Committee: International Education Leadership Knowledge Community (IEL KC)
Position: Member, Communications & Engagement (LIZN Leader)
Term: Two-year term, renewable for one term (maximum of 4 years)
The International Education Leadership Knowledge Community (IEL KC) addresses the needs of new and experienced senior international officers (SIOs), those international education leaders who are engaged in envisioning, leading, and building commitment for internationalization by working at the nexus of administration, faculty, and international education services.
This position identifies resources of benefit to SIOs, represents the IEL KC at NAFSA annual conference and events; develops resources for aspiring, new, and experienced SIOs. In addition, this position provides oversight and coordination of the Leading Internationalization Network (LIZN), the IEL KC’s professional network and primary vehicle for disseminating knowledge and information relevant to SIOs. The portfolio includes ongoing development and management of LIZN’s online resources and discussion forum. To that end, the network leader draws on professional experience in, and knowledge of, the international education field to proactively seek opportunities to create and add value for LIZN through a dynamic and vibrant discussion forum, creation of high-quality and timely resources, and effective communication to network subscribers.
Position updated August 2020
NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership: Open Positions to learn about available opportunities.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
- Coordinate the identification and development of high-quality and timely resources for the LIZN network in collaboration with the NAFSA staff partner and the IEL KC team.
- Coordinate the development of a periodic newsletter to the IEL community.
- Collaborate with other network leaders on cross-network resources and discussions.
- Encourage new SIOs to get involved with the IEL KC.
- Work on other IEL KC team projects as needed.
- Serve as an active IEL KC team member at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo by participating in events such as Networking Center meetings and the IEL KC Update Meeting.
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 on-boarding for all, especially diversity-focused and underrepresented groups;
- increasing accessibility and participation from underrepresented groups, individuals, and institutions; and
- 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
Relationships with Other Members
This position will communicate regularly with the IEL KC team to ensure that high-quality offerings are provided for the IEL KC audience at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo, subscribers to the LIZN network, and throughout the year.
Relationships with the NAFSA staff
This position works closely with the senior director and director of NAFSA’s Academic Affairs and Internationalization staff unit.
Commitment
- 2-3 hours per month. Busiest time in January and April to prepare for team meetings.
- Participation in conference calls and email communication with IEL KC leadership and staff.
- Preparation for and attendance of the Washington Leadership Meeting (WLM) in late January (travel and per diem provided by NAFSA if WLM is held in person).
- Preparation for and attendance of preconference meetings at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo in late May (at own expense).
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Experience as an SIO or international education leader.
- Knowledge of existing IEL KC resources.
- Ability to identify relevant resources that will be useful to SIOs.
- Demonstrated skill in leading a committee and managing committee work.
- Active interest in assisting colleagues with professional and leadership development.
- Excellent communication and leadership skills.
- Willingness to adopt organization-wide perspectives and IEL KC strategic priorities.
- Willingness to adopt association priorities and perspectives on volunteer development and management.
- Demonstrated experience with effective strategic planning, management, networking, and delegation of tasks.
- Strong coordination, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a team and with NAFSA staff in an outcomes-based environment.
- Commitment to access and respond to email in a timely fashion, as well as to communicate using online electronic tools/systems plus the online workspace structure.
- Willingness to participate in NAFSA meetings; ability to travel to NAFSA meetings (if held in person).
- Manage unconscious bias in the assessment and decision-making process.
- Recognized by peers for being energetic, innovative, and visionary.
- Valid NAFSA membership through the length of the leadership term.
- Ability to meet the volunteer commitment outlined and planning calendar deadlines.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience monitoring or participating in a web-based forum.
