NAFSA Conference 2025

Join IDP at NAFSA 2025 from May 27-30 in San Diego, California. This year's conference theme is Purpose, Place, and Partnership. IDP is proud to be a NAFSA Global Associate.

Visit us at booth 1817 in the Expo Hall or attend one of our sessions:

Student Success and You: Unifying the Journey From the Start

Wednesday, May 28 | 9:30am PT - 10:20am PT

There are many factors involved in driving student success, some playing a role even before a student is enrolled. This panel discussion addresses industry challenges to recruitment, enrollment and retention. It also provides real-world examples of how to unify the student journey and address education affordability to help drive success for international students.

Presenters:

Christine Wach - Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, USA & Canada - IDP

Allison MacLeod - Chief Marketing Officer and GM of US Education - Flywire

Sherif Barsoum - Senior Associate Vice President of Global Services - New York University

From Congress to Campus: Effective Advocacy Tactics in International Education

Wednesday, May 28 | 9:30am PT - 10:20am PT

This session discusses successful advocacy at different levels: "big A" advocacy, which focuses on government and policy-level initiatives, and "small A" advocacy, which centers localized efforts within institutions and communities. Panelists discuss strategies that are effective in both supportive and challenging environments to achieve key international objectives.

Presenters:

Elle Butler - Director of Marketing, USA - IDP

Jessica Sandberg - Vice President of External Affairs, USA - IDP

Andrew Goodliffe - Associate Dean for Graduate Admissions, Recruitment, and Fellowships - University of Alabama

Measuring Admissions Efforts through ROI and Funnels

Wednesday, May 28 | 9:30am PT - 10:20am PT

In this session, develop the tools and skills needed to manage an international enrollment funnel and measure the effectiveness of outreach activities.

Presenters:

Sarah Mackey - Senior Partnerships Director, Strategic Initiatives - IDP

Charlie Schwartz - Director of Enrollment Strategy - Carnegie

Katie Van Wyk - Director, International Admissions and Enrollment - University of Arizona

Navigating Geopolitical Shifts and Reasserting U.S. Leadership in International Student Recruitment

Wednesday, May 28 | 9:30am PT - 10:20am PT

Explore the evolving landscape of international student recruitment and the potential for the United States to reassert its position as the global leader in this domain. Referencing data and trends published in the ICEF Monitor, this session examines current geopolitical shifts affecting student mobility, focusing particularly on developments in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom and how these changes may, or may, not present unique opportunities for the United States.

Presenters:

Craig Riggs - Editor in Chief - ICEF Monitor

Ian Cann - Vice President, Americas - ICEF

Jessica Sandberg - Vice President of External Affairs - IDP

Roger Brindley - President, North America - Sannam S4/Acumen

Data-Based Insights on Emerging Markets for Student Enrollment

Wednesday, May 28 | 2:30pm PT - 3:20pm PT

As diversity is a key goal for many institutions, international student recruitment strategies should go beyond dominant places of origin and explore new horizons for recruitment. This panel will review trends in emerging international student markets, including Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia, looking at global student mobility data, prospective student data, and hearing from experts focusing on recruitment in these regions.

Presenters:

Elle Butler - Director of Marketing, USA - IDP

Mirka Martel - Head of Research, Evaluation & Learning - IIE

Poster Presentation - Re-thinking the Africa Strategy through Data and On-Ground Recruitment

Thursday, May 29 | 10:30am PT - 12:00pm PT

This poster focuses on recruiting students from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya using a design-thinking approach. It combines data-driven insights with personalized outreach to overcome barriers like financial constraints and limited information. Aimed at institutions entering or expanding in these markets, it enhances engagement and support.

Presenters:

Somil Mehta - Senior Client Success Manager - IDP

Nick Paddock - Client Success Director - IDP