Ian Gibson, dean of SDSU Global Campus, has been elected to the Board of Directors of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the largest and most influential nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange in the United States. He will serve a three-year term beginning in January, 2026.
As a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors, Dean Gibson will contribute to advancing policies and initiatives that expand access to international education, strengthen global partnerships, and promote mutual understanding through academic exchange.
“I’m honored to serve in this capacity to support the health and vitality of international education in the U.S. and beyond,” said Dean Gibson. “International education is evolving rapidly, and NAFSA is a key player in shaping what comes next. I’m committed to advancing how learning connects people and ideas worldwide.”
NAFSA serves as the leading voice for professionals in international education, supporting global learning and cross-cultural collaboration among universities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide.The organization represents a diverse network of international educators, researchers, and policymakers; the leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of global education, fostering collaboration, and preparing students for success in an interconnected world.
In the last two years, under Dean Gibson’s leadership, SDSU Global Campus has expanded its international programs and partnerships, offering innovative online degrees, professional certificates, and global learning experiences that advance the university’s commitment to inclusive excellence and global engagement.
One recent example of this vision in action is the launch of IMPact Projects in Spring 2025–an initiative designed to connect changemakers across borders. In just its first few months, IMPact Projects has brought together more than 60 students from nearly a dozen countries across North America, Europe, and Africa to collaborate on solutions to some of humanity’s most urgent challenges identified in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The current cohort includes emerging leaders from Côte d’Ivoire, Costa Rica, Georgia, Sweden, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among others, reflecting the truly global reach of SDSU’s educational mission.
“I’ve seen how global learning changes lives. It expands what people believe is possible,” said Gibson. “Supporting NAFSA’s mission means helping that transformation reach even farther. To overcome the challenges facing international education today, we need to think boldly and act collectively. The next era of global learning will blend digital access, human connection, and shared purpose. NAFSA’s unmatched network and leadership in shaping the field place it squarely at the center of this global transformation.”
