Life Membership is awarded each year to NAFSAns in recognition of their career achievements in advancing the goals of the Association and of international education and exchange. Individuals become eligible for nomination at the time of their retirement from professional responsibilities in the field of international education.

Life Membership is not automatically granted to members who attain emeritus status. Life Membership is automatically conferred upon past Presidents and Chairs of the NAFSA Board of Directors upon retirement from professional responsibilities in international education, with a notification to NAFSA's Vice President for Professional Development and Engagement.

Life Members receive regular membership privileges and a waiver of annual dues and Annual Conference registration fees. Multiple Life Membership Awards may be bestowed each year, subject to Board approval.

Stephen Appiah-Padi, PhD

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Stephen Appiah-Padi
Bucknell University
Member-at-Large, NAFSA Board of Directors
Stephen Kodjo Appiah-Padi, PhD, is a distinguished international education leader and scholar-practitioner with more than 30 years of professional experience in Ghana, Canada, and the United States. His career has focused on advancing global learning, institutional internationalization, and ethical...

Connie Childs

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Connie Childs
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Connie Childs retired in July 2024 after serving as director of international affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Prior to joining UT Health Science Center, she worked as an international student adviser at the University of Memphis. Childs first came...

Evelyn Levinson

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Evelyn Levinson
American University
Career Adviser
Evelyn Levinson has promoted international education and access to scholarship opportunities for international students for over 40 years. Her global experience as the EducationUSA director for Fulbright Israel, higher education scholarship development specialist at USAID West Bank/Gaza, USF-Tampa...

Salvatore Longarino

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Salvatore Longarino
Fordham University
Sal began his career in international education in 1978, joining New York University as an Assistant Foreign Student Adviser, one of only three professional staff members at the time. During that period, the largest international student populations at NYU came from Iran and Nigeria. Just one year...

Christina M. Luther

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Christina Luther
Portland State University
Christina M. Luther is the Director of International Student and Scholar Services at Portland State University, where she oversees the advising of the F, J, and H populations. She has been leading NAFSA workshops at the local and regional level for most of the 30 years she has been advising...
Criteria for Nomination
Benefits and Recognition
All Recipients