Symposium on Leadership: Today's Refugees, Tomorrow's Students and Changemakers

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM PST

Sponsored By

NAFSA welcomes you to join us at the 2025 Symposium on Leadership on May 27 in San Diego, a special signature program included with registration for the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo. No additional registration or fee required to attend!

Today’s refugees are tomorrow’s students and changemakers, but how does international education help us confront the complex challenges of migration globally? This topic is intricately woven into international education, but what is our place? What are the opportunities, and what are our obligations?

Through the symposium’s keynote speaker, panelists’ Q&A, and robust breakout discussions, attendees will examine how international education is part of the solution for those who have been displaced, what resources exist, what the entry point is for assistance, how institutions can engage in their communities and collaborate with local partners, and how international educators can demonstrate leadership for the benefit of all.

The Symposium on Leadership is a NAFSA Signature Program offered by the International Education Leadership Knowledge Community.

Keynote Speaker(s)

Diya Abdo

Lincoln Financial Professor of English
Guilford College

Panelist(s)

Orlina Boteva, M.Ed., M.A., Ed.S (she/her/hers)

Director, Office of International Programs
University of Maine
Randy Kluver

Associate Provost and Dean, OSU Global
Oklahoma State University
Johannes Müller, PhD (he/him/his)

Head of Global Office
Goethe University Frankfurt

Moderator(s)

Jill Elizabeth Blondin, PhD (she/her/hers)

Associate Vice Provost For Global Initiatives
Virginia Commonwealth University

Speaker(s)

Samira Pardanani, M.A., M.A.-TESOL

Associate Vice President, International Education & Global Engagement
Shoreline Community College

Panelist(s)

Talal Al-Hothal

Director
Education Above All Foundation