A note from the chair...
What a year so far! International Education has certainly been at the forefront of the national conversation with the two Executive Orders affecting travel to the US. While I’ ve struggled to keep up with rapid changes, I’ ve been so impressed with my students’ resolve and dedication to achieving their academic and professional goals. This is what our work is all about! During many a heartbreaking conversation, I’ ve had students stop and assure me that they appreciate the help offices like mine provide. I’ m constantly humbled by these amazing students.
Throughout the rapid changes, NAFSA has continued to be a resource and is taking a proactive approach to collecting information about ripple effects in higher education. If you haven’ t had a chance, check out NPR’ s interview with NAFSA’ s new CEO Ether Brimmer. The first Executive Order that included the original travel ban was signed during the Washington Leadership Meeting in DC. The NAFSA staff sprang into action and were ready with a well thought out response first thing the next morning.
In what have been trying times, we Region VIers are also resources for one another. The regional conference provides the opportunity to share creative solutions to major challenges, best practices, and the voices of our students with one another. This year its role will be especially important for resource sharing and community building.
The regional leadership team was in Louisville early in March to kick-off regional conference planning. The conference will be held October 15-17 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown. We’ re looking forward to a great conference in a fun city!
I hope to see many of you at the NAFSA Annual Conference in Los Angeles May 28th-June 2nd. At the regional update meeting Wednesday afternoon of the conference, we’ ll have a chance to be together as a group to reflect on our work and look forward to the regional conference in October.
I feel so fortunate to be part of this community!
Franny Henkel Region VI Chair