94% Retention Rate: How NYU Engages a Global Student Body to Succeed with Sherif Barsoum

NYU boasts one of the highest student retention rates in the country at approximately 94%, but their international student population is even more loyal. Sherif Barsoum, Senior Associate Vice President for Global Services at NYU, believes in student-focused programming that prioritizes connecting international students to each other, their advisors, and their broader community. Can other universities adopt NYU’s inspirational international education models? Sherif helps the global education community with advice that puts students first. Key Insights & Timestamps: [00:00] Podcast begins [01:00] Why Higher Ed? Sherif’s inspiration behind his 30-year international education career [03:10] NYU & International Students: Optimizing programming for increased student success [07:32] Uncertain Times: How NYU prioritizes international students through policy changes [09:46] Tech Innovations for Student Needs: AI chatbots revolutionize communications [13:31] Rapid Fire Questions: Sherif talks advisor-student ratios, data, & student ROIs Guest Spotlight Sherif Barsoum: Sherif Barsoum has been in the field of international education for more than 29 years. He is currently the Senior Associate Vice President for Global Services at NYU. Prior to NYU, Barsoum held positions at Ohio State University and Vanderbilt University. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Barsoum received his BA in political science and master’s degree in higher education administration from the Ohio State University and finished doctoral coursework at the University of Alabama. Barsoum regularly conducts training in intercultural programming and has served as chair of NAFSA’s Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services as well as chair of NAFSA’s Region VI. He served on boards of NAFSA, CEA and AIEA. Key Takeaways: NYU’s International Student Hub: “Our retention rate at NYU right now is around 94%, but it’s even higher for our international students.” In his work at NYU, Sherif is focused on including international students in programming that appeals to and focuses on them. For their International Hub (or I-Hub), NYU provided more than 400 programs to international students including career training, networking events, and specific skill workshops. Navigating Uncertain Times: “The students are looking to you for guidance, and you’re there to advise them, but also you’re there to show them support.” With immigration policies changing across the US, Sherif believes advisors in international education need to step up to continue to educate, guide and support students in every way they can. Times may be uncertain for some, but students need to feel certain that educators and advisors have their best interests at heart. New Tech, More Answers: “With the chatbot, we might get 3,000 or 4,000 emails answered and questions answered for students.” Technology advancements for the Global Services office at NYU are focused on capacity. With a student body of thousands, Sherif explains that even the addition of an AI chatbot has made a profound communication impact. Resources Mentioned: NYU | nyu.edu Connect with Sherif Barsoum: LinkedIn For More Information: Learn more about the Association of International Education Administrators at AIEAworld.org. Visit ViaTRM.com to learn more about Via TRM and access to additional resources. Stay Connected: Connect with Host Brooke Roberts on LinkedIn