Here are just a few of the sessions confirmed for the conference – check back for updates. You can also register here.
Advising Students with Disabilities in Education Abroad This session is to help provide advisors with resources for advising students with disabilities in successfully navigating Education Abroad Resources. Presenter: Katherine Haan
How the Sausage is Made: Building Faculty-Led Programs from the Ground Up This session will explore the development of faculty-led and customized programs from ideation to completion. We will touch on the proposal and budgeting processes, establishing partnerships both on campus and with outside organizations, programming trends, pitfalls to avoid, lessons learned to consider, and more. Engagement with attendees will result in a robust, informal discussion for further sharing of best practices. Presenters: Kate Simmons & Sherene Awong
Introduction to the IEI Mentorship Program Learn about IEI's Mentorship Program! In this session, you will hear how the Mentorship Program provides valuable and personalized networking and professional development opportunities! Meet the program coordinators and a panel of current mentors/mentees from this year's cohort. Presenters: Andie Ingram & Amy Nusser
Navigating I-17 Recertification Process The purpose of this session is to help DSOs in how to complete the re-certification progress with the I-17. Presenter: Katherine Haan
See Yourself Abroad: How to use Student Generated Content to Market to Prospective Students A student’s identity is integral to how they engage in new experiences like study abroad. Before embarking on the journey, they want to see themselves in study abroad. That’s why the student voice is crucial to study abroad marketing: student generated content amplifies the student perspective. It is the most effective and authentic way to communicate with prospective students and the variety of identities they hold. This session will discuss what prospective students look for in study abroad marketing, how to gather student generated content, and how to use it effectively on web, social media, and more. Presenters: Jason Schroeder, Kevin Reyes, & Chelsea Kuchik
The Visa View: Understanding Visas from Multiple Perspectives Post-Pandemic At IES Abroad, The Global Enrollment Management team works with consulates, universities, and students to provide a streamlined visa application process. The pandemic created many barriers for students and study abroad organizations alike, but as the world begins to reopen, we have identified new insights and strategies to better assist our students. Students traveling post pandemic have new concerns and a different outlook on study abroad, and this has important implications for how we can best assist them as they apply for visas. In this presentation we will take a holistic approach in our analysis of the visa process, looking at visas from our perspective as visa advisors, from students’ perspective, and from universities' perspective. Presenters: Jadon Sokoll-Ward, Macy Miller, & Nykki Hutchinson
SEVP Field Representative Session Please meet with the Illinois SEVP Field Representatives for information and updates on USCIS/DHS Presenter: Katherine Haan
I can, I will, End of Story. Conquering Impostor Syndrome Impostor Syndrome doesn't have to keep us from succeeding! We will discuss the common obstacles of Impostor Syndrome, how to overcome them, and how to reshape your thinking into "I can, I will, end of story." Presenter: Michaela Kendall
DEIJ in Action: Breaking Down Your Biases Join us for an informative session that expands on common biases everyone has in their life and work and how to address those. We will be evaluating four common biases, identifying how they show up for you, addressing some tangible actions you can do to fight against these, and putting counteractive measures to work! Presenters: Lily Andrules & Sara McGuinn
Interviewing Like a Boss: tips for interviewees and interviewers in the field Whether you’re conducting a job search or looking for a new role within international education, this session will provide you with strategies to excel in the interview stage. Learn how to prepare for the big day, explore tactics for asking meaningful questions and answering them with confidence, and take advantage of an opportunity to practice your new or refined techniques in a safe space. Presenter: Amy Nusser & Andie Ingram Eccles
Associate's or Incomplete Bachelor's Degree? A Look at Three-year Postsecondary Programs from Around the World The topic of three-year degrees is discussed often in the field of International Enrollment Management. But what about three-year postsecondary non-degree programs? These types of credentials might get submitted for undergraduate or graduate enrollment and determining a US equivalency for them might not be so straightforward. This presentation would focus primary on some of the more common (and less common) foreign three-year postsecondary credentials. Examples include Indian nursing diplomas, Ukrainian junior specialist diplomas, and Chinese zhuanke certificates. The goal of this session is to closely examine these credentials—and more examples from around the world—to analyze them and provide professional insight based on the recommendations of Scholaro and other organizations, such as AACRAO. We would also include samples of three-year non-degree credentials that attendees could review and ask questions about and discuss toward the end of the session. Presenter: Brock Goldflies
Staying Here: From Student Visa to US Citizenship International students enter the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, but they often decide to try and stay in the U.S. This energetic, interactive session will begin with an overview of the U.S. immigration process. After covering the different steps in the immigration ladder, we will provide tips and hacks that international student advisors need to know in order to empower the students in their care. We will also tackle frequent problems that arise and what options might be available when things go off the tracks. Presenter: James Hacking
Careers, Internships, and Fellowships with the U.S. Department of State 24-year veteran of the U.S. Department of State and current Diplomat in Residence for the Midwest Susan Falatko will speak about careers, internships, and fellowships with the U.S. Department of State. She will discuss both Foreign Service (overseas positions) and Civil Service (domestic positions) and how students and alumni can prepare themselves for State Department careers. Presenter: Susan Falatko