Conferences

Government: Student & Exchange Visitor Program Updates 
Presenter: Bridget Canty, SEVP Representative 
Location: Garden Room 

Updates from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). 

Education Abroad: Global Bridges: Engaging International Alumni & Cultivating Funds for Education Abroad 

Presenters: Jim Brosam, II, University of Illinois/Jameson Global and Larisa Landry, University of Houston-Clear Lake 

Location: Forest Room 

International alumni engagement and fundraising for global initiatives are hot topics at many universities. The ISSS and EA offices are increasingly asked to participate, or even take the lead, in developing alumni engagement and fundraising activities in support of education abroad. This session looks at ways to build external support for international education from several viewpoints. From the ISSS perspective, building an active international alumni program. From the education abroad perspective, developing external funding sources in support of programming and scholarships. A special focus is given to international educators who wish to learn more about the world of international advancement. Some information in the session is derived from doctoral research conducted at the University of Illinois. Some information is provided as part of real-world activities undertaken by the Office of Education Abroad and Scholar Services of the University of Houston-Clear Lake. 

PanNAFSA: Advising with Resilience: Overcoming adversity while building interpersonal relationships 

Presenters: Adriana Santiago Rivera & Lourdes Dela Cruz, University of North Texas 

Location: Bayou 1211 

Relationships dynamics are an essential part of advising whether it is communicating with your students or with your colleagues. As an advisor, how you react to unusual or complicated situations can be an opportunity for growth, fostering resilience, and encouraging hospitality to retroactively expand your experiences between students and colleagues alike. 

International Enrollment Management: Strategic Approaches to International Student Recruitment: Maximizing Impact with Limited Resources 

Presenters: Patricia Ferguson, Reynaldo Cano & Kaitlyn Davis, Alamo Colleges District 

Location: Bayou 1217 

In this insightful presentation, we explore innovative strategies for international student recruitment tailored for higher education offices operating with limited staff and funding. Navigating the challenges of global competition, the session provides practical insights into identifying cost-effective outreach methods, leveraging digital platforms, and building impactful partnerships. Drawing on practical experiences, attendees will gain actionable tactics to enhance their international recruitment efforts. Join us to discover how to maximize impact and achieve sustainable growth in attracting diverse, talented students, even when faced with resource constraints. 

Government: Social Security Administration 

Presenter: Shonbay Jones, Social Security Administration 

Location: Garden Room 

Receive updates from the Social Security Administration. General process for F-1 students and learn about your own social security benefits. 

Education Abroad: Global Ambassador Programs: Fostering Pre-, During, and Post-Program Engagement 

Presenters: Trish Winkle, Anna Trancozo, Leonard Cox and Geraldy Mora, Texas A&M University 

Location: Forest Room 

As staff coordinators of various study/education abroad programs for Texas A&M students, we are often the first and main point of contact for our Aggies to learn about the academic and professional impact such opportunities will have in their careers. And while we do our best to highlight the pros and the cons of our programs, it’s inevitable that we have limited first-hand experience on these programs. Students have emphasized that hearing these testimonies and having the ability to consistently interact with their peers about their experiences abroad have further heightened the value and impact education abroad has on their careers. Our global ambassador program addresses these limitations and connects potential study abroad students with our alumni that have gone abroad in at least one of our programs, to effectively answer the questions and concerns about a program that we as coordinators will have limited exposure to. This will be a joint panel between Halliburton Engineering Global Programs, Education Abroad, and Mays Business School on Student Global Ambassador Programs. Representatives from each office will briefly speak about their respective Ambassador programs as a means to share best practices and how to best engage students in sharing their global experiences, and to drive more students to commit to study abroad opportunities. 

Teaching, Learning and Scholarship: Digital Incentives for Faculty Engagement in Campus Globalization 

Presenters: Dr. Pierre Lu, Dr. Seokmin Kang & Dr. Jair Aguilar , University of Texas-Rio Grand Valley 

Location: Bayou 1211 

The interactive session explores UTRGV's effort in campus and curriculum internationalization by using digital incentives for faculty engagement. What are some conventional and innovative initiatives? What challenges and solutions/ opportunities do we have? Let's learn together! 

International Student & Scholar Services: Immigration: Permanent Resident Options and Considerations 

Presenter: Avalyn C Langemeier, Foster LLP 

This session will address various options for permanent residence and considerations/tips when sponsoring a foreign national for permanent residence.  

Government: Department of Public Safety Updates 

Presenters: Martha Alvarado, 

Location: Garden Room 

Hear updates and ask questions to our Houston area Department of Public Safety. 

International Student & Scholar Services: Pre-Arrival Community Building with International Student Orientation 

Presenters: Nicole Conant, Yunju Langran & Rose Bhaskar, University of North Texas 

Location: Forest Room 

Overview of UNT's Pre-Arrival Orientation programs and services from a course in canvas to weekly virtual Q&As and in person orientation activities. 

Education Abroad: Elevating Exchanges: Intentionally Building Mutually Beneficial Partnerships 

Presenters: Trisha Winkle, Texas A&M University 

Location: Bayou 1211 

Exchange programs are one of most immersive and independent program types for a transformational experience for students. This session will help attendees understand the questions to ask prior to engaging in exchange relationships to determine if the collaboration is beneficial and intentional. Audience members will have an opportunity to engage in dialogue about centralized vs. decentralized campus models and how various university stakeholders determine the selection of partners. Attendees will review an exchange proposal form and hear about the process that has been implemented at Texas A&M University to ensure purposeful partnerships. 

International Education Leadership: Adapting to Change: The Alamo Colleges District's Journey to Internationalization at Home Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Presenters: Alejandra Bueno & Patricia Ferguson, Alamo Colleges District 

Location: Bayou 1217 

Before the pandemic, the Alamo Colleges prioritized fostering student mobility through international and exchange programs, alongside facilitating faculty-led study abroad experiences. However, the unprecedented challenges brought about by COVID-19 forced a halt to travel, with the U.S. temporarily closing its doors to international entry. 

Unlike many other educational institutions that temporarily closed their international offices, the Alamo Colleges District seized this crisis as an opportunity for innovation. Embracing an Internationalization at Home (IaH) focus, the district embarked on a journey of transformation. This presentation delves into how the Alamo Colleges District leveraged the constraints imposed by the pandemic to refocus its objectives. Out of this transformation five new programs emerged- AlamoCOIL, Global Learning Designated Courses, GENIE, and two flagship programs – the Alamo Global Student Distinction and the Global Learner Pathway. These initiatives align seamlessly with the Alamo Way's second objective, emphasizing the development of global citizenship as a framework for principle-centered leadership. The presentation will explore the structure and impact of these programs in achieving the district's strategic goals. 

Furthermore, the Alamo Colleges District's internationalization team crafted nine global competencies distributed across three key areas. New programs were strategically developed to facilitate the acquisition of these competencies, fostering a holistic approach to global education. 

Join us in unraveling the inspiring narrative of how a community college not only adapted to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic but also emerged stronger by embracing an Internationalization at Home model. Discover the lessons learned and insights gained as we share our experiences in navigating the complexities of post-COVID internationalization. 

International Student & Scholar Services: Immigration Updates: 2023 to 2024 

Presenters: Jie Fan, Texas A&M University and Chris Larkin 

Location: Garden Room 

The session will cover a variety of immigration updates related to student and scholar issues. The presenter will discuss the interpretation of the updates, the work trickled down to the ISSS office, and conclude with ideas for crisis management. 

International Student & Scholar Services: What would you do? Advising International Students, You are Not Alone! 

Presenters: Veronica De Leon & Jessica Saavedra, Texas A&M-Kingsville 

Location: Forest Room 

During this session International professionals will be introduced to office and student scenarios. Scenarios will be openly discussed and federal regulations will be reviewed. 

Education Abroad: Introduction to Research Abroad Program (IRAP), Engaging Freshman and Sophomore Students in Developing Solutions to Global Problems 

Presenter: Victor Camara, Texas A&M University 

Location: Bayou 1211 

The "Introduction to Research Abroad Program (IRAP)" at Texas A&M University (TAMU) is a pioneering initiative that engages freshman and sophomore students in international, inter, and multidisciplinary research experiences. Developed in partnership with the Yucatan Initiative Project (YIP), IRAP leverages the synergy of a collaborative platform between Texas and Yucatan, Mexico. The program places students in inter and multidisciplinary binational teams to develop research proposals on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)-relevant topics. IRAP offers four enriching experiences: a hands-on research class, a high-impact global experience, engagement with first-class researchers and research centers, and the requirement to develop and present a research proposal. This unique blend of study and research, coupled with the engagement of students and faculty from Texas and Yucatan, fosters a panoramic vision of global needs and problems. The program’s impact lies in its innovative international multidisciplinary and reciprocal partnership. It allows undergraduate students to participate in a unique research abroad experience while contributing to the development of solutions to global problems present in Texas and Yucatan. 

International Education Leadership: Authentic Leadership: Becoming a Positive International Change Agent 

Presenter: Dr. Johna McClendon, University of Houston-Clear Lake 

Location: Bayou 1217 

Have you identified your leadership style? Interested in becoming a Change Agent? This workshop will support you in discovering your leadership abilities and provide effective strategies in implementing and leading change. Come join an interactive workshop that will leave a lasting impression on how to activate your leadership skills and positively transform the world around you. 

International Student & Scholar Services: STEM Oddities: Exploring Quirky STEM Extensions 

Presenters: Rekha Gopalakrishnan & Tim Schmidt, University of North Texas 

Location: Garden Room 

In the world of STEM OPT extensions, it is quite common to encounter odd cases where the immigration regulations do not provide clear cut answers. In this engaging session, we will present a structured approach that combines immigration regulations, institutional policies, and best practices to tackle complex STEM OPT extension scenarios. 

International Enrollment Management: Overview of Elementary-Secondary Education in Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and Venezuela 

Presenters: Barbara Glave & Hany Arafat, SDR Educational Consultants 

Location: Forest Room 

This session will provide an overview of school education in five Western hemisphere countries, specifying the credentials needed for US undergraduate admissions. 

PanNAFSA: How To Get Involved in NAFSA! 

Presenter: Julie LaCombe, San Jacinto College 

Location: Bayou 1211 

Come learn how to get involved in NAFSA! We will discuss the various resources, programs, events, and support that the NAFSA Organization provides International Educational professionals! 

Education Abroad: Retooling Study Abroad: Linking Study Abroad & Student Motivation 

Presenter: Dr. William Smith, Texas International Education Consortium 

Location: Bayou 1217 

Research in study abroad within U.S. higher education in a post-COVID-19 world must go beyond the themes that are currently dominating the headlines. In this session, I explore the literature that connects study abroad with the most recent conceptual model of student motivation and persistence. Throughout, I highlight how a multifaceted research approach in study abroad can be utilized in higher education to improve student retention efforts and, in turn, further solidify this practice as an indispensable aspect of education.