AAIE Newsletter

During these changing times in international education this quote resonates with me. Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene

In the spirit of learning how to dance in the rain, AAIE will have their first quarterly newsletter on the Excellent accomplishments your students and staff have done in international education in 2019 through your institution and any upcoming events that will begin from September- December that you would like to share with your colleagues in Alabama. 

 How to Submit to the AAIE newsletter: 
 Title of email please write: AAIE Newsletter 
 Email directly to igalinat@uwa.edu 
 • Any accomplishment from your students or staff in 2019, please send me a link with the article. If you do not have an article link please send me the information on a google doc link that can be shared to everyone. 
 • Upcoming Events: September 19 – December 19 
 Please email me the title of event, what the event is about, location date, time and contact person. 
 • Deadline is August 30 with a reminder the first week of August.
 • AAIE Newsletter will go out the week of September 9.

AAIE 2019 Conference Wrap-Up

We want to thank everyone for making the 2019 Alabama Association of International Educators Conference a great success last week.  

128 International Education professionals attended the one-day conference on Thursday, April 11, 2019 on the Birmingham-Southern Campus.

During the day, there were 31 session presentations, which covered the spectrum of International Education&nbsp: Enrollment Management, Education Abroad, Leadership, and International Student and Scholar Services. You can access the session materials and handouts here: AAIE 2019 Conference Materials and Handouts.

The photo submitted by AAIE membership were compiled into a slideshow on international education in Alabama. This was shown during the evening reception. You can access the AAIE 2019 video here: AAIE 2019 Video.

TRAVEL GRANTS

AAIE through our generous sponsors, International Student Insurance and The Education Abroad Network, gave 10 travel grants at the 2019 AAIE conference!

NEW AAIE LEADERSHIP

During the conference, the following leadership positions were elected by the membership:

• Chair-Elect - Sarah Stevens,University of North Alabama 
• Treasurer - Swati Kukreja, Auburn University
• Secretary- Michelle Awondo, University of Alabama 
• Communications Coordinator - Ingrid Galinat, University of  West Alabama 

MINUTES FROM AAIE BUSINESS LUNCH MEETING
You can access the full minutes from the AAIE 2019 Business Lunch, including updates and finances here: AAIE 2019 Minutes.

Session presentation winner from the 2019 AAIE Conference.

Please join us in congratulating the 

Most recommended presentation to be submitted to regional:

Chair Presenter: Kodi Henderson Niehaus, University of North Alabama 
Co-Chair Presenter: Jeremy Martin,University of North Alabama 
Session Title: Disability Access Abroad
Summary: Access Abroad for Students with Disabilities: making education abroad program more inclusive with clear program limitations for all students.

Honorable Mention as second and third highest votes for Best Overall Presentation to be submitted to regional:
Reducing the Many Shades of Grey: Make a CPT Institutional Policy That Works,
and Recruiting & Advising Students of Color in Study Abroad Experiences.

Submit a session proposal for Region VII (From NAFSA site):

• If needed, create your free "My NAFSA Passport". 
• To submit your proposal, visit the submission portal via your "My NAFSA Passport"
• Deadline: June 15, 2019

THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!

We sincerely thank each of our thirteen amazing sponsors for supporting the association and our membership. Without our sponsors’ generous support, there is no way we would be able to put on such an impressive professional conference. Please click the links below to learn about our Sponsors services.

Thank you so much, 
Maximo Nivel International, Armstrong Law, International Student Insurance, Study Alabama, AIFS Study Abroad, CORT Furniture Rental, Barcelona Study Abroad Experience (SAE), The University of Alabama Office of Testing Services, Spanish StudiesAbroad, LewerMark  Insurance, The Education Abroad Network (TEAN), CEPA Foundation and Relation Insurance Services.

AAIE 2019 TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019

AAIE 2019 CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 AT BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN COLLEGE

The AAIE Conference will be held April 11th from 8:30 AM to 4:30PM in Birmingham, Alabama on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College. 

The fee for the one day conference is $60, which includes annual membership dues and a light breakfast and lunch. The deadline for early registration is March 22, 2019. After March 22, the registration fee will be $75.  EXTENDED! The deadline for the $60 early bird registration is Monday, April 8, 2019. After April 8, the registration fee will be $75.

• AAIE Conference Registration Form 2019

NEW THIS YEAR! Thursday Night Reception - Thursday, April 11

Birmingham-Southern College invites all attendees to a reception from 4:15 pm to 6:15 pm. This social event allows is a chance to relax and catch up with international education colleagues. Let the traffic die down and enjoy some happy hours refreshments before heading home.

SPECIAL REGISTRATION FOR STUDENTS – AFTERNOON SESSIONS ONLY
2019 Conference Half-Day Student Registration Fee: $20.00

This rate is a half-day rate which includes attendance of the afternoon sessions (approximately 1:30 pm - 4:15 pm) of the AAIE conference and afternoon coffee break.

This rate is only available to students who are enrolled at an institution of higher learning and who will attend the second half of the conference, beginning at 2 pm. If a student wishes to attend the full day conference, which includes breakfast and lunch, they should register for the full day conference and pay the full conference rate. 

• AAIE Student Registration for Half-Day Conference

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Birmingham-Southern College

900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, AL 35254

• Campus Map
• Google Maps Link

CONFERENCE PROGRAM - Coming in late March!

__________________________________________________________

NOW OPEN FOR SESSION PROPOSALS

• Session Proposal Form 2019

Alabama is fortunate to have many talented professionals. Share your voice and expertise in a Conference Session. Topic ideas in link.

Deadline for Proposal Submission: March 1, 2019.

__________________________________________________________

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AAIE LEADERSHIP

• Leadership Nomination Form 2019

During the annual conference business lunch, AAIE will announce the nominations submitted online and also take additional nominations from the floor. All those present will then vote to fill the open positions. AAIE is seeking nominations to fill the following leadership positions:
- Chair-Elect (3-year commitment to serve in the Chair Stream)
- Secretary (2-year commitment)
- Treasurer (1-year commitment as mid-term replacement)
- Communications Coordinator (1-year commitment as mid-term replacement)

__________________________________________________________

SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR CONFERENCE UNDERWRITING

• Sponsorship Form 2019

Our generous sponsors and vendors make it possible to elevate the whole conference, keep costs low and offer free registration to colleagues who might now otherwise be able to attend. We are deeply grateful for all who have participated in the past and look forward to great conference in 2019!

AAIE Fall 2018 Workshop, Friday, October 19 - 10:00 am - 2:30 pm

AAIE Fall 2018 Workshop

Friday, October 19  -  10:00 am - 2:30 pm

 

LOCATION: University of Alabama, Birmingham, 917 13th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35294

 

COST: $75 (includes snacks, drinks, and lunch)

DEADLINE: Registrations are due by Monday, October 15, 2018.

 

DESCRIPTION

This one-day workshop will offer three blocks with two options for each block. You will be asked to select a session for each block in the registration form.

 

SCHEDULE
Block 1 (10 am to 11:10 am)
1A.    International Credential Evaluation
1B.    J-1 Advising and Hot Topics

Block 2 (11:15 am to 12:25 pm)

2A.     Study Abroad Risk Management
2B.     Tax Advising for Non-Resident Aliens

Lunch (12:30 pm to 1:15 pm)

Block 3 (1:20 pm to 2:30 pm)

3A.     F-1 Student Advising and Hot Topics
3B:    Intro to H-1B

To register, complete and submit this form. Payment instructions will be sent in the confirmation email.

AAIE 2018 Conference Wrap-Up

We want to thank everyone for making the 2018 Alabama Association of International Educators Conference a great success last week.  

 

117 International Education professionals attended the one-day conference on Thursday, April 12, 2018 on the UA Campus.

 

During the day, there were 23 session presentations, which covered the spectrum of International Education - Enrolment Management, Education Abroad, Leadership, and International Student and Scholar Services. You can access the session materials and handouts here: AAIE 2018 Conference Materials and Handouts.

 

CONFERENCE EVALUATION FORM 

For those who attended, we ask that you please complete a brief evaluation online. Your comments and input will enable us to better plan and execute future conferences. Please take just a few minutes to complete the AAIE 2018 Satisfaction Survey.

 

UPDATED AAIE CONSTITUTION
During the business luncheon, the AAIE Membership voted to update the AAIE Constitution to include three changes:

1. Formally separate the Secretary/Treasurer position into separate positions (originally approved by the AAIE Membership during the 2014 AAIE Conference in Troy, AL);
2. Include provisions for removal of AAIE Leadership in instances of departure from the state, field of International Education, and when action is deemed to have been harmful to the Association; and
3. The formal creation of the Communications Coordinator position.

You can now access the updated Constitution in the Documents Section of the Site and here: AAIE Constitution.

NEW AAIE LEADERSHIP
During the conference, the following leadership positions were elected by the membership:

• Chair-Elect - Justin Lampley, University of Alabama - Birmingham (UAB)
• Treasurer - Hannah Rowe, The University of North Alabama
• Communications Coordinator - Caroline McLean, Birmingham-Southern College

MINUTES FROM AAIE BUSINESS LUNCH MEETING
You can access the full minutes from the AAIE 2018 Business Lunch, including updates on finances and proposed constitutional amendments here: AAIE 2018 Minutes.
 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We sincerely thank each of our amazing sponsors for supporting the association and our membership. Without our sponsors’ generous support, there is no way we would be able to put on such an impressive professional conference.

 

Thank you so much

Armstrong Law, International Student Insurance, Global Credential Evaluators, Study Alabama, Regions Bank, AIFS Study Abroad, Lisano International, The Japan America Society of Alabama, and UA Testing Services.

 

 

SAVE THE DATE! AAIE 2018 TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 IN TUSCALOOSA

AAIE 2018 CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
The AAIE Conference will be held April 12th from 8:00AM to 5:00PM in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on The University of Alabama Campus.

The fee for the one day conference is $60, which includes annual membership dues and a light breakfast and lunch. The deadline for early registration is March 23, 2018. After March 23, the registration fee will be $75.

• AAIE Conference Registration Form 2018

SPECIAL REGISTRATION FOR STUDENTS – AFTERNOON SESSIONS ONLY
2018 Conference Half-Day Student Registration Fee: $20.00

 
This rate is a half-day rate which includes attendance of the afternoon sessions (2 pm - 5 pm) of the AAIE conference and afternoon coffee break.

This rate is only available to students who are enrolled at an institution of higher learning and who will attend the second half of the conference, beginning at 2 pm. If a student wishes to attend the full day conference, which includes breakfast and lunch, they should register for the full day conference and pay the full conference rate.

• AAIE Student Registration for Half-Day Conference

 
CONFERENCE LOCATION
The University of Alabama
Ferguson Student Center
751 Campus Drive West
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487

• Campus Map
• Ferguson Center Maps and Direction Information
• Google Maps Link

CONFERENCE PROGRAM - Full-day Conference Program Available Here.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AAIE LEADERSHIP
AAIE is looking to fill the following leadership positions:
Chair-Elect (3-year commitment to serve in the Chair Stream as Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past-Chair)
Treasurer (2-year commitment)

• Leadership Nomination Form 2018

During the annual conference business lunch, AAIE will announce the nominations submitted online and also take additional nominations from the floor. All those present will then vote to fill the open positions.

Drums of Apaaso Gala, Saturday, January 13, 2018, 4 - 8 pm

Drums of Apaaso Gala

Saturday, January 13, 2018

4:00pm – 8:00pm

Birmingham Sister City Commission - Ghana Committee

 

Norton Student Center

Great Hall -Third Floor

Birmingham Southern College

900 Arkadelphia Road

Birmingham, Alabama 35254

Donation $50.00

{Proceeds to Benefit the Building of the Apaaso School/Community Library}

Attire: African/Semi-Formal

Make checks payable to: Birmingham Sister Cities – Ghana Committee

For more information contact:

Clifton Latting – 205 903-3390, calatting@gmail.com

Anita Lee - 205 960-6440, scottsmithanita@yahoo.com

AAIE Fall 2017 Workshop - Friday, September 22 at Birmingham-Southern College

 

Date: Friday, September 22
Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Birmingham-Southern College, 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, AL 35254
Cost: $75 (includes snacks, drinks, and lunch)

 

This one-day workshop will offer day-long training in your choice of 2 areas of international education:

1.    F-1 Student Advising for intermediate immigration advisors:

a.    Gray Areas of Advising (10 am – 12 noon) – led by Stacye Thompson, Jefferson State Community College

b.    F-1 Employment: CPT, OPT, STEM and Cap-Gap OPT (1 pm – 3 pm) – led by Regina George, The University of South Alabama

2.    Risk Management for Education Abroad and Immigration Basics for Non-immigration Advisors

a.    Risk Management (10 am – 12 noon) – led by Carolina Robinson, The University of Alabama

b.    Immigration Basics for Non-immigration Advisors (1 pm – 3 pm) – led by Charter Morris and Eunice Thomas, The University of Alabama

Online Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScx8Xijby5vik1oSLDN1CheY1fkzPfe-t4grujiwiVyBb2uXA/viewform  

Mail all registration payments (check, money order, or cashier’s check) to:

Sarah Stevens
SEVIS Coordinator
University of North Alabama
UNA Box #5058
Florence, AL 35632

Phone: 256-765-4406
Email: sstevens2@una.edu  

Payment can also be made via PayPal/Credit Card at https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/send-money-online.  Please make payment to alabamainternational@gmail.com.

AAIE 2017 Conference Wrap-up

We want to thank everyone for making the 2017 Alabama Association of International Educators Conference a great success last week. A huge thank you goes out to Joy Werka, Chair of AAIE for organizing an amazing event as well as to our hosts at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. The campus facilities and food were amazing.

97 International Education professionals attended the one-day conference on Thursday, April 13, 2017 on the UAH Campus.

During the day, there were no less than 21 session presentations, which covered the spectrum of International Education - Enrolment Management, Education Abroad, Leadership, and International Student and Scholar Services. You can access the session materials and handouts here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1sfWI7Ze4b5SzM2MnA1X0V2bTA.

CONFERENCE EVALUATION FORM 
For those who attended, we ask that you please complete a brief evaluation online. Your comments and input will enable us to better plan and execute future conferences. Please find the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScV0RRLMcgqTaFGRUPweOaRqRF4NIuMMnAYvmRzOwem_7ChYA/viewform

 

NEW AAIE LEADERSHIP

During the conference, the following leadership positions were elected by the membership:

• Chair-Elect - Anna Ledvina, Birmingham, Southern College
• Alabama State Representative to NAFSA Region VII - Eunice Thomas, The University of Alabama
• Secretary - Sarah Stevens, SEVIS Coordinator, The University of North Alabama

 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We sincerely thank each of our amazing sponsors for supporting the association and our membership. Without our sponsors’ generous support, there is no way we would be able to put on such an impressive professional conference.

 

Thank you so much

Armstrong Law, International Student Insurance, Global Credential Evaluators, Cort Furniture, and Trawick International.

AAIE 2017 CONFERENCE - APRIL 13, 2017 IN ROCKET CITY!

AAIE 2017 CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2017

The AAIE Conference will be held April 13^th from 8:00AM to 5:00PM in Huntsville, Alabama on The University of Alabama in Huntsville Campus. 

The fee for the one day conference is $45, which includes annual membership dues and a light breakfast and lunch. The deadline for early registration is March 24, 2017. 

• AAIE Conference Registration Form 2017 

CONFERENCE LOCATION
The University of Alabama in Huntsville

Student Success Center 
301 Sparkman Drive
Huntsville, AL 35899

• Directions: http://www.uah.edu/map/directions 
• Campus Map: http://www.uah.edu/map
• Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/Zhkv6FjUNh72

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AAIE LEADERSHIP

AAIE is looking to fill the following leadership positions:

• Chair-Elect (3-year commitment to serve in the Chair Stream as Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past-Chair)
• Alabama State Representative to NAFSA Region VII (3-year commitment)
• Secretary (2-year commitment)

To nominate yourself or a colleague, please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPSlY33uyWnoHzYZX0TJoO-1wgcBpvsuE28vTgp-_HwmDcYA/viewform

During the annual conference business lunch, AAIE will announce the nominations submitted online and also take additional nominations from the floor.  All those present will then vote to fill the 3 open positions.

SESSION PROPOSALS - DUE MARCH 8, 2017  (CLOSED)

• AAIE Session Proposal Form 2017

TRAVEL GRANT - DUE FEBRUARY 1, 2017 (CLOSED)

Also, please consider in applying for our Travel Grant.  This grant is open to anyone, but special consideration will be given to individuals from community colleges, individuals attending AAIE for the first time, and/or conference volunteers.

• AAIE Conference Travel Grant 2017

Sharron Herron-Williams
Alabama State University
AAIE Chair
sherron@alasu.edu