UKIC Launches Global Engagement Academy, Promotes Internationalization at UK
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2020) — As the University of Kentucky continues to become a more diverse campus, it also becomes increasingly imperative to support international faculty, staff and students.
With that goal in mind, the UK International Center (UKIC) has launched the Global Engagement Academy (GEA) — a free professional development program designed for faculty and staff to build cross-cutting competencies in international education and engagement.
“As Kentucky’s flagship public research university, global engagement increasingly touches on all of our core institutional missions, priorities and enterprises. This engagement will only grow as we continue to serve an increasingly globally connected Commonwealth,” Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization, said. “The Global Engagement Academy will help prepare faculty and staff with the tools they need to effectively navigate the complex and changing landscape of international education and research.”
Through the program, participants are exposed to various aspects of campus internationalization — making it an ideal professional development opportunity for those interested in teaching or conducting research abroad. It will also help faculty and staff learn how to work closely with students from other countries, manage international transactions and represent the university globally.
Participants will also be trained in how to implement policies and best practices regarding international engagement from experts across campus, while developing cross-cultural communication skills and identifying university resources for international engagement.
Faculty and staff can choose to take as few or as many courses as they want, and there are no pre-requisites required.
Foundation courses include Internationalization at UK and Global Trends, Intercultural Communication, and Global Mobility. Electives are offered under the following themes or tracks:
- Strategy & Partnership
- International Recruitment
- Going Abroad
- Student Success
- Hiring & Hosting
- Budget & Operations
Those who complete the three foundation courses and any three elective courses, within three years, will receive the GEA certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for a $250 academy grant to support their professional development plans.
Currently, there are two foundation courses and four electives being offered. To register for the Global Engagement Academy, visit the UKIC website. If you have questions, please contact shan.huang@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.