2026 AIEA Annual Conference
Leading the Way: Navigating Volatility and New Realities in International Education
February 16-19, 2026 Washington, DC, USA
Ideas, Insights, & Global Leadership
Over 100 sessions and roundtables featuring leaders and peers from across the international education spectrum sharing transformative ideas and game-changing strategies to navigate today’s most pressing challenges in the field.
Connection & Networking
Unmatched networking opportunities with colleagues and thought leaders throughout our global community who are driving comprehensive internationalization strategy at their institutions or organizations.
Powerhouse Plenaries
One conference, two can’t-miss plenaries that set the tone with a candid, forward-looking discussion on the urgent need for cross-sector collaboration and what it will take to move beyond diagnosis and toward direction.
Conference Sub- Themes
1. Reimagining Institutional Global Strategy: Navigating Political, Policy, and Populist Pressures
How can institutions adapt when national policies or public sentiment turn against internationalization? Do universities need their own “foreign policy?” What can we learn from peers in other countries facing similar challenges?
2. Building Institutional Agility and Entrepreneurial Leadership
Fostering entrepreneurial thinking and adaptive leadership in international offices and beyond. Leveraging volatility as an opportunity for innovation in partnerships, programming, and funding models.
3. New Models for Global Engagement and Partnerships
Innovations in partnership models (hub and spoke, regional satellites, virtual components). Addressing mobility barriers, visa restrictions, and sustainability considerations.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies in International Education
How AI and new technologies are reshaping global learning, mobility, student services, partnerships, and academic collaboration — and what ethical, practical, and leadership questions this raises.
Pre-Conference Workshops
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Conference Schedule
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Conference Hotel & Travel
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Branding & Engagement
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2026 Conference Chair
Amir REza
A special thank you to Conference Chair Amir Reza, the Conference Planning Committee, interns, and volunteers whose leadership and dedication made the conference possible.
2026 Conference Committee
Amy Brewster (University of Iowa); Amy Henry (Georgia Institute of Technology); Ariel Foster (IELTS USA); Cristiana Kunyczka (Montclair State University); Cristina Alfaro (San Diego State University); Dan Kramer (Institute of International Education); Debra Leahy (University of New England); Dr. Godlove Fonjweng (Prairie View A&M University); Eny Di Iorio (Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute); Eowyn Ferey (Portland State University); Fabiola Riobé; Jahan Ghaznavi (CleverApply); Janelle Castrellon (City of Knowledge – Ciudad del Saber); Jennifer Creamer (Robert Morris University); Julie Taylor (Institute of International Education); Kira Espiritu (ACM-IAU); Marianne McClelland (UC Davis); Marta L. Wayne (University of Florida); Miguel Ayllon (Indiana University); Natasha Nobell (University of British Columbia); Nick Gozik (Elon University); Philipp Reichert (University of British Columbia); Ramesh Neupane (Purdue University Northwest); Rogelio Minana (Drexel University); Roopa Rawjee (Illinois State University); Saher Ahmed (University of British Columbia); Stacy Burger (Lehigh University); Tashina Giraud (American University); Tiffany Boury (Franciscan University); Todd Lee Goen (Global Puzzles); Wing-Kai To (Bridgewater State University); Mariella Hernandez Salazar (Montclair State University).
Conference Interns
Amy Brewster (University of Iowa); Amy Henry (Georgia Institute of Technology); Ariel Foster (IELTS USA); Cristiana Kunyczka (Montclair State University); Cristina Alfaro (San Diego State University);