaborative and reoccurring co-facilitated info sessions and events, and sharing efforts in working towards carbon offsets for student travel.

• Register: https://tinyurl.com/R8June23
• Knowledge Communities: EA, IEL, TLS
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

Advocacy for All

Hosted by: Mandy Reinig (Virginia Wesleyan University) and LaNitra Berger (George Mason University)
Date: Tuesday, June 29
Time: 2:00 - 3:00pm EDT
Description: Advocacy for International Education issues does not need to happen only on Advocacy Day. It can happen year-round and all can and should participate in advocacy activities. This session will discuss ways in which international educators at all levels can advocate through emails, tweets, Advocacy Day, and more. Presenters will talk about their experiences advocating and how they got involved and stay involved with spreading the word on study abroad and immigration issues. Learn how you can be a voice for change! 

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

July 2021

International Student & Scholar Updates and Planning for Fall

Hosted by: Gina Dreyer (University of Maryland, Baltimore), Mark Dennis (Virginia Tech) & Kasie Reyes (Old Dominion University)
Date: Tuesday, July 6
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Description: Join the ISSS Region VIII team members for a discussion of the current status of travel and visa issuance, regulatory changes, and special considerations for fall arrivals. Bring your questions & stories, we'd love to have a lively discussion.

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: ISSS
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

July 2021

Hot Topics In Immigration Law

Hosted by: Crystal Malik (McCandlish Holton, PC)
Date: Wednesday, July 14
Time: 2:30 - 3:30pm EDT
Description: A presentation and Q&A session with an immigration attorney, covering Hot Topics in Immigration law and developments during the Biden administration. This session will discuss issues affecting students, faculty, and scholars, including policy changes to H-1B adjudication, H-1B cap lottery procedures, COVID based travel restrictions and consular policies, OPT EAD and dependent EAD issues, expansion of TPS and DACA reinstatement (and how they relate to international educational opportunities and work authorization).

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: ISSS, EA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

Immigration-Informed Crisis Intervention: ISS Presence on a College's Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

Hosted by: Jessica Haile (Franklin & Marshall College)
Date: Friday, July 23
Time: 1:00 - 2:00pm EDT
Description: Learn how Franklin and Marshall (a small liberal arts college with one of the largest international enrollments) handles behavioral and academic interventions combining student wellness, academic success, and immigration considerations. The presenter explains the care team, the role of international student services, and partnership in the intervention process to increase success.

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: ISSS, EA, TLS
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

Employment-Based Sponsorship: Navigating Delays, COVID-19 Related Issues, & Other Challenges

Hosted by: Elisa Facetti (University of Delaware), Kristen Repyneck Dennis (Goldblum and Pollins Law Firm) & Janica Cimo (University of Delaware)
Date: Thursday, July 29
Time: 1:30 - 2:30PM EDT
Description: This session provides insight into emerging challenges to temporary and permanent employment-based sponsorship of foreign faculty and staff, and offers best practices to avoid RFEs, audits, or denials, plan for delays, adapt to COVID-19 related issues and set stakeholder expectations, and resolve challenging cases. 

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: ISSS
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career

September 2021

Maintaining Intercultural Student Engagement

Hosted by: Amy Leap Miller, Sarah Carrier, Audrey E Short (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Date: Tuesday September 28
Time: 12pm - 1pm EDT
Description: Join staff from VCU’s Global Education Office to engage in discussion about successful intercultural virtual engagement opportunities. We will discuss VCU’s Cultural Conversations with International Partners, Study Abroad Focused Freshman Course, and collaborative Black + Abroad programming. We plan to have a robust conversation that illustrates logistical considerations for successful virtual programming and provides attendees with practical takeaways. Let’s come together to share experiences, trade information, and find continual ways to collaborate!

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: EA, TLS
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

Black International Educator Reflections: Self Care During Two Pandemics

Hosted by: Christina Thompson (Barcelona SAE), Ebony C. Majeed (Christopher Newport University), Lakendra Brunston-Parker (Virginia Union University)
Date: Wednesday, September 22
Time: 1pm - 2pm EDT
Description: How can we lead as International Educators to rebuild study abroad participation in a hyper racial society during a global pandemic? This session features a panel of Black International Educators with varying roles, discussing (J.E.D.I) justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion from a parallel pandemic perspective (racism and covid-19). Each panelist will share their professional experiences working during these critical times: how we make self-care a priority and share best practices for any institutions with goals to retain BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) staff and students.

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

November 2021

Careers in International Education: Understanding One’s Path So Far

Hosted by: Sora Friedman (SIT Graduate Institute)
Note: This is a 2-part event. Please register separately for each session you plan to attend (Part 1 and/or Part 2). Part 2 will build on Part 1. Registrants are encouraged to attend both sessions, but not required to do so.

Date:

• Part 1: Wednesday, November 3 (12-1 pm EST)
• Part 2: Wednesday, November 10 (12-1 pm EST)

Description:

• Part 1: The first step in planning one’s future career and professional development is the articulation of one’s path to date. In this session, the first of two, new and mid-level IE professionals will complete a competency assessment and draft a professional autobiography focusing on identity, experiences, skills, and worldview, all features that distinguish individuals looking to enter or advance in the field. The session also will explore the need for an advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) and will introduce professional terminology for use in the creation of compelling cover letters and resumes. (In the second session, participants will learn the steps to take for moving forward in the field.)
• Part 2: In this session, the second of two, new and mid-level IE professionals will create an action plan for a job search or continued professional development. Steps to be reviewed include networking, opportunities for new skills development, conducting effective informational interviews, creating compelling cover letters and resumes, and where to find jobs. (Attendees need not have attended the first session to participate in this second one.)

Registration and Details:

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career

Managing the New Frontiers of Risk in Post-COVID Global Education

Hosted by: Mark Rush (Washington & Lee University) & Sylvia Mitterndoerfer (College of William and Mary)
Date: Thursday, November 18
Time: 12-1 pm EST

Description: Join our presenters for an interactive session discussing how COVID has transformed the portfolios of international education offices and staff. Discussion topics will include: With whom did we manage and assess risk? Special challenges for all constituents (ISS, study abroad, staff, faculty) exposed by the pandemic. New or existing practices that will continue going forward and old ones that won't. Presenters will then invite the attendees to add their comments and contribute to a discussion of lessons learned. 

• Resources
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

April 2022:

International Student Relief in Times of Crisis - Focus on Ukraine

Hosted by: Danielle Lee Davis (Radford University) and Crystal Malik (McCandlish-Holton)

Date: Friday, April 15

Time: 12-1PM ET

Description: In response to the war in Ukraine, the Biden administration has announced Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainian students in the US. Ukraine joins a lengthy list of countries whose citizens are eligible for this status. How does a P/DSO prepare a student to apply for TPS? What resources and support should we provide? This session will serve as a refresher on student relief measures and available options for affected students, alongside a review of TPS, special student relief, etc. for all international students.

• Resources: Click here

May 2022:

The United Nations Academic Impact Program: Enhancing Global Events on Your Campus

Hosted by: Maria Dietrich (Northampton Community College)

Date: Thursday, May 5

Time: 3-4pm ET

Description: Join this workshop to learn about the United Nations Academic Impact program and how your higher education institution can join. Learn about the program’s benefits and resources that your institution can use to enhance alignment with the United Nations’ goals. The workshop will include breakout sessions to evaluate your campus’ current programming and how to build upon it. 

• Link to Resources: Click here
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career, Executive

To go far, go together: Creating Community & Pathways for International Students

Hosted by: Jana Jaffa (Penn State University), Elliot Hirshon (Juniata College)

Date: Tuesday, May 24 

Time: 2-3pm ET

Description: During the pandemic, Juniata College offered a virtual course for international, domestic, and ESL learners. This course combined many different threads of identity and belonging in an academic environment.  There is attention to social, academic and professional life, and incorporates scaffolding in terms of academic content and structured peer engagement in class, through assignments, and through a lab. Hosts plan to share various course engagement models, challenges, successes and invite the participants to share models at their institution in small and large group discussions.

• Link to Resources: Click here
• Knowledge Communities: Pan-NAFSA
• Career Level: Early Career, Mid Career