Virginia Tech made a strong and diverse showing at the 2025 NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo, the world’s largest gathering of professionals dedicated to international education.

Thirteen Hokies attended the five-day event in San Diego, representing a broad cross section of the university — including Outreach and International Affairs, the Cranwell International Center, Undergraduate Admissions, the Pamplin College of Business, the School of Communication, and Housing and Residential Life.

“Internationalization touches every part of the student experience, from how we welcome international students to how we prepare all Hokies to thrive in a global society,” said Lauren Oliver, director of the Cranwell International Center. “At Virginia Tech, it’s a shared responsibility. The range of departments represented at this conference reflects how seriously we take that commitment.”

Held annually in a major U.S. city, the NAFSA conference draws thousands of educators, administrators, and policymakers from around the world. For Virginia Tech attendees, it offered a valuable opportunity to strengthen partnerships, exchange ideas, and stay ahead of emerging trends in international education.

“NAFSA is where global engagement professionals come together to challenge assumptions, explore solutions, and drive innovation,” said Juan Espinoza, vice provost for enrollment management. “Being there helps ensure Virginia Tech remains a destination for top international students — and a global partner of choice.”

Throughout the week, participants attended high-level sessions on international student mobility, global learning, equity and access, crisis response, and shifting policy landscapes. They also met with representatives from partner institutions to develop new initiatives and strengthen ongoing collaborations.

"As as someone who works in international education, I am surrounded by so many peers I can converse, brainstorm, and share emotions with," said Mingzhi Li, the senior immigration program manager in Global Strategic Services . "Gathering for our Virginia Tech group photoshoot was a highlight. The diverse functions represented in our group reveals the efforts across our university to build a strong global-minded campus for the fellow Hokies, and I am proud to be part of it." 

Virginia Tech was also represented among the conference’s featured presenters. Two OIA staff members, along with a colleague from the School of Communication, served as spotlight speakers, sharing insights and strategies with an international audience of peers and further highlighting the university’s leadership and expertise in the field.