NAFSA 2026 | Orlando in Review
Bringing the World Together In Orlando, Florida
Carolina Coronado Park (Director of International Engagement), Missy Leuthold (Associate Director of International Admissions), and Ava Deitrich (Student Services Coordinator) attended the 2026 NAFSA Conference, held in Orlando, Florida.
The NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference brought together U.S. higher education institutions, study abroad organizations, overseas partners, government representatives, and many others in the international education field to share ideas and engage in cross-cultural conversations. These conversations created opportunities for new connections, strengthened existing partnerships, and encouraged collaboration and learning among professionals from around the world.
During the conference, attendees explored current trends, challenges, and opportunities impacting international education and student mobility. Through presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities, participants were able to exchange best practices and learn from institutions and organizations working to support international students and global engagement efforts.
While at the conference, which spanned roughly five days, Coronado Park, Leuthold, and Deitrich had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops, special interest sessions, regional meetings, and networking events. They also met with partners, both new and longstanding, within the international education sphere. These meetings provided valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships, discuss future collaborations, and explore new ways to support international students and expand global opportunities.
The conference experience offered valuable professional development and insight into emerging topics within international education, allowing the team to bring back new ideas, resources, and connections that will support ongoing international engagement and admissions efforts.
First Timer Highlights
A highlight for Deitrich was an inspiring keynote presentation by Tonee Ndungu, who spoke on the idea of “Innovation with Intention.” Throughout his presentation, Ndungu emphasized the importance of curiosity, creativity, and the very human nature of the work we do, even in an age of rapidly advancing technology. His message resonated with many attendees and served as a reminder that, at its core, international education is about people. This theme of human connection appeared repeatedly throughout the conference. Whether in workshops, networking conversations, or formal presentations, attendees reflected on the importance of relationships, shared experiences, and cross-cultural exchange in creating meaningful educational opportunities.
Deitrich also attended a variety of sessions focused on student engagement, orientation programming, student support, and other aspects of international education that directly relate to her role within UNI’s International Engagement Office. These sessions provided practical ideas and new perspectives on creating welcoming, supportive experiences for international students as they transition to campus life and engage with the broader university community. In addition, as the Iowa State Representative on the NAFSA Region IV Team, Deitrich had the opportunity to connect with fellow international education professionals, state representatives, and regional leaders from across the Midwest. These conversations helped strengthen professional networks and foster more centralized collaboration among institutions throughout Region IV.
Finding Connections
Practicing Partnership
Similarly, Coronado Park shared that attending the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo provided a valuable opportunity to engage with colleagues from around the world, learn about emerging trends in international education, and explore innovative approaches to global engagement. A particular highlight was participating in the Community of Practice: International Partnerships, where professionals exchanged ideas and strategies for developing sustainable collaborations, strengthening institutional relationships, and advancing internationalization efforts. Discussions centered on building mutually beneficial partnerships that support student success, faculty collaboration, research initiatives, and global learning opportunities. The conversations reinforced the importance of intentional partnership development and provided insights that will help inform future collaboration efforts at UNI. More broadly, the conference offered opportunities to connect with both existing and prospective global partners while staying informed about new developments, opportunities, and emerging priorities in international education both in the United States and abroad.
Practicing Partnership at NAFSA 2026
Mobility and Enrollment
For Leuthold, one of the most valuable aspects of NAFSA was the opportunity to engage with experts from across the field and stay informed about the trends shaping international student mobility and enrollment. Through sessions and discussions with colleagues, she gained insight into changing recruitment landscapes, student decision-making patterns, and strategies institutions are using to attract and support international students. The conference also provided meaningful opportunities to explore strategic enrollment planning, including diversifying recruitment markets, strengthening institutional partnerships, and identifying new pathways for student recruitment and success. Overall, the experience reinforced the importance of balancing data-informed decision-making with relationship-driven approaches as UNI continues to advance its international enrollment goals and support students from around the world.