Moving Forward Together

While we are still processing the results of the U.S. elections and learning more daily about what the new presidential administration and Congress will look like come January, I want to reassure you that we are in this together—as a community of peers, colleagues, and friends. No matter who sits in the White House, we remain committed to our shared purpose and the values that drive our work in international education.

One of my takeaways from the election results is that many in the United States feel left behind and find higher education to be elitist. As I’ve long said, we need to find new ways to communicate the value proposition of our work—we need to expand the tent and get back to the core purpose of higher education and, by extension, international education. Our work must uplift and better the lives of everyday people and open opportunities for them. We ignore this imperative at our peril.

I also know that the journey forward will not be without challenges. In the weeks and months ahead, there will be a plethora of explanations for what went wrong or right, depending on where you situate yourself politically. These elections may have very well highlighted painful divisions within our society, communities, and campuses and perhaps even within families as well. We must ask some hard and necessary questions and be willing to listen and understand. Understanding does not have to mean agreement. There is an opportunity here for us all to learn.

It is also precisely in these times that I am reminded of the “why” behind our work. Our work is about young people and instilling the values of shared humanity, compassion, cross-cultural understanding, and empathy in these leaders of tomorrow. We must do this work for them and for us. We must also be willing to make the changes that will advance our work in more meaningful ways and contribute to the larger societal project. Thus, we are not only imagining what’s possible—we’re actively shaping what is right, in the interest of a better society. I draw much hope and inspiration from this singular purpose.

Being part of an organization that has, for more than 75 years, worked with every presidential administration, regardless of political affiliation, in advancing international education and remaining focused on key priorities, is a privilege and a responsibility. I can assure you that NAFSA’s expert staff and committed Board of Directors, alongside coalition partners, grassroots advocates, and government officials, will persist in championing the NAFSA values, priorities, and policy goals that advance our field. Together with our members, we will ensure that public policy and regulatory practices support the needs of our students, institutions, the field, and, most importantly, society.

Anticipating a new White House and Congress in 2025, I am hopeful, because I believe we will be prepared for the challenges, we will seize the opportunities to make gains wherever we can, and we will continue to be guided each day by the values we hold as international educators. I know we will make the changes needed to advance the work, ensure that we bring along the people seeking better opportunities, and advocate for the United States to remain a part of the world and not apart from it. Our work is in the U.S. interest and in the interest of our relations with other nations—and, most importantly, it is in the interest of the next generation of leaders.

I was just at the Region VII conference in Jacksonville, Florida, and I was reminded of the strength and resilience of our community. As it was in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the COVID-19 pandemic, and in other times, NAFSA will continue to be a home and anchor for members during challenging times. I encourage you to check on each other, find one thing you can contribute to make a difference, and remain abreast of developments. Remember that you are not alone. There is a large community here. We are not powerless, and we are not going away.  On days when you find yourself doubting, be sure to go back to your “why,” and reach out to a colleague or friend in the field. You are welcome to join me for a daily five-mile walk to destress and recenter. Take a deep breath and then ask yourself how you can be part of the solution.

With gratitude,

Fanta Aw