About the webinar:

International student experiences at higher education institutions in the United States play a critical role in students’ academic success, engagement, and retention. This webinar shares original WES research on how international students perceive different aspects of their experience. It also offers specific actions institutions can take to support these students in their educational journey.


Gain insights into international branch campuses:

  • How international students perceive the institutional support provided to them upon arrival at their institution, and their satisfaction with academic and learning support services
  • How international students perceive their social inclusion on campus and their schools’ support in areas such as housing and meal options
  • How institutions can provide exceptional support to international students to allow for positive student experiences

Presenters

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Makala Skinner

Research Associate, WES

Makala is an international higher education researcher specializing in education in emergencies, student support services, and student mobility trends. Prior to joining WES, Makala taught English in South Korea and Turkey. She also worked as a college counselor with first-generation university students. Makala holds a master’s degree in international educational development from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from George Washington University.

NING LUO

Data Analytics Associate, WES

Ning earned a master’s degree in social and comparative analysis in education from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, and a bachelor’s degree in education from Capital Normal University in Beijing, China. Ning specializes in conducting statistical analysis in quantitative research on international student experience and student mobility. Ning has also presented at conferences, including NAFSA.

Mara Ohorodnik

Research Associate, WES

Mara is an international education researcher specializing in education for refugees. At WES, she continues to conduct research on this topic as well as on internationalization policies and student mobility. She has been published in the Journal of Studies in International Education, and presented her research at the Annual Graduate Student Research Conference of the Washington Consortium for Comparative and International Education. Mara holds a master’s degree in international education from the George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Michigan State University.