Careers Resources for International Higher Education Professionals
A compilation of some of the most prominent and helpful career resources for professionals in international higher education.
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Careers in international higher education are professionally and personally rewarding. While many individuals pursue this career path after completing rigorous graduate studies in international education, others have entered the profession from lateral careers related to higher education. Whatever the trajectory, careers in international education require significant knowledge, experience and training.
Fortunately, there is a growing array of helpful resources available to international education professionals, including associations, conferences, journals, online resources, etc. These resources provide essential information with which to inform and successfully navigate a career in international higher education.
In November 2022, Gateway International Group conducted an initial industry-wide survey of international education professionals to identify the most prominent and helpful resources that international educators regularly turn to when seeking assistance with fulfilling their responsibilities. Survey respondents included professionals across all knowledge communities, including International Education Leadership, International Enrollment Management, International Student and Scholar Service, Education Abroad, and Teaching, Learning & Scholarship. The survey responses provide the basis for the compilation presented here. Although the resources are largely U.S. focused, familiarity should prove helpful to all.
Also see a comprehensive list of job boards at, Job Boards in International Higher Education.
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Also see a comprehensive list of international associations at, International Organizations (aieaworld.org)
M.A. in International Education Management
Careers in International Education. A practical guide to planning the first 5 to 7 years of a career in international education.
NAFSA’s Adviser’s Manual 360. An essential source for current U.S. laws, policies, and procedures related to international student and scholar immigration and visa issues.
NAFSA’s Guide to Education Abroad and Administrators. A flagship education abroad resource for decades.
Standards of International Education Practice. Standards for education abroad programming and practice from the Forum on Education Abroad.
The Handbook of International Higher Education. A trusted companion for both emerging and established practitioners and scholars in international higher education.
The International Education Handbook: Principles and Practices of the Field. A comprehensive overview of key sectors of the field of international education.
The Association of International Education Administrators holds an annual conference for senior international educators, often held in Washington, DC. The Comparative and International Education Society also holds an annual conference focused on the research, practice, and advancement of comparative and international education.
FebruaryThe Forum on Education Abroad holds an annual conference for professionals engaged in education abroad programming and practice. The Asia-Pacific Association for International Education also holds an annual conference across major cities in Asia each year.
MarchNAFSA holds a major international conference focused on all areas of international education. Locations vary. Regional conferences are held throughout the year.
MayThe International Association for College Admission Counseling holds a major conference for international enrollment management professionals.
JulyEducationUSA holds an annual Forum each year for U.S. postsecondary institutions and U.S. higher education community stakeholders seeking to recruit, enroll, and support international students.
AugustThe European Association of International Education holds a major international conference holds a major international conference focused on all areas of international education. Locations vary across major European cities.
SeptemberDiversity Abroad holds an annual conference dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the field of global education and cultural exchange.
NovemberThe American International Recruitment Council holds an annual conference for professionals engaged in international student recruitment and enrollment management.
DecemberEducationUSA holds an annual Forum each year for U.S. postsecondary institutions and U.S. higher education community stakeholders seeking to recruit, enroll, and support international students.
This compilation was initially developed December 2022 by Ximing Li, a graduate intern of Gateway International Group and doctoral student of Social and Comparative Analysis in Education at the University of Pittsburgh.
Education Abroad Faculty Toolkit
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Gateway Languages
Gateway FLEX
Education Abroad Provider Directory
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
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Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.
