NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo 2026

Adria Buncal serves as an International Scholar Advisor and H-1B Case Processor in the Office of International Services at Oregon State University, where she demonstrates sustained excellence in community based international education. In her role, she supports international scholars, employees...

Era Schrepfer has served as Executive Director of FIUTS (the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students) since 2006. Founded in 1948, FIUTS has long been a hub for international student engagement in the Seattle area. Under Era’s leadership, the organization has deepened their work...

Dilnoza Khasilova, PhD, is the director of the Adult Education Center at North Idaho College and currently serves as the 2026 Chair for NAFSA's Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship Knowledge Community (TLS KC). She is a founder of the Volunteer World Language and Culture program (alumni initiative...

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense under Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Served as president of Texas A&M University from 2002-2006, dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M from 1999-2001, director of central intelligence from 1991-1993, and served in the U.S. Air Force and 27 years at the Central Intelligence Agency. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Chelsea Kindred is director of alumni development and research at Academic Programs International (API) and lead trainer for the can't-miss preconference workshop Current Trends in Education Abroad Alumni Programming.

Robert Gates served as the 22nd secretary of defense from 2006 to 2011. He is the only secretary of defense in U.S. history to serve under two Presidents of different parties. Gates has served under eight presidents in all. Prior to his appointment a secretary of defense, Gates served 27 years as an intelligence professional with the Central Intelligence Agency. Gates is currently partnered with Condoleezza Rice in the consulting firm of RHG LLP. He serves on the board and executive committee of the American Council on Education, and as President of the Boy Scouts of America.

Rick shares lessons from a lifetime of travel so you can learn from his experience and travel smarter. With his entertaining, information-packed talk you’ll learn the essential skills for smart travel from itinerary planning to venturing off the beaten path. Get Rick’s pro tips on packing light, escaping the crowds, saving money, maximizing your cultural experiences, and bringing home the best souvenir: a passion for building bridges rather than walls.

Ambassador Eliasson, who will assume the position of deputy secretary-general of the United Nations in July, has had a key role in UN-sponsored mediation efforts in Somalia, Sudan, Sudan, Mozambique, and the Balkans.

Kara Johnson is assistant director of the International Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the 2016 Annual Conference Committee Workshop Coordinator.

Melissa Vivian is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and practices a humanistic, strengths-based approach to personal and career counseling. She has advised and taught college students in both the community-college and 4-year institution settings, and has many years of experience teaching courses including Career Development and Fieldwork/Internship Seminars. Melissa has led the implementation of the Strengths program into the London program location as European Director in 2012 and 2013 and has been a lead creative influence on how to engage millennial students in self-awareness and engagement activities during their internship experience. Melissa now heads up the University engagement and development, as the Academic Internship Director for Global Experiences.

Alex has more than 24 years of experience in the Maritime Industry, Ship Supply sector. After graduating from a degree in Oceanography, he began his career working in one of the most important ship suppliers at that moment, based in northwest Spain. He soon moved to the Headquarters of the group in Barcelona. He has covered positions such as General Manager in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where he was stationed for 3 years, as well as Corporate Manager in Houston, USA, for another 3 years. Over the last 15 years Alex has occupied a variety of top management positions related to operations and commercial aspects of the ship supply business as well as Chairman of the Spanish Association of Ship Suppliers for two and a half years. In 2018 Alex became the General Manager of CARMAR, part of Pérez y Cía Group and its division specialized in short shipping logistics (both LCL and FCL). In this time, he has also created CARMAR Maritime Services™. With 15 warehouses across Spain, CARMAR combines the activity of short shipping logistics as well as ship chandler and last mile services to vessels across all the ports of mainland Spain and the Canary and Balearic Islands. In his free time, Alex is an enthusiast of other marine activities, including diving, sailing and being a certified Yachtmaster Ocean.