NAFSA RISE Fellowship

The NAFSA RISE Fellowship is an 18-month professional development program. NAFSA covers expenses related to this program. See below for a full breakdown of what's included.

Year 1

Fellows enroll in NAFSA's Academy for International Education, a selective year-long professional development program where trainees are provided foundational training around the International Education Professional Competencies and the primary knowledge areas of international education. The foundational training is enhanced by a personalized learning plan that the Academy trainee develops, which guides and measures the trainee's learning throughout the Academy year, in addition to individualized mentoring from a seasoned international educator.

RISE Fellows will benefit from:

• Coaching from a seasoned international educator
• Increase in their competency as an international educator through an individualized learning plan, training, and networking;
• Knowledge and skills to prepare them to serve as an international education resource at their home institution, and
• A network of international education colleagues, both at the regional and national level, to support them in their professional journey.

As part of their Fellowship, participants receive all Academy benefits including: NAFSA  Annual Conference & Expo registration, NAFSA membership, and more.

Last 6 months

Each month, Fellows will meet virtually to collaborate and support each other's work.

Fellows implement a project of their design to positively impact their institution, campus, and/or community or the international education field at large. Examples of past projects include:

• Sharing the experience, knowledge, and skills they have gained through the fellowship via one of NAFSA's publications and/or trainings
• Gathering IE professionals from diverse backgrounds on their campus, virtually or in person
• Giving back to the field by being active in one of NAFSA's volunteer leadership opportunities

Please note, in Year 2, NAFSA does not cover travel, room and board expenses to the Annual Conference. Fellows receive a complimentary conference registration. Fellows are encouraged to work with their institutions and/or organizations to cover this cost.

To be eligible for the Fellowship, you must meet the following requirements as of the application deadline:

1. NAFSA RISE Fellowship welcomes applications from international education professionals who identify with one or more of the following underrepresented backgrounds*:

• Alaskan Native
• American Indian/Native American
• Asian/Asian American/South Asian
• Black/African American
• Hispanic/ Latinx/o/a /Chicanx/o/a
• LGBTQ
• Middle Eastern
• Native Hawaiian
• Pacific Islander
• Person identifying as having a disability

*List of underrepresented backgrounds is based upon race/ethnic identification questions used in standard campus climate surveys across U.S. higher education institutions.

2. NAFSA RISE Fellows must also be eligible for NAFSA's Academy for International Education. The Academy is right for you if you are at least one of the following:

• A new professional in the field of international education
• Transitioning or would like to transition between core areas of expertise within international education
• Looking to broaden your perspective of the field of international education
• Interested in connecting with others in the field of international education and creating strong professional ties
• Interested in working with an experienced NAFSA coach to help you further your own learning goals

3. Be currently employed full time in the field at a U.S. institution or organization and have been in their current position for at least a year by the program start date. Applicants must be primarily based within the United States to be considered eligible.

4. Participants are expected to commit to the 18-month program as follows:

• In Year 1:
  In addition to a limited series of virtual meetings, participants must attend the following three events: Academy virtual Workshops; NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo, a Fall Regional Conference (dates and location varies by participant's geographic location)
• Last 6 months:
  Participants must attend virtual cohort gatherings, design an individual project to positively impact their community or the international education field, and engage in opportunities described in the section above.

Meet the NAFSA RISE Fellows and follow their journeys as they become leaders in our field. 

Can I apply as a non-NAFSA member?

You do not need to be a NAFSA member to apply for the RISE Fellowship.

What is the connection to NAFSA's Academy for International Education?

The RISE Fellowship provides access to NAFSA's Academy for International Education through funding the Academy's tuition as well as providing travel and accommodation to NAFSA's Annual Conference, a key component of the Academy. The entire first year of the Fellowship is full participation in NAFSA's Academy. Learn more about the Academy here: www.nafsa.org/academy. 

Do I need to be employed in the field of international education to apply?

To qualify for the RISE Fellowship you must be employed full time in the field of international education. This is a pre-requisite of participation in NAFSA's Academy for International Education - which is the basis for the first year of the RISE Fellowship. The Academy and The RISE Fellowship are designed to support and enhance the work participants are already doing on their campuses or in their organizations. Therefore, if you are not currently employed full time in the field, there would be no structure to the program for you.

Do past experiences count?

You must be currently employed full time in the field of international education to be eligible for both NAFSA's Academy and the RISE Fellowship. As stated above, you need the structure of full time employment to complete the learning assignments.

NAFSA is committed to providing universal access to its products, services, digital content, and events and, in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by  individuals with disabilities. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs so we ask that requests for accommodations be made as early as possible, preferably at least two weeks in advance of the program/product start date, through the registration process, if possible. Or, you can contact [email protected] for accommodation requests. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner, but services are subject to availability, and further, NAFSA may not be able to grant accommodations requests that place an undue burden on it or that fundamentally change the nature or structure of the goods or services.