A Message from the Chair Elect of Region IV

Dear Region IV,

It’s very hard to believe that we are already in October.  It has been quite the year to date.  I never thought that words and phrases such as pandemic, COVID-19, abundance of caution, unprecedented times, masks, and physical or social distancing would become common, everyday vocabulary.  And all this, on top of the topsy-turvy political landscape throughout the world.

As a friend described it, “we are on a roller-coaster with no physical restraints.”  It can, and it certainly does for me, feel that way.  They only difference is that the roller-coaster ride eventually comes to an end.  We know that there is an end when we get on the ride.  We didn’t voluntarily get on this ride, and there is currently no end in sight.

So, we all need to latch on to each other and hang on tight!  Now, more than ever, we need to come together as an international education community to support and give each other strength to continue the work we do.  We are being pulled in a myriad of directions.  Between demands of our students, administrations, and family, we are being asked to give more (and often with much less.)  Which is why the Region IV leadership team has given careful thought and planning around our fall 2020 regional conference.  To meet our region’s needs while understanding the constraints we all are facing, we are hosting the regional conference virtually and at a very reasonable cost (as in, no cost to attend!)  Thanks to the generosity of our presenters and leadership team, we are able to offer sessions through a variety of zoom accounts (so please pay attention to those zoom rooms!). 

I encourage all of you to dedicate time on October 27 and 28 to attend the conference.  It is a much needed break from the daily work to regroup, recharge and reconnect with colleagues.  It’s a chance to commiserate and, more importantly, to encourage and recharge as we continue to ride the unending roller-coaster.  We are resilient and we need this time to nurture that resiliency so that we can continue to guide and support others in our lives.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Region IV Fall Conference 2020 – Virtually everyone will be there!

Kimberly Gillette, Ph.D.

Chair-elect, Region IV

NAFSA IssueNet

We are happy to announce that the new IssueNet system is now live with both the Report an Issue and Get Liaison Help functions! Please feel free to retroactively report any issues that you encountered in the field during the time the system was down.

Please note that the new Get Liaison Help system requires you to create a new account in order to access it. Instructions on accessing the system can be found here.

Please feel free to contact NAFSA here if you have any questions about the new system or if you encounter any problems while using it.

Thank you for continuing to report issues from the field as this continues to be an important tool for NAFSA to track challenges and emerging trends!

Fight Back Against Duration of Status Change

The Department of Homeland Security has published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would, among other provisions, eliminate the current "duration of status" (D/S) policy for international students and exchange visitors.

Please submit your comments by October 26, 2020 at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DHS_FRDOC_0001-1933.

You can also urge your members of Congress to speak out in support of international students by sending a message through Connecting our World at https://www.connectingourworld.org/app/onestep-write-a-letter?10&engagementId=491995.

Also, please take the time to vote in the upcoming election! There are many ways we can influence policies, but we need as many people to speak out as possible to effect change.

Join the NAFSA Academy 

Looking to boost your knowledge and involvement in IE? Join NAFSA’s Academy for International Education!

Learn about the benefits of being a participant of NAFSA’s Academy for International Education by visiting www.nafsa.org/academy 

Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Academy Class through November 13, 2020.

The Academy for International Education is a comprehensive year-long program designed to broaden the perspectives of those who are new to the international education field, as well as those who've recently had international education added to their professional responsibilities.

Guided by a seasoned international education coach and working with a cohort of peers in small groups, the program is designed to meet specific learning needs.

Consider applying for Academy Class 18 or encourage any interested peers or new professionals to submit an application to the NAFSA Academy for International Education by November 13, 2020. 

Apply at: www.nafsa.org/academy 

Lessons From Abroad Virtual Conference

We are excited to announce that registration for the Lessons From Abroad Virtual Conference is now LIVE!

You can register on our website via this url: https://sites.google.com/view/lessonsfromabroadvirtual/registration. Please note: you will have to register for both weekends.

This will be a free, nation-wide event available to all students who have studied abroad in recent semesters, and in particular for those who were abroad in spring 2020 and had their programs interrupted by COVID-19.

The virtual conference will take place over the course October - the 9th/10th and 16th/17th. Each day will begin at 1:00 p.m. EST/10:00 am PST in order to accommodate all time zones, and will consist of a variety of different sessions and opportunities for students to connect each day. 

The sessions will cover the following topics:

•    Unpacking & reframing 
•    Social justice
•    Career resources & going abroad again 

Conference Highlights: 

•    Meet other recent study abroad returnees from all over the US 
•    Hear from dynamic and motivating keynote speakers about their experiences abroad
•    Learn how to talk about your newly acquired global skills in a job interview
•    Discover how you can work or study abroad after graduation
•    Network with professionals working in internationally-focused jobs
•    Stay connected to and share stories about your study abroad experience

This is a great opportunity to network with other students and professionals.

Check us out on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn, and follow us on Instagram!

You can stay up to date with the latest news about the conference on our website! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to lessonsfromabroadvirtual@gmail.com with any questions.

Community College International Educators Region 4 (CCIER4)

Region IV Community College Members are invited to join the listserv dedicated to communication for Community College members

This is a group dedicated to community college professionals serving in the area of international education from Region IV states (Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota) to connect! 

This group is open to those serving in all areas of international education serving at community colleges in these states including but not limited to Education Abroad (EA), International Education Leadership (IEL), International Enrollment Management (IEM), International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), ESL/ESOL/ESP, and Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship (TLS).”

Link to listserv: https://groups.io/g/CCIER4 

Email of listserv:  CCIER4@groups.io 

Please contact Virginia Guneyli, Community & Two-Year Colleges Representative, Region IV with questions!

SOCIAL MEDIA AND NETWORK NAFSA!

Do not wait until the NAFSA Region IV Round-Up newsletter!

Keep up-to-date with all the latest Region IV News through Network NAFSA, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!