Committee: Teaching, Learning and Scholarship (TLS) Knowledge Community
Position: Coordinator, Intercultural Communications and Engagement
Term Dates: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023 (2-year term, renewable once; Maximum of 4 years)
The Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC) focuses on curriculum internationalization, research that informs practice, and intercultural communication and serves faculty, administrators, graduate students/post-docs, researchers, intercultural trainers, cross-cultural counselors, and other professionals in international education.
The Intercultural Communication and Training (ICT) online network of the TLS KC provides resources and networking space for professionals interested in intercultural learning, cross-cultural counseling/advising, and intercultural training techniques.
The Intercultural Communications and Engagement Coordinator is a member of the TLS KC leadership team and chairs the ICT subcommittee. This position provides oversight and coordination of the ICT network and looks for opportunities to create added value for the TLS KC through a vibrant discussion forum, creation and identification of high quality and timely resources, and effective communication to the TLS KC community.
Position updated August 2021
NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership: Open Positions to learn about available opportunities.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
- Participate as an active TLS KC leadership team member.
- Coordinate the content of the ICT network, including:
- Coordinating the review and revision of resources;
- Identifying and developing new high-quality and timely resources;
- Contacting NAFSA staff with suggestions to improve the user experience on the ICT network; and
- Collaborating with other network leaders on cross-network resources and discussions.
- Monitor and manage the discussion forum on the ICT network, including:
- Seeding discussion and exchange on the discussion forum, as appropriate;
- Identifying questions and topics to recommend to the TLS KC leadership team for consideration for further development into resources; and
- Responding promptly to issues and requests from subscribers and notifying the NAFSA staff partner of technical issues as they arise.
- Lead the ICT Subcommittee, including:
- Setting up and leading meetings of the subcommittee at least once per quarter;
- Engaging subcommittee members in developing content and managing discussions within the network;
- Developing and implementing schedule for updating, developing, and posting resources in alignment with the TLS KC work plan each year.
- Promote intercultural communication and training resources broadly to international education professionals with related interests, serving as point of contact to the TLS KC leadership and members in bringing awareness of and locating appropriate resources.
- Communicate regularly with the TLS KC leadership team about activities and opportunities to facilitate the dissemination of ICT resources.
- Coordinate a communications and engagement strategy for professionals including scholar-practitioners, early career scholars, researchers, graduate students, and faculty with the TLS KC leadership team and NAFSA staff partner.
- Contribute to the content development of the quarterly TLS KC newsletter.
- Contribute to the identification of topics and experts for TLS KC columns in the International Educator magazine.
- Work closely with the TLS KC staff partner to maintain the ICT network and coordinate the development of relevant TLS KC materials.
- Work on other special projects as needed.
All NAFSA leaders are expected to foster an inclusive environment and seek to learn and understand the multicultural perspectives of the committee/team, our constituents, and stakeholders to align with the NAFSA Diversity and Inclusion Statement. An expression of leadership in this area includes:
- Engaging the committee/team to identify and implement strategies for increased personal outreach, recruitment, and onboarding for all, especially diversity-focused and underrepresented groups
- Increasing accessibility and participation from underrepresented groups, individuals, and institutions
- Expanding educational content within the committees’ purview through intentional outreach and recruitment of diverse presenters and institutional types in partnership with various NAFSA groups
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a professional association driven by its Strategic Plan as established by the Board of Directors. The success of the association depends on the productive engagement of three key constituencies: the Board, member-leaders, and staff. Member-leaders are advocates for the association’s mission, vision, values, diversity and inclusion, and ethical principles. They align their work closely with the Board through its vice presidents and with staff to carry out the Strategic Plan. Member-leader roles are guided by objectives assigned by the Strategic Plan, by outcome accountabilities outlined in the Standing Rules, and by position descriptions for specific roles.
Relationships
- This position collaborates closely with other NAFSA leaders to enhance work efforts across the association.
- This position partners closely with the NAFSA staff partner assigned. Effective relationships reflect and include responsiveness to phone calls/e-mail correspondence, timely delivery on responsibilities, open communication and mutual respect, among other characteristics.
Commitment
- Two-year commitment, renewable once.
- 5-10 hours per month, depending on the volume of activity on the ICT network.
- Participation in conference calls and email communication with the TLS KC leadership team and NAFSA staff.
- Participation in the Washington Leadership Meeting (WLM) in late January/early February 2022 and 2023 (funding for WLM is provided by NAFSA when it is held in person).
- Preparation for and participation in TLS KC leadership meetings at the NAFSA annual conference in late May 2022 and 2023.
Qualifications
- Valid NAFSA membership through length of volunteer term.
- Experience in international education, particularly in the areas of intercultural communication and training and applied research and scholarship.
- Ability to identify relevant resources for the ICT network community.
- Willingness to adopt organization-wide perspectives and TLS KC strategic priorities.
- Willingness to adopt association priorities and perspectives on volunteer development and management.
- Ability to work effectively with a team and with NAFSA staff in an outcomes-based environment.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with effective strategic planning, management, networking, and delegation experience.
- Strong coordination, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage unconscious bias in the assessment and decision-making process.
- Recognized by peers for being energetic, innovative, and visionary.
- Commitment to access and respond to e-mail in a timely fashion, as well as communicate using online electronic tools/systems including the online workspace structure.
- Willingness and ability to travel for participation and representation at NAFSA meetings.
- Ability to meet the volunteer commitment outlined and planning calendar deadlines.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience monitoring or participating in web-based forums.
- Knowledge of professional networks in the field of international education.
- Ability and willingness to innovate.