Faculty Collaborative for Maximizing Cross-Cultural Experiences

The recently launched Faculty Collaborative for Maximizing Cross-Cultural Experiences is an innovative project designed to enhance the impact of Miami University faculty-led study abroad programs. This group includes faculty from across the University whose upcoming summer or fall undergraduate study abroad programs intentionally incorporate intercultural competency development and global learning. 

The Miami University Mission, 2020 Strategic Plan, and Global Miami Plan requirements emphasize the need to strengthen the intercultural competencies and global mindsets of our students. Miami proudly ranks high among public institutions in the percentage of students who study abroad. At the same time, both external and internal research suggest that by incorporating multiple assessment measures and targeted pedagogical strategies even the most effective study abroad programs can have an even higher impact on developing these important outcomes.

There are two main goals of the Collaborative:

1. To create even higher impact, progressive, cutting-edge and intercultural immersion experiences for students which include formative and summative assessment; and
2. To create a resource guide of activities, pedagogical strategies, and guidance for other faculty who aspire to create such programs for their students.

During Spring Semester, 2018, the Collaborative will participate in a series of workshops to explore current research and best practices for ways to further enhance and assess intercultural and global student learning outcomes in their programs. Then, in the Fall, 2018 they will contribute to the creation of a Maximizing Cross Cultural Experiences Resource Guide that will be made available to all faculty.