September 19, 2024 Associate Provost Global Engagement Update

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September 19, 2024

September Associate Provost Global Engagement Update

We were delighted to welcome new international students in our semester programs at the Law School and Jesuit School of Theology that started last month and are excited for our new international students in our quarter programs joining us this month. SCU supports over 1,600 international students and they are important members of our global community.

This past month I served on the CEO Search Committee for the Association for International Education Administrators (AIEA). AIEA is an important organization supporting colleges and universities in realizing their strategic goals for international education. The search involved a CEO transition after nineteen years and I was privileged to serve with six other colleagues on a search that included applicants from around the globe.

As well, I recently joined the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) International Education Executive Board. This board works to promote collaboration across Jesuit universities and the sharing of practices. In particular, I look forward to the work of this board on deepening the governance practices and commitment to global diversity in Jesuit international higher education.

As we look to the year ahead, in particular, we look forward to engaging with the SCU community on advancing The Impact 2030 Strategic Plan Priority One: Reach On a Global Scale, including increasing the number of undergraduate students who participate in global study programs, as well as increasing our international students numbers and expanding our international partnerships.

I hope your academic year is off to an exciting start. This is our fall preview Global Engagement Update where you can see updates on long-term projects like the implementation of a new software system to enhance support for international students and scholars, Sunapsis; see announcements of exciting new initiatives like a Global Engagement award for faculty; and add programming to your calendar now in anticipation of fall opportunities to engage with global diversity and intercultural learning. We have many opportunities for engagement for students, faculty, and staff. As always, please feel free to reach out to me at spopko@scu.edu if I can be helpful.

Best,
Susan Popko
Associate Provost for International Programs

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Global Programs

Announcing New Global Engagement Award for Faculty

We are pleased to announce the new Barbara Cassin Award for Excellence in Global Engagement for faculty which will be awarded for the first time in 2024-25. The Barbara Cassin award recognizes outstanding faculty efforts supporting global engagement annually. All faculty, staff, and students are welcome to nominate faculty members for this award. Nominations are due April 22, 2025. Visit our website for more information.

Faculty/Staff Opportunity to Join the iExchange Program

The iExchange program provides faculty and staff with an opportunity to support international students. Faculty and staff are encouraged to register online by October 2 for SCU’s international student buddy program for 2024-25. iExchange matches international students with SCU faculty and staff to provide cultural support and an introduction to U.S. culture. The program fosters intercultural exchange and provides international students a personal experience of American culture and “Bronco hospitality.” Learn more about iExchange on the Global Engagement website.

International Faculty and Scholar Reception

Faculty and staff are invited to join us for the International Faculty and Scholar Reception on November 5, 2024 from 4-6PM in Aloysius Varsi Hall. Food and drinks will be provided. RSVP online.

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International Student Welcome

Welcome new international students! Over the month we have welcomed 450 new international students in undergraduate and graduate programs from countries such as China, India, Thailand, Malaysia, and more for the start of the academic year. Learn more about SCU’s international student demographics on our website.

New Sunapsis International Student Support System Goes Live This Fall

SCU’s international student population has grown from 375 students to almost 1,700 students in the last decade and to support our large international student population we have been working on implementing a new system, Sunapsis. The Sunapsis implementation project kicked-off in Fall 2023 and is scheduled to go live on November 4. This massive data conversion and integration project has been happening with leadership from Melissa Heid in Global Engagement and Jake Day in Information Technology, and support from a host of people including Rafael Espinoza and Nancy Cutler in Information Technology.

Graphic saying registration for the SCU Study Abroad Get Started Advising Series is now open

Study Abroad Get Started Advising Module is Live

Get started now with study abroad by learning more about global programs for all undergraduates. Sign up for Get Started Advising in Camino. This module helps students consider how study abroad can help them with their academic, personal, and career goals, and includes information on finances and scholarships.

Get Started Advising also covers eligibility requirements and the application. Students are strongly encouraged to begin planning for study abroad and global programs in their first year.

Global Opportunities Expo

The 2024-25 Global Opportunities Expo is October 17, 2024, 11AM-1PM in the Benson Center California Mission Room. Students should stop by to learn about programs and opportunities available for education abroad at SCU.

New Study Abroad Application Rolling Admissions

For 2024-25 we are introducing rolling admissions for study abroad. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis during our upcoming application filing period, November 18 through December 5. This change will enhance transparency in the admission processes. Prospective students can learn detailed information through our newsletter, info sessions, and mandatory Get Started Advising series. More information will be shared with campus soon.

Faculty and staff are invited to learn more by signing-up for our Rolling Basis Info Webinar via Zoom on Wednesday, October 2 at 12PM. Also, faculty and staff who are interested in participating in the study abroad application by reviewing student applications for 2025-26 abroad can sign up starting October 15, 2024.

Opus Prize Week and International Education Week

Global Engagement is honored to host an event on campus during Opus Prize week, which begins on November 11, to recognize and celebrate one of the award finalists, Cătălin and Bianca Albu from Jesuit Refugee Service on November 14 from 9:30-11AM. Opus Prize week overlaps with International Education Week, an annual celebration of international education and exchange worldwide. Stay tuned for more information on our programming.

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SCU Insurance Verification for University-Sponsored Student Travel Abroad

SCU has a new Insurance Verification for Student Travel Abroad form. This form is mandatory for all undergraduate and graduate students abroad on university-sponsored international travel. The Insurance Verification form joins the other two mandatory forms, the SCU Waiver and SCU Health Report that are required for student travel.

Proposing Programs Abroad and Supporting International Travel

Faculty and staff are invited to join us for a presentation on proposing international travel at SCU. Members of the Travel Policy Advisory Committee will present. Mark your calendars for October 29, 12:00-1:00PM, location TBD. Lunch will be provided. RSVP by October 15.

University Institutional Memberships Supporting Global Engagement

Did you know that faculty and staff have access to institutional memberships that support work in global diversity and global learning? If you have questions about how to use the resources that these memberships provide in your work please contact Global Engagement at associateprovostglobal@scu.edu. Institutional Memberships include:

Forum on Education Abroad
Institute of International Education
Diversity Abroad
Overseas Security Advisory Council

Committees and Working Groups in Global Engagement

To learn more about the committees and working groups that enhance the work we do in Global Engagement, visit our website.

Abroaden Your Horizons Podcast

Students interested in study abroad and global stories - check out our Abroaden Your Horizons Podcast, which highlights SCU student stories about study abroad, global programs, and diverse cultural experiences. This month’s podcast episode is: “Lisbon, Portugal with Alex Xanthos,” where SCU student Alex Xanthos shares about her study abroad experience in Lisbon, Portugal. Several topics covered in this episode include: identity, acquiring visas, spending time alone, and self care practices while abroad.

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