International student migrants have attended U. S. Colleges and universities for several decades. The Kenyan student airlift that commenced in 1960s with collaboration between U. S. stakeholders ¬¬and Kenya government led to the establishment of scholarship opportunities for students from Sub-Saharan Africa albeit motivational aims to curb the spread of communism as African countries were achieving their independence (Harper II, 2014). Increasingly international students are enrolled in institutions of higher education in the United States (Institute of Higher Education, 2013). The study underscores the importance of Africa in promotion of diversity among student population and cross-cultural understanding in U.S. colleges and universities. The purpose of this presentation will be to discuss how U.S. universities advance recruitment of international students and student-athletes and to provide strategic ways to make connections between athletic departments and office of admissions. Research information from extant literature and personal experiences informs the presentation. Emergent themes center on strategic recruitment efforts and scholarship options for athletes, international students, and U. S. citizens. Finally this presentation will provide an insider’s view on how a university can develop scholarships and use them as recruitment tools to bring positive impact on institutional academic programs and socio-cultural diversity._x000D_
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Key terms: International student-athletes, diversity, recruitment, scholarships, higher education