A few weeks ago, many of us gathered in sunny Orlando #NAFSA2026 for a fun and energetic conference.
In a moment when international education continues to face uncertainty, budget pressures, policy challenges, and questions about its future, it felt meaningful to gather with a large community of people who share a commitment to global engagement. AIEA will always be my professional home, but this year NAFSA felt like coming home too: a reminder that across organizations, institutions, and sectors, we remain connected by common values, a shared understanding of our work, and a belief in the importance of building relationships across borders.
Many of my conversations throughout the week reflected the complexity and evolution of our field. Some were challenging discussions about topics such as transnational education and the influence of Western educational paradigms. Others focused on the realities of underfunded international offices and the increasing expectations placed on global engagement leaders.
Several conversations also reinforced questions that AIEA has been exploring as part of our ongoing brand and positioning work. Who are today’s international education leaders? How are leadership roles evolving? I heard the term “Chief Global Affairs Officer” suggested as one possible evolution of the traditional Senior International Officer title. More importantly, I heard broad agreement that leadership in international education extends beyond any single title.
That is why AIEA continues to emphasize that we are a community for all international education leaders. Yes, we serve experienced professionals responsible for institutional strategy and internationalization efforts. But we also welcome industry partners, leaders from sister associations, emerging professionals, and aspiring leaders who are helping shape the future of the field. If leadership and strategy in international education are relevant to your work, we want you at the table.
Leadership in international education extends beyond any single title ... If leadership and strategy in international education are relevant to your work, we want you at the table.
That commitment is reflected in our programming as well. As we prepare for the 2027 AIEA Annual Conference, we are excited to introduce new presentation formats – including poster presentations and TED-inspired Lightning Round Talks – that create additional pathways for professionals to share ideas, research, and innovative practices (Call for Proposals are now open! Learn More).
Partnership was another recurring theme throughout the week. NAFSA provided valuable opportunities to sit down with colleagues and partner organizations to explore new ideas and strengthen existing collaborations. Conversations ranged from continuing long-standing initiatives with partners such as IIE‘s partnership workshop at our conference and the IDP Think Tank to exploring possible workshops for aspiring SIOs with The Forum on Education Abroad, to discussing how thought leadership and professional development can become more accessible through asynchronous and on-demand learning opportunities.
A personal highlight was the opportunity to present alongside Elizabeth Trejos-Castillo and Terry Miller on the leadership pipeline in international education. The session generated thoughtful discussion, and it is always rewarding to share AIEA’s Standards of Professional Practice and findings from our SIO Profile Surveys. For those considering future leadership roles in international education, AIEA remains committed to supporting your journey.
And then there were the moments that remind us why professional communities matter: reconnecting with people I interned with more than fifteen years ago; conversations with colleagues from the Global Respectful Disruption community; finding fellow Returned Peace Corps Volunteers; and connecting with other international educators whose hearts are connected to Morocco.
Those moments of connection are difficult to quantify, but they are often what sustain us.
NAFSA may have been a relatively compact conference this year, but it felt impactful. It reminded me that while our organizations each have distinct missions and audiences, we are strongest when we work together. The challenges facing international education are too significant for any one institution or association to address alone.
NAFSA may have been a relatively compact conference this year, but it felt impactful. It reminded me that while our organizations each have distinct missions and audiences, we are strongest when we work together.
Fortunately, collaboration has always been one of this field’s greatest strengths.
We look forward to continuing those conversations, and welcoming many of you to future AIEA programs and conferences as we work together to advance leadership, strategy, and internationalization in higher education.
Katy Rosenbaum
Senior Director, Strategic Engagement and Operations
AIEA
Stay connected with the AIEA community through future programs and conferences as we continue fostering leadership, collaboration, and innovation in international higher education.