TMA May 15 Lunch & Learn: "International Students and U.S. Higher Education in Times of Uncertainty"
May 15, 2025 @ 12:00PM — 1:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
International Students and U.S. Higher Education in Times of Uncertainty
Join us for a discussion led by Dr. Fanta Aw on how we can support international students and learning during times of increasing restrictions on the freedom to learn and speak on American campuses.
TMA invites you to join our next Lunch & Learn on Thursday, May 15 from 12:00-1:00PM EST via Zoom, featuring Dr. Fanta Aw, Executive Director & CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. This convening is part of our ongoing Equity Conversation Series, with noteworthy speakers and engaging conversation about some of the most urgent equity issues we face today in higher education. The event is generously supported by NAFSA and the Fulbright Association National Capital Area Chapter.
Dr. Aw will speak about the importance of supporting international students and cross-cultural learning and collaboration, about ongoing visa revocations and deportations, and how all of this fits into the larger mission of higher education to promote knowledge, understanding, justice, peace, and sustainability in our communities and throughout the world.
Registration is free for individuals from TMA member institutions and partner organizations, as well as members of NAFSA and the Fulbright Association National Capital Area Chapter (select "TMA Member Admission").
Registration for participants from other institutions and organizations is $15.00 (select "General Admission").
Click the following link to view suggested pre-reading for the session: Crisis & Management - Recentering Humanity in International Education (NAFSA). Scroll down to learn more about Dr. Aw and NAFSA.
About Dr. Aw:
Fanta Aw, PhD, currently serves as the executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, having previously held its presidency from 2013 to 2016. She is a sought-after speaker on pivotal issues such as internationalization, international educational exchange, student success, geopolitics, and immigration.
Dr. Aw dedicated more than three decades to American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., first as a student and later as Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer and vice president of undergraduate enrollment, campus life, and inclusive excellence at AU's School of International Service. She received the Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award from AU in 2023.
Dr. Aw serves on numerous boards, including the Board of Directors for World Education Services (WES); the Times Higher Education (THE) International Education Advisory Board; the International Advisory Council of Fundação Dom Cabral, the top business school in Brazil; and an advisor on the Expert Council of the Talent Mobility Fund. She previously chaired the ETS TOEFL board.
Dr. Aw holds an MPA with a specialization in organizational development and a PhD in sociology with a focus on international education, social stratification, political economy, and transnational migration.
Originally from Mali, Dr. Aw has lived in both East and West Africa as well as the United States, gaining a broad and diverse cultural perspective. Her passion for global experiences has led her to explore more than 60 countries. Her knowledge has been acknowledged by major global media outlets, such as CNN, Agence France Press, USA Today, the Washington Post, The Chronicle of Higher Education, National Public Radio, the Middle East Broadcast Corporation, the Washington Business Journal, WAMU, Washington Diplomat, and China Daily, among others.
About NAFSA:
NAFSA is the world’s largest and most comprehensive international education association, with more than 10,000 members at more than 4,000 institutions in 140+ countries. NAFSA is dedicated to the advancement of international education and exchange.