NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Volunteer Member Leader Position Description
Position:
Coach, Regional Chair Cohort
Committee/KC:
Regional Chair Cohort
Term:
The Coach serves 18 months: one year with the 2017 cohort of regional
chairs-elect, and six months with them in 2018 as regional chairs until the
NAFSA 2018 Annual Conference & Expo
Last Updated:
July 2016
Position Overview
The regional chair coach supports the ongoing leadership development of NAFSA’s incoming
regional leaders. Over the 18-month period, the regional chair coach works with the chair-elect
cohort to foster collegiality and support their transition into their regional chair role. As a former
regional chair, the coach will share perspectives on managing the work of a regional team,
promote the sharing of best practices between regions, and provide ongoing support and
professional development. The coach is appointed by the vice president for professional
development and engagement (VPPDE) in consultation with the Regional Affairs Committee
(RAC) chair-designate.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
1. Coach a regional leader cohort
 Guide a cohort of regional leaders throughout the first 18 months of their three-year
term as chair-elect, chair, and past chair.
 Draw on best practices with regional teams and NAFSA regional affairs staff to
develop necessary skills applicable across all regions.
 Share observations from one’s own experience as a regional leader to provide insights
about mitigating challenges in the leadership role.
 Observe and identify challenges and needs presented by the regional leader cohort so
that they can be addressed in conjunction with NAFSA staff partners.
 Cofacilitate meetings and monthly cohort calls and develop agendas for those
meetings in conjunction with NAFSA staff partners.
 Take active role in meetings with regional conference planner cohort at Washington
Leadership Meeting (WLM) and the annual conference.
 Field questions and provide additional individual coaching when necessary.
2. Design of professional development support
 Partner with RAC chair and chair-designate, as well as NAFSA staff partners, to
provide insights, experiences, and expertise that informs leadership development
priorities.
 Filter and prioritize key leadership skills/competencies based on the needs of regional
leaders through their three-year term.
 Collaborate with NAFSA staff to develop chair stream training skills and modules.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Volunteer Position Description
2018 Regional Chair Coach
Page 2
Relationships with Other Members
 The 2018 regional chair coach may interact with the current (2017) or future regional
chair coaches RAC chair-designates to share strategies or plan training.
 The coach is encouraged to stay abreast of developments within the RAC, chair, and
chair-elect cohorts, understanding and promoting in-region communication and
mentorship.
 Teams comprised of members including, but not limited to, RAC and regional affairs
staff will be cocreating leadership modules. The coach may be asked to review content or
serve as an expert on a specific module.
Relationships with NAFSA Staff
The regional chair coach will collaborate most closely with the following NAFSA staff.
 Regional affairs: Staff will partner with the coach to plan face-to-face meetings and plan
for and cohost monthly cohort conference calls. Staff will also work with the coach to
diagnose leadership needs and prepare training modules to support those needs.
Required Qualifications
 Successful completion of a three-year term in a regional chair stream
 Demonstrated engagement and leadership within NAFSA
 Current employment in the field of international education
 Ability to travel to each of the in-person cohort meetings
 Willingness to provide training in multiple modalities including in-person and online
 Current NAFSA membership throughout the 18-month period
 Supervisor’s consent to serve in this leadership role for the full 18 months
NAFSA Meetings
Travel, per diem, and lodging expenses are reimbursed for WLM in January. The travel to/from
the annual conference and any meals and lodging for meetings before/during the conference are
not covered.
Volunteer Commitment
2017–2018 Timeline
October– Initial conference call and orientation with NAFSA staff; begin attending
December 2016 2016 chair-elect cohort monthly calls
December 2016– Plan asynchronous cohort orientation, as well as WLM cohort meeting in
January 2017 collaboration with NAFSA staff
January 2017 In-person meeting with cohort at WLM in Washington, D.C.
February 2017– Ongoing monthly conference calls with cohort and NAFSA staff; periodic
May 2018 planning calls with NAFSA staff
March 2017–
Plan annual conference cohort meeting in collaboration with NAFSA staff
May 2017
In-person meeting with cohort at NAFSA annual conference in Los
May 2017
Angeles, CA
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Volunteer Position Description
2018 Regional Chair Coach
Page 3
December 2017–
Plan WLM cohort meeting in collaboration with NAFSA staff
January 2018
January 2018 In-person meeting with cohort at WLM in Washington, D.C.
March 2018–
Plan annual conference cohort meeting in collaboration with NAFSA staff
May 2018
Final in-person meeting with cohort at NAFSA annual conference in
May 2018
Philadelphia, PA
If you wish to apply for this position, complete the member-leader application at
www.nafsa.org/applynow.
Deadline for applications: September 15, 2016
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is a professional association driven by its
Strategic Plan as established by the Board of Directors. The success of the association depends
on the productive engagement of three key constituencies: the board, member leaders, and staff.
Member leaders are advocates for the association’s mission, vision, and values, and align their
work closely with the board through its vice presidents and with staff to carry out NAFSA’s
Strategic Plan. Member leader roles are guided by objectives assigned by the Strategic Plan,
outcome accountabilities outlined in the standing rules, and position descriptions for specific
roles.