Renewed partnership with IEP will streamline Education Abroad process

Through a renewed collaborative partnership with International Educations Programs (IEP), Education Abroad programs will offer faculty streamlined services for ”one stop shopping.”

With the goal of expanding education abroad opportunities, IEP will provide services to include: education abroad office management, application management for all education abroad programs, risk management plan and oversight, support to faculty for faculty led program management and marketing of education abroad opportunities.

“We want to make sure faculty understand what our office does to enhance education abroad programming for the campus community. Faculty will continue to have control of their study abroad programs with the added benefit of IEP as a resource right here on campus,’’ IEP Director Ginny Garzón said. “What we are offering is office management and office oversight. We are streamlining our processes to make it easier for everyone.’’

While virtually everyone involved agrees that students and faculty benefit from going abroad, the goal is for all education abroad programs to offer quality academics and safe experiences.

“We are excited to provide one centralized location where we can house all of this information,’’ Garzón said. “We will be able to have a better picture of how many students are away from campus and from a risk standpoint it’s very important.’’

In the future, Garzón said her department is pursuing a model in which some semester programs would be branded as a semester at JU study center in addition to the wide variety of programs now available.

“Students have options and that’s nice because there are some students, depending on their major, who are not going to be able to commit to a full semester or they have very specific courses they need to take on campus,’’ she said. “That opens the door for the faculty to get creative. Nursing, for example, has done a great job over the years. By creating education abroad courses that fulfill an elective within the major they provide an opportunity for international experience that students may not have otherwise. When the faculty are strategic in that way, it opens doors and that’s exciting to see.’’

Senior Vice President for University and Academic Affairs Dr. Donnie Horner has been advocating for a streamlined system and he believes the renewed partnership with IEP confirms that University protocols are being adhered to.

“We are glad to once again partner with International Education Programs (IEP) as our “one stop shop” for education abroad planning, information, student advising, and travel,’’ he said. “Professors who are veterans at study abroad programs can still do their own planning and travel arrangements if they wish. But, even if a professor chooses not to use IEP’s programs for faculty led study abroad, it remains IEP’s responsibility to maintain the centralized database of all student’s and professor’s travels, ensuring JU’s risk management program and protocols are observed.”

Horner lauded IEP for its work.

“Ginny Garzón and Executive Director Scott Tayloe are renowned nationally for their management and planning of education abroad programs,” he said. “What they do is made even better by their being JU alums.”

JU will be hosting an Education Abroad Fair on Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Kinne Center. The fair will highlight JU faculty led programs available to students this Spring Break and Summer. In addition, information will be available on semester, summer and internship abroad opportunities; how students can fulfill their Experiential Learning requirement; and information about Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Faculty interested in highlighting their education abroad programs should RSVP to Garzón by Oct. 3 to reserve a table.

– Jim Nasella