Newsletter

Happy June Fellow Region V NAFSAns!

It was great to see so many of you at the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference (AC24) in New Orleans! 

If you attended the Region V meeting during AC24, we provided a lot of information about the regional activities and about the upcoming Bi-Regional Conference being held from October 29th to November 1st in Schaumburg. If you have any questions or would like a copy of the slides from the presentation, please let us know.

DEADLINE APPROACHING - Please make sure to submit your session proposals for the Bi-Regional Conference as soon as possible. If you need assistance finding co-presenters, please still submit the proposal and let us know that you need assistance. We will then reach out to you. In order to receive the conference discount of $25, your proposal has to be submitted by Friday, June 8th (and ultimately accepted). If you are not able to submit by June 8th, the final deadline for all submissions is Thursday, June 20th. Additional information about how to submit a proposal is provided below.

Bob White, Chair

Laure Bordas-Isner, Chair Elect

Ashton Troxel, Past Chair

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NAFSA Regions IV & V invite you to submit a conference proposal for the Spooktacular Biregional October 29th through November 1st! Proposals on topics covering ALL NAFSA Knowledge Communities are welcome, so propose your session idea today! Propose a session for the Bi-Regional IV & V Conference by Friday, June 8th and receive a $25 discount on your conference registration if your proposal is accepted.

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your ideas at the Biregional Conference and connect with an expanded network of NAFSAns from across the Midwest regions!

Conference Proposal Resources

Not sure where to start with creating a proposal? Check out these conference proposal resources to assist you with creating a proposal!

Have a Session Idea But Need a Co-Presenter - We Can Help!

If you have a great session idea but need to find a co-presenter, we can assist! In addition to submitting your session proposal today, please complete the form below to let the Bi-Regional Planning Committee know that you need assistance finding a co-presenter. We will then connect you to another Region V and/or Region IV NAFSAn who may be able to co-present with you.

NAFSA National Volunteer Opportunities

NAFSA National recently launched its application/nominations portal for 7 chair-elect and 3 board roles, through June 17. Know someone in your office or on your team who would be a great fit? Encourage them to apply below. All applications are for positions beginning in 2025. 

NAFSA Academy Coach Applications

Contribute your expertise, give back to the field of international education, and develop the next generation of NAFSA leaders by becoming a coach for the NAFSA Academy for International Education. Coaches guide new professionals as they explore all aspects of the field.

The application deadline is June 14. Learn more below.

New Advocacy Coordinator for Region V!

We are happy to announce and welcome NAFSA Region V's new Advocacy Coordinator, Stephanie Cisneros (Assistant Director, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management International Student Services). Stephanie is excited to serve in this role on the Region V team and is eager to hear from professionals in Region V! Please check out the new Advocacy Resource Guide at this link or by scanning the QR Code below.

Save the date, and please join Stephanie and her counterpart in Region IV, Erika Lees, for the first ever Bi Regional Advocacy Think-Tank Workshop on June 6, 11:30am to 12:30pm if you are interested in presenting an advocacy focused session at the upcoming conference in October. We look forward to seeing you there!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

International Student & Scholar Services

Senators Send Letters to DHS About NIL For International Athletes

A bi-partisan group of Senators recently sent a letter to the DHS Secretary to follow up on when SEVP will be issuing guidance on how international athletes will be able to monetize their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) similar to their domestic counterparts. The letter highlights that it has been more than one year since the DHS Secretary testified to Congress on the issue and that guidance still has not been released. The letter is available at https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2024-04-29_letter_dhs-international_student_athletes.pdf

USCIS Releases FY2025 H-1B Quota Registration Data

The USCIS recently released FY2025 H-1B Quota registration data. The USCIS had significantly fewer registrations filed in comparison to last year as a result of this year's change in the registration process to a beneficiary-centric approach. Although the USCIS received fewer registrations, it also selected fewer of the registrations in the H-1B lottery process. Last year, when the USCIS selected fewer registrations, it had to complete a second selection process in August in order to ensure that all of the available H-1B quota numbers were used. It is unclear if the USCIS will also have to conduct a second selection process this year. Employers who had a registration selected have to submit an H-1B quota petition by June 30. FY2025 H-1B Quota registration data is available at https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/h-1b-electronic-registration-process

Education Abroad

Podcast for Some EA Inspiration



We invite you to listen to the final episode of the WorldStrides' Podcast, Changing Lives Through Education Abroad. Tune in for a compelling conversation with NAFSA's Executive Director & CEO that touches on the essential nature of international education, intentional leadership, and the impact of NAFSA as an organization. Get to know Dr. Aw as she shares her take on the evolving DEI landscape, the state of higher ed, and the interconnected nature of our world and work – all through the lens of resiliency and with an eye to the horizon.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Podbean:

https://worldstrideshighered.podbean.com/

Apple Podcasts:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/...

Spotify:

open.spotify.com/show/1GpTsZn16Ln7gKesXNAEpX

Whether or not you attended the NAFSA 2024 Annual Conference (AC24), join us to discuss information provided by the various governmental agencies (including SEVP, USCIS, DOL, DOS and CBP) during the AC24 Government Sessions. Catherine Lee (Region V ISSS KC Leader), Scott Manley, Ugo Buzzi and Bob White (Region V Chair) will review the government updates and answer questions that you may have about the updates.

Brainstorm with Your KC Reps To Create Bi-Regional Session Proposals

Have an idea for a Bi-Regional Conference Session proposal but would like to discuss the content with someone? Already have a proposal but are looking for co-presenters? Have never presented before but would like to submit your first session proposal for the Bi-Regional Conference? Join our Region V KC Reps who will be available to discuss everything about session proposals so that you can get your proposal submitted before the deadline of June 20th!

EA KC

Friday, June 7^th at 11am CST/12pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85825149150?pwd=0XaHezsKMu2vzP0WcKIYuyOxE7ldoH.1

IEM KC

Friday, June 7^th at 3pm CST/4pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82281731470?pwd=q0cOUJL5N7aa3dsJe6N9GgCsW0aE49.1

TLS KC

Monday, June 10^th at 12pm CST/1pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83031410971?pwd=ULT9S2hxqpTeYEi1vEBH8kHENBKS5H.1

K-12 KC

Thursday, June 13^th at 1pm CST/2pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82850778195?pwd=RLbbAbKonnF1kZlWicz68C1ZUXQTbh.1

ISSS KC

Thursday, June 13^th at 2pm CST/3pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86961705836?pwd=VabyU0OWH3IgZ7QaLDczHPEVLGCkJo.1

IEL KC

Thursday, June 13^th at 2pm CST/3pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83963644925?pwd=OVusR7vuntFZhLkThGZomZqrgLRAFN.1

NEW THIS MONTH - Advocacy Think Tank Workshop!

Join your R5 and R4 Advocacy Coordinators for their first joint Advocacy Workshop. Discuss how to become an advocate for change in international education! Also, brainstorm with them to create a Bi-Regional Conference session proposal!

Thursday, June 6^th at 11:30am CST/12:30pm EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83963644925?pwd=OVusR7vuntFZhLkThGZomZqrgLRAFN.1

Wisconsin Summer Seminar is this month!

WAIE

Pre-Seminar Workshops:

Date: June 12^th

Time: 1-4 pm

Cost: $25

Summer Seminar:

Date: June 13^th

Time 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

Cost: $100

Follow us on our Facebook page and Instagram

for more updates from Region V!

Have an update from your MIG/SIG that you'd like us to include in our newsletter? We'd love to hear from you! Please use the form below to submit your content to Region V.