JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Impact of the US Presidential Election on International Student Recruitment

2020 has been a year like no other. Just when the international student population thought their lives couldn’t be any more confusing and chaotic due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, a future-altering, record-breaking US election took over the world news headlines. So, what does this mean for you and your students?

Keystone Academic Solutions recently hosted a live virtual event to discuss the impacts of the US Presidential Election on international student recruitment and enrollment. The event will be hosted by Erik Harrell, CEO of Keystone Academic Solutions in conversation with Paul Keller, Director of International Enrollment at Rochester Institute of Technology. Topics covered will include:

-How a new administration will affect international student recruitment

-Potential impact of policy changes on student flows

-Emerging outreach opportunities for institutions

President Joe Biden has a lot on his to-do list after the previous administration's four-year term in office. To make up for lost ground in the international student recruitment race, Biden will likely aim to reverse immigration-related executive orders and restore trust in prospective international students that may now feel uncertain about studying in the US. Over the past several decades, universities have increasingly emphasized diversity, inclusion, and community and must work hard to maintain this position against changing political climates.

However, the time to grow is now. At the top of his to-do list, Biden has already pledged to end the travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. He will also make the H-1B skilled worker visa more accessible for international students that aspire to live and work in the United States after college graduation. The Biden administration plans to add more seats to the table; 11 million more seats. And to add a more welcoming vibe to the country, Biden will ambitiously pursue “pathway to citizenship” efforts for the 11 million immigrants currently living in the US illegally.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE WEBINAR ON DEMAND 

Due to a number of policy changes in the past few years, prospective international students have had some doubts about going to college in the United States. An international 14-year-old student in 2016 is now ready to make their university enrollment decision, but many of them have seen throughout their secondary schooling that the US may have become a more insecure choice for foreigners. 

There are interesting times ahead, not only for the US, but also for the Higher Ed industry. Join us as we examine these challenges and many more in our upcoming podcast, Keystone Higher Ed Chats.