Webinar Series: U.S. Entry Points for International Student Educational Avenues

An AIRC Webinar Series

U.S. Entry Points for International Student Educational Avenues

International student recruitment is often a siloed activity that focuses on a specific international student entry point. However, the enormous variety of U.S. educational entry points (language and culture programs, work and volunteer experiences, secondary schools, higher education options, and more), and the connections among them, should be a chief consideration when developing and implementing an international student recruitment and enrollment plan. Taking a broader view of the international student’s educational avenue can lead not only to greater recruitment success for the institution, but also more support for helping students to continue along their educational avenues.

Based on AIRC’s Recommendations for Advancing International Student Recruitment and Enrollment in the United States, this webinar series will offer a comprehensive view about how international students enter the U.S., how their educational avenues unfold and succeed, and how they are sometimes stymied by roadblocks. 

Webinar participants will learn

  • about diverse entry points that attract international students to the United States.

  • how these entry points can be linked to create and sustain international student educational avenues.

  • about exemplary institutional and organizational models that facilitate international student educational avenues and how they can serve as best practice examples that can be adapted by other organizations.

  • which associations and organizations support, promote and advocate for the various international student entry points.

  • how international students often move through a variety of experiences along their educational avenues in the U.S.

Webinar 2, Thursday, May 23 at 1 pm US Eastern 

Secondary School Recruitment and Admission: Boarding Schools as Entry Points for International Students

Coordinated with TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools). North American secondary schools offer diverse entry points such as summer programs, language programs, athletics, adventure, academics and more.

  • Michael Shaver, Vice President for Marketing and Information Management, TABS

  • Cory Cottigim, Director of Admissions at Bard Academy

  • Jackie Montero-Sharpe, Director of Enrollment at Fork Union Military Academy

Session description:

  • Understanding the Secondary Boarding School Market as an Agent or Consultant

  • Unique Characteristics and Benefits of Secondary Boarding Schools

  • Trends in International Student Enrollment in Boarding Schools

  • Introduction to Various Entry Points: Academic school year programs, Summer Programs , Language Programs, Athletics, Adventure Activities

Webinar 3, Tuesday June 11, 1 pm US Eastern

Community Colleges and University Transfer Admission

University Transfer Admission )UTA7 is a widely practiced entry point within the U.S., though it is less recognized internationally. This promising entry point has gradually gained attention from international educators worldwide, thanks to the persistent efforts of community college representatives and others involved.

The panelists, representing a spectrum of institutions within U.S. higher education, will initially present the 10 entry points to obtaining a U.S. undergraduate degree. These entry points collectively represent all conceivable paths to obtaining a U.S. undergraduate degree. Through case studies, models, and data, the panelists will illustrate each entry point, fostering discussion on various aspects. Topics will include the potential benefits for both institutions and students, the interconnectedness and viability of these entry points in forming a sustainable avenue or pipeline, the significance of treating all entry points with parity, aligning with a student-centric approach, and strategies for national and regional associations to advocate and bolster these entry points.

  • Perzen Akolawala, Executive Director- International Programs, Lone Star College

  • Jing Luan, Provost Emeritus, San Mateo & Past President, AIRC

  • Maret Matthew, Assistant Director, International Enrollment Management & Global Operations · College of Southern Nevada

  • Sarah Stackhouse, Senior Associate Director, International Outreach, Shoreline Community College

Webinar 4  Wednesday, August 7, 3 pm US Eastern - Tentative

Cultural Exchanges, Vocational Training, Community Engagement and Non-Credit Experiences

The webinar will focus on the variety of programs for international students and how an exchange, work, or cultural experience can be an entry point for future US educational engagement. 

  • Fariba Hicks, Vice President, AmeriCamp

  • Nicholas Jones, President of Designations, Odyssey International Group 

  • Yasmine Osman , Deputy Director, Au Pair in America

Webinar 5 – Tuesday, September 24 at 1 pm US Eastern - Tentative

International Student Athletes 

This webinar will focus on access points of international student athletes from secondary through higher education.

How to Maximize your AIRC Membership - Tuesday, May 14 at 1 pm US Eastern

During this webinar, attendees will learn about AIRC’s membership benefits and resources and how to maximize their engagement with the AIRC community. We’ll discuss virtual and in-person networking opportunities, professional development courses, our exclusive member resource library, AIRC’s Annual Conference, and more. This webinar is open to current AIRC members and non-members who are considering joining.

Recently Offered Webinars

English Language Programs: Setting Up Students for Success and Providing Support for Institutions

  • The first in our U.S. Entry Points series was offered on May 6 and the recording is now available. Contact us.

Marketing & Recruitment for Medical Degree Programs: Markets, Tracks, Methods

This webinar is now available through the recording.

AIRC Webinar with IDP: The Student Voice: Understanding the Motivations and Attitudes of International Students

This webinar is now available through the recording.


Member Only On-demand webinarS

Login to your AIRC account and search webinar in the Member Resource Library to watch.

Public On-Demand Webinars

View AIRC’s public webinars on our vimeo page.

Submit a webinar proposal

If you’re interested in offering a webinar to the AIRC community, please complete the webinar proposal form below. Webinars must be educational in nature, offer valuable insights to all AIRC member types, and cannot be a direct sales pitch of your institution or organization. Webinar proposals will only be considered from current AIRC members. Please contact staff@airc-education.org with any questions.