UK International Center emphasizes global learning at first ever Global Fair for Faculty and Staff
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 13, 2025) – The University of Kentucky International Center recently hosted its first ever Global Fair for Faculty and Staff in the Gatton Student Center. The fair brought together globally-minded UK employees. to network and promote global learning opportunities at UK.
“This first ever Global Fair was a great success,” said Associate Provost for Internationalization Sue Roberts. “We work with so many outstanding partners and collaborators across the university, and this event was our way of celebrating all of those people and making more connections, as well as helping faculty and staff find opportunities centered around internationalization available to them at UK they may not be familiar with.”
Attendees at the event could network with their globally-minded peers, which created space for collaboration and learning. “It’s so important to create spaces like this to bring together those of us interested in all things global,” said Assistant Provost for Global Health Initiatives Melody Ryan. “This event really showcased how much UK has to offer when it comes to internationalization while also serving as the perfect opportunity to connect with colleagues and brainstorm future initiatives and how we can all work together to further advance UK.”
UKIC adopted a new definition of “global learning” in 2024, which was approved by the International Advisory Council. The Council consists of representatives from colleges and units across campus and acts in an advisory capacity to the Associate Provost for Internationalization and the International Center.
This new definition emphasizes global learning as a life-long learning process centered around understanding problems and seeking solutions with a global, collaborative mindset. It also emphasizes specific knowledge, skills and attitudes that shape well-rounded and prepared citizens.
“A global perspective is vital for our students,” said Roberts. “We want them to be prepared for a global world and to be ready to tackle the world’s biggest problems with relevant knowledge and skills.”
The Global Fair served as an event for faculty and staff to connect about some of these programs and initiatives that promote global learning, such as COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning), Fulbright opportunities, education abroad and more.
“There are countless ways UK faculty and staff can get more involved in global learning,” said Roberts. “This event served as the perfect chance to highlight some of those ways, and we were thrilled to connect with our fellow UK employees in person. We look forward to hosting this event in the years to come.”