Originally published July 14, 2023 on news.fiu.edu.

Written by Gisela Valencia

To build on its foundational commitment to international education and exchange, FIU welcomed hundreds of admissions counselors from across the globe to campus this week during a three-day conference of the International Association for College Admission Counseling (ACAC).

The association is the world’s premier organization for professionals in international college counseling and admissions, a field focused on supporting international students coming to study at U.S. institutions as well as U.S. citizens going abroad to earn their degrees.

FIU was selected to host the association’s annual conference this year (along with a daylong pre-conference), garnering an eye-popping attendance rate of more than 1,400 professionals. Hundreds of them stayed right on campus at FIU’s state-of-the-art residence halls such as Tamiami Hall, the university’s most recently unveiled residence building — and one that features a brilliant view of the adjacent FIU Football Stadium.

The conference boasted nearly 1,000 organizations represented, with attendees and panel speakers hailing from institutions including George Washington University, Yale, Duke, Northeastern University, University of Bath in the U.K., Cornell, American School of São Paulo and Cambridge. Representatives from educational organizations ranged from the College Board to Duolingo.

The conference featured 55 panel discussions on a wide variety of topics: the impact of artificial intelligence in the admissions process; building counselor communities for high schools; and ways to advance international student success, to name a few.

FIU’s Jody Glassman, assistant vice president of Enrollment and University Admissions, participated on two panel discussions, one focused on the evolving role of assessments in admissions, and the other providing tips for institutions interested in hosting an International ACAC conference in the future.

The conference’s mission aligned with FIU’s dedication to global exchange. Supporting international students is part of the very fabric of FIU, Glassman said. Case in point: FIU students come from every corner of the globe, representing 180 countries. During the Spring 2023 semester, nearly 5,000 international students were enrolled at FIU.

“We were honored to host this conference,” Glassman said. “FIU is so globally diverse, has a large international student population and is at the crossroads of the Americas. It’s important to us to have people come from all over the world and gather to address the needs of international students and discuss best practices.”

Aside from the robust professional development presentations, attendees experienced FIU and Miami — they toured MMC and BBC and learned about some of FIU’s top programs, checked out the student-run restaurant, got the scoop on FIU student journalists and visited some of the university’s high-tech facilities. Optional co-curricular activities provided opportunities for networking as well as cultural exchange and celebration. Attendees got to play dominoes, take salsa lessons, experience Miami’s cuisine and take part in a 3k/5k run or walk benefitting the International ACAC.  

Two-time alumnus and Grammy winner Tony Succar ’08, MA 10 gave a speech as part of the conference’s opening reception, discussing his own experiences as a Peruvian-born, Miami-raised student. He also delighted attendees with a high-energy musical performance.

“We wanted folks to get a sense of FIU and of this international city,” Glassman added. “This showcases FIU. As we continue building partnerships with universities overseas, we want them to know about the academic and cultural engagement we have to offer.”

It was a win-win for attendees, who reveled in the professional development as well as the intercultural exchange.

“We are very excited to be working with FIU,” said Erin Garcia, executive director of the International ACAC. “It’s a wonderful team and it’s a beautiful campus. We knew our members would enjoy getting to know Miami. You see such diversity in the city and a sense of belonging. It’s been wonderful.”