Haenicke Institute for Global Education

Six Pathways to Global Engagement

Discover opportunities to expand your academic horizons through international collaboration, research, and cultural exchange programs designed for WMU faculty.

 

Western Michigan University (WMU) maintains formal agreements with over 100 international partner institutions, creating opportunities for faculty to conduct research, teach, or offer expertise abroad. These pathways are supported by university-endorsed programs and travel protocols designed to enhance global engagement.

Key Resources

  • Fulbright Grants: These include semester, academic year, and short-term opportunities in more than 135 countries. WMU provides institutional guidance such as proposal coaching and liaison support through its Fulbright Faculty and Scholar page.
  • Short-Term Faculty Exchange: These reciprocal teaching and research residencies range from two to six weeks and are offered in partnership with select universities abroad. Learn more via the faculty grant and global engagement resource page.
  • Timothy Light Faculty Research Grant: Offers up to $4,000 to support research, creative work, or field studies focused on Greater China. Details are available at the Light Center’s grant information page.
  • Employee International Travel Guidelines: WMU-sponsored travel must be registered and follows university travel insurance and risk protocols. Access details on the employee travel information page.

The Haenicke Institute provides and administers international travel funding through the the Faculty Internationalization Grants and the Fulbright Pre-Application Seed Grant. 

Learn More About Global Education Faculty Grants

Through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), WMU faculty can co-develop and co-teach courses with international peers, allowing students to engage in cross-cultural collaboration without leaving campus.

Key Resource

  • Global Classrooms Collaborative Grant: (GCC) Faculty can apply for funding to join a semester long facilitator lead learning community to learn about how to design and implement a COIL. 

  • Global Classrooms Curriculum Development Grant (GCCDG) Faculty can apply for funding to redesign their existing course to include a COIL component. 

    Application details for both grants are available on the Faculty Grants Page. 

Each year, WMU recognizes outstanding faculty and staff contributions to internationalization in teaching, research, creative activity, or service.

Key Resource

WMU’s internationalization initiatives promote global thinking across academic programs, administrative processes, and student services.

Key Resources

Whether it's to promote WMU Study Abroad and the Global Engagement Program, or to support cultural events on campus and in the community, our staff wants to help. We depend on you to help engage students with our programming.

Contact Global Education Outreach Staff

Faculty may host international scholars and professionals on campus through WMU’s structured invitation process.

Key Resources

The Haenicke Institute for Global Education seeks to partner with WMU faculty and staff who travel overseas for work and need international student recruitment marketing materials. 

Your work is incredibly valuable in helping us to bring new students to WMU and it raises the global profile of the University. Complete this form to alert us of your travels so we can support your trip.

Request Recruitment Materials

Global Engagement for Staff

Western Michigan University encourages staff to strengthen and celebrate their global acument through meaningful involvement in international engagement, professional development, and campus-wide cultural initiatives. Signature events such as the International Bazaar and lectures and creative performances have been highlighting WMU’s global community for more than 35 years, underscoring the institution’s commitment to intercultural dialogue and global readiness.

Ways to Engage

Staff can actively engage in the following ways:

  • Participate in campus and community events with a global focus
  • Support welcoming efforts for international students and scholars (#WelcomeAtWestern)
  • Engage with international visitors and scholars at campus events 
  • Join CELCIS conversation circles
  • Use your tuition benefits to study a language or take a class with an international focus

Resources & Opportunities

The Haenicke Institute for Global Education (HIGE) maintains listings of events, announcements, and international-engagement opportunities through the events calendar.

Research, Recognition & Awards

WMU’s Global Engagement Award recognizes outstanding contributions by staff and faculty that support global activities on campus. Staff nominees may include those who support study abroad programs, facilitate international partnerships, advise international students, or strengthen departmental international engagement. Past honorees illustrate the breadth and depth of global leadership across the university.

Professional Travel & International Programs

Staff engaging in international travel for teaching, research, or institutional partnerships may access resources via HIGE and the Fulbright Program International Education Administrators (IEA) seminars. These programs connect WMU staff with global higher-education systems and international networks, and help staff build globally relevant professional skills.

About the Haenicke Institute for Global Education

Your journey at Western Michigan University is a global one. Through transformative events, immersive classes and experience-driven education, the Haenicke Institute for Global Education connects Kalamazoo to the world—and the world to Kalamazoo. We assist over 1,000 international students and alumni at home and abroad with admissions, immigration support, student success and post-graduation job training. We host 80+ study abroad programs and bring students, faculty and staff to 30 countries, on average, each year. From fostering academic opportunities to showcasing cultural events and providing K-12 outreach, the Haenicke Institute promotes learning that transcends borders and takes you wherever you want to go.  

A student wearing a study abroad map tshirt while making a W symbol with his hands. He is posing in downtown Kalamazoo.

International Student and Scholar Services

International Student and Scholar Services is responsible for international student recruitment, admissions and immigration support.

A student proudly holding a Western flag during a study abroad adventure in another country. He stands in front of an historic building.

Study Abroad

WMU Study Abroad supports more than 80 programs around the world, sending students, faculty and staff to 30 countries, on average, each year.

Students talking to each other outside at a picnic table in downtown Kalamazoo. They wear tshirts promoting global eduction at Western Michigan University.

Global Engagement Program

The Global Engagement Program provides opportunities for all  students at Western Michigan University to become globally engaged. 

Students working together at a table. They are both looking a paper, as if they are studying together.

English Language Learning

The Center for English Language and Culture for International Students offers short- and long-term intensive English language study.

A member of the WMU Asian Initiatives staff working with children at a community outreach event.

Asian Initiatives

WMU Asian Initiatives enhances scholarship and knowledge of East Asia on campus and throughout southwest Michigan.

Robert Brown, an instructor at the Haworth College of Business, sitting side-by-side talking to a student as he teaches an Applying Business Fundamentals class in Schneider Hall.

Faculty Development

The Haenicke Institute supports partnerships with more than 100 international institutions, offering options to faculty who are interested in collaboration and exchange.

Sign Up for the Monthly WMU Global Education Newsletter
More about Global Education at WMU