Lowe Del G. Aviles, International Student Liaison at Davis & Elkins College, was among presenters at a NAFSA: Association of International Educators forum that focused on how institutions and staff can successfully work with and respond to the diversity of Pakistani students studying in the United States.
According to the Institute of International Education’s 2011 Open Doors report, Pakistan remains in the top 25 countries that send students to the United States to further their education. Pakistan is also a U.S. government strategic priority, placing an increased focus on supporting students from this country.
Aviles says the forum also addressed how the diversity of Pakistani students contributes to comprehensive internationalization on campuses. The format for the presentation included an interactive quiz for the audience on their experiences, a moderated discussion, and question-and-answer session.
The forum panel was chaired by Sarah Bushman, Program Associate at the International Research & Exchange Board. Kati Csoman, Assistant Dean of International Programs at Juniata College, also served with Aviles as a panel presenter.
During the four-day conference in Alexandria, VA, Aviles attended a workshop titled “Crisis Management at Home and Abroad.” The session was designed to provide the conceptual framework for dealing with a variety of scenarios and to develop techniques to prepare and respond to any crisis.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators promotes the exchange of students and scholars to and from the United States. The Association sets and upholds standards of good practice and provides professional education and training that strengthen institutional programs and services related to international educational exchange. It also provides a forum for discussion of issues and a network for sharing information as it seeks to increase awareness of and support for international education in higher education, government and the community.
Among the objectives of the academy are to train individuals from institutions of higher education in the administration of international education, including admissions, international student services, education abroad, and internationalizing the campus.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Davis & Elkins College is located in Elkins, 2 hours east of Charleston, 3 hours south of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit the College website at www.dewv.edu or call 304-637-1243.
