NAFSA is pleased to offer 25 Workshops as a part of the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference & Expo experience in New Orleans, Louisiana. Consider adding one or more highly interactive learning opportunities to your NAFSA 2024 schedule. 

NAFSA 2024 Workshops are ideal for new and experienced practitioners, managers, and international education leaders who focus on education abroad, international recruitment and admissions, student and scholar advising, teaching, international partnerships, alumni relations, research, policy functions, or one of the many facets of international education.

Participate in any optional learning workshops to gain the critical skills you need to succeed.

NAFSA 2024 Workshops

Money Matters: Strategic Resource Stewardship and Revenue Creation in Internationalization

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. (CT)

This highly interactive workshop focuses on advanced budgeting strategies and provides participants from all areas of internationalization with the knowledge and tools to build a budgeting system for the international office and to identify and develop revenue-generating initiatives in alignment with the vision and mission of their institution.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand strategic budgeting, financial sustainability, and the key factors of budget model implementation for internationalization structures and processes.
• Develop and learn how to implement a tailored budgeting system for the international office.
• Identify and develop revenue-generating initiatives aligned with the goals and budget models of both the international office and the institution.

Audience: International Education Leadership
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Building International Alumni Communities with Purpose

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. (CT)

Building alumni communities enhances collaboration among campus units and external stakeholders. While international alumni can support internationalization and sustainability agendas, they need a clear purpose to have a socially responsible impact. This workshop introduces well-established methodologies and tools for establishing purposeful international alumni initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn why alumni communities need a clear purpose to engage with their alma maters and to have a socially responsible impact.
• Acquire new strategies with the Learn Engage Ask Recognize Nurture (LEARN) model to integrate international alumni relations and support agendas focused on internationalization and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Use the LEARN model to identify and prioritize institutional strategies and opportunities.
• Use innovative stakeholder management practices to develop personalized tools.

Audience: Shared Interest
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

F-1 Student Advising for Beginners

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

Learn how to handle the most common requests made of new U.S. Designated School Officials (DSOs). Topics covered include issuing I-20s, maintaining status, employment, practical training, travel and reentry, and program extensions. SEVIS is discussed in relation to international student advising practices and procedures.

Learning Objectives:

• Interpret student requests and accurately advise them on how to maintain their F-1 status.
• Make informed decisions using a process that will incorporate the myriad influences affecting the decision.
• Comply with legal and institutional reporting requirements.
• Educate key parties on important matters involving international students.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $320, Nonmember $460, Student Member $208

F-1 Student Advising: Intermediate ALMOST SOLD OUT

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. (CT)

Discuss the gray areas of F-1 advising and explore the nuances of more complex issues regarding maintenance of status, travel and reentry, employment and STEM OPT, change of status, and reinstatement. Designed for experienced international student advisers.

Learning Objectives:

• Be a self-sufficient adviser by knowing your resources.
• Develop interpretations of F-1 regulations and guidance.
• Interpret and develop institutional policy.
• Learn techniques to advise F-1 students on situations where clear guidance is not available.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $320, Nonmember $460, Student Member $208

Filing Academic H-1B Petitions

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

Filing academic H-1B petitions requires coordination among the prospective employee, the hiring department, and government agencies. Participants prepare a sample H-1B petition and gather and examine sources of information, reference sources of authority, determine the wage, prepare forms for submission, and build an inspection file.

Learning Objectives: 

• Assemble an H-1B petition including establishing eligibility, determining prevailing wage, and filing essential documentation.
• Reference relevant sources of authority and regulatory guidance to ensure compliance when filing H-1B petitions.
• Advise your institutions and international employees on H-1B obligations and responsibilities.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $320, Nonmember $460, Student Member $208

J-1 Advising for Beginners

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

Develop an understanding of J-1 advising and regulatory issues including eligibility, DS-2019 issuance, health insurance, maintenance of status, extension, transfer, 212(e), repeat participation, and employment. SEVIS is discussed in relation to advising practices and procedures.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe principal components and characteristics of the Exchange Visitor Program.
• Identify resources to assist with J program administration.
• Resolve basic exchange visitor issues, problems, and situations.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $320, Nonmember $460, Student Member $208

J-1 Advising: Intermediate

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

Address topics such as eligibility, the bars, pre-arrival, and orientation, 212(e), employment, issues around transitions, and working with dependents. Focus on the most common J categories in higher education. Basic procedural training, the trainee category, or foreign medical graduates are not covered. Participants should have working knowledge and understanding of immigration and J-1 visa regulations and procedures.

Learning Objectives: 

• Build a conceptual foundation and practical knowledge for J-1 advising.
• Develop critical analytical skills for resolving common J-1 Exchange Visitor dilemmas.
• Balance and manage the interests of key constituencies.
• Establish solid professional networks in the J-1 visa community.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $320, Nonmember $460, Student Member $208

Employment-Based Permanent Residence

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

Clear institutional policies and procedures are essential for employment-based lawful permanent residence. In this workshop participants will examine EB-1 outstanding professor or researcher, EB-2 special handling, national interest waivers, review required forms and processes, and develop strong institutional policies.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe the essential eligibility criteria, procedures, and regulatory underpinnings of lawful permanent residence for common employment-based categories.
• Recognize issues affecting the employment-based permanent residence process.
• Initiate or review institutional policies for permanent residence sponsorship.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $320, Nonmember $460, Student Member $208

Collaborative Approaches to Developing Faculty-Led Programs

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

Offering faculty-led education abroad programming provides a winning result for the institution and its students. This workshop is relevant for those seeking to add programming along with learning best practices to improve your current education abroad portfolio. Gain foundational information that will help you implement successful and intentional programs. Learn how to create more program options while collaborating in a structured manner with faculty in the global learning agenda for your campus.

Learning Objectives: 

• Facilitate partnership and communication among stakeholders when planning, delivering, and evaluating faculty-led short-term education abroad programming.
• Define critical roles and processes for faculty-led programs reflecting your institution’s unique make up and requirements.
• Employ strategies improving program development and implementation.

Audience: Education Abroad
Fees: Member $275, Nonmember $400, Student Member $175

Education Abroad: Critical Skills for the Adviser

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

As the field of education abroad continues to advance, the demands placed on advisers grow. Learn the skills you need to be effective in the dynamic setting of education abroad. Explore the different roles required of an adviser to be successful. Discuss the advising profession with others in the field while interacting with each other and the workshop content in a multi-faceted way. Grow as a professional by gaining a comprehensive view of your role within the larger educational context.

Learning Objectives: 

• Adapt your advising strategy to meet the programmatic needs of your education abroad students through all stages of their program.
• Gain advising practice and insights in areas ranging from promotion and program selection to orientation and campus advocacy.
• Work efficiently, effectively, and collaboratively to support education abroad student needs within your institution and the program destination.

Audience: Education Abroad
Fees: Member $275, Nonmember $400, Student Member $175

Assessment and Evaluation for International Educators

Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (CT)

Develop a solid foundation for implementing assessment and evaluation for your international education programs. Applying best practices of survey design, focus group, and interview protocols, participants will develop an assessment to meet the growing institutional demand for data-informed driven decision.

Learning Objectives: 

• Articulate learning, service, or program outcomes to guide assessment projects.
• Distinguish best practices for survey, focus group, and interview design.
• Analyze data to identify issues, patterns, or effectiveness or international programs or services.

Audience: Teaching Learning and Scholarship
Fees: Member $275, Nonmember $400, Student Member $175

Building Bridges: Exploring the Art of International Partnerships ALMOST SOLD OUT

Monday, May 27, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

This workshop explores strategic partnerships in higher education, focusing on innovative practices for bilateral and multilateral collaborations. Topics of discussion include how trends like revenue generation impact partnerships, and ways to create partnerships that offer reciprocal benefits that align with institutional priorities.

Learning Objectives: 

• Examine model practices in centering partnership goals that align with the institutional priorities of all parties.
• Develop a deeper understanding of how to create authentic and transparent partnerships that support reciprocity among partners.
• Explore and share practices that advance internal and external community building through partnerships.
• Learn techniques to communicate partnership outcomes through effective data collection and storytelling.

Audience: International Education Leadership (Advanced)
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Recruiting International Students SOLD OUT

Monday, May 27, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

How do you reach your enrollment targets within your own resource limitations? From determining target markets to tailoring your communication strategy, you will build strategies and identify resources to help you plan a recruitment campaign that fits within the realities of your outreach goals and resources.

Learning Objectives: 

• Obtain information about target markets and constituents.
• Identify communication methods and institutional marketing opportunities to meet enrollment targets.
• Plan a recruitment campaign including online, social media, and travel.
• Form and maintain relationships and communication with regional/institutional contacts.
• Gather and maintain research and data on recruitment efforts to support an institutional IEM strategy.

Audience: International Enrollment Management
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Supporting International Students with Disabilities: Building Model Practices

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (CT)

This workshop provides research and resources for practitioners who support international students with disabilities. Attendees learn about model practices for inclusive support, campus collaboration, and advocacy.

Learning Objectives: 

• Gain insights into research regarding how U.S. colleges and universities use data to provide support for international students with disabilities.
• Identify information, resources, and training for international education leaders, recruiters, and advisers working with international students with disabilities.
• Understand pragmatic tools and model practices to support international students with disabilities from prearrival through graduation.

Audience: Shared Interest
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Leaning in to Project Management: Methods to Streamline International Education Processes SOLD OUT

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. (CT)

Tasked to do more with less? This workshop features a case study and practical examples of how a two-person office leveraged project management and the Lean Six Sigma methodology to develop a global strategy. Participants gain tools and an action plan to streamline processes and advocate for necessary resources.

Learning Objectives: 

• Apply innovative technology tools (Miro) and the Lean Six Sigma methodology to define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC).
• Develop an action plan to communicate with organizational leadership about key processes and advocate for resources to improve them.
• Use a project charter to define institutional resources that support collaboration, leading to streamlining and the alleviation of pain points.

Audience: Shared Interest
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Using the UN SDGs as a Framework for Internationalization

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (CT)

This workshop uses the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations as a guide for international education professionals to operationalize internationalization. It empowers professionals to reflect on the SDGs as a catalyst to solve critical, interconnected problems impacting the world, make decisions about resource allocation, and demonstrate how their work is meaningful.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the framework for using the UN SDGs in comprehensive internationalization.
• Illustrate how the UN SDGs can be embedded into international education domains.
• Synthesize innovative ways to use the UN SDGs in different educational contexts.
• Apply the UN SDGs to specific international education environments.

Audience: Shared Interest
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Strategies for Responding to RFEs for International Faculty and Staff

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (CT)

Trainers focus on model practices for responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions for foreign faculty and staff. The workshop covers common issues raised by USCIS, provides strategies and templates for responding, and gives guidance on how to set up initial applications to mitigate the risk of receiving an RFE.

Learning Objectives: 

• Develop analytical skills to understand what USCIS is and isn't asking for in an RFE.
• Demonstrate understanding of common issues raised by USCIS for nonimmigrant (e.g., H-1B, TN, O-1, etc.) and immigrant (e.g., EB-1A/B, EB-2, EB-3, etc.) visa petitions.
• Develop strategies and model practices to respond to RFEs, as well as how to avoid receiving them by setting initial applications up for success.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Risk Assessment and Crisis Management in Education Abroad Programming

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

Do you know how to respond when a crisis impacts your study abroad students? In education abroad programming and implementation, staff must be ready to manage a range of crises that may occur. In this workshop, participants will explore ways to assess risk, reduce risk potential, and respond to crises more effectively.

Learning Objectives: 

• Assess the probability and impact of potential risk factors tied to education abroad programs, destinations, and participants.
• Reduce risk potential and impact by developing policies, practices, and ongoing training of onsite and campus staff, program leaders, and participating students.
• Engage partners in the ongoing development of stronger crisis management practices.
• Develop and follow a standard protocol in response to an active crisis.

Audience: Education Abroad
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

International Credential Evaluation: Post-Secondary-Level Credentials

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

Take your knowledge beyond the essentials and delve into the key components of post-secondary-level credentials. Knowing the details for transfer and graduate student credentials are important for those working with international graduate students. This workshop provides guided practice of analyzing credentials with expert trainers so that you can feel confident in applying the skills in your institutional context.

Learning Objectives: 

• Apply basic methodology and benchmarking to post-secondary-level credentials.
• Convert international grades to U.S. equivalents.
• Convert credits from credits-based, hours-based, marks-based, and outcomes-based.
• Calculate grade point average.

Audience: International Enrollment Management
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

U.S. Visa and Entry Process for Students and Scholars

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

Guidance from advisers is essential as international students and scholars navigate the nonimmigrant visa and port of entry processes to gain admittance to the United States. Through case studies, this workshop prepares advisers to help their advisees understand the processes and potential hurdles involved in gaining admittance to the United States as an F-1 student, J-1 exchange visitor, or H-1B worker. Topics covered include establishing residence abroad and nonimmigrant intent, overcoming bars and ineligibilities, and avoiding documentary insufficiencies.

Learning Objectives: 

• Prepare students and scholars for required procedural steps to acquire nonimmigrant status.
• Draw on resources to advise students who present challenges in the process.
• Develop an office strategy to support students and scholars throughout the process of acquiring nonimmigrant status.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Preparing Labor Certification Applications for University Teaching Positions

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

Participants discuss laying the groundwork for the successful submission of special handling applications in the permanent labor certification system (PERM); properly completing critical sections of Form ETA-9141 and the revised Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) Form ETA-9089; and creating and maintaining PERM audit files.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn how to be strategic in choosing labor certification.
• Analyze job descriptions and job ads.
• Understand how to complete Forms ETA-9141 and ETA-9089; ensure consistency between job ads, Forms ETA-9141, ETA-9089, I-140, and notice of filing (NOF); and prepare and maintain PERM audit files.
• Learn how to effectively handle rerecruitment and reselection cases.

Audience: International Student and Scholar Services (Advanced)
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Women in International Education and Holistic Approaches to Leadership

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00p.m.-6:00p.m. (CT)

Women working in international education can face challenging paths to leadership. Through reflection, discussion, and practice exercises, participants explore mindful, coaching, and somatic approaches to holistic leadership and gain strategies for personal and professional leadership growth.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn about three approaches to holistic leadership and how they can be applied within the field of international education.
• Reflect on and collaboratively reimagine women’s leadership in international education to integrate personal and professional selves, enhance mental and physical health, and foster meaningful and inclusive mentorship practices.
• Identify concrete steps to further develop one’s leadership.

Audience: Shared Interest
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

A Primer on the U.S. Educational System

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

This workshop is designed for international attendees and new international educators. It provides an overview of the U.S. educational system, including secondary-level advanced placement exams and curricula, the transferability of credits from U.S. institutions, degree benchmarking, and course placement for study abroad students.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the U.S. educational system's structure and ladder, common grading scales, standardized and advanced placement exams, and credit-based systems at the secondary and postsecondary levels.
• Understand the U.S. educational system's quality assurance standards— such as regional, national, and professional accreditation—and learn how to determine an institution's accreditation.
• Learn to compare the credit-based system with other common global educational systems, including outcomes-, hours-, and marks-based systems.

Audience: Shared Interest
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Leveling Up Intercultural Training: Using the Intercultural Communication and Training Toolkit

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

This workshop offers guidance and practice on using the Intercultural Communication and Training (ICT) Toolkit. Participants learn how the ICT Toolkit can be applied to different situations across knowledge communities and walk away from the workshop able to use the toolkit in the real world.

Learning Objectives: 

• Gain familiarity with the ICT Toolkit and how it can be applied to practical situations.
• Use case studies to develop proficiency in using the toolkit in real-world scenarios.
• Develop a plan of action to implement appropriate toolkit activities for specific situations.

Audience: Teaching Learning and Scholarship
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120

Advocacy Toolkit 101: Developing a Resilient Strategy

Tuesday, May 28, 2024, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (CT)

Just as a builder needs the proper tools to build a home international educators need certain instruments to construct relationships and achieve results on behalf of themselves and their students. As advocates, international educators need skills and confidence to reach out to elected officials as well as to do the heavy lifting of on-campus advocacy.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn to build and maintain relationships through effective communication with senior international officers, federal relations officers, and key decision-makers on campus.
• Craft an intentional message for advocacy.
• Learn to advocate on campus on behalf of students, scholars, and self.
• Identify and use available NAFSA tools for effective government advocacy.

Audience: Shared Interest
Fees: Member $200, Nonmember $300, Student Member $120