Author: globalinitiatives


  • Community ESL Classes Benefit All 

    The Intensive English Institute(IEI), in collaboration with multiple, local non-profits, has been offering free ESL classes to the Muncie community since 2016. Currently, the IEI is offering free ESL classes at the Ross Community Center. These classes are a collaborative project between Ball State University and the Ross Community Center. ESL classes run throughout the […]

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  • Previous Faculty Spotlight: Kirk Robey

    Do you remember…the former Director of Foreign Student Programs, Kirk Robey?  Kirk joined Ball State in 1976, as an immigration specialist and advisor to international students. We recently had a chance to catch up with him.  Prior to coming to Ball State, Kirk graduated from the University of Buffalo (New York) with a master’s degree […]

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  • Global Advocacy: Faculty Spotlight – Dr. John Pichtel

    Dr. John Pichtel, Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Resources, in the College of Sciences and Humanities, has led an effort to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mahidol University in Thailand.    Dr. Pichtel began this collaboration prior to the pandemic through discussions with institutional administrators and faculty at Mahidol University.  This MOU formally […]

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  • How is “Internationalization” measured?

    Global university activity and engagement is challenging to fully assess.  Participation in international projects is a longstanding aspect of measuring engagement.  When a university earnestly participates in this work, it may result in global mobility, but it commonly includes faculty professional development, organizational improvement, as well as research and publication opportunities. Similarly, the humanitarian and […]

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  • Introducing: Rinker Center for Global Affairs

    When the Rinker Center for International Programs was established in 1994, the term “international” focused on institutional growth areas of individual student mobility and connection across national borders. The Rinker Center continues to catalyze such activity and connection, but effective worldwide learning and learners depend upon the skilled navigation of a world of mobilized people, […]

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  • How Engagement Takes Root: International Student Support Efforts

    BSU International Partnership facilitation can be a matter of endless details. Student onboarding, arrivals, support, credit transfer, and graduations are connected through the Academic Engagement and Global Initiatives team. In August 2021, our cohort of students arrived amidst the pandemic, systemic change, international turmoil, and several long warm days. Immediately after arriving, our students checked […]

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  • Internationalization Faculty Fellows Spotlight: Passport Saturdays with Dr. John Anderson

    In May 2021, 10 BSU faculty were provided a week of professional development and support focused on their proposed Internationalization projects. Faculty brought faculty-led study abroad proposals, partnership development opportunities, curriculum internationalization and review concepts, and other well-designed and insightful efforts. Over the course of the 2021-22 Academic Year, these IZN Faculty Fellows will shepherd […]

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