CPaCE News

PHOTO (L-R): Kelly Martinez, Program Coordinator of Study Abroad @ The Beach, and Janeth Mendoza, Senior International Student Advisor at the American Language Institute, at the 2024 NAFSA Conference and Expo in New Orleans, LA.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a non-profit organization for international education professionals, and their annual conference and exposition is a major event for those working in the field. Two campus leaders in the profession, Janeth Mendoza and Kelly Martinez, received CSULB Staff Professional Development grants to attend this year’s event in New Orleans on May 28-31, where they experienced a full schedule of speakers, workshops, and other events.

“My position on campus as an International Student Advisor and Designated School Official working with international students requires that I am constantly learning about global trends, immigration policy, and improving the student experience,” said Janeth, who works at CSULB’s American Language Institute (ALI). “I learned about NAFSA's involvement in public policies and their priority to help lead to a more globally informed, welcoming, and engaged country.”

While networking with others in the CSU system as well as international partners, Janeth and Kelly received positive feedback about the programs, staff, and faculty at CSULB.

“Attending the NAFSA conference in New Orleans was a great professional opportunity,” said Kelly, the Program Coordinator of Study Abroad @ The Beach (SA@B). “The conference sessions held throughout the week consisted of topics that have inspired me to bring new ideas to the SA@B program.”

Some of the specific NAFSA conference workshops are described below:

• The Saudi Vision: Cultivating Talent for a Prosperous Future focused on the Saudi Ministry of Education's goal to enhance educational services, increase public spending efficiency, and improve educational output quality.
• Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP): Current Issues covered recent developments in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of SEVP regulations, policies, and processes; and how they could impact international educators, students, and institutions.
• Department of State and Visas: Current Issues featured recent developments within the Department of State with visa regulations, policies, and processes; and how they could impact the work of international educators, their advisees, and institutions.
• Global Trends Affecting International Student Recruitment in 2024 and Beyond discussed how sectors can ensure that recruiting standards are raised, while offering suggestions to improve outcomes for international students.
• English-Language Programs: Data-Driven Decisions for Strategic Planning and Recruitment provided insights into English language programs through the release of Open Doors IEP data, industry-driven reporting, and collaborative efforts with the U.S. Department of Commerce.
• Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman: Current Issues shared recent developments in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations, policies, and processes.

“I’ll use this professional development opportunity to continue advocating for students at the ALI who travel from different countries to learn English as a second language,” added Janeth. “I hope to do this by growing in creating a more welcoming and enriching student experience on our campus and beyond—one student at a time.”

Learn more about CSULB’s American Language Institute and Study Abroad @ The Beach.