Committee: Board of Directors
Position: Vice President for Development and Engagement
Term Dates: Three Years
As a member of NAFSA’s Board of Directors, the Vice President for Professional Development and Engagement (VP/PDE) helps set the strategic direction for the association in all goal areas and chairs the board’s Professional Development and Engagement Committee. The VP/PDE provides leadership for NAFSA’s programs in specific areas by supporting professional development, enhancing member engagement, delivering services, managing diversity and inclusion initiatives, and fostering collaboration. The VP/PDE serves as a member of the Board of Directors and the board’s Executive Committee, contributing to the governance of the association and the exercise of leadership.
Under the purview of the VP/PDE are the Regional Affairs Committee (RAC) and NAFSA’s 11 regional teams; two knowledge communities (KCs)—International Enrollment Management (IEM) and International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS); two additional committees—the Leadership Development Committee (LDC) and the Member Engagement Committee (MEC); and the Trainer Corps chair. The VP/PDE also advises NAFSA staff on three functions related to vice president’s portfolio: the board’s priorities related to regions, the portfolio and products of the KCs, and the NAFSA International Education Awards.
The VP/PDE may also be assigned to serve on other board committees. The VP/PDE oversees the work of volunteer leader groups in the areas in their purview and works closely with staff partners to support the goals of NAFSA’s strategic plan.
The VP/PDE participates in the President’s Coordinating Council, which fosters knowledge and understanding of the strategic plan and ensures collaboration among member-leader groups with common or overlapping interests. The VP/PDE collaborates and coordinates with the vice president for scholarship and institutional strategy (VP/SIS) and the vice president for public policy and practice (VP/PPP) to ensure the effective work of all national leaders on professional development programs. In particular, integration of the input from the KCs and regulatory committees overseen by the VP/SIS and VP/PPP is critical to the work of the LDC, MEC, RAC, and all 11 regions. The VP/PDE also oversees contributions to the development of regional conference programs, as requested.
Position updated April 2024
Major Responsibilities
Major Responsibilities
- Serving on NAFSA’s Board of Directors; contributing to the development of policies, priorities, and positions for the association; and providing direction for the development and stewardship of NAFSA’s resources through the strategic plan.
- Serving on the board’s Executive Committee.
- Chairing the board’s Professional Development and Engagement Committee.
- Representing the board in various venues, such as regional meetings and conferences, as requested.
- Supporting member-leader groups and staff partners in the VP/PDE’s portfolio by reviewing and assessing member needs in areas related to professional development and the effectiveness of NAFSA services and programs in meeting those needs.
- Collaborating with the member-leader groups and staff partners in the VP/PDE’s portfolio to establish policies and processes related to professional development that empower the association to serve its members and participants effectively.
- Coordinating the input of the RAC and other regional leaders, the IEM and ISSS KCs, the LDC, the Trainer Corps chair, and the MEC to refresh the strategic plan and communicate the results of the board’s work and its priorities to the leaders of these groups.
- Partnering with the VP/SIS and VP/PPP to oversee the development of a consolidated work plan across all national volunteer leadership groups.
- Championing resources and holding the association accountable to its ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion through:
- working with board committees to identify and implement strategies for increased personal outreach, recruitment, onboarding, and engagement of diversity-focused and underrepresented groups;
- identifying and avoiding unconscious bias in decision-making;
- leading the assessment of relevant practices, policies, and procedures of the board;
- fostering an inclusive environment, within NAFSA, that increases accessibility and participation from underrepresented groups, individuals, and institutions; and
- seeking to become educated about and understand the multicultural perspectives of member-leaders, constituents, and stakeholders to align with NAFSA's diversity, equity, and inclusion statement
- Monitoring the progress of the leader groups in the VP/PDE’s portfolio, intervening as necessary, and sharing periodic reports with the board’s PDE Committee regarding progress.
- Facilitating communication and cooperation among the leader groups in the VP/PDE’s portfolio to ensure that they effectively deliver their outcomes.
- Recruiting, selecting, and appointing members to various teams, committees, subcommittees, and task forces, and leader groups in the VP/PDE’s portfolio as needed in accordance with the standing rules and consultation with the LDC.
- Working with NAFSA’s deputy executive director(s) and the CEO when staff performance impacts volunteer leader teams’ ability to achieve their objectives.
Meeting Attendance and Expectations
- The term for this role is three calendar years. The incoming VP/PDE may be requested to shadow the sitting VP/PDE before assuming the position in January, which may include attending the December meeting of the Board of Directors as a guest with no voting rights, as well as participating in the board orientation session in January/February.
- *The VP/PDE is expected to attend:
- all full board meetings
- any board conference calls
- NAFSA annual conference.
- *The VP/PDE is expected to participate in:
- the virtual Winter Community Gathering, which is the first event in the Volunteer Leader Engagement Series. Attendance of other events in the series is optional but highly recommended.
- regional meetings as a board representative
- board task forces, as requested
- The VP/PDE will plan and lead meetings of coordinating groups across their portfolio, including virtual meetings, occasional conference calls, leader orientation, and training.
- The VP/PDE is expected to review email daily and respond promptly to leaders and members of the association and to report critical issues to the full board or the president/chair in a timely fashion. Also expected is ongoing work in coaching and managing the leaders in VP/DPE’s purview and in reporting and answering questions.
- The VP/PDE can expect to have ongoing operational conversations with staff partners and volunteer leaders.
- The VP/PDE is expected to make an annual financial contribution to the Association, in keeping with the VP/PDE’s personal giving situation and plans.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- Ten or more years as an international educator and member of NAFSA
- Previous experience on an educational or nonprofit board of directors
- Demonstrated and documented fiduciary responsibility
- Substantial experience in other NAFSA leadership positions, including two or more national positions
- Experience in a management position that required strategic and operational planning
- Significant experience in managing volunteers
- Excellent written and verbal communication strategies and skills
- Willingness and availability to travel
Desired Qualifications
- Proficiency in nonprofit finances, audit reporting, compliance, and development.
- Additional experience in national leadership at NAFSA
- Experience in NAFSA regional leadership
