Missouri State University is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Program, an initiative designed to support faculty in the development, implementation and leadership of faculty-directed education abroad programs. The program offers a dynamic learning opportunity for faculty members to enhance their global engagement, foster cultural immersion and create meaningful educational experiences for students.
This year’s cohort includes eight faculty members from a diverse range of disciplines, each bringing unique expertise and perspectives to the program. The selected fellows are:
- Dr. Benjamin Beranek (College of Business)
- Clara Dickinson (Darr College of Agriculture)
- Kelly Dudley (McQueary College of Health and Human Services)
- Nichole Ferry (Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities)
- Dr. William Harwood (Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities)
- Dr. Asif Ishtiaque (College of Natural and Applied Sciences)
- Jeff Loughary (Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities)
- Stephanie Urich (McQueary College of Health and Human Services)
The fellows will participate in a series of interactive workshops designed to connect them with essential education abroad resources and to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary for developing impactful global learning experiences.
The program places a special emphasis on sustainability, with a culminating five-day travel experience to Costa Rica. During this immersive trip, the fellows will engage with sustainability-themed content, providing both practical learning opportunities and insight into how they can incorporate sustainable practices into their future education abroad programs. The experience will guide faculty members as they begin to shape their own faculty-directed programs, ensuring they are well-prepared to lead enriching, culturally immersive travel experiences for students in the future.
“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 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.”
The Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Program is a key step in enhancing Missouri State’s commitment to global learning and cultural engagement. This program will continue to evolve, and future cohorts will help build a strong foundation for faculty-led education abroad initiatives at the university.
Congratulations to the first cohort of fellows! Stay tuned for more updates on their exciting work in international education.