Fanta Aw - EnglishUSA

Fanta Aw  
Executive Director & CEO of NAFSA

Dr. Fanta Aw is a transformational leader in international and higher education, currently serving as executive director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She previously held NAFSA's presidency from 2013 to 2016. Dr. Aw is a sought-after keynote speaker, addressing issues like internationalization, diversity, equity, inclusion, women in leadership, global trends, geopolitics, public policy, and immigration.

With over three decades at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., Dr. Aw held leadership roles including vice president of undergraduate enrollment, campus life, and inclusive excellence. She earned a BS in accounting, an MA in public administration, and a PhD in sociology from AU, focusing on international education and transnational migration. An award-winning lecturer, she was recognized with the Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award in 2023.

Originally from Mali, Dr. Aw has lived in East and West Africa and the United States, and has explored nearly 60 countries. Her insights have been featured in major media outlets like CNN, USA Today, and the Washington Post.