Committee: Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC)
Position: Network Leader, Research and Scholarship Connections
Term Dates: January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026
The Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC) focuses on curriculum internationalization, research that informs practice, and intercultural communication and serves faculty, administrators, graduate students/post-docs, researchers, intercultural trainers, cross-cultural counselors, and other professionals in international education. The Research and Scholarship Connections (RSC) Network Leader is a member of the TLS KC leadership team, chairs the Research and Scholarship (RS) Subcommittee, serves as a liaison to the editor of the Global Studies Literature Review, and provides oversight of the RSC network.
Last Updated: July 2024
NAFSA is not currently accepting applications for this position. Visit NAFSA Volunteer Leadership to learn about available opportunities.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
Within the framework of NAFSA’s Strategic Plan, this position will:
- Coordinate the content of the RSC network, including:
- Reviewing, revising, and promoting resources;
- Identifying critical trends and issues, and championing responses and initiatives that advance international education and shape the field; and
- Collaborating with other network leaders on cross-network resources and discussions.
- Monitor and manage the discussion forum on the RSC network, including:
- Seeding discussion and exchange on the discussion forum, as appropriate;
- Responding promptly to issues and requests from subscribers and notifying the staff partner/s of technical issues as they arise;
- Ensuring adherence to the network.NAFSA Code of Conduct; and
- Supporting and promoting connections among stakeholders, partners, and other organizations.
- Lead the RS Subcommittee, including:
- Setting up and leading meetings of the subcommittee at least once per quarter;
- Engaging subcommittee members in developing content and managing discussions on the network; and
- Developing and implementing a schedule for updating, developing, and posting resources in alignment with the TLS KC work plan each year.
- Communicate and collaborate regularly with the TLS KC leadership team and NAFSA staff partner/s about activity and opportunities in the RSC network, and ways to facilitate the dissemination of resources.
- Serve as the TLS KC liaison to the Global Studies Literature Review (GSLR), facilitating communications between the Editor and the TLS KC leadership team, including:
- Providing leadership and guidance throughout the development and production of annual GSLR issues during the assigned term on the TLS KC;
- Collaboratively identifying important themes, books for review, and possible submission authors for subsequent issues; and
- Disseminating the Call for Submissions, encouraging authors to submit reviews, inviting experts to serve as peer reviewers; and providing content expertise to inform each issue.
Sample Projects
In recent years, this position has coordinated projects and events such as:
- Virtual and in-person open meetings for graduate students and early career professionals.
- Seeded discussions on the RSC network.
- Creation and dissemination of resources on the RSC network.
- A virtual interview series with influential thinkers in the field.
- Collaborative workshop and session proposals for the annual conference.
Commitment
- Assure NAFSA membership through the length of the two-year leadership term, renewable once upon agreement with the TLS KC leadership, for a maximum term of four years.
- Prepare for and attend NAFSA leadership and TLS KC leadership meetings throughout the year. Most meetings are virtual.
- Endeavor to attend TLS meetings, events, and activities at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Review TLS proposal submissions for the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Dedicate 5-10 hours per month, depending on the volume of activity on the RSC network and TLS KC responsibilities.
- Foster an inclusive environment in alignment with the NAFSA Diversity and Inclusion Statement.
Qualifications
- Experience in international education, particularly in applied research and scholarship, assessment and evaluation.
- Ability to identify and develop resources relevant to the RSC network subscribers.
- Demonstrated experience with effective strategic planning, management, networking, and delegation of tasks.
- Strong coordination, analytical, oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with a team in an outcomes-based environment.
- Commitment to access and respond to e-mail in a timely fashion as well as communicate using online electronic tools/systems and the online workspace structure.
- Willingness to adopt organization-wide and strategic priorities, including perspectives on volunteer development and management.
- Ability to meet the volunteer commitment outlined and planning calendar deadlines.
Benefits and Appreciation
NAFSA appreciates its volunteer leaders with a strategy that develops, celebrates, and supports them throughout the year:
- Leaders in this role receive a discount on conference registration for the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo in appreciation of their service.
- Each year, leaders in this role receive complimentary access to two NAFSA e-learning courses, during quarter 1 and quarter 4.
- Leaders in this role are invited to an invite-only appreciation reception at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
- Leaders in this role are asked to attend online and onsite leadership community gatherings throughout the year, with themes focused on the NAFSA International Education Professional Competencies 2.0.
- Leaders in this role are recognized with special signage at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo.
