Mexico Global Center explores new strategic programming, partnerships at 2023 NAFSA conference

The largest international education conference, the National Association of International Educators (NAFSA), convenes between 8,000 and 12,000 professionals in the field from around the world. This year, Mexico Global Center Director, Maria Mercedes Salmon, joined a group of Notre Dame International (NDI) colleagues to advance goals of increased strategic engagement and enhanced experiences for Notre Dame students and faculty.

Mercedes arrived in Washington, D.C. with a full agenda of meetings with higher education institutions, associations and non-government organizations from Mexico and Panama interested in expanding short-term, semester study abroad programs and experiential learning as well as faculty/research collaborations. She also met with Mexican and Panamanian governments who are driving initiatives in support of STEM research and graduate studies in the United States. She held meetings with U.S. government programs such as EducationUSA, 100,000 Strong in the Americas, and USA Study Abroad to learn about ways to collaborate and support Notre Dame’s active participation in their programming. Lastly, she met with international education organizations such as NAFSA to explore increased participation of the Mexico Global Center in their regional and global initiatives.

Additionally during the visit, the NDI team visited the Keough School of Global Affairs in Washington D.C. and learned about their initiatives and programs followed by lunch with its leadership and former U.S. Ambassadors who are members of the Notre Dame community. The Mexico Global Center expects to follow up in conversations to pursue opportunities for collaboration given the proximity between our locations and the shared interests in programming and research.

Finally, Mercedes was recognized by the International Education Service Award conferred by the Michigan Association of International Education for her 20 years of dedication and commitment to international students and exchanges during the Study Michigan networking event during this year’s conference.

Learn more about initiatives in Mexico.