Committee: Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC)
Position: Coordinator, Research and Scholarship
Term Dates: January 1, 2027 - December 31, 2028
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 Research and Scholarship Coordinator is a member of the TLS KC leadership team, chairs the Research and Scholarship (RS) Subcommittee, and serves as a liaison to the editor of the Global Studies Literature Review.
Last Updated: August 2026
Accepting applications and nominations through October 15, 2026.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
Within the framework of NAFSA’s Strategic Plan, this position will:
- Contribute to and coordinate content for the TLS network.NAFSA community, including:
- Reviewing, revising, and promoting resources;
- Seeding discussion and exchange on the discussion forum, as appropriate;
- Supporting and promoting connections among stakeholders, partners, and other organizations.
- Identifying critical trends and issues and championing responses and initiatives that advance international education and shape the field; and
- Collaborating with the TLS KC team and NAFSA staff partner/s to improve the user experience on the TLS network and partner with other network leaders on cross-network resources and discussions.
- Serve as a Poster Fair Organizer for the International Education Research and Assessment Poster Fair at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo, including:
- Attending virtual meetings to discuss the poster preparation process and prepare presenters;
- Recruiting Poster Reviewers;
- Reviewing posters; and
- Providing onsite poster fair support at the annual conference.
- Lead the RS Subcommittee, including:
- Setting up and leading meetings of the subcommittee at least once per quarter;
- Engaging subcommittee members in developing content and managing discussions on the network; and
- Developing and implementing a schedule for updating, developing, and posting resources in alignment with the TLS KC work plan each year.
- Communicate and collaborate regularly with the TLS KC leadership team and NAFSA staff partner/s about activity and opportunities in the TLS network, and ways to facilitate the dissemination of resources.
- Serve as the TLS KC liaison to the Global Studies Literature Review (GSLR), facilitating communications between the Editor and the TLS KC leadership team, including:
- Providing leadership and guidance throughout the development and production of annual GSLR issues during the assigned term on the TLS KC;
- Collaboratively identifying important themes, books for review, and possible submission authors for subsequent issues; and
- Disseminating the Call for Submissions, encouraging authors to submit reviews, inviting experts to serve as peer reviewers; and providing content expertise to inform each issue.
Sample Projects
In recent years, this position has coordinated projects and events such as:
- Virtual and in-person open meetings for graduate students and early career professionals.
- Seeded discussions on the TLS network.NAFSA community.
- Creation and dissemination of resources on the TLS network.
- A virtual interview series with influential thinkers in the field.
- Collaborative workshop and session proposals for the annual conference.
Commitment
- Assure NAFSA membership through the length of the two-year leadership term, renewable once upon agreement with the TLS KC leadership, for a maximum term of four years.
- Prepare for and attend NAFSA leadership and TLS KC leadership meetings throughout the year. Most meetings are virtual.
- Endeavor to attend TLS meetings, events, and activities at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Review TLS proposal submissions for the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Serve as a Poster Fair Organizer for the International Education Research and Assessment Poster Fair at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Dedicate 5-10 hours per month, depending on the volume of activity on the TLS network.NAFSA community and TLS KC responsibilities.
- Model and uphold the principles, standards, and expectations outlined in NAFSA's Governance Documents.
Qualifications
- Experience in international education, particularly in applied research and scholarship, assessment, and evaluation.
- Ability to identify and develop resources relevant to the TLS network subscribers.
- 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 in an outcomes-based environment.
- Commitment to access and respond to e-mail in a timely fashion as well as communicate using online electronic tools/systems and the online workspace structure.
- Willingness to adopt organization-wide and strategic priorities, including perspectives on volunteer development and management.
- Ability to meet the volunteer commitment outlined and planning calendar deadlines.
Benefits and Appreciation
NAFSA appreciates its volunteer leaders with a strategy that develops, celebrates, and supports them throughout the year:
- Leaders in this role receive a discount on conference registration for the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo in appreciation of their service.
- Each year, 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 & 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.
