NAFSA 2019 - Valuing Relationships over Transactions
Adam Rubin, Director of Institutional Relations and Enrollment, looks back at a busy yet productive and rewarding conference in Washington D.C.
NAFSA continues to be a highlight of the year for many international educators, as it allows us to celebrate partnerships, discuss new ideas and trends, and engage in meaningful dialogue. In a field that has become increasingly competitive, it was encouraging to meet with so many partners who clearly value quality over quantity and relationships over transactions.
This year’s NAFSA conference provided a valuable reminder of the great work being done by Arcadia and our partners here in the U.S. and around the world, as we all strive to meet the needs and interests of our students and address the challenges and changes in global higher education today.
The NAFSA 2019 Annual Conference welcomed more than 12,000 international educators to Washington D.C. May 26-31, and Arcadia University was represented by a variety of team members throughout the week. We kicked off the successful conference by hosting our International Partners Reception, welcoming more than 100 international colleagues to a wonderful evening event filled with robust conversation, laughter, and a celebration of collaboration and camaraderie.
On the following day, Arcadia hosted its first Community Conversation: Re-Imagining Arcadia Abroad. This event brought together mid-career and senior U.S. study abroad professionals for a collegial conversation about several current trends and key issues in international education.
Three of our outstanding resident staff, Dr. Paola Cascinelli (Resident Director, Italy), Russell Peplow (Director of Operations, London), and Dr. Chris McMillan (Faculty, London Center) presented on student engagement, institutional partnerships, and applied learning before helping to facilitate three roundtable discussions with other members of the Arcadia team and our workshop participants.
The event generated good discussion and ideas that the Arcadia team will now use to explore additional community conversations and engagement with our institutional partners. During this event, Dr. Chris McMillan was presented with a special Arcadia award for his outstanding teaching efforts in London. Congratulations, Chris!
The remainder of the NAFSA conference was a whirlwind of productive and enjoyable meetings with current domestic and international partners, exploratory meetings with potential new partners, wonderful evening receptions, plenary presentations, conference sessions, and a myriad of informal conversations in the diverse and sprawling expo hall.
Special thanks to our various domestic and international partners who hosted receptions throughout the week. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who contributed to a successful and enjoyable conference. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year in St. Louis!
