Enrollment at Risk: Repositioning International Recruitment Through Strategic Partnerships
As international student enrollment faces increasing volatility driven by political shifts, visa constraints, and changing global sentiment, institutions are being forced to reassess long-standing recruitment strategies. Traditional models are proving less reliable, exposing vulnerabilities in how institutions build and sustain international pipelines. This Gateway Gathering will explore how strategic partnerships are emerging as a critical mechanism for stabilizing and diversifying enrollment in an increasingly uncertain global environment. Drawing on institutional and provider perspectives, the session will examine how partnership-driven approaches are reshaping recruitment models and enabling more resilient, adaptive strategies.
Operating Under Pressure: How ISSS Leaders Are Navigating Compliance, Capacity, and Change
As ISSS offices across the United States navigate tightening budgets, hiring constraints, evolving federal compliance requirements, and shifting international enrollment patterns, they face growing pressure to maintain accuracy, responsiveness, and institutional accountability. These conditions are exposing the limits of manual processes and fragmented systems, requiring new approaches to managing student and scholar operations. This Gateway Gathering will explore how ISSS leaders are responding to these converging challenges and adapting their practices to operate more effectively under pressure. Drawing on shared institutional experiences, the session will examine how offices are identifying operational strain and working toward more coordinated and sustainable models.
Next Step Connections is Asia’s premier boutique experiential learning organization, providing real-world learning experiences and international programs for students and universities across Asia since 2008. The breakfast provides an opportunity for networking and discussion during the conference.
Ostim Technical University is a technical university based in Turkey focused on industry-aligned education, innovation, and international collaboration. The breakfast provides an opportunity for networking and discussion during the conference.
An Enterprise View of Risk & Opportunity in International Education
International education has become an enterprise-level issue. Many institutions still lack a unified view of risk and opportunity.
Gateway helps institutions assess and respond to international education risk while strengthening performance, resilience, and alignment. Enterprise Risk Management Solutions provides fast and affordable reviews across four functional areas.
External Reviews and Strategic Planning in International Higher Education
Enhance Your International Enrollment Strategy
Build Strategic, Outcomes-Driven Global Collaborations
Gateway International Group is a proud bronze sponsor and contributor to the 2026 Rainbow SIG.
The Rainbow Scholarship is awarded to deserving applicants who self-identify within the community. The Rainbow SIG has partnered with Fund for Education Abroad to create an endowment for the Rainbow Scholarship fund, which provides funding specifically for LGBTQIA+ students. All U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. institution of higher education and looking to study abroad are eligible to apply.
Dr. Anthony C. Ogden is a distinguished leader in the field of international higher education and the Founder and Managing Director of Gateway International Group. With over 25 years of experience, he has established himself as an influential figure in the industry, specializing in education abroad, comprehensive internationalization, and global engagement.
Prior to founding Gateway International Group, Dr. Ogden made significant contributions to renowned institutions such as Pennsylvania State University, the University of Kentucky, Michigan State University, and the University of Wyoming. Across thee role, he has led offices related to international students and scholars, education abroad, global studies, and English language programs.
Dr. Ogden is a prolific author and scholar, having published numerous scholarly articles and co-edited several books on international higher education. His works cover topics such as scholar-practitioners, integrating education abroad into curricula, and comprehensive research on international education. He serves as an external reviewer for esteemed journals in the field.
An active member of professional organizations like NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Association of International Education Administrators, Dr. Ogden has also served on international boards focused on advancing higher education. He has taught at institutions including Pennsylvania State University, the University of Kentucky, and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.
Drawing from his extensive international experience, Dr. Ogden has conducted program evaluations in over 25 countries, collaborating with organizations and agencies worldwide. He is highly sought after as a speaker, delivering seminars and workshops on international higher education globally.
As the Founder and Managing Director of Gateway International Group, Dr. Ogden continues to shape the field. His consultancy firm offers comprehensive services to institutions aiming to enhance their global engagement strategies, education abroad programs, and international partnerships. Driven by his passion for promoting intercultural understanding and global citizenship, Dr. Ogden remains dedicated to advancing international higher education and empowering institutions in navigating the complexities of an interconnected world.
John Haupt is a seasoned international educator with more than 15 years of experience in the field. Before joining Gateway, he held a variety of roles in international education at institutions including Ohio University, the University of Kentucky, Rice University, Michigan State University, and the University of Arizona. In addition to his professional experience, John has conducted and published research on topics such as education abroad, transnational higher education, and international research collaboration.
He holds an M.A. in Linguistics from Ohio University, an M.A. in Diplomacy and International Commerce from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Arizona.
Ravi Ammigan serves as Associate Provost for International Programs at the University of Delaware. With over 23 years of experience in the field of international higher education, he currently leads his institution’s internationalization strategy and global engagement portfolio. Ravi Ammigan holds a faculty appointment in the UD School of Education, where his main research focuses on the academic, social, and cultural experiences of international students at higher education institutions globally. He has authored and co-authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles and is a regular speaker at international education conferences worldwide. Ammigan is editor and co-editor of the books “Cross-Cultural Narratives: Stories and Experiences of International Students” (2021); “COVID-19 and Higher Education in the Global Context: Exploring Contemporary Issues and Challenges” (2022); and “Supporting International Students in U.S. Higher Education: A Theory-Based Approach” (2024). He holds an MA in Communication from Michigan State University and a PhD in Higher Education Internationalization from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan.
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.
Jonathan Auffarth has built his career at the intersection of language, culture, and international education. For over a decade in Santiago, Chile, he led teams of ESL educators and developed as an educator, writer, editor, and translator. Fluent in Spanish and English, he creates compelling narratives and purpose-driven content for global audiences. With skills in marketing, communications, and visual design, Jonathan helps organizations engage effectively in international education. He holds a B.A. in English from Covenant College.
Marty Bennett is an award-winning international educator with a career spanning 30+ years. Marty has directed international admissions efforts at five different United States and England institutions, and traveled to recruit prospective students and their parents in 80 countries. Additionally, his significant time with EducationUSA, the British Council, and CollegeWeekLive provides a unique blend of experience with the complex world of international student mobility.
Steven Boyd earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Bridgeport.
After living in Latin America for 20 years, where he was employed as a teacher, translator, simultaneous interpreter and conference organizer, Mr. Boyd entered the field of higher education as an International Admissions Counselor at the University of Bridgeport. While there he worked in both domestic and international admissions as Director of Graduate Admissions, Assistant Director of the English Language Institute, and Director of International Admissions. Most recently, he worked at the University of New Haven as Executive Director of Graduate and International Admissions, overseeing all aspects of domestic graduate and international admissions. His leadership was key in preserving both institutions as leaders in international enrollment.
Mr. Boyd’s expertise lies in strategic international recruitment and market development, including the execution of armchair and in-country recruitment initiatives. He is highly skilled in the implementation of successful agent networks based on responsible ethical and professional practices, as well as the implementation of university-to-university partnerships. His university travels have taken him to 60 countries.
Mr. Boyd is Past President of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC) and was a member of the AIRC Board of Directors from 2017-2020. Steve has been an active member of several organizations in the field of international education including NAFSA, AIEA, and EAIE.
He is a frequent presenter on strategic international recruitment and market development in India, China, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America, and Asia at conferences organized by NAFSA, IIE, NACUBO, AIRC, IC3, EducationUSA Forum, ICEF, and others.
Gateway Service Areas:
– International student recruitment
– Agent network management
– International partnerships
– International admissions
Valeriana Daily is a seasoned professional in international enrollment management, bringing over 30 years of global experience from her roots as an international student to her vast career across various industries and countries. Passionate about empowering students globally, she established Global Talent Education Network to enhance educational opportunities and foster international collaboration for young artists worldwide.
Kathleen Fairfax has been an active international educator for over three decades. She has held senior leadership positions at large public institutions such as Michigan State, Purdue, Arizona State, South Dakota State, and Colorado State. In addition, Kathleen was a tenured Foreign Service Officer, with assignments in the Fulbright Office in Washington, DC, and at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.
This breadth of institutional experience has enabled Kathleen to provide expert assessment and recommendations on enhancing international strategy and effectiveness to multiple institutions, and has contributed to her wide network of peers, mentors, collaborators and friends within the international education field.
Jeffrey Foot is a seasoned international educator known for his practical insight, collaborative style, and intercultural fluency. With degrees from Canada and the U.S. and professional experience in Asia and across American higher education, he brings a global lens to institutional strategy. Over two decades, he has led international enrollment, student services, and risk management efforts. A longtime NAFSA volunteer leader, Jeffrey helps institutions build ethical, student-centered systems that support compliance, resilience, and meaningful global engagement.
With a career spanning four decades in international education, Kerry Geffert is an experienced practitioner in a range of settings.
He has served both international populations and American study abroad students in settings that include public and private universities as well as small to medium-sized private organizations offering education abroad and technology services. His roles have included student recruitment and advising, programming, institutional relations, staff management and leadership, implementation of technology, sales and marketing. A longtime member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, he has been a frequent conference presenter and exhibitor, and has served at the regional and national levels, including Conference Chair and Chair/Lead Trainer of the highly successful Management Development Program. Geffert earned his Bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo College where he majored in voice and studied in Germany, and earned his MA in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University.
Dr. Noah Goldblatt has over 15 years of experience in international education, and most recently served as Senior International Officer and Senior Director of International Education at Champlain College. Noah has extensive experience building program capacity and helped bring the Champlain College study abroad participation rates to number 12 in that nation. Noah holds Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Vermont and focused his research on the impact of study abroad on career outcomes. Noah also holds an MA from Dartmouth College in Globalization Studies. Noah has worked for third party study abroad providers, and led international service learning trips while teaching Spanish at a boarding school in New Hampshire.
Gateway Service Areas:
– Education abroad capacity building
– Program development
– Business development
– International internships
Keiko Ikeda is a Professor in the Division of International Affairs, and KU-COIL Coordinator at Kansai University. Recently, she has taken the role as the principal project manager for the Inter-University Exchange Project funded by MEXT, 2018-2022 (“COIL Plus Program to Develop Global Career Mindset”). Keiko is Vice-Director for the newly established organization at Kansai University, Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE). She has a Ph.D. from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, specializing in Japanese linguistics, foreign language education, and conversation analysis. Her interests in the international education field are internationalization at home, constructing active learning programs collaborating with universities overseas. Keiko also plays a vital role in another line of the on-going government-funded project, SUCCESS-Osaka Project (2017-2021). It promotes the employability of international students who have studied in Japan.
Whitney Longnecker is an international educator with nearly 15 years of experience in education abroad. Her expertise includes program development, program leader training, and traveler health and safety. Whitney enjoys giving back to the field by volunteering with NAFSA and the Forum on Education Abroad. Whitney holds a B.A. from Central College and an M.A. in International Education from SIT Graduate Institute. When not dreaming about traveling, Whitney enjoys cycling and trying new restaurants.
Terence W. Miller has worked in senior international education positions for 24 years at Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Ramapo College of New Jersey. In those positions he oversaw recruitment, admission and immigration advising for undergraduate and graduate students; English as a Second Language Program; Education Abroad; Curricular and co-curricular programming; as well as strategic international partnerships. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Manhattan College, Bronx, New York and received his Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University, Queens, New York.
He was a criminal defense attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y.; a human rights attorney in Chile during the dictatorship; and director of an international public policy office in Washington, D.C. He was the Legal Advisor and ex officio Board of Director member for the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) for eight (8) years. He is the recipient of the Timothy J. Rutenber Award from AIEA in 2017 and the Dorothy von Briesen World Citizen Award from International Institute of Wisconsin (IIW), Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2013. He co-authored with Rajika Bhandari “Harnessing Data to Lead Internationalization” a chapter in Leading Internationalization: A Handbook for International Education Leaders (Stylus Publications, 2018). He has presented at AIEA, Nafsa, FORUM, APAIE and EAIE conferences on an array of issues impacting the field of international education including strategic partnerships, risk management, international regulatory compliance in global operations, intercultural competence, and comprehensive internationalization.
Dr. Hiroshi Ota is a Professor at the Center for General Education at Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, where he serves as the Director of the Hitotsubashi University Global Education Program. His research primarily focuses on higher education policies and practices related to internationalization and international student mobility from a comparative perspective. He has more than 130 publications in Japanese and English, including 6 book chapters published by Springer, Routledge, SAGE, and Multilingual Matters.
Dr. Ota serves as a vice president of the Japan Association of International Student Education (JAISE) and a board member of the Research Consortium for the Sustainable Promotion of International Education (RECSIE). In addition, he has been a visiting scholar for the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO), a government agency that supports and promotes international education. He has also served as a member on many selection and evaluation committees of international education and internationalization projects implemented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan. Dr. Ota received his Ed.M. in 2001 and Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education (Comparative and Global Studies in Education) in 2008 from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study international education administration in the U.S. in 1996.
Gateway Service Areas:
– International student mobility
– International student policy
– Education Abroad
– Internationalization of higher education
Christopher Powers is a senior international educator with thirty years’ experience leading international initiatives, including student, teacher, and administrator exchanges; scholarship and fellowship programs; institutional grants for U.S. colleges and universities; and international training programs for professionals. His experience includes U.S. study abroad, international student services, and language programming. Mr. Powers has served in senior positions at Amideast, TESOL International Association, the Institute of International Education, and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Gateway Service Areas:
– Strategic partnerships
– Education abroad and exchange program management
– Language programs
Dr. Heidi Soneson has been professionally active in international education since 1983. She has held positions as Executive Director of Office of International Education and Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Education at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and Program Director in the Learning Abroad Center at the University of Minnesota, among other positions. In her university positions, she has been responsible for institution-wide international education initiatives, international student services, and education abroad programming. Soneson has served as chair of the NAFSA Education Abroad Regulatory Committee as well as the NAFSA Education Abroad Consular Affairs Liaison Subcommittee and member of The Forum on Education Abroad Council. Soneson has published and presented on a variety of study abroad topics, including study abroad for students with disabilities, visa regulations for US students, ethical visa advising guidelines, GLBT concerns, study abroad in non-traditional locations, and strategies for raising the visibility of study abroad offices on U.S. campuses. Soneson has been responsible for education abroad programs and partnerships in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, New Zealand, and Scandinavia.
Dr. Heidi Soneson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Comparative Literature from Clark University, a Master’s degree in German Literature from the University of Indiana-Bloomington, and a PhD from the University of Minnesota in German Literature with a focus on travel literature to non-traditional locations.
Martin Tillman is a nationally recognized expert, author and thought leader. As President of Global Career Compass, an international consulting practice, his work focuses on the impact of education abroad on student career development and employability. Formerly, he was Associate Director of Career Services (ret.) at the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. In his distinguished career, he has held senior leadership positions with pioneering international education programs.
Among his many publications, in 2020, he co-authored , “Employability: How education abroad impacts the transition to graduate employment,” in the Routledge book, Education Abroad: Bridging Scholarship and Practice. Marty’s blog, Global Career Compass, https://globalcareercompass.wordpress.com/about/, is widely read.
Martin has consulted widely for leading international education organizations and colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. In Tbilisi, Georgia and Harare, Zimbabwe, Marty served as a speaker specialist for the U.S. State Department Bureau of International Information Programs. He received a Fulbright award to Japan. The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership named him a Distinguished Fellow, and he was cited as a pedagogical pioneer in the field of cross-cultural education and service-learning in Service-Learning: A Movement’s Pioneers Reflect on Its Origins, Practice and Future.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook; M.A. from Colgate University in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education and an M.A. in Intercultural Management from the World Learning SIT Graduate Institute.
Julie has worked in the field of international education for over 15 years. She has extensive experience advising international students and scholars on non-immigrant visa categories, as well as filing employment-based permanent residency petitions for faculty and staff. Her background includes experience with foreign credential evaluation, oversight of education abroad activities, and approval for international travel to high-risk areas. As an active member of the NAFSA Trainer Corps, Julie has presented workshops on F-1, J-1, and H-1B visa categories, as well as prevailing wage determinations. She currently serves as the Chair of the on the NAFSA leadership team, Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KC ISSS) and completed her roles as the International Scholar Advising (ISCA) Network Leader and Past Chair of the NAFSA Healthcare Institutions Interest Group (HIIG). She has presented over 40 sessions at local, regional, and annual conferences and serves as an external consultant. Prior to coming to Vanderbilt, Julie worked at UT Health San Antonio, the University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus and Florida International University. Her honors include selection as a Fulbright Scholar in Germany from 2004 to 2005 and serving on the board of the Colorado and San Antonio chapters of the Fulbright Association.
Gateway Service Areas:
Dr. Dawn Wood is a leading international educator with over 25 years of experience in international education leadership and currently serves as the Dean of Global Learning at Kirkwood Community College. She is well-published in the area of inclusive internationalization, education abroad, and intercultural experiences. Dr. Wood completed a Ph.D. in Higher Education Internationalization at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy, where her research focused on how interculturality impacts low-income, first-generation, technical, and rural students.
Dr. Wood has served as a leader and presenter at many international conferences including NAFSA, Phi Beta Delta, Professional International Educators Roundtable, StudyIowa, and Community Colleges for International Development and Global Education Network.
Dr. Ling Zhang is an experienced higher education professional with a strong background in international recruitment, admissions, regulatory compliance, and student services. With over a decade of experience working across various institutional settings, Dr. Ling Zhang brings strategic insight and practical expertise to support institutions in enhancing their global outreach, improving student experiences, and achieving enrollment goals.
Dr. Ling Zhang serves as the Committee Chair of International Recruitment and Marketing for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and also serves on the Board of Directors of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC).
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
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.
