Faculty Fellows Program

Education Abroad Faculty Fellows will begin accepting applications for the Spring 2026 cohort in Fall of 2025. Stay tuned for more information! 

Program Overview 

The Missouri State University Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program aims to support faculty in developing, implementing, and executing faculty directed education abroad programs. Each interactive workshop is designed to connect Fellows with education abroad resources and enable faculty to apply their expertise in program design. The Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Program will empower Fellows to create education abroad experiences that promote cultural immersion and engaged learning.

Program Structure 

The program includes the following components: 

  • Four In-Person Workshops which covered key aspects of faculty directed program development including academic frameworks, financial planning, health and safety, sustainability, and cultural integration. 
  • Two Asynchronous Digital Workshops 
    • Education Abroad Program Planning Workshop, the basics of leading a program.
    • Marketing and Recruitment for Faculty Directed Programs 
  • A Culminating Experience abroad led by Education Abroad Director Elizabeth Strong, and Education Abroad Coordinator Morgan Marler. On this travel portion of the Faculty Fellows program, faculty are immersed in  sustainability practices in global education through hands-on activities, collaborative workshops, and cultural excursions.  


 Benefits of Participation 

Professional Development and Growth 
  • Enhanced Teaching Strategies: Fellows gain exposure to diverse pedagogical methods and cultural perspectives which can be integrated into their own teaching practices. 
  • Research Opportunities: Participation can open doors to new research topics and methodologies influenced by international perspectives, potentially leading to collaborations and publications. 
  • Networking: Fellows connect with other educators and professionals, fostering valuable partnerships and academic collaborations. 
  • Cultural Competence: Fellows develop a deeper understanding of different cultures, which can enhance their ability to teach and mentor students from diverse backgrounds. 
  • Leadership Skills: Leading an international program builds leadership and organizational skills that are beneficial within and beyond the academic setting. 
  • Guided Support: Acquire tools and resources necessary for program leadership, one-on-one assistance, and access to Education Abroad resources. 
  • Compensation: Education Abroad Program Directors are compensated for their education abroad leadership work. 
Institutional Benefits 
  • Increased College/Department Visibility: By engaging in international programs, Fellows can raise the profile of their college or department on a global stage, highlighting MSU’s commitment to global education. 
  • Attracting Students: MSU’s most recent National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) data indicates that 24 percent of first-year students intend to study abroad. By their senior year, only six percent of respondents studied abroad. Students are seeking global experiences and the faculty directed program model is the most popular option at MSU. 

Expectations 

Participants are expected to attend all four workshops (in person), two digital sessions, and participate in the culminating travel experience. Engagement in discussions and active participation in learning activities are integral to maximizing the program's benefits. 

Education Abroad Faculty Fellows commit to directing an education abroad program within one year of completing the Education Abroad Faculty Fellows Program. During the planning and implementation of that program, Fellows will have the assistance and support of Education Abroad Coordinator Morgan Marler. 

Education Abroad Faculty Fellows will serve as Education Abroad advocates in their respective departments to strengthen MSU’s network of globally minded champions.

Eligibility and Selection Process 

The Education Abroad Faculty Fellows program is open to all MSU full-time faculty members (tenured and tenure-track faculty, senior instructors, lecturer instructors). 

All applicants who are approved by their college/school and academic department will be considered, but preference will be given to faculty who have never directed an education abroad program, have never taught for MSU internationally, and have never taken a group of research students to an international study site. The Education Abroad Advisory Committee, the Education Abroad Director, and Education Abroad Coordinator will review applications and communicate the decisions. 

 

Learn more and apply