Higher Ed Chats
February 10th, 2026
13 minutes
AIEA 2026: How to Navigate Volatility in Global Higher Education
In this episode of Keystone Higher Ed Chats, host Scott Miller speaks with Clare Overmann, CEO of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), about the shifting realities shaping global higher education leadership. With over two decades of experience in international education, Clare shares her personal journey into the field and explains AIEA’s mission as the professional home for senior international officers navigating complex institutional and global challenges.
AIEA’s 2026 Annual Conference takes place in Washington, DC, from the 16th to the 19th of February. That’s why the conversation centers on the 2026 AIEA Conference theme, “Leading the Way: Navigating Volatility and New Realities in International Education,” and explores how geopolitical instability, public scrutiny of higher education, demographic shifts, and financial pressures are redefining the work of international leaders. Clare emphasizes the growing importance of courageous, empathetic leadership and the need for institutions to build agility, resilience, and innovative partnership models during uncertain times.
Scott and Clare also discuss the expanding role of entrepreneurial thinking in international offices, from developing new revenue streams to designing flexible mobility and collaboration models. The episode further examines how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming international education workflows, student preparation, and ethical considerations across campuses.
Looking ahead, Clare offers insight into how global higher education in the United States may evolve over the next five years, particularly amid declining domestic enrollments and the growing importance of international students. This episode offers timely perspectives for leaders seeking to future-proof their global strategies and strengthen institutional impact.
Who’s in the episode?
Scott Miller is the host of Keystone Higher Ed Chats and the Executive Director of Keystone's international division, bringing over 11 years of EdTech experience to conversations about global education.
After graduating from DePauw University, living and working in different cultures showed him that stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't just broaden your horizons; it reshapes them entirely. That belief in the transformative power of international experiences brought Scott to Keystone in 2010, where he's spent over a decade (and counting) helping higher education institutions reach students worldwide.
On Keystone Higher Ed Chats, Scott speaks with thought-leaders in the industry about what he's most passionate about: how education changes lives, how cultural experiences broaden perspectives at any age, and how Keystone's mission—connecting students with their ideal higher education institution—makes those life-changing moments possible.
Timestamps & Takeaways
Timestamps
01:00
What drew you into the field of international higher education, and what kept you in it long enough to reach your current position as CEO of AIEA?
02:40
What is the mission of AIEA?
03:54
What can attendees expect from AIEA 2026 in Washington, DC?
04:54
What is the most significant shift happening now in international higher education?
06:00
How can international officers strategically position their institution in volatile times such as the ones that we are seeing today?
07:00
Can you give an example of how higher ed institutions can leverage volatility as an opportunity for innovation?
08:05
What does entrepreneurial thinking look like in an international education office?
08:53
How are new technologies such as AI changing the daily work of international education professionals. What ethical and practical questions are they raising?
10:20
How do you see global higher education in the USA evolving over the next five years?
Takeaways
Leadership in uncertainty. International education leaders are operating in an era of heightened volatility — from geopolitical tensions and regulatory shifts to declining public confidence in higher education. This moment calls for leaders who can balance decisiveness with empathy, communicate clearly across campus, and advocate for the long-term value of global engagement even when budgets and morale are under pressure.
Entrepreneurial mindsets matter. The role of international officers has expanded well beyond mobility management. Today’s leaders must think like entrepreneurs — identifying new revenue streams, reimagining partnership models, and designing flexible program structures that can adapt quickly to changing student demand, global conditions, and institutional priorities.
AI is reshaping the field of international higher education. Artificial intelligence is already influencing how international professionals manage recruitment, data analysis, language access, and student services. At the same time, institutions must prepare students to use AI responsibly and ethically, positioning global education as essential to developing adaptable, tech-literate graduates for a rapidly changing workforce.
Global mobility remains critical. With domestic enrollments projected to decline in the coming years, international students will play an increasingly important role in sustaining U.S. higher education. Clare highlights the need for institutions to align global recruitment strategies with student success, policy advocacy, and long-term enrollment planning.
Community drives resilience. Organizations like AIEA provide more than networking — they offer critical spaces for shared problem-solving, leadership development, and collective strategy-building. In times of uncertainty, these communities help international educators remain resilient, informed, and equipped to lead institutional transformation.
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