2025 Annual Conference & Expo

The NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo was held in San Diego, California. Thank you for being a part of the must-attend conference and exposition uniting leaders, learners, and changemakers from 100+ nations. We gained knowledge, critical insights, and built lasting relationships with peers and experts dedicated to "Purpose, Place, and Partnership."

The NAFSA 2025 International Education Expo supports an exciting array of more than 50 programs at the NAFSA Pavilion Theater, the Expo Learning Lab, and Shared_Studios Portal. Participate in a variety of immersive programs that will enlighten your mind and your outlook.
* Schedule times are in Pacific Time.

NAFSA Pavilion Theater Program (booth 1327)

Learn more about NAFSA Pavilion programs, and add them to your personal program in the NAFSA 2025 Online Planner  (login required).

Tuesday, May 27

12:00 p.m.Advocating for International Education in the Current Political Climate
12:30 p.m.Who Stays, Who Leaves: Global Talent Trends in the U.S.
1:00 p.m.Higher Education Reform in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: A Model for Quality, Transparency, and Global Engagement
3:00 p.m. The International Student Career Journey: Addressing Hurdles and Unlocking Potential
4:00 p.m.Stewarding Place: The Social Responsibility of Universities to Community
5:00 p.m.Meet the Experts: NAFSA's International Education Professional Certificate Program

Wednesday, May 28

 9:00 a.m.Welcome for First-Time Conference Attendees
10:00 a.m.Insights from the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey
10:30 a.m.10,000 Voices: Assessing the Economic and Societal Impact of F-1 International Students in the U.S.
11:00 a.m.  Indigenizing a University’s Name and Brandmark: Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka
12:00 p.m.#NAFSA2025: Share Your Story
1:00 p.m. Connect to the ISSS Community via NAFSA Professional Networks and Resources
2:00 p.m. Building Community Through NAFSA Interest Groups
3:00 p.m. Meet the Editors:  NAFSA's Guide to International Student Recruitment
4:00 p.m. Books & Bubbly

Thursday, May 29

9:00 a.m.Find Your Next Hire: An Employer Program 
9:30 a.m.  Find Your Next Job: An IE Jobseekers Program
10:00 a.m Emerging Paths: The Future for Young Professionals
11:00 a.m.Inclusive Higher Education Through Innovative Financing Partnerships
12:00 p.m.International Education’s Uncertain Moment
1:00 p.m.New Data and Research Spanning the IE Field 
2:00 p.m.NAFSA's Leadership Pathway
3:00 p.m.Academy for International Education
4:00 p.m.Be a Leader: Volunteer with NAFSA

Friday, May 30

9:00 a.m.Achieving Success for Your Institution or Organization: NAFSA Member Roadmap
10:00 a.m.Transitioning to a Successful Career in Retirement

Expo Learning Lab (booth 2418)

Learn more about Expo Learning Lab programs, and add them to your personal program in the NAFSA 2025 Online Planner (login required).

Tuesday, May 27

3:00 p.m.Introduction to the HCED-Iraq Scholarship Program
4:00 p.m.IMPact Project Launch

Wednesday, May 28

9:00 a.m.

Session title: ISSS Next Generation: A Closer Look for Our Community
10:30 a.m.Georgia: emerging as a regional hub for education and academic investment
12:00 p.m.U.S. for Success - The Elephant in the Room and What to Do About It
1:30 p.m.Experts Together: Cambridge English and IELTS Learning Lab
3:00 p.m.Introduction to the HCED-Iraq Scholarship Program
4:30 p.m.Discover the future of professional development in international education with NAFSA’s International Education Professional Certificate (IEPC)

Thursday, May 29

10:30 a.m.ISSS Enterprise: A First Look at the Future of International Education
12:00 p.m.  Human Connection is the Curriculum: Technology, Community and a New Approach to Public Discourse with Shared_Studios
1:00 p.m Study in Saudi
2:00 p.m.HCED-Iraq Scholarship Program Office Hours
3:00 p.m.Spotlight on Innovation: Start-Up Pitches in the Learning Lab
4:00 p.m.New e-Learning Courses from NAFSA 

Friday, May 30

 9:00 a.m.Advancing Global Citizenship: Youth Advancing the SDGs Through Sister Cities

Shared_Studios Portal (Booth 2400)

Learn more about Shared_Studios Portal programs, and add them to your personal program in the NAFSA 2025 Online Planner  (login required).

Tuesday, May 27

12:00 - 1:30 p.m.The Global Hood: Social Impact Education in Brazil’s favelas - Sao Vicente, Brazil (4:00 - 5:30 pm Brazil time)
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.Amplifying Forgotten Places | Creating New Spaces of Opportunity (6:00 - 7:00 pm Brazil time)

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Redefining the Classroom: Immersive Places and Digital Tools for Learning - Mexico City, Mexico (4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Mexico time)

Wednesday, May 28

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.Sustainable Places: Communities on the Frontlines of Climate Education - Lagos, Nigeria (2:30 -  4:00 p.m. Lagos time)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Cross-Cultural Classroom: Immersive Learning for High School Students - Mexico City, Mexico (11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Mexico time)
12:00 - 2:30 p.m.Immersive Places for Language Learning - Mexico City, Mexico (1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Mexico time)
3:00 - 5:30 p.m.The Global Hood: Social Impact Education in Brazil’s favelas -  Sao Vicente, Brazil (7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Brazil time)

Thursday, May 29

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.Community in a Temporary Place: Creating Place for Refugees - Nakivale, Uganda (2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Nakivale time)
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Reality Changers: New Approaches to Community Building in Gentrifying Places - Johannesburg, South Africa (7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Joburg time)
12:00 - 2:30 p.m.Redefining the Classroom: Immersive Places and Digital Tools for Learning -Mexico City, Mexico (1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Mexico time)
2:30 - 4:30 p.m.Amplifying Forgotten Places | Creating New Spaces of Opportunity - Sao Vicente, Brazil (6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Brazil time)

Friday, May 30

9:00 - 11:30 a.m.Creating the Global Classroom: New Places for Digital Learning - Johannesburg, South Africa (6:00 - 8:30 p.m. Joburg time)