Committee: Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Position: Chair
Term Dates: Two-year term
The LDC Chair leads a committee dedicated to fostering volunteer leadership and promoting value of volunteering and member leadership as a way to build one's career, to share one's expertise, and to contribute to the advancement of international education.
The LDC advances NAFSA’s strategic objectives by facilitating effective governance, leadership, communication, and coordination; recommending leadership policies and procedures to the Vice President for Professional Development and Engagement (VP PDE); and identifying prospects for non-board-elected positions.
Position updated April 2025
NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Applications and nominations will reopen in Spring 2026. Please visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership: Open Positions to learn about available opportunities.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
- Lead the committee to achieve the outcomes enumerated in Standing Rule VIII, Section F:
- Identify and vet prospects for non-board elected positions according to Rule IV of NAFSA's Standing Rules.
- Encourage members from underrepresented constituencies to consider leadership positions for which they have particular expertise.
- Educate Knowledge Community and Committee Chairs about available resources to support their search for qualified candidates for appointed positions.
- Promote the value of volunteering and member leadership as a way to build one's career, to share one's expertise, and to contribute to the advancement of international education
- Create and maintain resources for the recruitment and orientation of member-leaders, in coordination with the knowledge communities, regional teams, and other committees
- Develop and deploy a work plan for the committee’s goals and initiatives for the year serving as chair;
- Update VP PDE at least twice a year on the status of work plan goals;
- Collaborate with NAFSA staff to achieve these goals.
The year as chair-elect is focused on contributing to the organizational and project management duties of the work plan, assuming the duties of chair in their absence, preparing the LDC work plan for the following year, and participating in key planning and engagement events.
The year as chair is focused on leading the LDC through virtual and in-person meetings to achieve/meet work plan goals, monitoring progress of LDC activities, reporting progress to the Vice VP PDE, appointing members to the LDC team as well as creating opportunities for broader committee members.
Sample Projects
In recent years, the LDC has led projects such as:
- Adapting the volunteer application process into an online system with a clear, consistent rubric for review and evaluation
- Presenting at the NAFSA Annual Conference on the professional and personal benefits of volunteering with the association
- Developing talking points and materials for volunteer recruitment
Commitment
- Assure NAFSA membership through the length of the two-year, nonrenewable term.
- Dedicate approximately 4-10 hours per month to LDC projects, with peak periods during May/June/July for the recruitment, review, and selection of chair-elect candidates
- Foster an inclusive environment in alignment with the NAFSA Diversity and Inclusion Statement
- Endeavor to attend meetings, events, and activities at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
Please Note: Per the NAFSA Standing Rules, Rule IV, Section C on Eligibility, "Current members of the Leadership Development Committee shall not be eligible to stand for elected member-leaders positions but may stand for election to the Board of Directors." In addition, if you are elected to lead the Leadership Development Committee, you are not eligible to serve in another elected member-leader position until one full year after your term as chair of the LDC has ended.
Qualifications
- Understanding of NAFSA and overall knowledge of the governance structure.
- Knowledge of, ability to articulate, and promote the benefits and responsibilities of volunteer leaders.
- Willingness to adopt association priorities and perspectives on volunteer development and management.
- High strategic planning, management, networking, and delegation experience.
- Strong coordination, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a team and with NAFSA staff in an outcomes-based environment.
- Three or more years membership in NAFSA. Desired Qualifications
- Previous NAFSA leadership experience with NAFSA at the regional or national level.
- Skill and/or experience in presenting, facilitating, marketing, mentoring, and leadership training.
Benefits and Appreciation
NAFSA appreciates its volunteer leaders with a strategy that develops, celebrates, and supports them throughout the year:
- The LDC chair-elect and chair receive 100% complimentary registration for the NAFSA Annual Conference.
- 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
- 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
