NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group

The NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group is a group of practitioners from NAIS member schools who serve as advisers to NAIS on global education and international student programs at independent schools.

As a cohort during the 2023-2024 school year, the NAIS Global Ambassadors will engage independent school educators in discussions on global education and international student topics; share their stories and expertise with our community; and assist with identifying as well as creating resources for NAIS relevant to boarding and day schools.

NAIS Global Ambassadors

The following experts are participating in the 2023-2024 NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group:

  1. Regina Allen, Director of International Admissions, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston, PA
  2. Robert Fish, Dean of Global Studies, PDSO, The Masters School, Dobbs Ferry, NY
  3. William Fluharty, Director of Strategy and Innovation and Director of the Nexus Center for Global Studies, Cape Henry Collegiate, Virginia Beach, VA
  4. Cecilia Nipp, Director Global Relationships & Cultural Exchange, Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Dallas, TX 
  5. Jennifer Walrod, Director of Global Education, The Harker School, San Jose, CA
  6. Kelly Willis, Director of Global Studies, Lower School Spanish Teacher, Charlotte Latin School, Charlotte, NC

To view a list of NAIS Global Ambassadors from previous years, click here. 

Objectives

The objectives of the NAIS Global Ambassadors are to:

  • Develop a thought-piece or advisory on a topic related to global education and international student programs.
  • Present a webinar with other NAIS Global Ambassadors.
  • Serve in an advisory role to NAIS on trends, challenges, and opportunities in global education and international student programs.
  • Engage the NAIS Connect Global community in discussions and share any relevant resources.

Focus of Work

This year’s cohort will have the opportunity to:

  • Stay up to date on trends affecting international student recruitment and enrollment and global education programs.
  • Demonstrate how global education and international student programs contribute to the value proposition of schools. 
  • Connect with other practitioners in similar roles.

Selection Criteria

Members of the NAIS Global Ambassadors Advisory Working Group: 
  • Have the ability to drive and create change in schools.
  • Are passionate about the role that international students play in independent schools.
  • Have some experience working with NAIS in various capacities.
  • Have deep experience working with and supporting international students, in an independent day or boarding school setting.
  • Have demonstrated experience starting and expanding global education programs.
  • Are knowledgeable on a variety of topics related to our work.

Benefits of Participation

The NAIS Global Ambassadors will have the opportunity to:
  • Engage, network, and collaborate with peers in NAIS member independent schools.
  • Be viewed as experts in the field of global education and international student programs.
  • Serve in an advisory role to NAIS.
  • Initiate discussions as well as engage the NAIS community on relevant topics.
  • Join a growing network of like-minded professionals that served as NAIS Global Ambassadors.
  • Have written thought-pieces published and promoted by NAIS.
  • Be recognized by NAIS through a variety of channels including the website, the NAIS Bulletin, online webinars and meetups, and the NAIS Annual Report.
  • Upon completion of the program, receive a small stipend to be issued at the end of the 2023-2024 school-year (in June 2024).

Resources

To browse resources developed by past and present NAIS Global Ambassadors and other resources on global education and international student programs, click here.

Questions? Contact Ioana Suciu Wheeler, NAIS director of global initiatives, at [email protected].