May 30, 2023

9:30 AM – 10:20 AM

Supporting International Students with Disabilities: Research and Best Practices

This panel shares research and resources for practitioners supporting international students with disabilities. Panelists discuss data on international students with disabilities and explore best practices with experts from the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange and the author of Advising International Students with Disabilities.

1:00 -1:50 PM

Strategies Toward a More Sustainable Advising Workforce: Opportunities and Challenges

• Parinaz Zartoshty, Director of International Student & Scholar Services, San Jose State University, Interim Director, San Jose State University, Fulbright Alum to Japan
• Ivor M. Emmanuel, Director, Berkeley International Office, University Of California, Berkeley
• Wesley Young, Director of International Student Services, UC-Davis, Fulbright Alum to France

Seasoned professionals share data regarding international student recruitment and retention in the postpandemic “normal,” setting the framework for discussion. They share insights and strategies for sustaining an international student advising workforce amid challenges around compensation, career progression, flexible work conditions, and more.

1:00 -1:50 PM

Higher Education Internationalization in India: Charting a Path Forward

• Karolina Guinigundo, Miami University, Director of Global Partnerships, Fulbright Alum to India
• Gunjan Sanjeev, Vice President(Amity Education Group) & Director -International Affairs, Amity University, India
• Carly Van Orman, Education Officer, U.S. Embassy New Delhi, U.S. Department Of State
• Barani Gunatharan, Advisor, Centre for International Affairs, Bharathiar University, TN, India

Building off outcomes of the 2022 U.S.-India Higher Education Collaboration and Internationalization program funded by the U.S. Mission to India, this session analyzes challenges and opportunities for higher education internationalization in the Indian context, emphasizing the changing environment for partnerships between India and the United States.

1:00 PM – 1:50 PM

Competing Globally: National Export Strategy to Strengthen U.S. International Education

• Kendee Yamaguchi, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field, Global Markets
• Rachel Canty, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Maureen McLaughlin, Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Director of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Education
• Ethan Rosenzweig, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Join U.S. Departments of Commerce, State, Education, and Homeland Security to learn about the Administration’s National Export Strategy (NES) to strengthen U.S. international education, an interagency engagement that positions the U.S. to compete globally. Learn about key elements of the NES to promote the U.S. as a premier study destination.

2:30 PM – 3:20 PM

Democratizing Study Abroad from Info Session to Reentry

• Rebecca Johnson, Program Officer, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Toni Dye, Director, Global Learning Advising And Student Services, Western Kentucky University
• Courtney Kroll, Associate Director Of Study Abroad, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
• Michael Sandy, Director, Study Abroad, Bridgewater State University

Through this interactive presentation, study abroad professionals learn how to use a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) framework to expand and democratize study abroad representation. Diverse U.S. Department of State Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) grant recipient institution representatives share their experience developing programs aimed at improving underrepresented student participation.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

We’re Managing: Training & Retaining Staff in Trying Times

• Audrey Bonchack, Associate Director, Pennsylvania State University
• Laurie Melin, Assistant Director, WHA, Fulbright Student & Scholar Programs, IIE
• Kathryn Gaylord-Miles, Director, International Student & Scholar Services, Kennesaw State University
• Alexandra Seay, Assistant Director Of Student Services, Georgia State University International Student and Scholar Services

Leadership staff across the international education field discuss their experiences hiring, training, and retaining staff on limited budgets. Participants leave with examples and ideas to effectively manage and retain staff of varying levels and work modalities. Presenters discuss how managers can effectively balance their work while leading a team.

2:30 PM to 3:20 PM

Including Queer Students in International Education: From Research to Practice

• Anne Campbell, Associate Professor, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Fulbright Alum to Kosovo
• Quintessence Townsend, Research Assistant, Middlebury Institute Of International Studies At Monterey
• Marissa Ruhno, Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

Presenters discuss their research on LGBTQ+ international student identity formation and trajectories, focusing on moving research to practice. The session’s goal is to help international student and scholar services practitioners support LGBTQ+ international students at the individual and institutional level. A guidebook for those working with LGBTQ+ international students is provided.

2:30 PM – 3:20 PM

Building Strong Faculty Bridges: A Critical Component of Campus Internationalization

• Adria L. Baker, Associate Vice Provost for International Education, Rice University Office of International Students & Scholars
• Jennifer Donaghue, Assistant Provost, International Education, George Washington University
• Hilary C. Landorf, Executive Director, Office of Global Learning Initiatives, Florida International University
• Zoe Petropoulou, Associate Professor, Senior Director for Global Engagement, St. John’s University, Fulbright Alum to France

Engaging closely with faculty is a critical component of successful internationalization. In this session, participants identify strategies to motivate faculty engagement in internationalization activities, such as leading study abroad programs, hosting international faculty and students, and developing internationalized curriculum.

2:30 PM to 3:20 PM

Inclusive Advising for Future Success: Career-Focused International Student Recruitment

• Coleen Gatehouse, Program Officer, Global Educational Programs, U.S. Department of State – EducationUSA
• Adam Julian, Director, International Student And Scholar Services, University of Maryland-Baltimore County
• Rita Moriconi, Regional Educational Advising Coordinator For Southern Cone Countries, EducationUSA
• Sharena Cotellesse Payne, American University, Associate Director of Employer Relations, American University

Colleges and universities can successfully align on-campus support within their international recruitment model. This session features an inclusive approach to advising prospective international students with a career-focused lens. Presenters discuss cross-campus collaboration strategies to meet the specific advising needs of international students.

4:30 PM to 5:20 PM

Inclusion & Diversity: A Transatlantic Approach

• Bruno Castro, EU-US Higher Education Relations, European Commission
• Erica Lutes, Executive Director, Fulbright Commission, Belgium
• Justyna Janiszewska, Executive Director, Fulbright Commission, Poland
• Manuel Gomez Herrero, Policy Officer, European Commission

This session explores approaches to fostering diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives in international education in Europe and the United States. The speakers dive into examples of how the Fulbright program’s mission to support mutual understanding can be a vehicle for social change through transatlantic collaboration with the European Union.

9:30 AM – 10:20 AM

English Language Programs: Industry Overview, Enrollment Data, and Market Trends

• Cheryl Delk-Le Good, Executive Director, EnglishUSA
• Julie Baer, Research Specialist, IIE, Fulbright Alum to Malaysia
• Gabriela Zelaya, Global Education Team Leader, U.S. Department of Commerce

An expert panel from EnglishUSA, the Institute of International Education’s research and evaluation division, and the U.S. Department of Commerce discusses trends in international student mobility and the impact on English language programs. Presenters provide information from newly released Open Doors data and updates on trends in key recruitment markets for English language programs.

9:30 -10:20 AM

Fostering Strategic US-Europe Cooperation with Erasmus+

• Gerhard Volz, Director Department for International Cooperation in Higher Education, OeAD | Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation
• Jennifer Evanuik, Executive Director, Office of Global Engagement, Central Michigan University, Fulbright Alum to Korea
• Eva Christine Weixler, International Coordinator, Medical University Of Graz

This session explores opportunities for U.S.-European collaboration through the Erasmus+ program. Using a case study format, the session describes the Erasmus+ framework, roles of each party, and best practices for managing a joint program. Participants also discuss using the Erasmus+ program to advance internationalization goals.

1:00 PM to 1:50 PM

Conversation with the State Department: Safety for American Students Overseas

• Heidi Manley, Chief, USA Study Abroad, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• Emily Dougherty, Senior Education Abroad Advisor, Cornell University

Learn about resources and services from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureaus of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Consular Affairs, Overseas Security Advisory Council, and study abroad representatives to educate student travelers and prevent dangerous incidents The panel describes how U.S. embassies coordinate across agencies in response to threats and crises.

3:00 PM to 3:50 PM

Students and Researchers at Risk

• Magdalena Kachnowicz, Director Of The Department Of Programmes For Students, Polish National Agency For Academic Exchange
• Dawid Kostecki, Sr., Director Of NAWA, Polish National Agency For Academic Exchange
• Jessica Zychowicz, Executive Director, Fulbright Ukraine, IIE Kyiv, Fulbright Alum to Ukraine

Cooperation in the field of higher education is crucial during times of pandemic, war, and global climate change. This session presents best practices of the programs addressed to students at risk.

9:30 to 10:20 AM

Inspiration, Innovation, and Access: The U.S. Edge in STEM

• Eduardo Bendek, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Fulbright Alum from Chile
• Anthony Koliha, Director, Global Educational Programs, Department of State, ECA
• LaShanda Korley, U.S. Department of State Science Envoy and Distinguished Professor, University of Delaware

Join Fulbright Alum from Chile Dr. Eduardo Bendek, an optical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who was a recent recipient NASA’s Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal for his groundbreaking work related to development of technologies which support exoplanet characterization and deep space travel and other industry leaders to discuss how U.S. colleges and universities lead in science and innovation through international research and training opportunities, global partnerships, and professional development, including preparing international students to contribute to solving global challenges through advancements in science and technology.

11:30 AM to 12:20 PM

Tackling Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy In Fulbright Exchanges

• Mary Kirk, Director, Office of Academic Exchanges, Department of State
• Terhi S Molsa, CEO, Fulbright Finland Foundation
• Luiz Valcov Loureiro, Executive Director, Fulbright Commission, Brazil
• Sarah Staton, Deputy Director, Department of State, Fulbright Alum to Ecuador

Presenters discuss the critically important, expanding role of science diplomacy, as highlighted through Fulbright Program initiatives. Participants discuss how institutions and international educators can more actively contribute to science diplomacy and use new opportunities to build inclusion and tackle global challenges.