Arizona State University, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Northeastern University, and UC San Diego will each receive the funding over four years to establish new study abroad programs, as part of CIEE’s Pledge to Lead Change in Study Abroad.
The initiative seeks to create international exchange programs that will advance institutional goals while improving student outcomes.
It hopes to provide examples of how a well-designed program can improve college enrolments, student retention rates, student graduation rates, and enhance student employability and economic mobility.
Each of the four winners has pledged to match the $1 million grant, resulting in a total of $8 million in funding for students to study abroad in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Chosen from a pool of 21 proposals, James P. Pellow, president and CEO of CIEE described each as “ambitious and truly impressive”.
“They included first-year programs for quarter and semester schools, programs targeting first-generation and Pell-eligible students, programs designed to open doors for engineers and women in science, and programs that focused on experiential learning, including internships and global service,” said Pellow.
The four initiatives chosen were favoured for being “bold” and “well-designed”, as well as being deemed most likely to enhance institutional and student success measures.
“We look forward to working with these four globally-minded and student-centred organisations over the next four years to help them lead change in study abroad at their institutions and serve as role models for the field of higher education,” said Pellow.
Arizona State University‘s success in the initiative will see it enhance its 10-year investment in early-start student success programming to launch the Early Start Global Accelerator Program for high-risk, first-year students.
The program is set to engage first-year students with an “intense experience on environmental sustainability and culture in the world-renowned cloud forest of Costa Rica”, the university said in a statement.
“Study abroad is one of the most transformational college experiences that supports student retention and persistence to graduation,” said Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost, ASU.
“For these reasons, ASU has made it our priority to expand access to study abroad opportunities, as it has historically been accessible only to students from higher-income families.”
“This grant from CIEE, which we are proud to match, will help ASU advance our charter commitment to making impactful university experiences accessible to all.”
Meanwhile, the funding for Northeastern University will go towards creating innovative, two-week public health programs in Botswana and Ghana for students from diverse backgrounds – primarily those who qualify for Federal Pell grants – in a bid to increase equity and inclusion across the institution’s offerings.
Also aimed at Pell-eligible students, UC San Diego will be launching its Global Internship program, prioritising underserved populations.
The program will use 8-week CIEE Global Internship programs during students’ first summer as a launch point for participation in The Basement’s Entrepreneurship programs at UC San Diego
“This grant will allow us to enhance our commitment to international experiences for students by offering global internships that not only enrich their academic journey but also provide invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth,” said Alysson Satterlund, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life at UC San Diego.
We are dedicated to preparing our students, especially those who have been historically underserved in the global arena, to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world
Alysson Satterlund, UC San Diego
“We are dedicated to preparing our students, especially those who have been historically underserved in the global arena, to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world; this funding will play a crucial role in achieving that goal.”
The matching grant for Borough of Manhattan Community College will see the BMCC Global Scholars Program established, benefiting 1,000 students over four years via international internships, international service programs, and faculty-led honors programs for exceptional students.
The effort is set to produce a four-fold increase in the number of students who currently participate in study abroad programs each year at the institution.
“By immersing themselves in different cultures, our students will not only broaden their horizons but also enhance their ability to adapt, communicate effectively, and embrace global citizenship,” said Anthony E. Munroe, president, Borough of Manhattan Community College.
“Furthermore, the challenges and uncertainties that come with navigating unfamiliar territories will instil in our students a sense of independence and self-reliance that will serve them well in all their future endeavours.”