Frontlines: September + October 2017

In this issue: the next big challenges that international education leaders will face, what we stand for and against, the importance of professional development, and a special message from the CEO.

What Will Be the Next Big Challenges That International Education Leaders Will Face?

By Esther D. Brimmer, DPhil, NAFSA Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer 

Several challenges are important to our field. The first is the flow of international students: Will the United States continue to welcome international students and have them be part of our higher education community? I very much commend the efforts by our NAFSA members on campuses across the United States who have made extraordinary efforts to welcome potential new students and to reassure their current students. The reality is that the volatile political environment will continue to be an issue.

Changes in education policy in other countries will also have a profound impact on international educators in the United States. They need to follow developments in countries where they have important connections and partnerships. Among these developments is the rise of nationalist populism, which creates an atmosphere that is hostile towards outsiders. It’s also particularly challenging for higher education administrators to see that the deep contributions their institutions make to societies are not fully appreciated. 

Despite continuing constraints on finances, universities must continue to reach out and broaden the circle of students who are included in international education. Creative work on issues such as diversity, equality, and inclusion are vital because the benefits of international