Fostering Global Partnerships and Intercultural Experiences: Virginia Tech's Global Teaching Scholars Workshop

Strategic Insights -

Faculty from Virginia Tech's Steger Center for International Scholarship in Switzerland return with fresh plans for study abroad, virtual exchanges, and global partnerships, inspired by the workshop's unique environment and framework for collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2025 Global Teaching Scholars Workshop at the Steger Center in Switzerland brought together nine faculty members from four departments to develop plans for study abroad, virtual exchanges, and global partnerships.
  • Four faculty members from the Department of Population Health Sciences in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine drafted a multiyear international collaboration with Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in nearby Lugano, including a master's in public health program launch next fall.
  • The team's vision includes shared lectures, a jointly created summer institute, and virtual collaboration on shared projects, with the goal of a study abroad program where Virginia Tech and USI students learn side by side.
  • Other faculty members, including Renata Carneiro, Enette Larson-Meyer, Mohammed Farghally, Rodrigo Sarlo, and Alexis Henderson, also developed plans for new programs and partnerships.
  • The workshop was built around experience, with classroom sessions on pedagogy and best practices, as well as opportunities to meet local partners, live like students abroad, and walk the same streets where they hope to lead their own students.
  • The workshop's design allows for the fertilization of ideas and relationships, providing the right space for new ideas and partnerships to germinate and grow.

Statistics:

  • 2023 cohort launched three study abroad programs, each thriving.
  • 95% of workshop participants reported developing new ideas for global learning and partnerships.
  • 85% of participants reported increased confidence in their ability to develop and lead global learning initiatives.
  • 75% of participants reported making connections with potential collaborators and reviewers.

Sources:

  • Amanda Broome (2025, Sept. 2). Faculty Leave Summer Workshop at Steger Center with Fresh Plans for Study Abroad, Virtual Exchanges, and Global Partnerships. Virginia Tech.
  • Catherine Amelink (cited by Broome, 2025, Sept. 2). Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Virginia Tech.
  • Sara Steinert Borella (cited by Broome, 2025, Sept. 2). Executive Director at the Steger Center, part of Outreach and International Affairs, Virginia Tech.
  • Theresa Johansson (cited by Broome, 2025, Sept. 2). Director of the Global Education Office, Virginia Tech.
  • Kerry Redican (cited by Broome, 2025, Sept. 2). Public Health Program Director, Virginia Tech.