2025 Summer seminar in Madison, WI

2025 Summer Seminar

We are excited to connect in person! Join us in Madison, WI at Madison Concourse Hotel June 25 and 26 for community building and professional development! See more details below. Final registration deadline June 16th! 

Register here!

Full-Day Seminar

Date: Thursday, June 26

Time: 8:00am-4:00pm

Location: Madison Concourse Hotel

Cost: $125 Professionals

          $100 Students

Schedule:
8:00 -8:30 a.m. Check-In/Networking
8:30-8:50 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
9:00-9:50 a.m. Concurrent sessions
9:50-10:20 a.m. Refreshment Break
10:20-11:10 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
11:25-12-15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
12:15-1:30 p.m. Lunch, Business Meeting
1:45-2:35 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
2:35-3:00 p.m. Refreshment Break
3:10-4:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

June 25 Tentative Schedule

June 26 Tentative Schedule

*Sessions are subject to change

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS:

Multiple Knowledge Communities (KCs)

1. Session: Surviving your first year in IE (or helping colleagues do so!)

Presenter: Jessie Peters (Concordia University), Meredith Hawley (Milwaukee School of Engineering) & Gillian Keller (Alverno College)

Session Description: This session is about being new to the field of international education and surviving your first few semesters! Whether you yourself are new, or you will be helping to train a new member of your team, there is a lot we can learn from each other’s experiences. We will discuss issues we faced in our first 12 months, including defining your role on campus, navigating a university environment, staying organized and more.

2. Session: International Education Data for Policymakers

Presenter: Dr. Allisen Stojanovic (Fox Valley Technical College)

Session Description: Providing data to leadership teams, policyholders, and board members on international education is key to establishing ongoing support, fostering continued collaborations, and building the necessary infrastructure for global learning initiatives. Whether it involves study abroad programs, language acquisition, international exchange students, or globally-focused instructional efforts, it is essential to know how to share, promote, and communicate the activities, data, and outcomes of these programs effectively. In this presentation, you will explore a variety of creative tools and strategies designed to help you build compelling data narratives, generate support, and enhance knowledge about the transformative benefits of international education.

3. Session: From Global Classrooms to Wisconsin Campuses: Creating University Pathways Through Wisconsin K–12 Education

Presenter: Dr. Bing Liang (US University Pathways) & Dr. Dave Vitale (Forward International Academy)

Session Description: This session explores how Wisconsin-aligned K–12 education abroad cultivates globally minded students prepared for both workforce or university success.  Learn how the strategic use of AI in recruitment, instruction, and student support can strengthen the pipeline of international talent to Wisconsin colleges, addressing both enrollment challenges and workforce development goals.

4. Session: Working with Campus Partners to Enhance Institutional Efficiency

Presenter(s): Megan Harris (Carroll University) and Jennie Taylor (UW-Madison)

Session Description: As international educators, we navigate complex institutional procedures and policies while striving to provide seamless support for our students, scholars, and faculty. This session will bring together international education professionals to collaborate, share best practices, and discuss ways to enhance efficiency with our campus partners. By engaging in meaningful dialogue, we will identify campus stakeholders with whom we work, challenges of creating the relationships, explore innovative solutions, and develop actionable strategies to improve processes that impact international student, scholars and faculty success. Please come prepared to discuss best practices!

5. Session: Calling all Student Supervisors! – A Student Supervisor Roundtable

Presenter(s): Melissa Murray Baltus, Rebecca Eckart, Kacha Fischer, Allison Streckenbach, and Emily Herbert (UW-Madison)

Session Description: Do you supervise student employees? We want to hear from you! Join staff from UW-Madison International Student Services to discuss how we work with student employees in our office and also share what you are doing in yours. How do student employees support your office? What kind projects do they do? What works well? What challenges do you face? This session will be a roundtable discussion style session to share ideas and strategies for working with students and learn from/with each other. We hope we will come away with scalable ideas for how to improve or streamline what we do. Offices of all sizes work with student employees, and we hope teams of all sizes can share and come away with helpful ideas from this session.

6. Session: Beyond the Status Quo: Assessment and Data to Drive Improvement

Presenter(s): Samantha McCabe, Kacha Fischer, & Sharon Phelan (All: UW-Madison)

Session Description: Assessment can be a daunting topic and scary task for many, but it doesn’t have to be! Hear from three non-experts who still have nightmares about assessment as we demystify the haunting topic and provide real-world applications of assessment in our work to support international students. In this session, you will learn what assessment is and why it is important, identify common assessment tools used in our field, and how to apply those tools to your work. We will discuss how to leverage assessment for data-informed advocacy, decision making, and storytelling for different audiences. Participants will be encouraged to share their assessment nightmares and successes, as well as contribute to a shared resource document for assessment tips and tricks. This session is suitable for folks at any stage of their assessment journey.

Education Abroad

1. Session: Study Abroad Resources for Military-Connected Students

    Presenter: Paige Navis (UW-Madison)

    Session Description: Learn about the resources UW Madison Study    Abroad and University Veteran Services have developed to guide military-connected students through the study abroad process. We’ll discuss how we’re working together to navigate benefit usage for study abroad. We welcome those in attendance to also share how their institution supports military-connected students.

2. Session: Green Global Learning: Advancing Sustainability in Study Abroad

    Presenter: Emily Warnke (UW-Madison) & Michael Saenz (Worldstrides)

    Session Description: As international education professionals, one of our goals is to shape globally conscious citizens. However, we face a challenge to align studying abroad with environmental responsibility. This session will explore practical ways to incorporate sustainability practices into study abroad through program design, student preparation, and collaborative partnerships. Whether your institution is just starting to explore sustainability or is looking to deepen existing practices, this session will offer tools and ideas to take your efforts further.

Recruitment, Admissions & Credential Evaluations

1. Session: How AI Is Transforming International Student Recruitment

Presenter: Felix Frimpong

Session Description: This interactive workshop will explore how artificial intelligence is transforming international student recruitment. Attendees will gain insights into the practical applications of AI in streamlining the recruitment process, enhancing student matching, and reducing administrative burdens. The session will include real-world case studies, live demos, and a roadmap for implementation.

2. Session: Strategies to Engage Newly Admitted International Students

Presenter: Caroline Clemens, Joseph Gulotta, & Stephanie Chadek Wilke (All: UW-Milwaukee)

Session Description: UW-Milwaukee has an elaborate communication and outreach plan for newly admitted international students. We put significant effort into connecting with these students to increase our yield, create a sense of belonging as soon as they are admitted, and help students successfully transition to our campus. The topics covered will include why this is important, challenges and expected outcomes. We will also provide specific examples of our current efforts, including website content, email campaigns, drop-in Q&A sessions, virtual information sessions and marketing content with current students. Please come prepared to join the discussion and share your own experiences!

3. Session: Hot Summers, Cool Systems: Strategies to Optimize International Admissions

Presenter: Kali Kelleher (UW-Superior), & Jennifer Tadeo (Concordia University)

Session Description: This round table will explore strategies to enhance operational efficiency in International Admissions and Recruitment. Despite an uncertain global education landscape, targeted approaches can strengthen applicant funnels and improve systems. By leveraging technology, refining workflows, embracing continuous change, and fostering interdepartmental collaboration, institutions can streamline admissions, enhance the applicant experience, and scale effectively. Presenters will share common challenges and real-world examples of successful changes, followed by group discussion of shared scenarios.

4. Session: Credential Evaluation 101: Training and Resources

    Presenter: Lindsey Gullicksrud, Allison Hansen, & Faye Wassinger (All Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE))

    Session Description: Are you new to the field of credential evaluation? Come join an ECE Senior Evaluator and two new Evaluators to discuss the process of credential evaluation training and how you can implement strategies at your own institution. Hear about their experiences so far during the training process and learn about various resources to utilize during your day-to-day operations.

4. Session: Venezuela: An Overview of the Educational System and Academic Credentials

    Presenter: Karin Christoph Brown (One Earth International Credential Evaluations)

    Session Description:The U.S. has emerged as a significant destination for Venezuelans fleeing economic and political crisis. This session will provide an overview of the educational system of Venezuela and resources to help with the evaluation of academic credentials.

ESL , Teaching, Learning &Scholarship

1. Session: Preparing International Students for University Studies

    Presenter: Dao Hope & Daniel Wagner (All: Wisconsin ESL Institute)

    Session Description: International students face a number of challenges when entering a US university. Intensive English Programs that emphasize not only English language proficiency but also competence in academic, employability, and 21st century skills will better equip international students to handle the rigor of university study. Learn how ESL instructors deliver an advanced, academic preparation English language curriculum that highlights communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership in its in-class and extracurricular activities and projects, which additionally engage students in concrete academic and study skills. This preparation for university and beyond facilitates the transition for international students and provides universities confidence that their incoming students have the skills necessary for success.

International Student and Scholar Services

1. Session: Equipping International Student Advisors: Explaining F-1 Work Options with Clarity and Visuals

    Presenter: Moldir Oskenbay (UW-Madison) 

    Session Description: Advising international students on CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT can be challenging due to complex immigration rules and terminology. This session equips international educators with practical tools and strategies to simplify these topics using plain language, relatable examples, and effective visuals. Attendees will explore ways to make advising sessions more accessible, reduce student confusion, and support informed decision-making. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to refresh your approach, you’ll leave with ready-to-use resources and renewed confidence in your ability to communicate clearly and inspire trust.

2. Session:  Beyond Campus Walls: Supporting International Education from the Outside In

    Presenter: Rachel Haos (Soberalski Immigration Law) & Kwan Segal (ICAWAY)

    Session description: This session explores how professionals outside of higher education can effectively collaborate with campus-based colleagues to support international student success. Drawing on our experience in immigration law, cross-cultural career development, student affairs, and compliance, we’ll discuss how external partners can provide culturally informed services, bridge gaps in student support, and advocate for student well-being and institutional goals—especially in today’s challenging environment for international education.

3. Session: Supporting LGBTQ+ International Students: A Focus on Gay Chinese Students in Wisconsin

    Presenter: Leo Schauer (UW-Madison)

    Session description: Throughout my academic and professional journey in the Midwest as an immigrant and international educator, I have learned about American views on race, gender, class, and human rights. Yet these issues are understood differently around the world. As someone who supports international students, it’s vital to consider global perspectives. The Council of International Schools notes that “across the world there still exists much stigma and legal discrimination” against LGBTQ+ people (Hollins, 2022). In this session, I will focus on gay Chinese international students, drawing on personal experience, research, and a comparison of LGBTQ+ rights in China and the U.S. to explore how cultural and legal differences shape student experiences and inform broader efforts toward inclusion.

4. Session: Overview of Employment Based Permanent Residency

    Presenter: Jennifer Taylor (UW-Madison)

    Session description: This session will provide an overview of the employment based permanent residency process, options, timelines and costs.

WAIE Summer Seminar Grant application is closed. We will notify recipients soon. 

Chosen award recipients must register for the Summer Seminar and attend the event to receive their reimbursement check.