NAFSA conference showcases AZI's impact and innovation in global education

Tuesday
Rikki Mioduski, Arizona International
A group of international education professionals stands together on stage at the NAFSA conference, smiling for the camera. They are posed in front of blue and orange NAFSA banners, with one person holding a sign thanking the University of Arizona for serving as a table host. The attendees wear conference badges, and the atmosphere reflects a celebratory and collaborative event.

University of Arizona International (AZI) was honored to accept the prestigious Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators at this year’s conference in San Diego. The award recognizes outstanding innovation and accomplishment in campus internationalization, and AZI staff were proud to accept it on behalf of the University of Arizona.

In addition to the award ceremony, several AZI team members participated in the conference, hosted annually by NAFSA, the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. The event brings together professionals from around the globe to engage in learning, collaboration, and the sharing of strategies that shape the future of international education.

AZI Staff Lead Key Discussions on Enrollment Analytics and Contracts

AZI representatives led two sessions that addressed core areas of global education management: international partnerships and enrollment strategy.

Three international education professionals sit at a panel table during a NAFSA conference session. Each has a can of water in front of them, and they are smiling warmly. The panelists are dressed in business attire and appear ready to speak or answer questions in a professional, conference setting.

AZI Assistant Dean for International Admissions and Enrollment Daniel Saud (left), Senior Vice President of Business Development Dr. Amy VanSurksum of Studyportals, and AZI Director of International Contract Management Sama Shabib presented Contracts for Partnerships Between Institutions, Agents, and Third-Party Providers.

In their session titled Contracts for Partnerships Between Institutions, Agents, and Third-Party Providers, Assistant Dean for International Admissions and Enrollment Daniel Saud and Director of International Contract Management Sama Shabib, joined legal and international education experts to examine the complexities of contract development.

Alongside co-presenter Senior Vice President of Business Development Dr. Amy VanSurksum of Studyportals, they shared insights into the operational and legal intricacies of agreements with agencies and third-party providers. The panel delved into common contractual roadblocks, essential clauses, and how to decipher complex legal language. 

“I wanted attendees to come away with a clearer understanding of what makes contracting with public institutions like the U of A uniquely complex—especially when it comes to the specific terms and conditions we’re required to include,” said Shabib.

Director of International Admissions and Enrollment Katie Van Wyk co-presented the session Measuring Admissions Efforts Through Return on Investment and Funnels. This data-driven workshop offered tools for modeling and evaluating the effectiveness of outreach efforts. Alongside colleagues, Senior Partnerships Director Sarah Mackey from IDP and Assistant Director of International Recruitment Samantha Salvatori from the University of Maryland Baltimore Country (UMBC), Van Wyk demonstrated how institutions can calculate their per student acquisition costs and return on investment for specific recruitment activities and how to talk about what these numbers mean in the context of international student recruitment. 

Three women sit together at a conference panel table, smiling for the camera during a NAFSA session. They are wearing conference badges and business casual attire, appearing engaged and enthusiastic about their participation.

AZI Director of International Admissions and Enrollment Katie Van Wyk (center) presented Measuring Admissions Efforts Through Return on Investment and Funnels alongside Senior Partnerships Director Sarah Mackey from IDP (left) and Assistant Director of International Recruitment Samantha Salvatori from the University of Maryland Baltimore Country (right).

“Institutions often talk about how important ROI is to international student recruitment but rarely make the actual calculation,” said Van Wyk. “There will always be nuance and qualitative data to report alongside ROI and acquisition cost, but being able to ‘do the math’, for lack of a better term, is essential to today’s international recruitment.” 

As both an award recipient and active contributor to key conversations at NAFSA 2025, University of Arizona International demonstrated its ongoing leadership in shaping the future of global higher education. The recognition and knowledge-sharing at this year’s conference underscore AZI’s deep commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence in internationalization—principles that continue to guide its efforts in connecting the U of A to the world.