ECU earns recognition as a leader in global education

This article was written for our sponsor, East Carolina University

Eastern North Carolina is well known for the importance it places on community. Local roots run deep for many families who have generational ties to the region. East Carolina University is encouraging students to keep those roots strong while broadening their horizons. Through a variety of opportunities, students have the chance to launch from Greenville into a global education and marketplace.

In fact, the university has been honored for its efforts in this arena. In February, ECU’s growing international program was one of four institutions nationwide to receive the Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization by NAFSA: Association of International Educations. The prestigious award recognizes overall excellence in internationalization efforts by an institution of higher education.

"This award represents the culmination of over five years of efforts on the part of university administration, global affairs, faculty, staff and students across all of our academic units to deliberately and strategically strengthen and expand our international programs," said Jon Rezek, assistant vice chancellor of global affairs. "Over the course of the past five years we have moved from a university with certain targeted strengths in the international arena to one that can truly be called a national model for comprehensive internationalization."

At ECU, the commitment to diversity and internationalization is evident in study abroad programs like ECU Tuscany, faculty-led trips, the Global Understanding programming, among other initiatives. The global affairs office’s value proposition – "Academically supported, professionally prepared. You belong at ECU." – guides the day-to-day planning and execution of the university’s global outreach.

Based in the medieval walled city of Certaldo Alto, ECU Tuscany provides students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture of the region in Italy while taking classes taught by ECU instructors. Most classes fulfill General Education program requirements in humanities, social science, science, fine arts, foreign language and other disciplines. “Courses are chosen for the program that take advantage of our location in Tuscany. Geology students climb to the top of Mount Vesuvius and into the caves of Lucca; history students walk through the Roman Colosseum and ruins of Pompeii; and literature and art history students can walk in the footsteps of Plato, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and live next door to the writer Giovanni Boccaccio’s house,” according to Linda Darty, director of the program.

In another example of international opportunity, sophomore Tierney Reardon spent a semester-long study abroad experience in London. "Studying abroad is such a unique experience to grow and learn, not only about the place you are going, but also about yourself," Reardon said. Hoping to attend law school once she completes her degree, Reardon is receiving valuable career skills through an assigned internship with the British Parliament. She said the program did a good job of matching each student with an internship in their area of interest. “It’s amazing to be working in the same building as Big Ben. Hearing the bells ring while in the whips’ office is surreal,” she said. “One of my favorite experiences so far has been getting to see the floor of the House of Commons and watching oral questions being presented from the gallery.”

Virtual programs also help ECU students and faculty see the world without ever having to leave the Greenville campus. ECU leads Global Partners in Education (GPE), a membership organization of 45 institutions of higher education in 25 countries that collaborate to offer Global Virtual Exchange activities. In its role as the lead institution, ECU maintains and establishes new partnerships, coordinates programming, develops new initiatives, provides training and conducts assessment and evaluation of GPE activities.

In August 2022, Dr. Jami Liebowitz, GPE chair and associate director of global affairs at ECU, was awarded a Fulbright U.S. Global Scholarship Program award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. The award allowed her to visit three countries to develop connections and opportunities for high-impact international education through virtual exchange.

"We want to provide students both here and at our partner institutions with opportunities to build intercultural skills, communication and collaboration by working directly and having direct experience with international students," Liebowitz said.

ECU’s internationalization efforts also include supporting students who attend ECU from other countries. The number of new international students enrolled at ECU grew by 80% in fall 2022 compared to 2017, representing 68 countries. According to global affairs staff, the increase can be attributed to an increase in personal attention, peer support and marketing efforts.

"We have made tremendous strides in international student enrollment across all stages: student recruitment, admissions, enrollment, engagement and matriculation," said Cathy Knudson, director of international enrollment and engagement. International student enrollment contributes to the internationalization of campus by bringing students from all around the world to ECU to study, live and be part of the community.

In addition to attracting international students to ECU, the university recently launched the Global Fellows program, designed to position high achieving students for success in a global economy. The program provides on-campus programs as well as a scholarship toward a study abroad experience. The competitive program provides additional mentoring and leadership opportunities geared toward preparing students for successful careers.

Rezek said ECU has been a world leader and pioneer in virtual programming for decades. Recognizing that every student may not be interested or able to travel aboard, the university’s global classrooms are familiar to students and staff and provide opportunities for ECU students to have direct interaction with peers from around the world.

Nearly 15 international virtual exchange courses are offered each semester at ECU across multiple departments. Students and faculty follow a set curriculum that includes discussions around a variety of topics including culture and traditions, gender roles and work life, and students participate in collaborative projects with their partners abroad.

This article was written for our sponsor, East Carolina University