NAFSA: Association of International Educators

NAFSA hosts annual conferences at which it coaches attendees on how to support international students through the visa process as well as workshops on applying for H-1B, J-1, and F-1 visas. The organization also promotes left-of-center policies on climate change and “equity.” ⁴

History and Activities

NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a membership group of educators from around the world that promotes policies and practices “that build global citizens.” The organization claims to have more than 11,000 members from 4,3000 institutions located in over 170 countries. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. ^{2 3}

NAFSA was founded in 1948. It was originally called the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors and was founded at the Conference on International Student Exchange at the University of Michigan. In 1963, NAFSA launched the federal government-funded Field Service Program  in order to create a professional field of international education. That same year, NAFSA changed its name to the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors. In 1990, NAFSA once again changed its name to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, to reflect the inclusion of study abroad and other types of international education into its mission. Also in 1990, NAFA published a standard of the knowledge and skills needed by international educators called the Statement of Professional Competencies for International Educators. ¹

After President Barack Obama attempted to regularize U.S. relations with Cuba in 2015, NAFA launched a Cuba Engagement Initiative. ¹

In 2017, NAFSA opposed the first Trump administration’s travel restrictions against certain countries. Advocating to roll back the policy, NAFSA participated in a public relations campaign that told international students that U.S. campuses were “diverse” and would welcome them. ¹

In 2025, NAFSA protested the policy of the second Trump administration requiring foreign students applying for visas to study in America to undergo social media vetting. ⁶

NAFSA hosts annual conferences for international educators. The 2025 conference was held in San Diego, California from May 25 to May 30 and included sessions on filing academic H-1B visa petitions, advising on J-1 visas, advising on F-1 visas, and achieving employment-based permanent residence in the United States. The conference also included seminars on practicing “equity in global education,” how to advocate for “climate-conscious” policies in education abroad, and immigration issues for health care institutions.  Sponsors of the conference included UC San Diego, San Diego State University Global Campus, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of Qatar, University of Southern California International Academy, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. ^{7 8 4 9}

Leadership

The executive director and chief executive officer of NAFSA is Fanta Aw. Aw was previously president of NAFSA from 2013 to 2016. Previously, Aw held several positions at American University in Washington, D.C including vice president for undergraduate enrollment, campus life, and inclusive excellence; vice president of campus life and inclusive excellence; vice president of campus life; director of international student and scholar services; associate director of intercultural services and program manager of internationals and intercultural student services. ^{10 11}

The president and chair of the board of directors is Ahmad Ezzeddine. Ezzeddine is the vice provost of global affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle, a position he began in February 2025. Previously, he held multiple positions at Wayne State University in Michigan for 18 years. ^{12 13}

Financials

According to tax filings, in 2023 NAFSA: Association of International Educators reported $18,645,743 in revenue, $16,203,165 in expenses, and $29,691,494 in assets. Of its expenses, NAFSA directed $4,780,570 to hosting conferences, $4,515,436 to members programs and services, $929,439 to public policy advocacy campaigns, $1,118,493 to regional programs, and $739,423 on producing publications. Of its reported revenue, NAFSA received .5% (94,062 from government grants. Other funding sources include conferences ($11,268,513), member dues ($2,848,160, and publications ($1,180,967). ⁵