Vice President, External Affairs, USA
IDP Education
Jessica Sandberg is VP of External Affairs, US at IDP Education where she leads thought leadership, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships to strengthen IDP’s role as a trusted ally in U.S. higher education. In this non-commercial role, she develops research-driven insights, convenes leadership events, and forges alliances to address critical issues in the sector.
A widely recognized thought leader, Jessica has over 20 years of experience in enrollment strategy and higher education advocacy. She is best known for spearheading the #YouAreWelcomeHere campaign, a viral initiative that mobilized over 300 institutions to promote the U.S. as a welcoming destination for international students and launched a companion scholarship program.
She has held inaugural leadership roles throughout her career, most recently at Duke University where she served as the first enrollment dean for Duke Kunshan across the U.S. and China. Previously, she was Temple University’s first Director of International Admissions, following positions at Community College of Philadelphia and Vesalius College in Brussels, Belgium.
Jessica is a frequent writer, speaker, and contributor to NAFSA, NACAC and AIEA and has served on advisory boards for ETS, IDP, and Times Higher Education. She has been honored by the Chronicle of Higher Education, Philadelphia Magazine, and NAFSA for her contributions to the field.
Jessica holds a B.A. in Political Science from Moravian College and an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Kent.
From Congress to Campus: Effective Advocacy Tactics in International Education
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
9:30 AM – 10:20 AM PST