Reflections on 2024: A Look Back

Dear NAFSA members, partners, and friends,

As the year comes to a close, it is fitting to look back and reflect on all we’ve achieved together. The past 21 months I’ve spent at NAFSA as executive director and CEO have been deeply productive, rewarding, and filled with moments of inspiration. It has been a time of forging meaningful relationships with our remarkable members, volunteer leaders, Board of Directors, and partners, and working closely with our talented and dedicated staff. Each day, I am reminded of the “why” behind this work—the immense promise and potential of international education to transform lives and connect the world.

This year, representing NAFSA and the field globally has been both a privilege and a learning experience. From keynotes and roundtables to engagements with ministries and universities around the world, these experiences have offered critical perspectives on the vastness and vitality of our shared mission. In an interconnected and interdependent world, global engagement is  essential. And one thing remains clear: None of us can do this alone. We must go together.

This reflection highlights just some of what we have accomplished this year. These successes are the product of your unwavering commitment and steadfast support, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Listening and Responding to Our Members

This spring, NAFSA partnered with McKinley to conduct a comprehensive survey of members and nonmembers. We were thrilled to learn that 94 percent of members expressed satisfaction with NAFSA. Your trust is both humbling and energizing, and NAFSA staff are committed to earning it every day by addressing the challenges you face, seizing opportunities for the field, and delivering the value you deserve.

Expanding Learning and Professional Development

Meeting the evolving needs of our field is at the heart of what we do as an association. This year, NAFSA launched groundbreaking initiatives, like the field’s first-ever certificate program, theInternational Education Professional Certificate; the Leadership Essentials for Comprehensive Internationalization e-Learning course; the inaugural Senior Leader Internationalization Summit; and Global Goals, Global Education, a practical guide to aligning higher education with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These initiatives are shaping the future of our field and equipping leaders with the tools they need to make meaningful change.

Building and Strengthening Community

This year’s national conference and expo in New Orleans was a remarkable gathering, bringing together close to 9,000 colleagues, partners, and friends. Additionally, across NAFSA’s 11 geographic regions, nearly 2,700 registrants attended regional conferences this fall. These events fostered collaboration, strengthened partnerships, and celebrated the vibrant community that sustains us. Thank you to the many volunteer leaders, presenters, and partners who made these events such a success.

Advocating for the Future of International Education

Advocacy is a marathon, and this year saw tremendous progress. Together, we successfully opposed harmful third-party servicer guidance that would have impacted study abroad and international student recruitment in crippling ways. NAFSA also secured key policy clarifications, such as ensuring international students do not need a new Form I-20 when studying abroad for more than five months. Advocacy requires persistence, and as an association we are committed to staying the course, amplifying your voices, and driving positive change.

In partnership with the Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA also tackled challenges like visa fee increases and procedural barriers, advocating directly with ambassadors and policymakers. And through the U.S. for Success Coalition, which celebrated its first anniversary, we are building a powerful collective voice for the future of international education in the United States.

Expanding Our Reach and Influence

NAFSA was quoted in external media more than 120 times this year, a testament to the importance of the work we do together. Our flagship publications, including International Educator magazine and the NAFSA.news newsletter, continue to be trusted resources, with engagement rates well above industry benchmarks. Your feedback shapes these publications, and your insights are welcome as these publications continue to grow and evolve.

Looking Ahead with Hope and Purpose

This work of head and heart is about more than today; it is about seeding success for the next generation. The wins we’ve achieved this year are cause for celebration, but they are also a reminder of the work that remains. As we move forward together, let us remain steadfast in our shared purpose, bold in our aspirations, and compassionate in our approach.

Thank you for your commitment to our mission and for believing in the transformative power of international education. With the year drawing to a close, we can celebrate the important milestones we’ve achieved and redouble our efforts to create even greater impact in the years to come.

I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful holiday season and a new year filled with hope, health, and joy.

With deepest gratitude,

Fanta Aw