Administrators from three WV institutions of higher education joined other advocates from around the country to meet with Congressional Delegates on issues related to international education and exchange. The two-day event, organized by the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) concluded with visits to each participant’s Congressional representative. Those who met with Capitol Hill Reps included Daniel Weiner*, WVU Director of the Office of International Programs, Clark Egnor, Executive Director for the Center of International Programs at Marshall University and James Natsis, WVSU Director of International Affairs.
The Capitol Hill event focused on immigration reform, establishing the Simon Study Abroad Program, and international education’s importance to the US economy. For example, according to NAFSA, “foreign students and their dependents contributed approximately $14.5 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2006-07 academic year.” In West Virginia, NAFSA estimates that the net contribution to the state economy of foreign students and their families was over $45 million.
*Dan Weiner has since accepted a position at Ohio University
This article excerpt is courtesy of Le Journal , West Virginia State University’s international newsletter.
