DAY 1 — Monday, October 31

10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. EST - Trends Shaping the Future of International Graduate Enrollment
Speaker: David Di Maria, Associate Vice President for International Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

This interactive session explores the future of international graduate enrollment. Participants will develop an increased awareness of opportunities and challenges forming beyond the horizon as well as explore frameworks designed to inform the development of agile institutional strategies.

11 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST- Increasing Operational Efficiency with International Graduate Admissions Processes
Speaker: David Di Maria, Associate Vice President for International Education, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

International graduate admissions processes are notoriously cumbersome. This session explores the eight most common types of inefficiencies found within international graduate admissions processes and presents proven strategies for minimizing their impact.

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. EST- NAFSA's Engagement with Federal Agencies
Speakers: Joann Ng Hartmann, Senior Impact Officer, NAFSA: Association of International Educators; and Steve Springer, Director of Regulatory Practice Liaison for NAFSA, NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Joann and Steve will describe NAFSA’s efforts to improve agency regulations, policies, and processes that impact international students. They will share some NAFSA priority items and describe how we interact with the agencies and the Biden administration. After briefly addressing some recent developments, questions and comments will be welcomed.

DAY 4 — Thursday, November 3

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. EST - The Nuances of Arm Chair Recruitment - Strategies for Outreach and Enrollment Growth in South and Central America
Speaker: Sumeet Jain, Co-Founder, Yocket

Sumeet Jain, co-founder of Yocket, one of the largest higher education search systems in India will share insights on demand in South Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa and provide tips to best engage with prospects. Best practices for training staff and case studies will also be discussed.

DAY 2 — Tuesday, November 1

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. EST - Increasing International Master's Student Diversity and Access through Funding Solutions
Speakers: Riane Corter, University Relations Manager, Prodigy Finance; Andy Morris, Senior Associate Director of Enrollment and Recruitment, Binghamton University; and Alyssa Orlando, Director, Graduate Admissions, Clark University

How do international master’s students afford studying in the US? Contrary to historic trends and assumptions, they're not all rich or receiving full scholarships, and those demographics continue to shift. A panel of enrollment experts discusses the mounting challenges to educational access and innovative solutions for students and institutions, including how to determine need and strategically deploy scholarships, campus jobs, and private loans in order to recruit and support a larger, more diverse international applicant pool.

DAY 3 — Wednesday, November 2

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. EST - Best Practices in Assessing International Education
Speaker: Indira Marte, Regional Director-Northeast, WES

In this session we will discuss best practices on how to obtain documents and student achievement data for the purpose of international credential evaluations, explore other applications for credential evaluation including Refugee Case studies, and engage in an interactive discussion on international standards for credential evaluation.

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. EST - Collaborating with EducationUSA: Throughout the International Student Enrollment Cycle
Speaker: Erica Burman, Education Program Officer, EducationUSA

The EducationUSA network promotes U.S. higher education to prospective students around the world ‒ including at the graduate level ‒ by offering timely information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. EducationUSA also provides services to the U.S. higher education graduate school community to help institutional leaders meet their recruitment and campus internationalization goals. This session will provide an overview of EducationUSA services and resources, and how they enhance institutions’ outreach and recruitment efforts throughout the enrollment process lifecycle. Attendees will have an opportunity to interact with an EducationUSA representative who will share how to maximize engagement with EducationUSA through our website, social media, and best practices for participating in virtual and in-person international recruitment events globally.

DAY 5 — Friday, November 4

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST - The Former Consular Officer's Recommendation for the Student Visa Interview
Speaker: Mandy Feuerbacher, EVP, Sales & Consular Affairs, Argo

A former Consular Officer who has worked for the U.S. Department of State for 7 years as a Consular (Visa) Officer shares her tips and insights on how international students should best prepare for their F-1 or J-1 visa interview.