How U.S. Higher Education Leaders Can Support International Students

Hanmei Wu is the cofounder of Empowerly, a platform that provides personalized college and career guidance for students.

As the daughter of immigrant parents and someone who co-founded an education company alongside a first-generation immigrant, I was unsettled by the news that Harvard University may be forced to deny enrollment to international students due to visa-related restrictions.

While a federal judge issued an injunction that allows the university to continue hosting international students (at the time of this writing), I believe the implications stretch far beyond Harvard and force us to consider the critical importance of international students to the U.S.—and how higher education leaders can support them right now.

What International Students Bring To The U.S.

In the 2023 to 2024 academic year, more than 1.1 million international students were enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, according to Open Doors. These students make up about 6% of the overall student population—a figure that has grown over the past two decades.

These students’ presence is not only academically enriching but also economically impactful. NAFSA: Association of International Educators estimated that international students contributed more than $33.8 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2021 to 2022 academic year and supported more than 335,000 jobs across sectors.

Of course, their contribution isn’t just economic—it’s also intellectual and cultural. These students can bring different perspectives that encourage cross-cultural collaboration, which offers domestic students more exposure to world views.

In addition, many international students remain in the U.S. after graduation, contributing to industries such as healthcare, engineering, finance and technology. A number go on to launch startups or lead innovation in high-growth sectors, as was the case with my co-founder here at Empowerly.

Some of the most well-known examples include CEOs of companies like Microsoft, PepsiCo (registration required) and Stripe—individuals who began as international students and went on to build companies that now employ thousands and contribute significantly to the U.S. economy. These stories are not exceptions—they reflect a broader trend of global talent choosing to innovate in the U.S.

Policies that impact international student mobility can have ripple effects. When talented students look elsewhere, other countries benefit. In fact, some nations are streamlining processes for international students and investing in global education.

How Higher Education Leaders Can Help

At our company, my co-founder and I work with students from all over the world. Many of them are understandably anxious about evolving visa policies and enrollment uncertainties. We’re helping them prepare in practical, forward-looking ways. Below are some of the actions higher education leaders can take to support international students as well.

1. Communicate proactively with students awaiting visa appointments. Explain to international students that if they already have a visa appointment, they should attend as planned. At the time of this writing, visa interviews have resumed, and, from our observations, most existing appointments are proceeding as scheduled unless explicitly canceled.

2. Help students stay prepared. If an international student doesn’t have an appointment, encourage them to continue preparing. Delays might occur, but staying organized and ready can make a difference if slots open up.

3. Inform students on how to review their online presence. With expanded digital vetting, students should ensure their social media reflects their genuine interests, values and goals—just like a college application.

4. Be transparent about alternative options. While the U.S. remains a leading destination for higher education, it may be wise for some students to keep their options open.

5. Stay informed, stay calm and help students do the same. Policy changes can be complex and fluid. Reliable information, thoughtful planning and professional guidance can help reduce uncertainty.

Leaders in higher education should continue to guide students through every step of their admissions journey, regardless of where they come from. Ensuring that talented, motivated students from all backgrounds continue to view the U.S. as a place of opportunity benefits not just them, but all of us.

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