An expert in hospitality and tourism management, Missouri State University’s Dr. Nancy Kageyama has long been interested in professional development opportunities related to international education.

She can now bring to life this interest as a member of the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Program’s second cohort. An associate professor of hospitality leadership in the Darr College of Agriculture’s School of Hospitality and Agricultural Leadership, Kageyama was among eight faculty members selected for the 2026 cohort. The group includes representation from each of the university’s colleges.

“I’m grateful for the college’s support and excited for the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the university,” she said.

This initiative supports faculty in developing, implementing and leading faculty-directed education abroad programs. It offers a dynamic learning opportunity for them to enhance their global engagement, foster cultural immersion and create meaningful educational experiences for students.

“We’re thrilled to support these faculty members in their journey to create global learning experiences that not only enrich students’ academic careers but also foster greater global awareness and responsibility,” said Elizabeth Strong, director of the office of education abroad. “Through the Fellows Program, we aim to empower faculty to create programs that have a lasting impact on students’ education and personal growth.”

Integrating global perspectives

Kageyama teaches courses, such as Guest Experiences, Hospitality Marketing and Hospitality and Tourism Analytics. She also conducts research on consumer behavior, destination experiences and students’ intercultural learning.

While at Missouri State, she established a partnership with Chihlee University of Technology in Taiwan and has explored hosting Missouri State students there to strengthen the collaboration.

“With the goal of leading an education abroad program in 2027, I hope to deepen my understanding of how to effectively plan and lead a successful education abroad program,” Kageyama said.

She believes international exposure is essential for hospitality and tourism students because the industry is global and requires regular interaction with people from diverse cultures. This experience will benefit their future careers.

“Experiencing different cultures firsthand helps students develop cultural competence, adapt to varied guest expectations and communicate more effectively,” Kageyama said.

She added it also exposes students to global industry standards, emerging trends and sustainable practices, ultimately preparing them to work confidently and respectfully in a multicultural environment.

Developing a sustainability mindset

With a sustainability emphasis, the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Program includes:

• A series of interactive workshops designed to connect fellows with essential education abroad resources and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to develop impactful global learning experiences
• An eight-day travel experience to Barcelona, Spain

After completing two workshops thus far, the most impactful takeaway for Kageyama has been gaining insight into diverse campus perspectives. Hearing how faculty integrate their disciplines into education abroad programs was especially valuable. Learning about the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals also broadened her understanding of sustainability.

“I realize sustainability extends far beyond environmental issues. It also includes social, cultural and economic dimensions,” she said.

“Hearing how different disciplines approach education abroad helped me see how tourism can support local communities, preserve cultural heritage and promote responsible global engagement.”

Barcelona bound

When Kageyama visits Barcelona with the other fellows this summer, she looks forward most to experiencing the city’s rich culture and history firsthand.

“As someone in the hospitality and tourism field, seeing how Spain has developed its tourism industry — while preserving its cultural identity — will be incredibly valuable,” she said.

She is also excited to learn from and interact with her fellow cohort members as conversations often spark new ideas and perspectives.

Additionally, she is eager to observe how cultural activities are designed and implemented within education abroad programs.

“Gaining this insight will help me think more creatively and intentionally about shaping meaningful, culturally grounded experiences for my own students in the future,” she said.

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