KINGSTON, R.I.—June 27, 2025—The University of Rhode Island’s Global Initiatives team recently hosted educators from across the Ocean State for the International Educators of Rhode Island summer meeting. Held on URI’s Narragansett Bay Campus, the meeting brought together more than 40 professionals representing international student services, education abroad, English language education, and international admissions from institutions and program providers across the state.

Attendees came together to share updates, discuss best practices, and build community given the current environment of uncertainty following a recently announced travel ban, federal funding cuts and a pause in student visa appointments.

URI professor Marc Hutchison, chair of the University’s Political Science Department and a guest speaker at the conference, shared thoughts on the global context of the current political environment and suggested that, in planning for the future, it may be useful to look at other countries that have experienced democratic backsliding.

“In order to be resilient, we have to acknowledge the reality we are in, anticipate what might be coming and then try to adjust,” he said, while emphasizing the need to break out of our media bubbles and strengthen collaboration and mutual support between institutions.

Christian Wilwohl, dean of global education at Providence College and chair of NAFSA: Association of International Educators’ New England region, echoed those sentiments in his remarks. “It’s critical now in the current climate that we work together. This strong sense of community is something I really value about this field,” he said.

That theme of adaptability echoed throughout the small group sessions held during the afternoon. Topics ranged from the latest immigration challenges to strategies for supporting international students’ well-being, as well as navigating risk, safety, and mental health in education abroad.

These conversations are important because they “allow members to learn from one another and continually adapt to changing best practices,” said Jamie Loredo McCutcheon, an advisor in URI’s Office of International Education.

Hosting the meeting provided URI the opportunity to showcase its leadership and dedication to supporting and promoting international education. The event was organized by members of URI’s Global Initiatives team—Shelley O’Connor, coordinator of international student programs in the Office of International Students and Scholars; Jamie Loredo McCutcheon, education abroad advisor; Melissa De Jesus, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars and immigration services; and Emmanuel Michaca, manager of partnerships and strategic internationalization—in collaboration with NAFSA’s Rhode Island state representative, Emily Resnevic of CEA CAPA.  

De Jesus summed up the spirit of day with a reminder of why gatherings like this matter.  “We work hard to support our students,” she said, “but we also need to support each other.”

This story was written by Abigail Borchert in the Office of International Students & Scholars.