Wake Forest University’s International Excellence Symposium on Feb. 27, 2026 brought international students together for discussions on personal wellbeing, leadership development and career advancement.
Wake Forest University hosted it’s second annual International Excellence Symposium on February 27, 2026 welcoming international students from Elon University, Wake Forest University, and UNC Greensboro for an afternoon of discussion, reflection and professional development.
The first session featured a legal discussion examining the potential impact of political shifts in the U.S. as the country looks ahead to 2026. Nathanial Lynch, director of the WFU Center for Immigration Services & Support, and William Crotty, associate attorney at Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm, provided insight into current immigration policies and possible changes. The conversation addressed visa regulations, employment authorization and legal work pathways available to international students. Panelists also discussed how broader policy developments may influence economic priorities, and the global perception of studying and working in the U.S., offering guidance to help students plan proactively for their academic and professional futures.
Following the legal session, Cherie Fu, associate director of the M.S. in Business Analytics and international student support specialist at the Wake Forest University School of Business led an interactive workshop titled Turning Anxiety into Energy: A Mindful Toolkit for International Students. The session acknowledged the layered pressures many international students face, including visa uncertainty, academic demands and cultural adjustment. Students engaged in guided reflection and practical exercises designed to help them reframe stress, regulate emotional responses, and transform anxiety into focused action.
The symposium concluded with a networking session that brought together students, faculty, staff and international alumni. Designed as both a creative and professional engagement opportunity, the closing event emphasized relationship-building and community, reinforcing the symposium’s broader goal of equipping international students with the tools, insight, and connections needed to thrive.
The leadership and collaboration of the Wake Forest University departments and participating institutions made the International Excellence Symposium possible, including their Center for Immigration Services & Support, the Office of Leadership Engagement, the Office of Personal and Career Development, and other campus partners.