Ivy Tech Community College Northeast administrator Martha Martin, International Initiatives coordinator, will participate in the fourth annual EducationUSA Forum from June 26 to 28 in Washington D.C. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the forum will include 500 college and university recruitment and admissions professionals and nearly 60 EducationUSA educational experts from around the world to discuss study abroad opportunities.

Ivy Tech was asked to participate because its “initiatives to internationalize students, faculty, administrators and the community are remarkable,” according to EducationUSA, which pointed to Ivy Tech’s project-based learning programs as an example.

“By welcoming international students and encouraging U.S. students to study abroad, we enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. educational system,” according to EducationUSA. “Not only do higher education institutions connect future global leaders with the American people, foreign students also have a positive economic impact on the United States.”

The U.S. education sector represents the fifth largest U.S. services export and added nearly $23 billion to the U.S. economy in the 2011-2012 fiscal year.

Martin will serve on a panel titled, “Drop the Pin: Community Colleges Add Locations to Their Global Map.”

EducationUSA is supported by the U.S. Department of State and includes hundreds of advising centers globally. The group provides millions of international students with information on applying to U.S. colleges and universities every year.