In a boost for US international education, NAFSA's executive director and CEO, Marlene Johnson, has been appointed to federal government's new Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). The council, comprised of academic leaders, is charged with advising the Department of Homeland Security on issues concerning higher education. In a boost for US international education, NAFSA's executive director and CEO, Marlene Johnson, has been appointed to the federal government's Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). The new council, comprised of university presidents and academic leaders, is charged with advising US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano on issues related to US higher education.
A spokesperson for NAFSA, America's most prominent international education association, said it hoped the council would increase engagement with the DHS, and that the bodies would work together to remove unnecessary barriers to international education and exchange.
“We have been very encouraged by the department’s ongoing and increasing engagement with the international education and higher education community," Johnson told
the PIE News. "The establishment of this council is another positive step, and I look forward to working with Secretary Napolitano and my colleagues on the council."
The move reflects the increased federal engagement with international education in the US of late. In his State of the Union address last month,
President Obama called on congress to make it easier for international students to work in America after they graduate as part of reforms proposed to bolster the economy and improve security. The DHS also made a series of
administrative reforms to attract more foreign science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) students in February.
In a statement, Secretary Napolitano said that the HSAAC would be a "critical asset" in engaging the academic community in homeland security efforts.
She has asked the group, which will be chaired by Dr Wallace Loh of the University of Maryland, to provide advice and recommendations on issues related to international students, as well as in areas such as student recruitment, security and research.
Other appointees include Carrie L Billy, president of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium
, Dr Walter Bumphus, president of the American Association of Community Colleges and Dr Hunter R Rawlings, III, president of the Association of American Universities.
The group’s inaugural meeting takes place March 20 in Washington DC and is open to the public.
In a boost for US international education, NAFSA’s executive director and CEO, Marlene Johnson, has been appointed to the federal government’s Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). The new council, comprised of university presidents and academic leaders, is charged with advising US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano on issues related to US higher education.
A spokesperson for NAFSA, America’s most prominent international education association, said it hoped the council would increase engagement with the DHS, and that the bodies would work together to remove unnecessary barriers to international education and exchange.
“We have been very encouraged by the department’s ongoing and increasing engagement with the international education and higher education community,” Johnson told the PIE News. “The establishment of this council is another positive step, and I look forward to working with Secretary Napolitano and my colleagues on the council.”
The move reflects the increased federal engagement with international education in the US of late. In his State of the Union address last month, President Obama called on congress to make it easier for international students to work in America after they graduate as part of reforms proposed to bolster the economy and improve security. The DHS also made a series of administrative reforms to attract more foreign science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) students in February.
In a statement, Secretary Napolitano said that the HSAAC would be a “critical asset” in engaging the academic community in homeland security efforts.
She has asked the group, which will be chaired by Dr Wallace Loh of the University of Maryland, to provide advice and recommendations on issues related to international students, as well as in areas such as student recruitment, security and research.
Other appointees include Carrie L Billy, president of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, Dr Walter Bumphus, president of the American Association of Community Colleges and Dr Hunter R Rawlings, III, president of the Association of American Universities.
The group’s inaugural meeting takes place March 20 in Washington DC and is open to the public.
