Committee: Leadership Development Committee (LDC)
Position: Member-At-Large
Term Dates: Two-year term
Members of the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) are responsible for encouraging volunteer leadership and supporting systems to cultivate, recruit, and orient volunteer leaders to the association. The LDC contributes to NAFSA’s strategic objectives by working to ensure effective governance, leadership, communication, and coordination of policies and procedures are in place. Members are appointed by the chair of the LDC.
Position updated August 2026
NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership to learn about available opportunities.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
Within the framework of the NAFSA Strategic Plan, this position will:
- Identify and vet prospects for member-leader elected offices and present the new candidate slate to the Board of Directors.
- Ensure and maintain transparency of and confidentiality during the member-leader nomination process.
- Collaborate with knowledge communities, regional teams, and other committees in the leadership identification, cultivation, and recruitment processes.
- Promote the value of volunteering as a way to build one’s career, to share one’s expertise, and to contribute to the advancement of international education.
- Encourage members from underrepresented constituencies to consider leadership positions in committees, knowledge communities, task forces, and subcommittees experience.
- Please note: Members-At-Large on the LDC are not eligible for elected positions while serving on this committee but may stand for election to the Board of Directors.
Sample Projects
In recent years, the LDC has contributed to projects such as:
- Encouraging potential candidates to consider volunteer leadership
- Reviewing, interviewing, and reference checking prospective chair candidates for five knowledge communities and two committees
- Presenting sessions and posters at the NAFSA annual and regional conferences on the benefits of volunteering.
Commitment
- Assure NAFSA membership through the length of the two-year, nonrenewable term.
- Prepare for and attend virtual NAFSA leadership and LDC meetings throughout the year. Meeting schedules will be determined collaboratively, with consideration given to accommodating committee members across multiple time zones, including those based outside the United States.
- 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.
Qualifications
- Understanding of NAFSA and demonstrated overall knowledge of the structure of the association
- Knowledge of the benefits and responsibilities of NAFSA volunteer leadership, including NAFSA’s mission, vision, and statement of ethical principles and diversity and inclusion
- Willingness to adopt organization-wide perspectives and LDC strategic priorities and to adopt association perspectives on volunteer development and management
- Experience with strategic planning, management, networking, and delegation
- Strong coordination, analytical, oral, and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with a team and with NAFSA staff in an outcomes-based environment
- Ability to manage unconscious bias in the assessment and decision-making processes
Desired Qualifications
- Previous experience in NAFSA at the regional or national level
- Experience in public speaking, presentations, marketing, mentoring, and leadership development
Benefits and Appreciation
NAFSA appreciates its LDC volunteer leaders with a strategy that develops, celebrates, and supports them throughout the year:
- Each year, leaders in this role receive complimentary access to two NAFSA e-learning courses.
- Leaders in this role are invited to an invite-only appreciation reception at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- 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 & Expo.
- Leaders in this role receive a discount on conference registration for the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo in appreciation of their service.
