Lehigh University is pleased to host a one-day symposium, “Recruiting International Students and Scholars for Pennsylvania Higher Education: A Strategy for Economic Competitiveness and Innovation,” which explores opportunities to grow enrollments in state colleges and universities. Pennsylvania ranks sixth nationally in terms of the number of international scholars enrolled in state colleges and universities. These students and scholars help drive cutting-edge research and development, fill job openings in critical STEM fields, advance national security, and bolster the state and U.S. economy by generating new domestic startups and businesses.  

Dr. Allan Goodman, CEO of the Institute for International Education, will keynote the summit with a discussion about the capacity in US higher education to substantially grow the number of international students -- to double enrollments by 2030 -- and the opportunities this presents for Pennsylvania.  

Elle Butler, head of Marketing for IDP, will present the results of a national survey that was conducted with 10 international education organizations, regarding the need for a national policy on international education. Her remarks will focus on specific levers that a national or state strategy can pull. 

The summit will conclude with a panel response featuring representatives from the PA Department of Commerce, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Council, and Congresswoman Susan Wild's office about how robust enrollment of international students can contribute to state competitiveness.

There is no fee to attend and lunch will be provided, but registration is required.