BTAA Summit 2026

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 - Friday, March 27, 2026

The BTAA Summit is a multi-day conference designed for colleagues from the Big Ten universities to explore and share ideas for maximizing international student engagement on campus. The Summit also offers opportunities to connect with peers across the Big Ten who share similar professional interests, exchange ideas, and learn how others are advancing success in the international education field.

Attendees include colleagues from international student and scholar offices, as well as those from colleges or departments whose work involves collaborating with these offices to support international students and scholars.

Through presentations and roundtable discussions, participants will exchange insights and best practices across a wide range of topics. Both new and experienced professionals are encouraged to attend.

BTAA Summit Communication List

To be added to the BTAA Summit communication list of professionals working in international student and scholar services across Big Ten universities, please complete this form.

This list is ongoing and passed on to the next host university.

Communication Sign-up

BTAA Summit 2026, Presenter Sign-Up

If you are interested in presenting, co-presenting, or serving on a panel at the 2026 BTAA Summit, please complete this form. Completing this form will help the University of Iowa planning committee in selecting session topics and making connecting among colleagues wishing to present with someone else.

Presenter Sign-Up

Summit Schedule

Day One / Wednesday, March 25, 2026

TBA

Day Two / Thursday, March 26, 2026

TBA

Day Three / Friday, March 27, 2026

TBA

Presenter Bios

To be added...

Travel & Parking

To be added...

Places to Eat & Hotels

Visiting from out of town? Below are some highlights for places to eat, things to do, and hotel options close by. Additional details will be provided to those who register for the summit regarding hotel and meal accommodations during the summit.

Places to Eat
For places to eat located inside the University Capitol Centre, visit the Capitol Mall's directory.

For places to eat in downtown Iowa City, visit the Iowa City Downtown District food and drink guide.

For more options, visit Think Iowa City's restaurant guide.

Hotels

For hotels within walking distance of the university campus, visit the Iowa City Downtown District hotel guide.

For more options, visit Think Iowa City's hotel guide.

Things to Do

Shopping
Shops located within walking distance of campus can be found on the Iowa City Downtown District shopping guide.

Located 5 miles from campus is the Coral Ridge Mall.

Things to Do
Looking for events and activities happening in the area? Visit the Think Iowa City visitor guide.

2026 Summit Organizers

Michael Bortscheller

Director

International Student & Scholar Services

michael-bortscheller@uiowa.edu

319-335-0335

Michael oversees the iHawk database program, developing the online Pre-Arrival Checklist for incoming students and E-Form applications, and monitoring daily immigration record alerts. He serves as Responsible Officer for J-1 programs, specializing in scholar regulations and processes. He works closely with ITS, the Registrar, Admissions, and other offices to ensure student and scholar data flows smoothly and accurately, and is responsible for training and overseeing staff use of iHawk. He is responsible for international student enrollment data and statistical reports including Open Doors, and assessment of the international student fee and undergraduate orientation fee. Michael has Bachelor’s degrees in Linguistics and Spanish and a Master’s in Linguistics with an emphasis on Teaching English as a Second Language, has studied Spanish in Spain, and has spent time in Canada, England, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, and Nebraska.

Brandon Paulson

Associate Director

International Student & Scholar Services

brandon-paulson@uiowa.edu

319-335-0335

Besides advising duties, Brandon's area of specialization includes intercultural training, where he oversees the Building Our Global Community certificate series, Engaging Across Cultures certificate program, the Bridge program, and special requests for individualized training sessions. Brandon serves as orientation coordinator, arranging content and schedules for orientation programs. Brandon holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a Master's in Education with an emphasis on Student Affairs Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He has studied in the United Kingdom, has studied Spanish, and has spent time in Costa Rica, Canada, Ireland, Spain, England, and Scotland.

Shuhui Lin

International Education Program & Student Affairs Advisor

International Student & Scholar Services

shuhui-lin@uiowa.edu

319-335-0335

Lin focuses on the support and retention of international students through outreach and engagement. She also provides assistance with intercultural training and a first-year seminar course. Lin provides support on international education efforts more broadly, such as co-chairing the International Education Week committee and more. Lin earned her bachelor's degree in communication studies, and Master's degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of Iowa. She is from Guangzhou, China, speaks Cantonese and Mandarin, and is now learning Korean.

Daniel Vorwerk

Assistant Director

Communications & Relations

daniel-vorwerk@uiowa.edu

319-467-1619

International Programs at Iowa

The University of Iowa is committed to enriching the global experience of students, faculty, staff, and the greater community. International Programs (IP) does this by providing leadership and support for internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement; we encourage students to see the world in a whole new way. IP is comprised of International Student and Scholar Services, Study Abroad, Student Grants & Fellowships, Faculty Funding & Services, Communications & Relations, and a U.S. Passport Office. Our goal: To connect Iowa with the world and the world with Iowa.

International Programs Monthly Newsletter

Stay current on all that's happening in International Programs at the University of Iowa throughout the year.

Subscribe Now

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Daniel Vorwerk in advance by email at daniel-vorwerk@uiowa.edu or call 319-467-1619.