U.S. FOR SUCCESS COALITION LAUNCHES TO INCREASE AND DIVERSIFY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUCCESS IN THE U.S.

For Immediate Release: November 8, 2023

Media Contact:  [Jill Welch, outofmany1advocacy@gmail.com, info@usforsuccess.org, 703.980.8463]

U.S. FOR SUCCESS COALITION LAUNCHES TO INCREASE AND DIVERSIFY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SUCCESS IN THE U.S.

Coalition across sectors seeks to position the United States to more effectively attract a greater and more diverse population of international students and ensure their success

Washington, D.C. — November 8, 2023 — Today, 11 education organizations, think tanks, and advocates launched the U.S. for Success coalition to foster international student success in the United States through a coordinated national effort. The coalition will work in partnership with the U.S. government, higher education institutions, the business sector, and other key partners to foster supportive federal policies and practices that allow the U.S. to compete and cooperate effectively on the global stage. By welcoming international students to the nation’s campuses and making pathways for them to apply their knowledge and skills in local economies upon graduation, the coalition aims to position the U.S. as a leading destination for the world’s talent.

International student contributions benefit U.S. society, economic growth, diplomatic efforts, and global standing. New data to be released next week from NAFSA: Association of International Educators will show the economic contributions of these students and their families to each state and congressional district. Moreover, international students, scholars, and their families are integral to academic and scientific innovation, public diplomacy, and national security. The U.S. Department of State recognizes international education as an essential part of U.S. foreign policy and in a joint statement with the U.S. Department of Education, called for a “coordinated national approach” to international education.

The United States attracts more of the world’s student talent than any other country. However, other countries with more favorable visa and immigration policies are attracting a growing share of international students, while the U.S. share has declined from 28% in 2001 to an estimated 15% today.

As the international education sector anticipates new Open Doors® data next week to shed light on how many international students have chosen the United States post-pandemic, the coalition invites partners to join in this coordinated national effort to ensure the United States remains the leading destination for all international students seeking a world-class education. 

Building off the Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education led by the U.S. Department of State and Education and the U.S. government’s 2023 National Export Strategy, the coalition will advocate to remove barriers and expand opportunities in welcoming an increasing diversity of international students to the United States to study and work in terms of country of origin and destination within the U.S. With more than 4,000 higher education institutions across the country, the U.S. has more capacity than any other nation to welcome a greater and more diverse community of international students. The U.S. for Success coalition will work with a broad range of higher education institutions, including community colleges and minority-serving institutions to develop best practices to ensure international student success on their campuses.

The coalition has identified seven interconnected goals that must be met to enable the U.S. higher education system to continue as the leading destination for the world’s global talent. In addition to issuing policy recommendations and working with U.S. policymakers to meet these objectives, the coalition will support higher education institutions in expanding opportunities for an increasing diversity of international students to succeed in the U.S.

The U.S for Success coalition includes: 

• AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management
• Alliance for International Exchange*
• ETS*
• FWD.us
• Institute of International Education (IIE)*
• NAFSA: Association of International Educators*
• Niskanen Center
• Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration*
• Shorelight*
• The Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA)
• World Education Services (WES)*

*Denotes coalition steering committee members who have led in the creation of U.S. for Success.

The coalition welcomes new partners from higher education organizations, the business sector, the foreign policy community, and think tanks to join in this coordinated national effort to ensure the United States remains the leading destination for international students seeking a world-class education.

Learn more at: https://usforsuccess.org

What They are Saying

Fanta Aw, PhD, Executive Director and CEO, NAFSA: Association of International Educators

“International students are a wellspring of new ideas, energy, and innovation in the U.S. They are critically important to our society, economy, and national interest. One need only look at the founders of billion-dollar start-up companies or winners of the Nobel Prize in this country to see that. In return, we must commit to their success and value their presence on our campuses and in our communities. The competition for global student talent is intensifying and losing that talent threatens U.S. competitiveness. Collaboration across the international education sector to identify and advance solutions is essential if the U.S. is going to keep up. The coalition’s agenda will drive forward an important component of NAFSA’s longstanding call for the U.S. to adopt a broader national strategy that would also diversify study abroad and expand campus internationalization efforts.”

Esther Benjamin, CEO and Executive Director, World Education Serves (WES)
“International students bring global perspectives, share cultures, and contribute to research and innovation on U.S. campuses. Many international students go on to join the U.S. workforce, adding needed talent and expertise, and contributing to the economy. Others who depart after their studies often forge lifelong ties that translate into longer-term foreign policy and global business benefits. With the launch of the U.S. for Success coalition, we are excited to join other mission-driven organizations to advance a coordinated national strategy to prioritize the success of international students, as well as the success of the local communities where they study and settle.”

Tom Dretler, CEO & Co-Founder Shorelight, LLC

“At Shorelight, we work with international students preparing them for success in their academics and careers. U.S. for Success started as a conversation about how to improve international education in the U.S. The resulting formalization of this coalition is an exciting next step to coordinate our efforts in welcoming international students, ensuring their success, and providing them with the top-tier education they are seeking.”

Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration 

“Two of the most important drivers of economic growth and innovation are education and immigration. Through this new coalition, U.S. for Success, the Presidents’ Alliance aims to make it possible for more international students from all parts of the world to be educated at U.S. colleges and universities, and for them to have clear and predictable pathways to employment and immigration after graduation so that they can stay, and work, and contribute here. By ensuring international student success, we can position the United States as the indisputable destination of choice for realizing human potential.”

Allan Goodman, CEO, Institute of International Education 

“U.S. For Success symbolizes our shared commitment to fostering global understanding, promoting cultural exchange, and building bridges that transcend borders. International students bring a wealth of knowledge, diverse perspectives, and unique experiences to our campuses. They invigorate our local communities, contribute to our economy, and strengthen the global reputation of the United States as welcoming and inclusive.”

Mark Overmann, Executive Director, Alliance for International Exchange

“International students enrich U.S. campuses and communities, generate revenue for local economies, and strengthen diplomatic ties with global allies. The Alliance is thrilled to be a founding member of the  U.S. for Success coalition, an important and much-needed effort to bring more talented students to our country to find success.”

Amit Sevak, CEO, ETS

“In order to thrive in this century, the U.S. must be able to tap into the globally diverse talent that is all around us. By supporting the U.S. for Success coalition, ETS underscores the importance of improved policies that make the U.S. the top destination of choice for international study.” 

About U.S. for Success Coalition

The U.S. for Success coalition is a multi-sector effort that aims to foster international student success in the United States through a coordinated national effort. We all succeed when the U.S. can compete and cooperate effectively on the global stage by welcoming international students to the nation’s campuses and by facilitating pathways for them to apply their knowledge and skills in local economies upon graduation. The coalition will work in partnership with the U.S. government, higher education institutions, the business sector, and other key partners to foster supportive federal policies and practices.