The Speakers
Share Your Knowledge
Thursday, July 22
Alejandra Bueno
Executive Director Office of International Programs | Alamo Colleges District |abueno35@alamo.edu
Alejandra Bueno serves since June of 2019, as the Executive Director of International Programs for the Alamo Colleges District, an institution comprising five well reputed Colleges with a population of around 100,000 students and 400 academic and workforce programs. Ms. Bueno is an attorney licensed to practice law in Mexico and in the US (admitted by the State of New York). Before joining the Alamo Colleges, she was the owner of R&I Solutions, LLC, a cross-border consulting firm. From 2013 to 2017, she worked at the bi-national law firm of Cacheaux, Cavazos and Newton, L.L.P. Alejandra has developed a very unique set of skills as she has worked also for the governments of Mexico and Texas. From 2007 to 2013 she worked for Texas Governor Rick Perry, as Director for International Business and as the Governor’s Representative in the South Texas Region, working mainly in international projects.
Alejandra graduated with a Law Degree from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City in 1993, she later completed studies for a Master’s degree at Universidad Autónoma de México, UNAM in International Laws. In Texas, she Graduated with an LLM on American Laws from the University of Texas at Austin, School of Law in 2004, she later obtained her license to practice law in the US by passing the Bar Examination in the State of New York.
Sarah Elsunni
Project Specialist | UTSA International Services | sarah.elsunni@utsa.edu
Sarah Elsunni is a Sudanese-American raised in San Antonio, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management at the University of Texas at San Antonio and joined the UTSA International Services team as a Project Specialist in 2019. As a Digital Content Creator, Marketer and Co-Advisor of the International Student Association, Sarah’s work aims to create a welcoming experience and community for International Students while connecting domestic students to life changing study abroad programs. As a student, Sarah participated in the study abroad immersion to China with the College of Business, a Volunteer Service trip to Puerto Rico and completed a Business Consulting Fellowship in Marketing in Barcelona, Spain. During her free time, she creates content and builds social strategies for a New York Congressional campaign and Malikah, a grassroots movement that facilitates opportunities for women in self defense, healing justice, financial literacy and organizing. Sarah has a passion for ethnographic documentary filmmaking and meaningful storytelling that highlights people and cultures in celebration of diversity, intercultural empathy and awareness.
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Barbara B. Glave
Senior Credentials Analyst; ATA-certified translator | SDR Educational Consultants, Inc.
Barbara B. Glave began participating in international education when she transferred in 1965 to the Universidad de las Américas, Mexico City, from which she graduated in 1967 with a B.A. in Spanish, with minors in French and Linguistics. At LSU, she earned an M.A. in Spanish and Romance Philology in 1969, plus 27 additional credits in the same fields.
Barbara is a longtime member of ATA and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She currently serves on both the Membership and Scholarship and Publications Committees of AICE, the Association of International Credential Evaluators. She presents frequently on Latin-American education at monthly credential forums of AICE. She is a charter member of TAICEP, The Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals.
Barbara has authored/co-authored ten country profiles for the NAFSA Online Guide to Educational Systems Around the World: Albania, Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico and Sudan as well as an overview of Mexican education for NAFSA IEM Spotlight, posted April, 2014. In addition to the accomplishments detailed above, she has over 80 activities as a committee member, consultant, panelist, moderator, session presenter, and workshop leader in comparative international education. She is the recipient of the 2015 NAFSA Region III Outstanding Service award.
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Hany Arafat
President of SDR Educational Consultants; Senior Credentials Analyst | SDR Educational Consultants, Inc. | hany@sdreducational.org
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With an academic background at both the undergraduate and graduate levels emphasizing international relations and comparative politics, Hany has worked as an evaluator of international credentials since 2005, first with SpanTran Educational Services and, currently, with SDR Educational Consultants. He is bilingually fluent in Arabic and English, and has the ability to research in both languages.
As a comparative education researcher, Hany has authored country profiles for NAFSA’s “A Guide to Educational Systems Around the World”, contributed to a NAFSA publication highlighting the educational system in Saudi Arabia, given presentations at NAFSA regionals, as well as to representatives of regional institutions of higher education and cultural organizations on the evaluation of foreign credentials, and participated in a number of professional conferences and seminars in the field. In 2011, he received a certificate of recognition recognizing his efforts and contributions at a regional conference organized and hosted by Houston Community College.
La Tanya Kurney
Coordinator of International Relations | Alamo Colleges District | lwoods29@alamo.edu
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As the Coordinator for International Relations for the Alamo Colleges District, LaTanya has coordinated and implemented numerous customized training programs for partners from Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and Russia. In her current role, she facilitates the development and execution of international articulated programs (dual degrees), international 2+2 transfer opportunities, sponsored student mobility initiatives, and exchange programs.
As a representative of Alamo Colleges District, LaTanya has presented and co-presented on internationalization and globalization at various national and international conferences and workshops. As an English professional, she has also led several literary presentations, offering insight and analysis of numerous British, Harlem Renaissance, and Mexican-American literary works. LaTanya has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Rockhurst University (Kansas City, MO) as well as a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from Texas A&M University – San Antonio (San Antonio, TX). She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Global Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL).
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Mariela Cadena
International Exchange Specialist | Alamo Colleges District |​ mcadena36@alamo.edu
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Mariela Cadena currently serves as the International Exchange Specialist for the Alamo Colleges District. She works alongside the International Relations and Exchanges Coordinator to identify and approach potential new international partners and determine and establish mutual areas of academic interest for different types of collaborations. Mariela also leads the virtual exchange initiative for the District. Before joining Alamo Colleges District, Mariela worked for the University of Texas at San Antonio as the Education Abroad Program Coordinator.
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She holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in International Relations and Portuguese from St. Mary’s University and is currently pursuing her master’s of arts degree in International Education Administration and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mariela has more than 10 years’ experience in International Education and has worked and lived in Mexico, Brazil, England, and Bolivia.
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Her personal mission is to be a servant leader, to inspire our global community through integrity, diligence, and service.
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Lin Larson
Director of Student Recruitment, College of Engineering | The University of Texas at Arlington
Lin Larson is the Director of Student Recruitment in the Dean’s Office, College of Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington. In this position, Lin is charged with creating and implementing a recruitment strategic plan to grow and diversify the college significantly by 2025. In her 20+ year career in international recruitment and admissions, she has worked in 4 institutions of higher education, each with varying admission requirements for engineering and all other academic programs.
Lin has presented on aspects of international student recruitment and admissions, credential evaluation, ethical practices and institutional policies at NAFSA, NACAC, WACAC, International ACAC, AACRAO and EducationUSA Forum. She is a co-author in NAFSA’s 2017 publication, Managing A Successful International Admissions Office.
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Adria L. Baker
Associate Vice Provost for International Education | Rice University | abaker@rice.edu
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Dr. Adria L. Baker is Associate Vice Provost for International Education, Executive Director/Office of International Students & Scholars, Director/Brasil@Rice in Rice University (for 20+ years). Dr. Baker has served in international education leadership roles, and received service awards. Her key topics of publications/presentations include: advocacy in global education, public policy, immigration, cultural integration, promoting transnational relationships.
Under her leadership, Rice won top international education awards for strong Rice-Brazilian initiatives: 2020 IIE Heiskell award; 2015 Senator Paul Simon Campus Internationalization; 100,000 Strong in the Americas. She has two International Education Administrators (IEA) Fulbright awards: 2021 France; 2013 South Korea. She is a U.S. Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador, Board Member Emerita/Houston Fulbright Association Chapter, on the Board of Directors for Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce (BRATECC), and on the Advisory Board of Houston-Guayaquil Sister City. She was a Rotary Fellow at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and forges Rice-Costa Rican university relationships.
Thursday, July 29
Alejandra Bueno
Executive Director Office of International Programs | Alamo Colleges District |abueno35@alamo.edu
Alejandra Bueno serves since June of 2019, as the Executive Director of International Programs for the Alamo Colleges District, an institution comprising five well reputed Colleges with a population of around 100,000 students and 400 academic and workforce programs. Ms. Bueno is an attorney licensed to practice law in Mexico and in the US (admitted by the State of New York). Before joining the Alamo Colleges, she was the owner of R&I Solutions, LLC, a cross-border consulting firm. From 2013 to 2017, she worked at the bi-national law firm of Cacheaux, Cavazos and Newton, L.L.P. Alejandra has developed a very unique set of skills as she has worked also for the governments of Mexico and Texas. From 2007 to 2013 she worked for Texas Governor Rick Perry, as Director for International Business and as the Governor’s Representative in the South Texas Region, working mainly in international projects.
Alejandra graduated with a Law Degree from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City in 1993, she later completed studies for a Master’s degree at Universidad Autónoma de México, UNAM in International Laws. In Texas, she Graduated with an LLM on American Laws from the University of Texas at Austin, School of Law in 2004, she later obtained her license to practice law in the US by passing the Bar Examination in the State of New York.
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Emily Roberts
Founder| Personal Finance for PhDs | emily@PFforPhDs.com
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Dr. Emily Roberts is a personal finance educator specializing in early-career PhDs. Through her business, Personal Finance for PhDs, she equips graduate students, postdocs, and PhDs with Real Jobs to make the most of their money. She gives seminars at universities and for associations; interviews graduate students and PhDs on her podcast; serves as a money coach; and creates courses and workshops on taxes, investing, and more. Emily holds a PhD in biomedical engineering from Duke University and lives in southern California with her husband and two children.
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Daniella Skirsky
SEVP Field Rep | Department of Homeland Security
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Daniella is the HSI/SEVP Field Representative for territory 22, which covers central, south TX and she has been in this role since 2017. Prior to this role she worked as a PDSO at a language school in Miami Beach, FL for 3+ years. She has extensive experience in immigrant and nonimmigrant applications, and has been on both the petitioner side, and the US government side, which is one of the reasons she is able to assist the stakeholders she works with on a daily basis now. She hopes and her goal is to bridge the gap between schools and HSI, so that each individual can have a better understanding of immigration law, and how the system works.
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William Hayden
Director, International Programs| Austin Community College | ​ william.hayden@austincc.edu
William Hayden has served as director of International Programs at Austin Community College District for 10 years. He spearheaded the development of a faculty-led study abroad program that includes more than 15 programs offered each summer. In addition, he developed several programs that work with faculty to develop and expand global education at ACC.
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Charles Courtney
Special Agent/ National Security and Counter-Proliferation Investigations (NSCP)| Homeland Security Investigations
Charles “Chuck Courtney” began his career in federal law enforcement in 1995 with the United States Border Patrol in Brackettville, Texas. Chuck Courtney is now a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assigned to the Counter-Proliferation Investigations and National Security Unit in San Antonio, Texas. Special Agent Courtney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin.
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Dr. Joan Labay-Marquez
Graduate Studies Coordinator and Advisor to the UIW Compassion Student Peer Organization| University of the Incarnate Word
Dr. Joan Labay-Marquez is the Graduate Studies Coordinator for the Dreeben School of Education at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She has a Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio. She is a Fellow in the 2020 San Antonio Compassionate Institute and serves as Advisor for the UIW Compassion Student Peer Organization. She is leading a collaborative team of faculty, students and community leaders from UIW and abroad, that will establish a Young Women's Global Leadership Program and Summit to empower women and promote the learning and leadership capacity of young women locally and globally. She is a liaison to the ESC Region 20 Cohort of Leadership Associates (CoLA) program and member of the UIW Graduate Admissions Recruiting Team. Prior to UIW, she maintained a general law practice and taught K-6 for Boerne ISD in the gifted and talented program and was a member of the NASA Explorer School Program.
She is a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and serves on the NASPA Review Board for the NASPA Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education. She teaches Law in Higher Education and Legal Issues in Student Affairs and is a member of the 2016 NASPA Certificate Program in Student Affairs Law and Policy Cohort.
She is married to Felix Marquez, and they are blessed to have four beautiful children that attend the University of the Incarnate Word, Trinity University and St. Anthony Catholic High School. She serves as the Education K-12 STEM Outreach Chair for AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) and supports the AIAA Educator Associates for the SWTX Region. She enjoys spending time with her family and doing all things NASPA.
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Jeff Neal,
Doctoral Student| University of the Incarnate Word
Jeff Neal is a retired United States Air Force veteran that served his country with over 24 years of service. He joined the Air Staff as a Joint Planner Assistant and later served as Special Assistant of Joint Matters for the Director of Joint Staff. His assignments span from NORAD, Iceland, Turkey, Little Rock AFB, and Scott AFB, serving in the capacity as Executive Assistant to the Vice Commander of Air Mobility Command. Jeff retired from the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency as the Executive Assistant to the Command Chief. He is a survivor of the September 11, 2001, Pentagon terrorist attack.
Jeff is a doctoral student pursuing a concentration in Student Services and Higher Education Administration in the Dreeben School of Education at the University of the Incarnate Word. He earned his BA in Organizational Development and MS in Organizational Leadership. As an alumnus of UIW, he is actively involved on campus by serving as Graduate Assistant in support of the UIW Strategic Priorities Planning Initiative, UIW Alumni Board Member, PACE Veteran Peer Advisor, Vice President of the UIW Compassionate Student Peer Organization, and Student Researcher at the UIW Action Research Working Group in the Graduate Studies Program. Jeff is also an alumnus of the Alamo Federal Executive Board Leadership Program.
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Elizabeth Guajardo,
DPS Representative | Texas Department of Public Safety |
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Elizabeth Guajardo is a San Antonio native.She has been with the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division for over 10 years. Her current position with the state is a LPS IV ( License and permit specialist/ Limited term ). Throughout her years with the department she has become a certified facilitator. That certification allows her to train and develop new employees. She has been a part of many international conferences and fairs in multiple schools throughout the San Antonio area. She takes great pleasure in informing and educating people on what the Texas Department of Public Safety has to offer.
DAY 1 July 22
Agenda
12:00
12:10
1:00
Welcome
Alejandra Bueno, Executive Director Office of International Programs | Alamo Colleges District
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NAFSA Update & Networking Exercise
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Patricia Ferguson, Coordinator of Recruitment- International Student Services |Alamo Colleges
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Review of EA & IEM highlights from the recent NAFSA conference
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EA Track:
The University of Texas at San Antonio - An Introduction to Study Abroad Podcasting: Production, Distribution & Marketing
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Sarah Elsunni, Project Specialist | UTSA International Services
As study abroad programs continue to positively impact the trajectory of students’ lives, podcasting offers a unique way to storytell and highlight these experiences to a global audience. In this session, Sarah Elsunni will discuss the podcast production process and offer marketing techniques to reach your desired audience. You will leave with digital tools and an understanding of how to create, launch, market and share powerful stories to create your own Study Abroad Podcast.
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IEM Track:​
Changing Landscape of Grading Practices in Certain Latin-American Countries
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Barbara B. Glave, Senior Credentials Analyst; ATA-certified translator
Hany Arafat, President of SDR Educational Consultants; Senior Credentials Analyst | SDR Educational Consultants, Inc.
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Some Lat-Am countries have adopted "gentler" grading to avoid negative student-parent reaction. A few countries have three-grade (P+P+F) systems. Due to Covid-19, some countries are adjusting their grading/averaging, assessment, standardized testing and promotion practices. Such changes may influence US admissions and transfer decisions.
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1:30
EA Track:​
AlamoCOIL Village: Keeping Faculty Engaged in Virtual Exchanges Post-COVID
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La Tanya Kurney, Coordinator of International Relations
Mariela Cadena, International Exchange Specialist | Alamo Colleges District
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Through the development of the AlamoCOIL Village, faculty leaders across the Alamo Colleges District have embraced virtual exchange as a means of bringing the world to their students. Institutionalizing COIL during a global pandemic was ideal. Now that we are slowly returning to campus, we must look for ways to maintain the momentum with our COIL early adopters. This presentation shares how Alamo Colleges District adopted the COIL methodology and expanded virtual exchange to various collaborative opportunities. This is the COIL multiplier effect.
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IEM Track:
International Travel is Easy & Glamorous
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Lin Larson, Director of Student Recruitment, College of Engineering| The University of Texas at Arlington
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After over 20 years of international travel, hear from an experienced recruitment traveler - known as a road warrior - on the ups and downs experienced. Real stories from the road that will make you cringe, laugh and maybe even tear up. Attendees will also have a chance to share their own stories.
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2:15
Shared Interest​
Who Me? How Fulbright Opportunities Create Transformational Benefits for International Educators
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Adria L. Baker, Associate Vice Provost for International Education | Rice University
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International education faculty and staff must be up-to-date professionally in order to meet the demands of our ever-changing world – especially in our post-pandemic world. Fulbright programs offer a wealth of experiential opportunities for: 1) occasions for educators to spend time abroad, 2) meaningful academic connections, 3) scholarly research, 4) cultural enrichment opportunities, 5) bridge-building transnational relationships and 6) life-long friendships.
The presenter will talk about her experiences as a Fulbright scholar in South Korea in 2013 and France in 2021, and ignite thoughts on how each of us might consider applying for a Fulbright award, and “next steps”to do this. She will discuss how these awards have opened a true “world of difference” for her professionally, as well as benefiting her university, her students and networks.
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3:00
3:10
BREAK
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Networking & Open Meetings
Education Abroad
TOPICS:
Return to Travel Plans
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Int’l Enrollment Management
TOPICS:
Virtual Recruitment
Return to Travel Plans
Enrollment Trends
3:45
Closing
5:15
Happy Hour Networking
DAY 2 July 29 Agenda
12:00
12:10
1:00
Welcome
Alejandra Bueno, Executive Director Office of International Programs | Alamo Colleges District
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Shared Interest
Personal Finance Resources for Funded Graduate Students
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Emily Roberts, Founder| Personal Finance for PhDs
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International masters and PhD students who receive tuition and fee waivers and stipends have financial pressures, concerns, and opportunities that are unique to them. Dr. Emily Roberts of Personal Finance for PhDs will share the financial questions that she commonly hears from international graduate students and point to resources that will assist them. The subjects covered will include increasing income, banking and credit, investing, buying a home, and taxes.
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ISSS Track
NAFSA Annual Update
Review of ISSS highlights from the recent NAFSA conference​.
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IEL/IC Track
Alamo Colleges District: Curriculum Internationalization Process
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Alejandra Bueno, Executive Director Office of International Programs
Isabel Breuer, International Programs Coordinator | | Alamo Colleges District
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During this session, we will discuss the process for curriculum internationalization. We will share strategies for institutional alignment, communication process with internal and external key stakeholders, best practices, and lessons learned from our experience at the Alamo College District .
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1:30
ISSS Track:
SEVP Update
Daniella Skirsky | SEVP Field Rep
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IEL/IC Track:​
Faculty Learning Communities - Helping Faculty Globalize Education
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William Hayden, Director, International Programs| Austin Community College
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Since 2016, ACC International Programs has implemented two Faculty Learning Community (FLC) on globalizing education at ACC in collaboration with the University of Texas-Austin Hemispheres Consortium and the ACC Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning.
Each FLC is a two-semester program that brings together a small interdisciplinary group of ACC faculty members for high-quality programming and collaborative discussions on globalizing community college courses. As an FLC, faculty members take an active role in shaping programming and discussions throughout the year.
With the ultimate goal of integrating global topics into their curriculum, the FLC provides the opportunity for ACC faculty to learn about global issues in various world regions and to have a collaborative and supportive space to discuss and work with their colleagues to develop new curriculum or programming that is inclusive, intersectional, and equity-focused.urces, upcoming trends and best practices.
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2:15
ISSS Track:
Homeland Security Investigations - Project Shield
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Charles "Chuck" Courtney | Special Agent/ National Security and Counter-Proliferation Investigations (NSCP)| Homeland Security Investigations
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IEM Track:​
Rooted in Compassion
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Dr. Joan Labay-Marquez, Graduate Studies Coordinator and Advisor to the UIW Compassion Student Peer Organization
Mary Guerrero-Munoz, Doctoral Student
Jeff Neal, Doctoral Student| University of the Incarnate Word
Compassion in higher education is a vital requirement for the graduate student's holistic growth beyond the textbooks and curriculum of a university. This session will demonstrate the need and critical benefits for the creation of a student led organization founded in compassion. You will leave with a step-by-step roadmap that you can take back to your institution and establish your own Compassion Student Peer Organization.
2:45
ISSS Track:
Texas Dept. of Public Safety
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Elizabeth Guajardo | DPS Representative | Texas Department of Public Safety
3:10
3:00
BREAK
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Networking & Open Meetings
ISSS
TOPICS:
NCAA NIL
Orientation Plans
I-765 Online Filing.
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IEL/IC
TOPICS:
Lesson learned from COVID 19 for International Educators
3:45
Closing​
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5:o0
Happy Hour Networking​
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About the SAIE Forum
The San Antonio Forum for International Educators (SAIE) forum is a collaboration between international offices, from educational institutions within South Texas, whose purpose is to offer support, resources, and networking opportunities to advisors in the field of international education.
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The SAIE forum is open to all individuals at educational institutions that are responsible for providing services to international students and scholars. The forum offers delegates the opportunity to network, exchange best practices, and gain better understanding of a rapidly changing immigration and global environment.​
SAIE Forum offers:
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An opportunity for international advisors in the South Texas Area to connect with federal, state, and local government agencies. Through this collaboration, updates, general guidance, and upcoming changes are provided to advisors which help to keep advisors informed and better equipped to serve their international community.
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Open to area universities and colleges, Intensive English schools, medical institutions, secondary institutions and other institutions (including primary schools) where F-1 and J-1 are hosted;
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Presentations from representatives of federal or state agencies.
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Important updates from regional and national NAFSA conferences.
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Include non-regulatory topics to meetings when needs arise and time permits.
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SAIE Forum Facts:
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Meets twice a year, November/December (winter) and June/ July (summer).
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Is a volunteer organization with a zero budget. No registration fee is charged to attend any Forum Event.
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Leadership Team consist of: Chair, Co-Chair, Chair/Co-Chair Elect and Past Chair/Co-Chair
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DAYS
INSTITUTIONS
PARTICIPANTS
Host Institutions
Host Institutions
The July 2021 SAIE Forum is hosted by Alamo Colleges
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Special thanks to our hosts and co-chairs for planning the event.
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Hosts:
Pati Ferguson & Alejandra Bueno
Alamo Colleges
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Previous Forums
Chair:
Jessica Guiver
Co-Chairs:
Marisa Calder & Sheena Connell
Current Chair:
Patricia Ferguson
Co-Chair:
Sheena Connell
Chair:
Sheena Connell
Co-Chair:
Melissa Piedra
BUILDING LEADERS
& SHARING GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE
Co-Chairs
Education Abroad Track:
Melissa Piedra, St. Mary’s Univ
Int’l Enrollment Management:
Pati Ferguson, Alamo Colleges
Int’l Student & Scholars Services:
Sylvia Medel, TAMU-San Antonio
Int’l Education Leadership:
Alejandra Bueno, Alamo Colleges
Chair:
Sylvia Medel
Co-Chair:
Priyangana Risal
Chair:
Robert Seese
Co-Chair:
Qui (Jessie) Jiang