NAFSA Government Connection

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

Stay tuned for upcoming Government Connections.

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

• 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: Cuba in Context: Regulations and Realities for U.S. Study Abroad Programs in Cuba
  April 18, 2017 - Education Abroad
• 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: Five Things You Need to Know About Education Abroad Programs in Cuba
  May 2, 2016 - Education Abroad
• 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