Mission Statement and Strategic Plan

Vision

NAFSA is the leading association in the field of international education and exchange.

Mission

NAFSA is an association of individuals worldwide advancing international education and exchange.  NAFSA serves its members, their institutions and organizations, and others engaged in international education and exchange and global workforce development.  NAFSA sets and upholds standards of good practice; provides training, professional development, and networking opportunities; and advocates for international education.

Values

NAFSA’s members share a belief that international education advances learning and scholarship, builds respect among different peoples, and enhances constructive leadership in the global community.

Goals for 2005–2007

Goals to guide the Association, with equal priority, in 2005-2007:

• Advocate for U.S. policies, laws, and regulations that promote and enhance international education.        
• Manage growth of the membership in NAFSA.        
• Set and uphold standards for professional practice for individuals and institutions.        
• Develop quality products, programs, and services that serve the international education community.        
• Ensure effective governance, communication, and coordination for the Association.        
• Ensure a strong administrative and financial foundation for the Association.

Approved at the March 12-13, 2004 meeting of the Board of Directors

Goals with Objectives:  2005-2007

1. Advocate for U.S. policies, laws, and regulations that promote and enhance international education.

1.1. Articulate and advance the concept of international education as essential to U.S. leadership and security.

1.2.  pdate and promote the NAFSA/Alliance international education policy statement.

1.3. Advance the comprehensive strategy to increase international student access to U.S. higher education that was set forth in NAFSA’s task force report, “In America’s Interest: Welcoming International Students.”

1.4. Advance the comprehensive strategy to promote education abroad that was set forth in NAFSA’s task force report, “Securing America’s Future: Global Education for a Global Age.”

1.5. Maintain NAFSA as an indispensable source of information and guidance to Congress and the Executive Branch on policy relating to and affecting international education.

1.6. Form strategic coalitions to further international education objectives.

1.7. Create information resources to support state policymakers in their efforts to promote international education.

1.8. Train, equip, and mobilize members to be effective advocates for international education.

1.9. Support research that examines the value to the United States of international student/scholar access to U.S. higher education.

1.10. Support research that examines the value to the United States of U.S. student/faculty participation in education abroad.

2. Manage growth of the membership in NAFSA.

2.1. Conduct periodic scans of the environment, noting opportunities and reviewing competing forces, and evaluate the potential strategic positioning of NAFSA for a 3-year horizon.

2.2. Manage growth strategically, focusing on the potential membership groups which best match our mission.

2.3. Retain current members and increase net membership.

2.4. Expand the number of members from new and underrepresented constituencies.

3. Set and uphold standards for professional practice for individuals and institutions.

3.1. Review and update professional standards, best practices and models of successful programs at least every three years.

3.2. Disseminate and promote these standards at national, regional, state and local international education forums, and on Web sites.

3.3. Communicate and cooperate with other associations on the establishment and refinement of national standards appropriate to NAFSA.

4. Develop quality products, programs, and services that serve the international education community.

4.1. Build a strong practice information system that facilitates the dissemination of authoritative, member-generated practice information and promotes member-to-member support on practice issues.

4.2. Prioritize member practice concerns; develop and implement practice initiatives to address concerns of highest priority.

4.3. Develop and maintain professional growth and development opportunities that meet the needs of the membership and the field.

4.4. Expand the range of products, programs and services that chief international educational officers need.

4.5. Continue developing a knowledge area of international/intercultural teaching learning and research.

4.6. Ensure that product, program and service development and modification are based on market research and rigorous quality evaluation.

4.7. Explore NAFSA’s role in advancing global workforce development.

5. Ensure effective governance, leadership, communication, and coordination for the Association.

5.1. Consistently employ a strategic planning process that engages all levels of the Association and align work effort, structure, and resources to the plan.

5.2. Continuously evaluate board governance and member-leadership structures to ensure a flexible, nimble, effective and efficient Association.

5.3. Ensure a regular pattern of communication with members regarding the activities of the Association.

5.4. Recruit skilled, creative, and diverse member-leaders and staff who work in partnership to carry out the work of the Association.

5.5. Develop and maintain a system to identify talent and availability of members to volunteer for the association in various roles, including but not limited to leadership.

6. Ensure a strong administrative and financial foundation for the Association.

6.1. Continue to develop and implement an efficient member- and customer-oriented administrative system.

6.2. Optimize the use of technology to achieve the objectives of the Association.

6.3. Develop and maintain a database that supports the strategic objectives of the Association.

6.4. Achieve substantial growth of non-dues revenue and corporate funding while maintaining an appropriate mix.

6.5. Price NAFSA services, products, and Web information to reflect current market conditions and the value of the services to both members and nonmembers.

6.6. Maintain a financially and legally sound organization at the regional and national levels.