At the AIEA 2026 Annual Conference, we partnered with Via TRM to invite leaders to reflect on one central question: What is the one decision international education leaders need to get right in the next two years?
The responses were candid, strategic, and forward-looking, and can be explored in the newly launched Leadership Insight Studio, an initiative that brought leaders together to share their perspectives on the decisions, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of global engagement in higher education. While leaders brought different institutional perspectives to the conversation, several themes emerged: international education cannot retreat in the face of uncertainty; it must clearly demonstrate its value; and it must become more deeply embedded in institutional strategy.
The Leadership Insight Studio combines insights from 23 interviews with 62 responses from an anonymous Leadership Pulse Poll. While the findings are not intended to represent the field as a whole, they offer a timely snapshot of what is top of mind for leaders in this moment as they navigate an increasingly complex environment. We invite you to explore the findings and consider where you agree, where you differ, and what your institution needs to get right next.
We’re grateful to Via for their partnership in bringing this initiative to life and to all the leaders who generously shared their perspectives and helped shape this important conversation.
Explore the interviews and insights of the AIEA x Via Leadership Insight Studio.