NAFSA Government Connection events offer an online forum for NAFSA members and international educators to interact directly with federal agency officials about topics affecting their work; their international students and scholars; their outgoing study abroad students; and their institution.
Each online forum focuses on one agency and features an official from the agency along with NAFSA staff or NAFSA member leaders as presenters. Participants may submit questions and agenda items in advance of the event, or during the event if time allows.
Live events are free and open to all international education professionals. Recorded events indicated by the key icon below are accessible to members only. Learn more about becoming a member of NAFSA.
Upcoming Events
The Test-Optional Movement: Implications and Impact for International Students
June 29, 2021
Available Now
NAFSA Summer 2021 Virtual Agency-Focused Presentations 
Who Should Attend
NAFSA Government Connection online forums are ideal for international education professionals who would like to:
- Learn about current and future agency regulatory changes and initiatives;
- Stay informed on the results of NAFSA-agency liaison meetings;
- Pose a question or raise an issue with a government official;
- Observe how NAFSA member leaders liaise with agency officials.
Past Events
- 2020 NAFSA Virtual Regional Agency-Focused Sessions
September - November, 2020 - International Students and Scholars - The Use of Alternative Wage Surveys in Prevailing Wage Determinations
October 27, 2020 - International Students and Scholars - Understanding CDC Travel Health Notices and Guidance for Travel Abroad
August 20, 2020 - Education Abroad - Monitoring Travel Advisories and Conditions Abroad During COVID-19
August 12, 2020 - Education Abroad - Recruiting and Retaining International Students for Intensive English Programs
August 5, 2020 - International Enrollment Management - New Opportunities and Changes in Saudi Arabia Sponsored Programs
July 28, 2020 - International Enrollment Management - Advising in Place: Keeping up with Agency Guidance in a Changing World
May 13, 2020 - International Students and Scholars - Interpreting Immigration Regulations and Sources of Authority while Mitigating Risk in a Crisis
May 8, 2020 - International Student and Scholars - Recruiting Virtually with U.S. Commercial Service
May 6, 2020 - International Enrollment Management - EAD Delays, Remedies, and Possible Litigation
October 2, 2019 - International Students and Scholars - An Overview of Prevailing Wage Determinations
September 19, 2019 - International Students and Scholars - Court Case Threatens OPT: What You Can Do
September 3, 2019 - International Students and Scholars - Recruiting International Students with Disabilities
August 20, 2019 - International Enrollment Management - Department of State Office of Private Sector Exchange Discusses Results of Exchange Visitor Survey
August 1, 2019 - International Students and Scholars - ESL Pathway Program Q&A with SEVP
November 15, 2018 - International Students and Scholars - ISS RP Discusses Extreme Vetting and U.S. Visas
June 20, 2018 - International Students and Scholars - ISS RP Discusses Visa Processing
May 2, 2018 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Updates in Sponsored Program Opportunities in Central and Latin America from EducationUSA
April 27, 2018 - International Enrollment Management - Government Connection: Improved Consular Safety and Security Messaging
January 23, 2018 - Education Abroad - Government Connection: Changing U.S. Policy Towards Cuba: Implications for International Educators
November 17, 2017 - Education Abroad - Government Connection: Meet the SEVP Response Center
September 12, 2017 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Exchange Visitor Program (J-1) Site Visits
September 5, 2017 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Assessing Security Abroad - The New Normal in Western Europe
June 29, 2017 - Education Abroad - Government Connection: Federal Financial Aid for Education Abroad
June 14, 2017 - Education Abroad - Government Connection: Optimizing Return-On-Investment (ROI) by Utilizing U.S. Department of Commerce Resources
May 11, 2017 - International Enrollment Management - Government Connection: Key Provisions of DHS’s New Regulations Affecting Certain Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Worker Programs
February 7, 2017 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Using FOIA to Learn about U. S. Department of Labor Processes
January 25, 2017 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Overseas Citizen Services
December 13, 2016 - Education Abroad - Government Connection: Regulatory Practice and a New Presidential Administration
December 1, 2016 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: J-1 Exchange Visitor Program: What, When, Why, and How to Report Incidents to the Department of State
February 4, 2016 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: The Impact of the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals (BALCA) on Hiring International Employees
January 27, 2016 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Recruiting Underserved Students Through EducationUSA’s Opportunity Funds Program
December 3, 2015 - International Enrollment Management, International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: SEVP on Recertification and I-17 Updates
August 12, 2015 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: MAVNI Program
July 30, 2015 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: USCIS—SAVE
July 15, 2015 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Discussion of the New J Exchange Visitor Regulations with Department of State
April 20, 2015 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Introducing the Department of State's Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration Academic and Government Programs Unit
April 2, 2015 - International Students and Scholars - Government Connection: Department of Homeland Security - Office of Academic Engagement
August 20, 2014 - International Students and Scholars