Angie Schaffer has been the Executive Director of FEA since 2021, and a longtime NAFSA member.
Washington, DC – The Fund for Education Abroad is pleased to announce that NAFSA: Association of International Educators has selected Angela Schaffer as the recipient of the prestigious Impact in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in International Education Award for 2026.
“The NAFSA Award for Impact in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in International Education honors our members who passionately foster these values through their work. Angie Schaffer’s visionary leadership at the Fund for Education Abroad has expanded access to international education for students who have too often been excluded from these opportunities,” said Fanta Aw, PhD, executive director and CEO of NAFSA. “Through her work at FEA, she has helped reshape how our field understands financial need, access, and inclusion, changing both systems and lives in the process. Angie leads with purpose, integrity, and a deep belief in the transformative power of international education, exemplifying NAFSA’s core values and the true spirit of this award.”
“I’m so humbled to receive this award from NAFSA, and I’m fortunate to have had many colleagues and mentors in my career encouraging me to stay true to what I know: that every student who wants an international opportunity should have a chance to pursue it. At a time when students are facing barriers in their education journeys, I’m hopeful that this award inspires others to act and work to make international opportunities accessible and the pathways to them more equitable. I’m grateful to, and inspired by, NAFSA for continuing to recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a changing education landscape.”
Angela will be recognized for this achievement during the NAFSA 2026 Annual Conference and Expo this May.
NAFSA is the largest and most comprehensive association of professionals committed to advancing international higher education. The association believes that international education advances learning and scholarship, fosters understanding and respect among people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is essential for developing globally competent individuals, and builds leadership for the global community.
The complete list of NAFSA awardees is available at www.nafsa.org/awards