News from The Evaluation Company (TEC)
NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, held their annual conference at the end of May 2026. The conference theme was ‘Global by Design’. Over 6,000 attendees from more than 100 countries gathered in Orlando, Florida, to hear from experts in the field of international education, to learn about new US government regulations related to international educational exchange, to meet their counterparts at other universities, form university partnerships and learn about the various services that can support them and their students, including credential evaluations. The following NACES members were exhibitors: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.; International Education Evaluations, Inc.; The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran); and World Education Services, Inc.
NAFSA as an organization includes knowledge communities that reflect the organization’s diverse membership and interests: Education Abroad; International Education Leadership; International Enrollment Management; International Student and Scholar Services; and Teaching, Learning and Scholarship. Sessions at the conference reflected the wide membership of the NAFSA community, the scope of international education and NAFSA’s member communities. Sessions ranged from US government regulations to the use of AI and technology in the admissions process, to recruitment strategies, to community dialogs on current topics and collaboration, to updates about governmental actions impacting student mobility in a range of countries including Australia, Canada, Italy and Spain. A popular topic of discussion outside of session rooms was the shift from the ‘Big Four’ country destinations (Australia, Canada, United Kingdon and United States) towards fourteen countries offering academic degree programs in English. Whilst the ‘Big Four’ are not being abandoned, the trend reflects increased academic options and therefore increased student mobility to a variety of destinations.
The International Enrollment Management Community includes admissions, recruitment, enrollment management, marketing, credential evaluation, intensive English programs, and other related areas. There were several sessions related to credential evaluations, including sessions presented by NACES members. These sessions included: ‘Access Unlocked: Rethinking Credential Evaluation Through Flexibility, Technology, and Inclusion’ by Daniel Mueller, Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.; ‘Balancing Access, Standards, and Partnerships in International Credential Evaluation’ by Lin Reed, International Education Research Foundation, Inc.; and ‘Do Undergraduate Admission and Credit Policies promote or Prevent Equity?’ by Susan Whipple, The Evaluation Company (formerly SpanTran). The conference also included several poster fairs to highlight current research related to international education. NACES members serve as the foremost leaders in applied comparative education and offering conference presentations to colleagues is one way that members demonstrate their expertise and support the field.
News from Academic Evaluation Services, Inc.
It is with great pride and honor that the Academic Evaluation Services, Inc. is sharing the participation of Kurt Baumbach as the Regional Content Contributor in the TAICEP Foundations of International Credential Evaluation | TAICEP Training online training course for credential evaluation professionals with the foundational knowledge, established methodologies, and practical approaches needed to assess international qualifications fairly and consistently. We are thanking Kurt Baumbach for his continued support of the international credential evaluation field with his valuable professional expertise!
News from the International Education Evaluations, Inc. (IEE)
Two of IEE’s evaluators, Garret Garcia and Wendy Garcia, co-hosted a webinar as part of the TAICEP Spring Series on the Education System of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
News From the International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
IERF Evaluators Co-Author Article on Pass Grades in International Credential Evaluation
IERF is pleased to share that an article co-authored by IERF evaluators Victoriya Vakhotina, Laura Welch, and Tara Wessel, “An Exploration of Pass Grades in Korea, France and Eastern Europe,” has been published on the NACES website: An Exploration of Pass Grades in Korea, France and Eastern Europe – NACES.
The article examines how pass grades may appear in academic records and why these distinctions can affect credential evaluation, grade conversion, and GPA calculation. Drawing on examples from Korea, France, and Eastern Europe, the authors offer practical insights and selected IERF considerations for the international credential evaluation community.
News from Academic Evaluation Services, Inc.
On May 15, 2026, the Academic Evaluation Services (AES) administration—Michelle Rodriguez, President of AES, and Kurt Baumbach, Director of Evaluation and Translation Services—along with the NACES Marketing Committee Chairperson, Tatiana McKenna, attended the NACES Annual Meeting held in Orlando, Florida. Tatiana McKenna presented on the tangible results and achievements of the NACES Marketing Committee, highlighting efforts to represent all NACES member organizations on the NACES website, particularly within the Industry News and Events and Blogs sections of the NACES website. Academic Evaluation Services supports the goals and standards of NACES and continues to contribute to NACES marketing initiatives and projects.
On May 15, 2026, at the annual NACES meeting, Kurt Baumbach, Director of Evaluation and Translation at Academic Evaluation Services, was awarded the NACES Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his sustained and exemplary contributions to the organization. As AES’s official representative to NACES since 2012, Mr. Baumbach has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the association’s mission and standards. His longstanding service on the Membership Committee, beginning in 2013, and his distinguished leadership as Chair from 2019 to 2025—during a particularly demanding period—reflect his professionalism and dedication.
News from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Daniel Mueller, Research and Knowledge Evaluator, presented at the recent NAFSA Annual Conference in Orlando. Daniel co-presented a session titled, “Access Unlocked: Rethinking Credential Evaluation Through Flexibility, Technology, and Inclusion.” The ECE Marketing team also hosted a booth and attended the NAFSA Annual Conference.
Meg Wenger, Senior Director of Information and Knowledge, is attending the GDN Network Regional Meeting in Manchester, UK on June 2nd and 3rd.
News From the International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
IERF Presented at NAFSA 2026 Conference in Orlando
The International Education Research Foundation (IERF) proudly participated in the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, where the organization contributed to key conversations shaping the future of international education and credential evaluation. The conference provided an important platform for advancing dialogue on quality, access, and innovation across the field.
During the conference, IERF’s Executive Director, Dr. Lin Reed, chaired the pre-conference workshop on “International Credential Evaluation: Post-Secondary Level,” presented on “Balancing Access, Standards, and Partnerships in International Credential Evaluation” alongside institutional leaders, and facilitated the International Enrollment Management (IEM) Knowledge Community dialogue on maintaining quality in admissions, evaluation, and recognition. As international mobility and global learning continued to expand, IERF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting fair access, institutional integrity, and student success through trustworthy and reliable credential evaluation. The organization was honored to join colleagues from across the profession in strengthening standards and fostering collaboration in international education.
IERF Participated in the 2026 NACES Annual Meeting
The International Education Research Foundation (IERF) participated in the 2026 National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) Annual Meeting in May, where Executive Director Dr. Lin Reed represented the organization among leaders in international credential evaluation. As a founding member of NACES, IERF continued to support the organization’s mission of promoting quality, consistency, and integrity across the profession.
The annual meeting provided an important opportunity for member agencies to exchange insights, strengthen collaboration, and discuss the evolving landscape of international education and credential evaluation. IERF was honored to engage with fellow NACES members in advancing best practices and supporting students, institutions, and professionals worldwide.
News from Transcript Research
In May 2026, our staff at Transcript Research continued our support of comparative education and research in the field of international education. Olivea Dodson co-presented on the topic “Back to Basics: Research” as part of the 2026 TAICEP Spring Webinar Series. Registration to watch the recording and access the presentation slides is available for the entire webinar series at the TAICEP 2026 Spring Webinar website.
In addition, our organization provided deep-dives into two disparate elements of international education through the TR News and Bog: Legal Studies in Germany and Higher Education Recognition in Costa Rica.
Jade Jiang Rieger, Senior Manager of Evaluation, and Amy Kawa, Director of Evaluation Services, presented two sessions on April 9th and April 16th as part of the TAICEP Spring Webinar Series. Jade’s session was titled, “Decoding the Characters: Tips and Tricks for Reading Chinese Credentials,” and Amy co-presented “Academic Recognition of Afghan Credentials: Insights on Mobility, Verification, and Institutional Approaches.”
Majka Drewitz, Senior Manager of Research and Knowledge Evaluation, will be a trainer for the upcoming EAIE Academy training course on “Mastering International Admissions and Credential Evaluation,” which will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on May 21st and 22nd.
News from the International Education Evaluations, Inc. (IEE)
IEE was represented at NAGAP by Samantha Hitchings (Client Executive) and Scott Blevins (VP of Growth).
AACRAO was attended by David Haynes (CEO), Samantha Hitchings, and Scott Blevins. Scott co-presented with Kathy Cody (YSU) on Doing More With Less: Creating Efficiencies in the International Admissions Process. IEE also hosted an enjoyable SACRAO at AACRAO event.
News from the International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
IERF Highlights Innovation, Collaboration, and Expertise at AACRAO 2026 Conference
New Orleans, LA — The International Education Research Foundation (IERF) concluded a successful and engaging conference at the AACRAO 2026 NOLA, reinforcing its leadership in international credential evaluation and global admissions support.
Throughout the conference, IERF’s booth served as a dynamic hub for meaningful dialogue, bringing together admissions professionals, credential evaluators, and institutional partners. Discussions centered on emerging trends shaping international enrollment, innovative approaches to credential evaluation, and practical strategies to enhance institutional processes. The team also explored new opportunities for collaboration, reflecting the growing demand for reliable, transparent, and forward-thinking evaluation solutions.
A key highlight of the event was a featured session led by Senior IERF Evaluator and Manager of the Evaluation Department, Melody Ojeda, titled “Navigating University Credentials and Evaluation Resources for Latin America.” The session provided actionable insights for admissions and evaluation professionals, focusing on building comprehensive reference libraries, understanding regional credential structures, and applying effective evaluation methodologies. Attendees benefited from real-world case studies and practical strategies designed to enhance both institutional capacity and professional expertise.
As the conference concludes, IERF looks ahead to continued engagement with partners and institutions worldwide, advancing best practices in credential evaluation and supporting the evolving needs of global admissions.
IERF Strengthens Community Partnerships to Advance International Intern Development and Employability
California, USA — The International Education Research Foundation (IERF) continues to expand its commitment to global education by actively collaborating with community partners to support the professional development and employability of international interns.
As part of this effort, IERF recently partnered with Access California Services to provide a meaningful, community-based learning experience for participants in the Korea WEST Program. The visit offered interns valuable exposure to the real-world impact of community organizations addressing critical needs in education, mental health, and access to opportunity.
Through direct engagement with community leaders, interns gained practical insights that extend beyond traditional workplace learning. These experiences play a vital role in bridging academic knowledge with real-world application—enhancing professional growth while preparing participants to enter the global workforce as informed, socially conscious professionals.
IERF emphasized that fostering employability requires a collaborative, community-driven approach. By working alongside trusted partners like Access California Services, the organization helps create opportunities that enrich the international internship experience and build essential skills for long-term success.
IERF expressed its gratitude to Access California Services for its continued partnership, hospitality, and dedication to serving diverse communities. Together, the organizations are contributing to both immediate community impact and the development of future global leaders.
News from Transcript Research
Transcript Research is happy to share our professional development contributions to the international education community in April 2026.
You can access our intensive research into the educational system of Benin through the “Education in Benin: Credentials and Institutions In and Out of the Formal Education System” as part of the TAICEP 2026 Spring Webinar series. Registration to watch the recording and access the presentation slides is available for the entire webinar series at the TAICEP 2026 Spring Webinar website. Transcript Research also provides ad hoc deep-dives into a specific credential or element of comparative education through the Transcript Research News and Blog. In April, we released blog articles on Vietnamese Vocational and Technical Education and Cambodia Higher Education Recognition.
News from Academic Evaluation Services (AES)
Two Academic Evaluation Services (AES) evaluators, Kurt Baumbach (Director of Evaluation and Translation Services) and Tatiana McKenna (Senior Credentials Evaluator), in co-authorship with Alexander Agafonov, Ph.D. (President of Globe Language Services, Inc.), authored a blog article based on insights from the TAICEP session “Military Education in the War‑Torn World,” presented in Quebec City, Canada, in 2024, entitled Military Education in the War‑Torn World: What Credential Evaluators Need to Know – NACES. Published by NACES, the article examines how military education functions across NATO member states, Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Canada. Particular attention is given to quality assurance, credential verification, and the real‑world challenges created by armed conflict, especially as they affect the evaluation of educational credentials issued by military institutions within major educational systems worldwide.
News from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
ECE recently offered a free webinar titled, “Shorter degrees, bigger questions: Three-year bachelor’s degrees in the U.S.” which is available on The Connection website: https://theconnection.ece.org/ResourceDetail/35161
Upcoming:
Members of the ECE Marketing team will be hosting a booth at the NAGAP Annual Conference in Baltimore, April 8th-11th. Come visit them at booth #208!
Lindsey Gullicksrud and Martha Van Devender, both Senior Evaluators at ECE, will be attending and presenting at the upcoming AACRAO Annual Meeting in New Orleans from April 19th-22nd. Lindsey and Martha will be presenting a session on the “Educational System of Nepal: Overview and Updates,” and Martha will also be presenting “HNDs and Don’ts: Demystifying Higher National Diplomas Around the World.” ECE will also have a booth at AACRAO, #525.
Educational Perspectives, nfp. (EP)
Matt Cwiklinski, EP’s Director of Evaluation Services and Chair of the TAICEP Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence Committee, led a live demonstration of the TAICEP Universal GPA Calculator for the TAICEP community on March 24, 2026. Reflecting on the session, Matt shared, “I want evaluators to understand that recent developments in A.I. tools enable us to expand our professional horizons. The GPA calculator is not just a new benefit for TAICEP members – it is an invitation to expand capability.”
News from Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
JSA recently debuted its new Certificate of Foreign Education Equivalency, an additional service complementing its evaluation reports.
JSA is now active across social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Laure Priolet Vera, Senior Foreign Credentials Evaluator and Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, has been leading outreach initiatives with local ESOL and adult education centers within Miami-Dade County Public Schools, helping raise awareness of the value of credential evaluations for immigrant students.
News from Transcript Research
Transcript Research has been busy!
We presented at the 2026 TAICEP Spring Webinar Series with “Education in Benin: Credentials and Institutions in and out of the Formal Education System.” https://taicep2026webinars.dryfta.com/2026-01-16-00-05-24/conference-schedule/program/detail/12/education-in-benin-credentials-and-institutions-in-and-out-of-the-formal-education-system
We also wrote two new blog posts on the TR News and Blog:
– Singapore National Institute of Technical Education Certificate (NITEC): https://transcriptresearch.com/blogs/news/singapore-national-institute-of-technical-education-certificate-nitec
– More TAFE Credentials in Australia – Higher Education: https://transcriptresearch.com/blogs/news/more-tafe-credentials-in-australia-higher-education
News from World Education Services (WES)
World Education Services (WES) is launching a new virtual program – the WES Engage Speaker Series program on Thursday, April 2 at 2 p.m. ET. More details and registration can be found here. The team also published a policy brief Alternative Pathways to Licensure for Internationally Trained Dentists in the U.S. and a series of research reports which examines the information system that international students rely on in Canada. Finally, in case you missed it, the latest issue of the WES Voice is out now. Look out for our next issue in May!
News from the International Education Evaluations, Inc. (IEE)
David Haynes (CEO) and Samantha Hitchings (Client Executive) attended The SACRAO Annual Conference. Samantha had the privilege of co-presenting with Valerie Kisseloff from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on innovative pathways for credential evaluations within the international student application process.
News from the International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
This February, the International Education Research Foundation (IERF) expanded its community engagement efforts by accompanying two KoreaWEST interns to Access California Services, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering underserved communities in Orange County.
The visit was part of IERF’s broader initiative to enhance the employability of international interns by connecting them with inspirational community leaders and mission-driven organizations. Through meaningful dialogue and firsthand exposure to community-based services, the interns gained valuable insight into nonprofit leadership, workforce development, and cross-cultural collaboration in action.
KoreaWEST is a longstanding international initiative between the Republic of Korea and the U.S. Department of State. The program provides Korean university students and recent graduates with professional training opportunities in the United States, fostering global competency and cross-cultural understanding.
By facilitating opportunities like the visit to Access California Services, IERF leadership continues to demonstrate its commitment to building strong community partnerships and creating pathways for international interns to develop professional networks, strengthen practical skills, and prepare for long-term career success.
2026 Sepmeyer Award Nominations Open
There’s still time to submit your nomination for the 2026 IERF Sepmeyer Award for Excellence in Credential Evaluation Research, presented by the International Education Research Foundation (IERF).
This distinguished award recognizes exceptional research, publications, and conference presentations that advance the field of international credential evaluation. It celebrates innovative work that addresses real-world challenges and contributes meaningful insight to the global credential evaluation community.
Researchers and practitioners who have completed relevant work within the past year are encouraged to apply. Submissions are welcome from both individuals and teams, with no restrictions based on institution, citizenship, or country of residence.
Award recipients will receive:
• Professional recognition for their contributions
• Increased visibility within the international credential evaluation community
• Opportunities to connect with leading experts in the field
• A $1,000 USD honorarium
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain recognition for work that is shaping the future of credential evaluation. Visit the Sepmeyer Award page on the IERF website for eligibility requirements and submission details—and submit your nomination before the deadline.
News Update from Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. (JSA):
Laure Priolet Vera, Senior Foreign Credentials Evaluator and Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, represented the organization at the SACRAO Annual Meeting, held in Orlando, Florida, from February 1–4.
Laure Priolet Vera, Senior Foreign Credentials Evaluator and Assistant Director of Corporate Relations, and Noeli Rodriguez, Senior Assistant Director of Evaluations, represented the organization at the Annual Leadership Meeting of the Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISFL), held in Coral Springs, Florida, on February 24th.
News from The Evaluation Company (TEC)
The Evaluation Company has announced a new partnership with Study TN to sponsor its inaugural International Student Scholarship. This year, two eligible international students enrolled at higher education institutions in Tennessee will each receive $1,500 to support their education.
The TEC Client Partnerships team also exhibited at the 2026 Association of International Education Administrators Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., connecting with professionals from across the international education community.
News from the World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
The latest issue of the WES Voice is out now. Explore this issue for updates about our new applicant portal, upcoming conferences and events, and resources for institutional partners and their candidates. Read the newsletter here: https://interactive.wes.org/the-wes-voice-10
News from the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
Meg Wenger, Senior Director of Information and Knowledge, and Jade Jiang Rieger, Senior Manager of Evaluation, will be attending the upcoming APAIE Conference and Exhibition in Hong Kong from February 23rd to 27th.
News Update from the Educational Perspectives, nfp. (EP)
Bernard Ramos has been appointed President of Educational Perspectives (EP). A member of the EP team since 2006, Bernard has served as Senior Evaluator, Director of Evaluations, and Vice President. As President, he will provide strategic leadership to strengthen EP’s impact and support institutions, organizations, and individuals navigating international education pathways. Bernard looks forward to building on the legacy of EP’s founder, Kenneth Warren, and continuing EP’s tradition of knowledge-sharing within the international education community.
News from the Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES)
Meet ERES at the SACRAO 2026 Annual Meeting
We’re excited to attend the SACRAO 2026 Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida!
Visit us at Booth 203 to explore how ERES is advancing credential evaluation and education solutions.
News from the World Education Services (WES)
WES recently published a variety of resources including a case study about credential evaluations in the licensing sector, written in partnership with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), a report detailing insights from international students in Canada on improving information to immigration systems, and a policy brief about how three states have responded to physician shortages.
In January, WES CEO and Executive Director Esther T. Benjamin also joined the ICEF podcast to unpack how transparent, fair credential recognition is the key to improving global student mobility. Tune into the conversation. Also, in a case study, our partners at the Skoll Centre explore WES’ evolution from credential evaluator to social enterprise.
