Missouri State University has announced its inaugural cohort of the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program.

This year’s cohort consists of eight faculty members from a diverse range of disciplines. Among the eight are three members of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) faculty.

Those individuals are Jeff Loughary from the Department of Languages, Cultures and Religions, Nikki Ferry from the Department of Theatre and Dance and Dr. William Harwood from the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.

Other selected Fellows are Dr. Benjamin Beranek from the College of Business, Clara Dickinson from the Darr College of Agriculture, Dr. Asif Ishtiaque from the College of Natural and Applied Sciences, and Kelly Dudley and Stephanie Urich from the McQueary College of Health and Human Services.

In addition, four RCASH faculty members served as content experts during the Fellows session in January. They were Joshua Albers from the Department of Art and Design, Dr. William Sandel from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Dr. Leslie Seawright and Dr. Alan Tinkler from the Department of English.

“I was excited to work with the inaugural Education Abroad faculty cohort, sharing ways to weave general education goals and course learning objectives into their education abroad itineraries,” Seawright said. “It was a great conversation.”

“Study abroad is an incredible opportunity for both our faculty and students,” Sandel said. “I was happy to share some of my experiences regarding flexibility when planning and conducting a study abroad program.”

Bringing faculty closer to Education Abroad goals

Missouri State created the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows initiative to support faculty in the development, implementation and leadership of faculty-directed education abroad programs.

“The Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program is a key step in enhancing Missouri State University’s commitment to global learning and cultural engagement,” said Elizabeth Strong, Director of Education Abroad.

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, according to Strong.

“We are 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,” Strong said. “Through the Fellows program, we aim to empower faculty to create programs that have a lasting impact on students’ education and personal growth.”

Theme highlights sustainability

The Fellows will participate in a series of interactive workshops designed to connect faculty with essential education abroad resources. These activities will also equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to develop impactful learning experiences.

This year’s program theme emphasizes sustainability, according to Strong. The program ends with a five-day travel experience to Costa Rica, where the Fellows will engage with sustainability-themed content.

The experience provides practical learning opportunities and insight into how the Fellows can incorporate sustainable practices into their future education abroad programs, Strong explained. This will “ensure they are well-prepared to lead enriching, culturally immersive travel experiences for students in the future,” she added.

RCASH Fellows speak about the program

Jeff Loughary

Loughary, who has been teaching at Missouri State for nearly 10 years, said he felt excited and honored to be selected for the cohort. He was drawn to the Education Abroad program because of his academic specialty in the French language.

“As a French teacher, I want my students to go beyond their familiar circles to see new parts of the world,” Loughary said. “Travel is vitally important to engage with new people, perspectives and places.”

He hopes to launch his Education Abroad course in May or June 2026. Although his course is still in the planning stages, Morocco is his top choice at this time.

“Proficiency in French will not be a requirement, but there will be opportunities for students to engage with French and Arabic speaking communities,” he said.

Regardless of which country he finally selects, Loughary plans to address the sustainability theme by having students explore one or two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. He also wants to emphasize immersive learning experiences in his curriculum.

“By visiting and working with local communities, students will explore global problems at a local level and then make comparisons to similar issues facing their home communities,” he explained.

“Once students travel beyond their usual comfort zones, they recognize themselves as part of the global community,” he added. “I am most excited to hear about the international friendships that come out of our Education Abroad programs.”

Nikki Ferry

Ferry traced her interest in the Education Abroad program to her own experiences with studying abroad.

“Education Abroad has an especially prominent place in my educational experience,” she said. “I first traveled to Australia when I was a junior in high school and then studied in Russia during graduate school. Both programs left an impression on me.”

Ferry, who has taught at Missouri State for two years, attended an Education Abroad information session led by Strong. She confessed she left feeling a bit “overwhelmed” by the enormous amount of planning necessary to conduct an Education Abroad course.

The Faculty Fellows program was her answer.

“When I saw applications open for the Inaugural Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program, I knew I needed to apply,” she said. “This program would support me in my formation of a successful faculty-led Education Abroad program.”

Greece offers rich theatre history

Ferry selected Greece for her Education Abroad experience and hopes to conduct her course in the spring or summer of 2026.

“This specific region has a rich history and significance in relation to theater,” she said about her choice. “I am confident that an Education Abroad program that enables students to explore historic locations like the Acropolis, the Theatre at Epidaurus and Delphi would enrich their understanding of theatre history and Greek theatre while also immersing them in a diverse culture.” Ferry plans to assign readings of Greek plays to supplement this immersive experience.

The country also serves as an excellent conduit to explore the sustainability theme, Ferry believes. She pointed out that Greece is actively committed to meeting United Nations’ Sustainable Development goals.

“Greece is a maritime nation, relying heavily on shipping,” she added. “This opens the ability to explore the Sustainable Development Goal of “Life Below Water” by exploring the balance of commerce, sea tourism and conservation.”

William Harwood

Harwood has taught at Missouri State for seven years. Like Ferry, he chose Greece for his Education Abroad experience.

“I was prepared for being in awe of a place I’ve studied for more than half my life,” he said of his visit to the country in 2024. “I wasn’t prepared for the professional stimulation and personal connection.”

While in Greece, Harwood explored several important cultural and historic sites, including Athens, Heraklion, Mycenae, Delphi and Corinth.

“I simply fell in love with Greece,” he said. “One cannot toss a stone [there] without it landing upon some site of significance for both the ancient world and our contemporary one.”

In addition to being selected for the Education Abroad Fellows, Harwood earned a summer Faculty Fellowship for June 2025. During that fellowship, he will conduct research and “lay the groundwork” for his education abroad experience. He is also teaching himself modern Greek in preparation.

His education abroad experience will emphasize “solidifying relationships with museum curators, transportation companies, tour guides, university scholars and the Hellenic Republic’s Ministry of Culture.”

Like Loughary and Ferry, Harwood also hopes to reinforce the sustainability theme through immersive learning.

“Sustainability incorporates numerous concerns, from building contacts such that the program is not simply a one-off, to respecting the local communities with regards to their environmental and socioeconomic flourishing,” he added.

Keeping public affairs mission in focus

All three Fellows expressed a commitment to reflect Missouri State’s public affairs mission in their courses.

“Travel to a new place lends itself well to all three pillars of the MSU Public Affairs Mission,” Loughary said. “Learning about the customs, history and current situations of a new place enriches students’ cultural competence in every way.”

“Students may be timid before or at the beginning of travel, but they become leaders and travel advocates in their home communities when they return,” he added.

Ferry also stressed the significance of exposure to different cultures as part of the public affairs mission.

“By immersing themselves in a culture different from their own, [students] will examine both the similarities and differences of their culture and others,” she explained. “They will also explore how other cultures influence their art form, be it theatre or dance, from a historical and contemporary standpoint.”

“I have no doubt that they will come back changed, not only academically and emotionally, but also personally and publicly,” Harwood said of his students. “They will return with a new, critical eye toward their own roles both as citizens of our nation and as members of a broader world.”

“I am looking to share my love of Greece and Greek Theatre with my students while watching them grow as global citizens,” Ferry said. “I hope they share these experiences with members of their communities, and we have an exciting time learning, traveling and exploring!”