Skip to main
University-wide Navigation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 21, 2023) — As the University of Kentucky continues to become a more globally engaged campus, it is important that all faculty and staff have the opportunity to be informed about UK’s many international connections and to contribute to internationalization themselves.  

Established in the spring of 2020, the Global Engagement Academy (GEA) offers free professional development for faculty and staff to build cross-cutting competencies in international education and engagement. Since the program’s inception, 234 UK faculty and staff have participated in the 90 sessions that have been offered so far. The spring 2023 GEA will help past participants build on the foundational knowledge of previous courses, while welcoming new participants just getting started.

“As Kentucky’s flagship public research university, global engagement enhances all our core institutional missions and advances UK’s strategic plan, the UK Purpose,” said Sue Roberts, associate provost for internationalization. “The Global Engagement Academy also supports faculty and staff by giving them, in a very accessible way, the tools they need to effectively navigate the complex and changing landscape of international higher education, research and service.”  

Through the Academy, participants are exposed to various aspects of campus internationalization — making it an ideal professional development opportunity for those who may be interested in teaching or conducting research abroad themselves, or who may be supporting global learning and research. It will also help faculty and staff learn how to work effectively with students and scholars from other countries, manage international transactions and represent the university globally. 

Participants will learn from experts across campus about implementing policies and best practices regarding international engagement, while developing cross-cultural communication skills and identifying university resources for international engagement.  

Faculty and staff can choose to take as few or as many of the academy’s short courses as they want, and there are no pre-requisites. Courses are an hour and a half each, and they are offered in person and virtually.

This spring, two foundation courses are being offered: Internationalization at UK and Global Trends and Intercultural Communication. Electives offered include: 

  • Advising International Graduate Students
  • Decolonizing Global Health
  • Exploring UK’s Global Footprint
  • “Go Away”: Broaden Horizons, Banish FOMO, and Sell Your Students on Education Abroad 
  • Hiring and Hosting International Faculty and Staff (J-1 and F-1 OPT Employment)
  • International Travel Readiness

This semester, the UK International Center will host two presentations on cultural humility, led by Dr. Laura Cruz, and Dr. Noel Habashy, from Penn State University. These can count as GEA elective courses and will take place on March 30 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. and on March 31 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Both will take place in-person in the Gatton College of Business and Economics, room 127 and are open to the entire UK community as well as GEA participants.

Those who complete three foundation courses and any three elective courses within three years, will receive the GEA certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for a $250 academy grant to support their professional development plans. 

Click here to register for Spring GEA offerings. To learn more about the Global Engagement Academy, visit the UKIC website. If you have questions, please contact melody.ryan@uky.edu