Lauren Newton

Lauren Newton is the Director, Professional Development Programs at NAFSA: Association of International Educators. In this role, Lauren is responsible for the management and administration of NAFSA’s Academy for International Education, The Management Development Program (MDP), and NAFSA’s flagship diversity, equity, and inclusion program, The RISE Fellowship. In her ten years at NAFSA, Lauren has had many training experiences including training the MDP, leading Trainer Corps Colloquiums, Academy workshops, and more. In addition to her work at NAFSA, Lauren recently received the Trainer and Facilitation Certificate from the Association for Talent Development. Prior to joining NAFSA’s staff Lauren was a study abroad advisor at the University of South Carolina where she managed a portfolio of exchanges, led pre-departure orientations, and traveled with student groups. Lauren earned her M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina in Higher Education and Student Affairs. She studied abroad in South Africa, Taiwan, Spain and Cuba. 

Lauren lives in Washington, DC with her husband and daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys watching college football, biking around the city with her husband, drinking good wine and reading great books. On any random Saturday you can find her with her toddler at a Smithsonian museum: high quality, free, air conditioned entertainment for kids!