President and Chair of the Board of Directors

In partnership with the CEO, the President supports the development of organizational strategy, including organizational advancement strategies, policies, processes, plans, and structures that support NAFSA’s long-term success.

The President’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the Board in setting and advancing NAFSA’s strategic direction, ensuring alignment with the association’s mission, vision, values, and long-term priorities.
• Partner with the CEO in updating and advancing the strategic plan, including ensuring appropriate member input and Board engagement.
• Maintain awareness of major activities within each vice president portfolio to ensure alignment with NAFSA’s overall strategy.
• Work with the appropriate vice presidents to define and advance strategic priorities within their respective service areas.
• Support the long-term financial health of the organization in partnership with the CEO and Board.
• Ensure that appropriate management controls, financial planning, development strategies, and risk assessment processes are in place.
• Communicate the association’s direction, priorities, and positions to internal and external audiences.
   

As Chair of the Board, the President plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, effectiveness, and accountability of NAFSA’s governance.  The President’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Set and drive strategic agendas for the Board of Directors and Executive Committee in partnership with the CEO.
• Preside over meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee in accordance with NAFSA’s bylaws and governance best practices.
• Ensure disciplined meeting management, active engagement, focused discussion, clear decision-making, and timely follow-through.
• Guide the Board in conducting its business effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with NAFSA’s bylaws, policies, and applicable laws.
• Ensure Board members understand and fulfill their governance responsibilities.
• Foster an inclusive, equitable, respectful, and high-trust Board culture.
• Encourage full and equitable participation in Board and Executive Committee discussions.
• Ensure the Board arrives at decisions in a timely, thoughtful, informed, and democratic manner.
• Consult with the Executive Committee at least quarterly to provide updates and discuss organizational and strategic priorities.
• Actively participate in key Board discussions, including matters related to audit, annual compensation approvals, Board evaluation, and other governance matters as requested by the CEO or required by the Board.
   

The President serves as a visible champion and spokesperson for NAFSA, in partnership with the CEO.

The President’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Along with the CEO, represent the association in external relations, including with other associations, partners, stakeholders, and public audiences.
• Represent NAFSA through public speaking engagements across a variety of context
• Deliver presentations at member, leadership, and association meetings as requested.
• Ensure the membership and leadership are appropriately informed of major association activities strategic direction, and priorities through appropriate communication channels.
• Maintain an accessible, visible, and engaged presence with the membership. 
• Listen to member perspectives and help elevate issues of strategic importance to the appropriate Board or staff leadership channels.
• Partner with staff and the Executive Committee to address membership issues, intervening as needed to help guide discussion and support constructive outcomes.
   

The President sets the tone for leadership relationships across the association and is expected to model transparency, integrity, accountability, and respect.

The President’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Champion NAFSA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Model thoughtful, ethical, and values-based decision-making.
• Provide timely, strategic, and responsive leadership to the Board.
• Set expectations related to organizational advancement and Board engagement in support of NAFSA’s long-term sustainability.
   

The President serves as the primary partner to the CEO, helping maintain an appropriate balance between Board governance and staff leadership while supporting productive, transparent, and accountable relationships across the association’s leadership.
The President’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and the CEO, facilitating ongoing communication and conveying Board guidance and feedback in support of the Board’s responsibility to oversee the CEO’s performance.
• In consultation with the CEO, make committee appointments as needed, including appointments such as the Annual Conference Committee chair and Board committee appointees.
• In partnership with the CEO, perform other duties and responsibilities as needed to support the effective governance, leadership, and strategic direction of the association.

The President is expected to maintain an active and engaged presence in the work of the association throughout the year.

The President’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, and participate in other meetings and engagements as needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.
• Maintain a significant, active, and visible presence at the NAFSA Annual Conference.
• Remain available and responsive to time-sensitive matters, including rapidly evolving external developments that may affect the association or the field.
• Make an annual financial contribution to the association, in keeping with their personal giving situation and plan.

NAFSA covers travel expenses related to Board service according to NAFSA’s Travel Policy. 

The President should expect to spend a minimum of 1 to 2 hours per day, or approximately 5 to 10 hours per week, on NAFSA work. At certain times, the time commitment may increase to approximately 10 to 20 hours per week.

The President’s leadership style, association priorities, Board needs, and external developments may influence the amount of time required. While some volunteer work can be completed outside of traditional business hours, the President should expect to make time during the average business day for NAFSA activities, including reviewing materials, responding to emails, attending virtual meetings, and engaging with the CEO, Board members, and staff leadership as needed.

Because of the demands of the position, support from the President’s institution or organization is necessary. This includes flexibility to attend meetings, conference calls, and association events. A letter of support from the appropriate leader at the President’s institution or organization is required for the two-year leadership role.

Required Experience and Background

Candidates must demonstrate the following:

• Current service as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors and current membership in NAFSA.
• Substantial and broad experience in international education.
• Senior-level leadership experience in management, policy, or organizational leadership, such as service at the level of CEO, provost, dean, program director, or equivalent leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, financial management, and organizational decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues at an organizational or field-wide level, including the ability to identify broader patterns, trends, risks, and impacts affecting the association.
• Strong understanding of NAFSA as a strategic organization in the field of international education.
• Strong understanding of NAFSA’s leadership structure, volunteer leadership model, and membership landscape.
• Demonstrated fiduciary responsibility and sound judgment in governance or organizational leadership.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate thoughtfully, clearly, and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated progression of leadership responsibility and influence.
• Strong interpersonal, intergroup, and cross-cultural leadership skills.
• Ability to build trust, work collaboratively, and lead effectively within a complex governance and staff partnership structure.
• Willingness and availability to travel.

Desired Experience, Attributes, and Skills

Candidates should also demonstrate the following:

• Experience serving on another association or not-for-profit organization’s board.
• Experience in development, fundraising, partnership-building, or organizational advancement.
• Proficiency in nonprofit finances, audit reporting, compliance, risk assessment, and resource development.
• Experience serving on high-level NAFSA task forces, committees, working groups, or leadership bodies.
• Experience within NAFSA at both the regional and national levels.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and mitigate the impact of bias in decision-making processes.
• Strategic insight, sound judgment, and the ability to make decisions in the best interest of the association.
• Vision, leadership, and executive presence necessary to partner with the CEO and guide the Board.
• Ability to foster inclusive, equitable, and values-aligned Board culture.
• Ability to model transparency, integrity, accountability, and respect.
• Commitment to exemplifying NAFSA’s values in leadership, governance, and member engagement.