Starts at AIRC

As institutions navigate increasing competition and uncertainty, expanding the definition of international enrollment may reveal opportunities hiding in plain sight. At Catalyst GEM, we spend a great deal of time talking with institutions about international growth. Whether those conversations focus on enrollment diversification, new markets, changing student demand, or long-term sustainability, one question continues to surface: Where will the next wave of international growth come from? It’s an important question. The international enrollment landscape has become increasingly complex. Competition for students continues to intensify. More countries are competing for market share. Visa policies can shift quickly. At the same time, institutions are being asked to deliver growth with limited resources and increasing pressure to diversify enrollment and revenue streams. As a result, many institutions continue searching for new markets, new recruitment channels, and new ways to attract more internationally mobile students. But what if we are asking the wrong question? What if the next international growth opportunity isn’t defined by where learners go? What if it is defined by who they are? Are We Defining International Enrollment Too Narrowly? For decades, international enrollment has largely been defined through the lens of student mobility. Institutions recruit students who are willing to leave home, obtain a visa, relocate internationally, and pursue their education abroad. That model has created tremendous value for institutions and remains a critical part of international enrollment strategy today. To be clear, this is not an argument against student mobility. Millions of students will continue to pursue education abroad because it aligns with their academic, professional, and personal goals. However, through our work with institutions, we believe a growing opportunity exists beyond this traditional definition of international enrollment. The question institutions should be asking is: Have we become so focused on mobile students that we are overlooking other international learners altogether? The International Learners Many Institutions Aren’t Counting Around the world, there is a growing population of learners seeking career advancement, skills development, and recognized credentials. Unlike traditional international students, however, many of these learners have no desire to leave their jobs, families, or home countries. They are working professionals. They are focused on outcomes. They are seeking upward mobility without geographic mobility. For them, the decision is not primarily about studying abroad. It is about advancing their careers, increasing earning potential, and remaining competitive in an evolving workforce. This audience may not fit the traditional image of an international student, but that doesn’t make them any less international. In fact, they may represent one of the most significant international growth opportunities that many institutions are not actively discussing today. Why This Opportunity Often Goes Unnoticed One of the most interesting observations we have made at Catalyst GEM is that the challenge is rarely demand. More often, the challenge is ownership. International enrollment teams are typically focused on student mobility. Online learning teams often focus on domestic growth. Workforce and professional education teams focus on adult learners and employer engagement. As a result, a growing category of international learners frequently falls between existing institutional structures. Not because institutions don’t care. Not because the opportunity lacks potential. But because it doesn’t fit neatly into how international enrollment has traditionally been defined or managed. The reality is that many institutions are not intentionally overlooking this audience. They simply haven’t historically viewed these learners as part of their international growth strategy. A Different Question for Institutional Leaders In many of our conversations with institutional leaders, discussions about international growth still begin with geography. Which markets should we enter? Which countries should we prioritize? Where should we recruit next? These are important questions. But perhaps there is another question worth asking: Are there international learners we are not currently considering at all? The answer to that question may reveal opportunities that are larger, more scalable, and less dependent on the traditional constraints associated with student mobility. Looking Beyond Mobility The future of international enrollment is unlikely to be defined by a single model. Student mobility will remain an essential part of global higher education. At the same time, a growing population of international learners is pursuing advancement without crossing borders. At Catalyst GEM, we believe institutions that broaden their definition of international opportunity will be better positioned to identify new sources of growth in the years ahead. The next international growth opportunity may not be a new destination country. It may not be a new recruitment channel. It may not even be a new market. It may be a new way of defining who an international learner is. And for institutions willing to look beyond mobility, that opportunity may already be hiding in plain sight.

As a member of the U.S. for Success Coalition’s Advisory Council, we are pleased to share the following updates from the U.S. for Success Coalition with the AIRC community. In spite of a continuously challenging policy environment, we have collectively achieved important milestones across each of the four interconnected pillars of our strategy: Mobilizing and supporting champions of our issues Educating and activating influential allies Promoting a positive narrative in the media Leveraging the strengths of our members Here are a few highlights: Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Codify Optional Practical Training Our efforts to strengthen relationships with our champions on Capitol Hill and to collaborate with allies who share our interests are yielding results. In March, we helped build support for the introduction of the Keep Innovators in America Act (H.R. 8013) , federal bipartisan legislation to protect and codify the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which in turn, helps Americans to succeed. When the bill was introduced , the U.S. for Success Coalition and more than a dozen of our members announced their support, representing a broad section of higher education, business, and immigration organizations. Thank you to the following organizations from the coalition that endorsed the bill upon introduction: AILA, AIFS, AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management, Alliance for International Exchange, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Council of Graduate Schools, EnglishUSA, FWD.us, Global Detroit, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Shorelight, Studyportals, and TESOL International Association. Following the bill’s introduction and in anticipation of more attacks on OPT to come, we convened a coalition-wide OPT strategy meeting . We continue working with the House bill’s co-sponsors on securing more support for the legislation and exploring which of our champions in the Senate might be best positioned to introduce their version of the bill. If you have interest in supporting these efforts, please let us know by emailing info@usforsuccess.org using the subject line: OPT Advocacy. Here are a few quick links to continue to build support for OPT with allies and policymakers: Priority Bill Spotlight by US4S coalition member, FWD.us Press releases from the bill’s sponsors and from our Coalition Action Alert from US4S Executive Committee member, NAFSA, to urge cosponsorship of the bill OPT Strategy Meeting Slidedeck Next steps: Together, we must continue to educate Congress that protecting OPT is a practical step Congress can take to support economic growth, workforce development, and educational excellence. Our topline message is that Optional Practical Training benefits Americans. The program: Helps attract international students, whose tuition fees then make U.S. higher education more affordable for American students and families Creates jobs for American workers Fills labor shortage gaps in high-demand fields with individuals educated at U.S. colleges and universities Priorities for our collective action: Secure additional cosponsors for the House bill Seek bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate Continue to encourage those who have influence with the Administration, including allies in the business sector, Republican members of Congress, and state-level leaders, to quietly urge the Administration to preserve OPT. Dignity Act Builds Momentum On March 19, the U.S. for Success Coalition’s Executive Director and one of our Executive Committee members, the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, joined with other stakeholders from across the nation, representing families, faith groups, businesses, educators, and immigration advocates, to advocate for the DIGNITY Act of 2025. As you likely recall, the bill includes important provisions promoting American prosperity and innovation that will help the U.S. to compete for international students. Thanks in part to our coalition’s efforts, the bill continues to gain bipartisan support. To date, there are 39 bipartisan cosponsors and counting. Student Visa Processing as a National Priority In March, the State Department finally released data that showed significant declines in student visa issuance. On April 8, 2026, our coalition sent a letter urging the U.S. State Department to prioritize international student and scholars visa processing during the upcoming peak season for visa applications, consistent with the approach taken by administrations of both parties in the past. The letter notes that the United States continues to face increasing competition from other nations for global talent, urging that every qualified and vetted international student who seeks to study at one of our many academic programs be able to secure a timely visa appointment for approval in advance of their studies. The letter makes the case that when international students choose the U.S, we all win . View the press release , which includes key facts showing how international students benefit Americans, and read the letter to the Department of State. Promoting a Positive Narrative and Making the Case for International Students Contributing to American Success Following on the successful off-the-record bipartisan briefings we held in November and December with both the House and Senate, we have been actively educating about how international students help Americans succeed by expanding educational opportunities for U.S. students, creating jobs, filling critical skills gaps, and contributing to our local economies each year. Part of that work has included building on the excellent research by our Hill briefing speakers, Stuart Anderson, Executive Director, National Foundation for American Policy, and Michael Clemens, Professor of Economics, George Mason University; Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics, among others. In February, we convened some of the world’s top researchers on immigration and the economy to discuss their latest research. View highlights of topline findings related to how international students contribute to U.S. competitiveness. Building upon the vitally important message testing we conducted last year with generous support from US4S Executive Committee Members (ETS, NAFSA, and Shorelight), we are now planning a digital campaign focused on key members of Congress with strong potential to champion international student policy issues. We will be in touch in the coming weeks about that campaign so that you can help to amplify the message. Strengths of our Members: The Coalition’s Executive Committee continues to drive our strategy and to actively collaborate on implementing our agenda to maintain the U.S. #1 position in international students, with invaluable input and counsel from our Advisory Council . This year, we have also added four new members to the Coalition, including International Student Resource Center (ISRC), JBI, Medforth Global Healthcare Education, and WERC. Each of these new members brings important subject matter expertise, networks, and commitment to our shared advocacy agenda. Each of our coalition members continues to provide relevant data and real-life examples of impact, to leverage their relationships with policymakers, and act collectively to advocate for visa and immigration policies that help the U.S. to remain competitive. To highlight just a few recent reports you may wish to use in your own advocacy: Keystone Education Group → Student Interest and Perceptions : A recent survey demonstrates that student interest in the United States remains down, but stable and shows that policies may be impacting overall perceptions of U.S. quality. Shorelight → Beyond the Interview: A Decade of Student Visa Denials and What Comes Next : Updated April 2026; analyzes 2015–2025 visa denial trends and links them to enrollment decline and access barriers. ApplyBoard → Top Trends in International Education for 2025 and Beyond: Navigating Global Student Mobility Fl a gship trends report on global student demand, policy impacts, and shifting destination preferences. Global Detroit → Global Detroit released the first state data report to use new federal data tracking international students working after their graduation. The findings prove that international students are a massive source of high-skilled talent, helping Michigan employers to fill tens of thousands of critical positions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). IDP Education →The most common post-graduate employment pathway for international students in the U.S. is Optional Practical Training (OPT). In IDP’s survey , students were asked how changes to post-study work (PSW) policies such as OPT would affect their decision to study in a particular destination. If no post-study work visa were available, 66% would choose a different country to study or reconsider their options. Upcoming Events We look forward to seeing many of you at NAFSA’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida, where we will have two special meetings for US4S members on Wednesday, May 27: 9:30-10:30am ET, US4S Members-only Strategy Meeting, Room W107 Convention Center 12-12:30pm ET, US4S Session, NAFSA Pavilion, Expo Hall As a reminder, here is what you can do now: Urge Members of Congress to support a bill that would codify OPT. Urge the State Department to prioritize student visa processing. Let us know if you need support in partnering with influential allies who can weigh in with the Administration. If you have questions or have resources that can help support other coalition members in their work to facilitate international student success, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@usforsuccess.org .