Welcoming Sara Thurston, PhD, as the New Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Sara Thurston, PhD, as the new Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Northwestern University’s Buffett Institute for Global Affairs. She brings more than 25 years of experience supporting international students and scholars to our community.
Dr. Thurston joins us from Kansas State University, where she served as the Director of International Student and Scholar Services for nearly 17 years. In this role, she oversaw F-1 and J-1 advising, program development and crisis/personal support for Kansas State University’s nearly 2,000 international students, scholars and their dependents—a community that represents more than 100 countries. Her career in international education also includes positions at Roosevelt University, the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
An active leader in NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Dr. Thurston has held numerous leadership roles, including two terms on the NAFSA Board of Directors. Currently, she is the Conference Chair of the 2025 Annual Conference in San Diego, California. Among her many accolades, she received the 2013 NAFSA Region II Bruce Tracy Award for her outstanding contributions to international education and the 2015 Homer Higbee Award for Distinguished Service to NAFSA.
Originally from Wisconsin, Dr. Thurston holds a BA in Spanish and Art History and an MEd in Counseling and College Student Personnel from the University of Louisville. She earned her PhD in Higher Education Administration from Loyola University Chicago and received a Fulbright International Educational Administrator Award to South Korea in 2011.
Dr. Thurston's extensive background and commitment to international education will be invaluable as we continue to support and enhance the experience of our international students and scholars. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome to Northwestern University.