SUU Awarded IDEAS Grant to Expand Study Abroad Opportunities
Published: September 30, 2024 | Author: Lawrence Mbaki | Read Time: 2 minutes
Southern Utah University (SUU)'s Office of Learning Abroad has been awarded a $35,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) through the 2024 Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program. This grant is part of a broader initiative in which 37 grants– totaling nearly $1.3 million–were awarded to U.S. colleges and universities to enhance international education opportunities for American students.
SUU’s grant project aims to expand its study abroad program through the creation of a mentorship initiative. This program will help increase accessibility and awareness of studying abroad by connecting students with guidance and resources. The IDEAS program aligns with U.S. foreign policy goals and supports universities in creating, diversifying, and expanding their international education offerings. Leading the project at SUU is Tayah Nelson, Office of Learning Abroad coordinator and principal investigator (PI) for the grant.
“The proposal process was long and challenging. It took several rounds of research, writing, and revision to perfect our submission, but all that hard work paid off after our third attempt. The benefits of this project for SUU and its students far outweigh the obstacles we faced,” said Nelson. “This grant will allow us to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and overall quality of our study abroad programs. We plan to collaborate with key offices on campus to develop marketing strategies, identify and address barriers, and more effectively leverage the incredible experiential learning opportunities that study abroad provides.”
The Office of Learning Abroad at SUU offers a range of international and domestic programs, including semester exchanges, short-term study abroad trips, volunteer and internship opportunities, and the National Student Exchange. The vision is to enable SUU students, faculty, and staff to experience other cultures, cultivate empathy, and pursue personal growth through global learning experiences.
Director of Learning Abroad and Fulbright program advisor, Kurt Harris, said,“The IDEAS grant will allow us to create more life-changing opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to travel overseas for educational experiences. Our project, called the ‘T-Bird Education Abroad Mentorship (TEAM),’ is designed to make study abroad accessible to students who face barriers in pursuing these opportunities. We’re excited to see how this program will grow and diversify our study abroad community.”
With the support of the IDEAS Grant, SUU’s study abroad programs are poised to become even more inclusive and impactful, allowing students to explore the world and enrich their academic and personal lives.
SUU’s SPARC office (Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research, and Contracts) supports faculty, staff, and administrators in securing external funding for projects and programs. From concept development to project management, the SPARC office provides comprehensive assistance to ensure successful grant applications and funded initiatives.
This [article] was funded [in part] by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.
Tags: CurStu SPARC Prospective Students International Affairs
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
4355865400
brookeheath1@suu.edu