GoElite Triumphs at NAFSA XI with Winning Internationalization Plan

At the NAFSA Region XI Conference in Springfield, GoElite’s Head of Business Development， Christina Chen, joined forces with peers from Trinity College and another leading institution to take on a challenging case — and the team walked away with First Place in the regional Case Competition!

Their task: develop a five-year strategic internationalization plan for a fictional U.S. university, “NAFSA University (NU),” a public institution in the Southeast aiming to increase international enrollment and boost domestic student participation in study abroad programs.

The GoElite-led team crafted a comprehensive five-year roadmap rooted in collaboration, equity, and measurable impact. The plan centered on five pillars:

1. Strengthen International Student Services

   1. Develop cross-training for staff across ISSS, Admissions, and Study Abroad to reduce silos.

   2. Implement a peer mentorship network linking international and domestic students.

2. Expand Study Abroad Access

   1. Launch need-based micro-grants and alumni-funded travel awards.

   2. Integrate study abroad into degree pathways, especially for business and global policy majors.

3. Foster Inclusion and Belonging

   1. Partner with student organizations and DEI offices to host intercultural dialogues.

   2. Introduce a “Global Ambassadors” program pairing students across cultures.

4. Address Staffing and Funding Gaps

   1. Propose shared resource models across departments and external partnerships.

   2. Introduce professional development and retention incentives for International Center staff.

5. Implement Metrics for Success

   1. Track enrollment growth, participation diversity, and satisfaction scores annually.

   2. Align all goals with NU’s mission of “engaged scholarship in an interconnected society.”

Their plan stood out for its strategic clarity, realistic implementation, and data-informed vision for student inclusion and institutional sustainability.

This win highlights GoElite’s deep understanding of the complexities universities face in internationalization—from compliance and program design to student belonging and fiscal sustainability.

At GoElite, we partner with universities to turn challenges like NU’s into growth opportunities. Our expertise in:

• CPT-integrated curriculum development
• Graduate program design tailored for international students
• Cross-cultural engagement strategies
• Data-driven recruitment and retention models

…helps institutions create globally competitive programs that attract top talent and deliver measurable outcomes.

By combining real-world insights with hands-on innovation, GoElite continues to shape the next generation of international education strategy—one campus at a time.

👏 Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition!