The EdGE: Recent Episodes
The EdGE
The EducationUSA Global Exchange (EdGE) Podcast provides guidance, leadership, and expertise in the field of international student enrollment to U.S. higher education representatives. A space for representatives to network, share stories, and exchange ideas, The EdGE also provides EducationUSA with a platform to highlight its own history, elevate current events within the network, and imagine our future through storytelling.
Have any feedback, questions, or ideas for new episodes? Email us at podcast@educationusa.org. Thank you!
This conversation explores the significant role of parental involvement in the college admissions process, particularly for students seeking education in the U.S. It features insights from a parent and an EducationUSA adviser on expectations, challenges, and the support systems available for families navigating this journey. Key themes include the importance of understanding the admissions process, the factors influencing university selection, and the cultural adjustments faced by students studying abroad. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear communication and support from universities to both students and their families.
The conversation revolves around the 2024 EducationUSA Forum, highlighting the importance of networking, collaboration, and innovative strategies in international student recruitment. Various representatives from higher education institutions share their experiences and insights on how EducationUSA has impacted their work and the international education landscape. The discussions emphasize the significance of personal connections, the role of advisers, and the collective goal of enhancing student mobility and success.Guest InformationAaron Basko - https://www.linkedin.com/in/abasko/John Eriksen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johneriksen/Swaraj Nandan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/swaraj-nandan/Khun Nyan Min Htet “Joy Joy” - https://www.linkedin.com/in/knmh/Aron Hayes - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aronhayes1/Mariah Magness - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahamagness/Danielle Vinales - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-vinales/Please fill out the EdGE feedback form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfxT4_BIRLfNGzr_qxEZWM2HkndOvtg5v5ZAPUL3zjplxbxfQ/viewform
In Part 2 of the Game Changer episode, Nate Myers and Jay Ligon continue their conversation with Adina Archer delving into the complexities of international student recruitment, emphasizing the importance of data-driven strategies, understanding market trends, and building relationships. The speakers discuss the significance of utilizing resources like Open Doors data, the emerging markets, and the role of scholarships in attracting students. They highlight the need for a long-term commitment to recruitment efforts and the importance of storytelling in presenting institutional value to prospective students.Open Doorshttps://opendoorsdata.org/Monthly visa issuance datahttp://enrollmentcharts.comAdvancers vs Decliners charthttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1uS2OLgU2sK0Mwenp6uV2NsU6QmXuOOAy/viewIndia vs Uzbekistan charthttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1v7jMVidDUovq8z4KztmGJI0CFbrYBH_e/viewPeru charthttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1dGZrjAjB-ryQQzetyul3FJi4yvacUSoz/viewEducationUSA Fairshttps://www.educationusafairs.org/Jay Ligon ligon@latech.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayrligon/Nate Myers business@myevaluationpal.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-myers-167ba3144/Host: Adina Archerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adinaarcher/Producer: Madeline Kresinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-kresin/
In Part 1 of the Game Changer episode, Nate Myers and Jay Ligon join host Adina Archer to discuss the importance of internationalization in higher education and the challenges that institutions face in attracting and retaining international students. They emphasize the need for institutions to have a comprehensive strategy and alignment across all departments to create a welcoming environment for international students. They also highlight the impact of demographic changes and the financial benefits of international enrollment. Nate shares his experience in consulting with institutions to develop a blueprint for internationalization, stressing the importance of breaking down silos and aligning processes to better serve international students.Expert predicts 25% of colleges will "fail" in the next 20 yearshttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/expert-predicts-25-percent-of-colleges-will-fail-in-the-next-20-years-2019-08-31/ Many Gen Zers Don’t Believe College is Likely to Pay Offhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1wWoK86yyF3_YAhZPW8Lq5vYkJqXXGD_D/view Degree Level of U.S. Citizens by Age Grouphttps://drive.google.com/file/d/15d68nTixOSL8f6eRml8q6iHfTJWl2crx/view NAFSA’s article on the enrollment cliffhttps://www.nafsa.org/ie-magazine/2024/9/11/combating-enrollment-cliff Jay Ligon ligon@latech.edu https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayrligon/Nate Myers business@myevaluationpal.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-myers-167ba3144/Host: Adina Archerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/adinaarcher/Producer: Madeline Kresinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-kresin/
This conversation delves into the educational landscape of Indonesia, highlighting its potential as a growing market for international student recruitment. The discussion covers the significance of Indonesia's demographic trends, government scholarship programs, and the increasing interest in partnerships with foreign institutions. It also explores the broader East Asia Pacific region's recruitment strategies, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships and tailored messaging for different countries. Finally, the conversation touches on the untapped opportunities in the Pacific Islands for U.S. higher education institutions.
Straight from the Source: EducationUSA 101 Summary: As we celebrate EducationUSA’s 25th anniversary, this evergreen resource provides early-career professionals and those interfacing with EducationUSA for the first time with information about the network and its impact. EducationUSA advisers, REAC: Regional Managers, and staff members describe and discuss the EducationUSA network, and how it can support international student mobility and recruitment for U.S. higher education institutions. This episode showcases the breadth and depth of EducationUSA’s global network, providing broad knowledge and specific insights. Guests: -Robin Lathrop; Branch Chief, EducationUSA, U.S. Department of State -Gordana Mirchikj; REAC: Regional Manager for East, Central, and Southern Europe -Marilyn Owusu; Adviser, EducationUSA Ghana -Noel Panebianco; Events Manager, EducationUSA Global Services -Santika Salim; Adviser, EducationUSA Indonesia -Ana Villavicencio; REAC: Regional Manager for the Andean Region -Danielle Vinales; Special Projects Manager, EducationUSA Global Services -William Westerman; Social Media & Communications Specialist, EducationUSA Global Services Episode Resources: EducationUSA website: https://educationusa.state.gov/. EducationUSA Linktree: https://linktr.ee/educationusahei. EducationUSA 2024 Forum: https://bit.ly/EdUSAForum2024. EducationUSA 2024 East Asia & the Pacific Regional Forum: https://bit.ly/EAPForum2024. EducationUSA Fair Portal: https://www.educationusafairs.org/. EducationUSA U.S. Higher Education Institution Monthly Newsletter: https://bit.ly/EdUSAHEINewsletter. EducationUSA Global Guide: https://educationusa.state.gov/us-higher-education-professionals/recruitment-resources/global-guide. EducationUSA “Global Marketing Campaign” Videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUb49h_d9v2spKG2K4QezHGoNs1--1wti. EducationUSA Adviser Center contact information: https://educationusa.state.gov/find-advising-center. Reach out to us: educationusa@iie.org, educationusa@state.gov.
Sebastian Fernandez and Eddie West discuss their involvement in international education and their journey towards addressing climate change within the industry. They highlight the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on the planet, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and food security. The conversation explores the role of air travel in international education and suggests ways to reduce emissions, such as combining trips and utilizing virtual meetings. The importance of sustainability commitments by institutions and the growing concern of students about climate change are also discussed. The conversation concludes with an introduction to CANIE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the intersection of climate and international education. The conversation discusses the founding and purpose of the CANIE Accord, a voluntary commitment for institutions and organizations to take climate action in the field of international education. The CANIE Accord provides a list of 70 different climate actions that institutions can take, ranging from relatively easy to ambitious. The conversation highlights the importance of collective action and the need for long-term financial sustainability models. It also emphasizes the role of individual institutions in committing to climate-conscious travel policies, replacing physical meetings with virtual ones, and adjusting procurement practices. The conversation concludes with tips for international recruiters, including the importance of collaboration, eliminating printed materials, and engaging with campus sustainability offices.CANIE website: https://canie.org/ CANIE podcast: https://canie.org/learn/podcast CAINE @ NAFSA:Greening Student Recruitment: A Climate Action Revolution in Travel PracticesThursday, May 30, 20241:00 PM – 1:50 PM CTThe Time Is Now: Practical Steps to Climate Action in Education AbroadThursday, May 30, 20243:00 PM – 3:50 PM CTCANIE Accord: Leadership and Principles for Shared Climate ActionFriday, May 31, 20249:30 AM – 10:20 AM CT
Sebastian Fernandez and Eddie West discuss their involvement in international education and their journey towards addressing climate change within the industry. They highlight the urgent need to address climate change and its impact on the planet, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and food security. The conversation explores the role of air travel in international education and suggests ways to reduce emissions, such as combining trips and utilizing virtual meetings. The importance of sustainability commitments by institutions and the growing concern of students about climate change are also discussed. The conversation concludes with an introduction to CANIE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the intersection of climate and international education. The conversation discusses the founding and purpose of the CANIE Accord, a voluntary commitment for institutions and organizations to take climate action in the field of international education. The CANIE Accord provides a list of 70 different climate actions that institutions can take, ranging from relatively easy to ambitious. The conversation highlights the importance of collective action and the need for long-term financial sustainability models. It also emphasizes the role of individual institutions in committing to climate-conscious travel policies, replacing physical meetings with virtual ones, and adjusting procurement practices. The conversation concludes with tips for international recruiters, including the importance of collaboration, eliminating printed materials, and engaging with campus sustainability offices.CANIE website: https://canie.org/ CANIE podcast: https://canie.org/learn/podcast CAINE @ NAFSA:Greening Student Recruitment: A Climate Action Revolution in Travel PracticesThursday, May 30, 20241:00 PM – 1:50 PM CTThe Time Is Now: Practical Steps to Climate Action in Education AbroadThursday, May 30, 20243:00 PM – 3:50 PM CTCANIE Accord: Leadership and Principles for Shared Climate ActionFriday, May 31, 20249:30 AM – 10:20 AM CT
Summary:In the final episode, “Finding Your Diaspora: Identifying New Populations in Established Markets,” of the EdGE Inclusion series, Karen Bauer, REAC: Regional Manager for the Middle East and Central Asia; Jeremy Coats, Lead, Foundation Programs, Institute of International Education; Fred Johnson, Associate Director of International Admissions, University of San Francisco; and Dane Rowley, Director of International Admission, California Lutheran University discuss the process of identifying, connecting with, and supporting prospective students from diaspora populations. This discussion includes the challenges of advising diaspora students, tips and tricks for finding new populations in established markets, and how diaspora networks are a powerful force for change.GuestsKaren Bauer, REAC: Regional Manager, Middle East and Central Asia: With over two decades of residence in the region, Karen Bauer serves as the REAC: Regional Manager for Middle East and Central Asia. Throughout her career, she has worked with an array of countries, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Jordan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Karen joined the EducationUSA network in 2005, and has served as a teacher, coordinator, trainer, and director, contributing to the growth and enrichment of the international education landscape.Jeremy Coats, Lead, Foundation Programs, Institute of International Education: Jeremy Coats serves as Lead, Foundation Programs at the Institute of International Education (IIE). Jeremy leads five programs at IIE including the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York; the Greek Diaspora Fellowship Program, sponsored by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation; the Christensen Fund’s Indigenous Biodiversity Exchange Program; and travel learning funds for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Tamalpais Trust. During his time at IIE, he has managed various scholar exchange programs and has supported the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program’s Europe and sub-Saharan Africa portfolios.Fred Johnson, Associate Director of International Admissions, University of San Francisco: Fred Johnson is an internationally recognized leader in higher education with more than 26 years of university admissions and recruitment experience. An active mentor in the Latin America and Caribbean region, Fred works with guidance and university counselors to advise high school and transfer students about higher education. He has living experience in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia), Latin America (Chile & México), and Europe (France & Sweden).Dane Rowley, Director of International Admission, California Lutheran University: Dane Rowley is an experienced international educator and higher education administrator with a demonstrated history of working to promote equity and access for all students. He is skilled in enrollment management, recruiting, counseling, and building bridges between institutional silos. Dane is currently pursuing a PhD in comparative and international development education from the University of Minnesota.
The third episode of our limited series on international student inclusion discusses the challenges and rewards of educational access for refugee and displaced students. First, guest Dr. Allan Goodman (CEO of the Institute of International Education) shares his belief that supporting these students serves both the campuses and our society. Then, Dr. Brenda Tooley (Associate Director, Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement, Grand Valley State University) and Jennifer Murray (Dean of International Studies and Director, Institute for International Liberal Education, Bard College) share their experience with hurdles in admissions and support on campus. They discuss best practices and resources for supporting refugee students as an international educator. Finally, guest Jessica Clarkson (Program Specialist, Student Emergency Initiatives, Institute of International Education) shares her personal journey as an international educator and her view on the benefits of greater refugee support on campus and beyond. Resources:•The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) https://www.unhcr.org/us/•Article 26 Backpack at UC Davishttps://backpack.ucdavis.edu/•Welcome Corps on Campushttps://welcomecorps.org/campus/
Ep. 17: Student Perspectives Series Part 2: Optimizing International Students' Admission Journeys by The EdGE
Inclusion Series - Episode 2: Off the Beaten Path: Opportunity for Student DiversitySummary:In the second episode, “Off the Beaten Path: Opportunity for Student Diversity,” of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) series, REAC: Regional Managers Vincent Flores (Northeast Asia & the Pacific) and Lewis Cardenas (South Asia) discuss the rewards of international student recruitment in underrepresented regions and populations. In conversation with Lance Erickson (Public Diplomacy Officer, U.S. Mission to Maldives), the panel discuss the types of diversity found in new populations, the benefits and challenges of building new recruitment relationships and pipelines, and tips for getting started “off the beaten path.”GuestsLewis Cardenas, REAC: Regional Manager for South Asia: With more than 15 years of experience in international student recruitment, admissions, and student support, Lewis Cardenas brings valuable leadership skills and extensive international and intercultural experience across 130 countries, dependencies, and territories. As REAC: Regional Manager for South Asia, he supports the EducationUSA network, working alongside dedicated and inspiring advisers in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.Vincent Flores, REAC: Regional Manager for Northeast Asia & the Pacific: Vincent Flores has worked in the field of education in South Korea for over 22 years. The common threads that tie together his career are: the belief that all students deserve access to information and educational opportunities, a drive to create opportunities when they do not exist, and bringing together people from different cultures to work towards a common objective. As REAC: Regional Manager for Northeast Asia & the Pacific, he works to make international education accessible to everyone.Lance Erickson, Public Diplomacy Officer, U.S. Mission to Maldives: Lance Erickson is currently the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Mission to Maldives. In his role, he facilitates several academic, cultural, and professional exchange programs throughout the Maldives. He is also responsible for managing media relations, public outreach, and disseminating information about the mission's activities. Since joining the U.S. Foreign Service, Lance has held posts such as Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow; Press Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria; and Cultural Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Nur-Sultan (Astana), Kazakhstan. He has also worked in Kyiv, Ukraine, as Country Director for Sidvim, Inc., a medical training and sales company. Lance has served as Assistant Director for Student Services at Indiana University's Russian and East European Institute and as Assistant Director of Ohio State University's Center for Slavic and East European Studies. He received his master’s degree from the University of Texas in 2001.
Summary:In the first episode, “Access and Disability in U.S. Higher Education,” of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) series, international student mobility experts discuss the state of accessibility for students with disabilities on U.S. campuses. Share the successes and challenges that international students experience on campus, learn best practices for supporting students, and imagine a future with greater accessibility in student mobility with: Guests:Julie Baer, Research Specialist, Institute of International Education (IIE): Ms. Baer serves as an expert on trends in international education mobility on IIE’s Research, Evaluation, and Learning (REL) Team. She works with diverse stakeholders to coordinate research, providing programmatic insights, and engaging with external clients, such as the U.S. Department of State. She leads the “Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange,” a comprehensive resource on international students and scholars in the United States and American students studying abroad for academic credit, and has also led a research study on “International Students with Disabilities,” supported by the U.S. Department of State.Christine Bilfinger, International Student Adviser, Michigan State University: Ms. Bilfinger is an international student adviser at the Office for International Students and Scholars at Michigan State University. A native of New York state, she completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she also worked in international admissions, study abroad, and as an international student adviser.Laurie Laird, Program Manager of National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, administered by Mobility International USA: Ms. Laird has lived experience with a disability and her career includes positions in higher education, international engagement, philanthropy, and non-profit management, with a focus on advancing human rights and social justice as the constant thread in her work. She has managed programs at the Global Fund for Women, Santa Clara University, and the University of Portland. Resources:Advising Participants with Disabilities: How to Begin: https://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/begin/. International Student Orientations & Disability Access – MIUSA: https://www.miusa.org/resource/videos-and-webinars/international-student-orientations-disability-access/. A World Awaits You - International Students with Disabilities Issue (miusa.org): https://www.miusa.org/resource/books-and-journals/awayinternationalstudent/.
Episode 14: Lessons Learned from Your Colleagues - Higher Ed Reps Weigh in on EductionUSA by The EdGE
In this episode, five international students share their thoughts, lessons learned, and the challenges they faced using U.S. institutional websites, social media accounts, and other communication channels. This episode will give practical suggestions on how to improve HEI communication channels from an international student perspective.
Join Adina Archer, from EducationUSA and Marcus Hanscom from NAGAP- the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals, for a discussion on various ways graduate enrollment managers can work together with the EducationUSA network.
Register for the AF Regional Forum here: https://web.cvent.com/event/ab3a33d4-faa3-43cb-844e-74f78d138f58/summary
Summary This special episode of The EdGE Podcast takes listeners on a step-by-step journey through the international student recruitment and enrollment process, focusing on how EducationUSA can be integrated into strategic enrollment plans. Using the framework of the enrollment funnel, this episode’s guests detail the benefits of working with EducationUSA advisers and REACs and taking advantage of EducationUSA fairs and forums throughout the process. Host Adina Archer and guests Kathleen Joyce, Assistant Dean for Student Recruitment in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University; Petra Marlin, Director of International Recruitment and Admissions at the University of Southern Mississippi; and Daniel Whitmer, Associate Director of Sponsored Student Services at Indiana University Bloomington, discuss how they use EducationUSA to both invest in new international student markets and to strengthen existing markets. In the early stages of the recruitment funnel, EducationUSA helps them to allocate resources, build relationships with schools and students, and understand local academic and social context. For students, utilizing EducationUSA services and expertise can create a world of difference in their ability to better understand the U.S. higher education system and obtain visas in a timely manner, making the transition to your HEI smoother. For recruiters, attending EducationUSA events and building long-term collaborative relationships with advisers, as well as other institutional representatives, are essential investments for promoting higher education in the U.S. and helping students find their best fit.
Conversation Highlights 1. Using EducationUSA to build and strengthen your markets (4:43) 2. How EducationUSA advisers connect with local students (12:35) 3. Using EducationUSA to verify student information (15:44) 4. EducationUSA as an advocate for the U.S. and for students (17:41) 5. EducationUSA adviser support prior to on-campus arrival (22:22) 6. Networking and building collaborative relationships with EducationUSA (30:02)
Learn More The EducationUSA network: https://educationusa.state.gov/ EducationUSA Fair Portal: https://www.educationusafairs.org/ Open Doors: https://opendoorsdata.org/ Indiana University Bloomington: https://www.indiana.edu/ Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science: https://ecs.syracuse.edu/ University of Southern Mississippi: https://www.usm.edu/
WHA REACs Rita Moriconi, Maria Mercedes Salmon, and Ana Villavicencio give listeners an inside look into the unique aspects of the upcoming EducationUSA WHA Regional Forum, to be held November 9-11 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Listen for a preview of networking possibilities in Costa Rica and special guests at the morning plenaries. Plus, learn about exciting changes in the region over the past several years and other events to connect with local advisers. Registration closes October 7, so register now!
Learn more: WHA Regional Forum information and registration: https://events.bizzabo.com/WHARegionalForum2022/home
Real and raw, recorded just for you: welcome to the EdGE, EducationUSA's brand new podcast and your official channel for all things international student recruitment and retention in the U.S. higher education landscape. Today's introductory episode features Host Adina Archer and Producer Noel Panebianco as they explore the scope and future of The EdGE.
The premiere episode of The EdGE Podcast takes listeners on a journey across more than two years of the pandemic. Through the development of a new hybrid normal, guests discuss taking the best of virtual innovations and combining them with in-person activities, while looking to build a resilient future.
Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REACs) Melissa Deschamps, based in Doha, Qatar; Maria Mercedes Salmon, based in Mexico City, Mexico; and Luke Yim, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, reflect upon the challenges of transitioning to virtual programming, geographic differences in students’ responses to the pandemic, and unexpected benefits of the online transition. The benefits include the broadening of audiences, geographic reach, and virtual experiences to students from U.S. institutions.
As the pandemic continues to impact the globe two years on, pandemic fatigue sets in. A new generation of students is shaped by an uncertain world. It is more important than ever to provide a personal touch for prospective students, while also recognizing that this next generation will be crucial to building a resilient future in the “new normal.”
Conversation Highlights 1. The earliest days of the pandemic [2:10] 2. Initial virtual challenges and engagement [5:56] 3. Geographic variance in pandemic impact on students [10:41] 4. Expanding local audiences and institutional visitors [16:14] 5. New programmatic offerings and opportunities [19:11] 6. Uncertainty and evolving priorities in school choice [33:28] 7. Assuring students and families through new forms of communication [36:41] 8. A resilient future [44:32]
Summary The second episode of The EdGE Podcast focuses on advising in hard-to-reach places, with a special emphasis on Iran and Libya. Guest host Karen Bauer, REAC for the Middle East and Central Asia, and guests Amy Hamidi, EducationUSA Iran Virtual Adviser, and Amira Ouardani, EducationUSA Libya Adviser, discuss challenges they face, resources they use to virtually connect with students, and connecting with HEIs as virtual advisers. They share stories about memorable steps HEIs have taken to support their students with bureaucratic and logistic challenges, something that is especially important in the face of pandemic-related obstacles. Even they, as previous virtual advisers, faced a transition period at the onset of the pandemic, as students faced disruptions to existing bureaucratic and financial systems.
Along the way, master some basic Arabic and Farsi phrases, discover the innovative ways our advisers connect with students entirely virtually, and learn how to best support and recruit hard-to-reach international students as an HEI.
Conversation Highlights 1. Reaching students in Iran and Libya [4:20] 2. Virtual platforms for communication with students [9:13] 3. Managing and maintaining HEI connections [13:37] 4. Impact of the pandemic on advising [22:14] 5. Advice for HEIs connecting with hard-to-reach students [25:08] 6. Creative virtual programming ideas [27:27]
Summary
The final pilot episode of The EdGE Podcast explores considerations when recruiting international students in a post-pandemic world. With opportunities expanding to resume in-person international recruitment, guests discuss new factors in advocating for resources at a university level, setting and managing recruitment expectations, and balancing virtual and in-person events in the new hybrid world.
Guests Lisa Maroni, Senior Associate Director of International Outreach at Shoreline Community College, and George Kacenga, Assistant Vice President for University Partnerships with M2 Media, reflect upon their experiences recruiting international students during the pandemic. They examine new considerations that came into play, including managing budgets and priorities, minimizing staff and student burnout, and the implications of COVID-19 on the international student market.
Despite struggles with maintaining international student numbers during the pandemic, international educators and enrollment managers can leverage data to emphasize the financial, social, and academic benefits of maintaining and even growing international student enrollment. In order to not only maintain, but also expand recruitment to new and emerging markets, juggling lessons learned during the pandemic in a post-pandemic world will be essential.
Conversation Highlights 1. Innovations and successes from the pandemic [3:02] 2. Maintaining sustainable workloads across mediums [7:43] 3. Staffing levels and evolving strategic plans and priorities [10:37] 4. Efficiently balancing in-person and virtual recruiting [16:21] 5. Advocating for resources and budgeting within an institution [23:07] 6. Evolving patterns of international and domestic recruiting [28:59] 7. Accessing new and emerging markets [32:57]