SEVIS Newsletter: September 2007 Quarterly
E-Newsletter

SEVP Participates in the National NAFSA Conference

SEVP continues its outreach efforts by participating in the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) conference held at Minn., MN from May 28 through June 1, 2007. Twelve staff members of SEVP were able to reach the public and private sectors consisting of more than 7,000 educators, P/DSOs, organizational representatives and other stakeholders. Additionally, members of SEVP answered countless questions regarding SEVIS, policies and procedures and additional inquiries. SEVP’s stay at the conference culminated in a presentation by former director Susan Geary to address current trends, statistics and updated information regarding SEVP and its stakeholders. Following the presentation was a question-and-answer break out session in which the stakeholders were able to interact with members of SEVP.

Ann Balough, Senior Policy Analyst for SEVP, said “Our purpose [at the conference] was to share what was going on at SEVP …but for me the most important purpose was to go and hear what was going on with the schools, hear their concerns, find out what type of questions that they have, get a better understanding of the situations that they deal with so that …we’re always aware of how it impacts the schools and the students at the schools.”

The conference allowed members of SEVP to interact with the stakeholders that was beyond e-mail or a phone call. But as Ms. Balough adds, “It’s a partnership that allows you too see the people that you talk to on the phone or that you’ve e-mailed. It also gives a face to the government.”

In addition to the interaction, the stakeholders were able to depart the conference with information that will help them in their day-to-day interaction with SEVIS and SEVP. As part of the face-to-face interaction during the conference, SEVP distributed packets that included business cards and a CD that contained current policies, procedures, Frequently Asked Questions, pertinent websites and information to make using SEVIS and interacting with SEVP easier throughout the year.

The next NAFSA Conference will be held from May 25 to 30, 2008 in Washington, D.C.

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