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 IEFDF (International Education Faculty Development Fund), the International Collaboration Seed Grant (ICSG), 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

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

Key Resources

Announcement

Global Engagement Award — Nominations due April 15


The Global Engagement Award Committee is seeking nominations for the University's Global Engagement Award. This award will be for contributions to the global engagement of the university and to its students, faculty and staff; to our knowledge and understanding of global affairs; and/or to communities and stakeholders locally or abroad.  

There will be two awards, one for faculty and one for staff.  

For faculty, contributions may be in the realm of teaching and other instructional activities, research and creative activities, service and/or outreach.  

For staff, contributions may be for activities that support and enhance the units’ global engagement. These activities can include supporting students studying abroad, department inclusion of international students, support for international visiting faculty, and/or support for faculty international engagement, among other activities. 

The award shall be for an accumulated record of global engagement, not one or two activities. A substantial portion of achievement will have been while in service at WMU.

Nominate a Global Engagement Award Recipient

Spring 2025 Award Recipient

  • Dr. Pnina Ari-Gur, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Chef Andrew Francisco, WMU Dining Services

Spring 2022 Award Recipient

  • Dr. Gregory Veeck, Professor of Geography, Environment and Tourism

Spring 2020 Award Recipient

  • Dr. Chensheng He, Professor of Geography, Environment and Tourism

Spring 2019 Award Recipients

  • Dr. Sisay Asefa, Professor of Economics
  • Dr. Jim Butterfield, Professor of Political Science
  • Lauren Carney, Director, Kalamazoo Promise Scholars Program

Spring 2018 Award Recipients

  • Dr. Jennifer Harrison, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
  • Barb Caras-Tomczak, Coordinator of Student Support Services and Academic Advisor

Spring 2017 Award Recipients

  • Dr. Zahir Quraeshi, G.W. Haworth Chair of Global Business and Director, Global Business Center, Haworth College of Business
  • Ann Ganz, Senior Study Abroad Specialist, WMU Study Abroad (retired)

Global Engagement for Staff

Western Michigan University encourages staff to strengthen and celebrate their global competency through meaningful involvement in international engagement, professional development, and campus-wide cultural initiatives. Signature events such as the International Festival and International Bazaar have highlighted 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)
  • Invite international visitors and scholars to campus through structured processes
  • Travel abroad for teaching, research, or professional development
  • Apply for or renew passports and prepare for global assignments

Resources & Opportunities

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

HIGE also supports staff hosting international visitors, scholars, delegations, or guest lecturers, in alignment with WMU’s strategic internationalization goals. Resources and guidelines for hosting are available via HIGE’s visitor-invitation process.

Research, Recognition & Awards

WMU’s Global Engagement Award recognizes outstanding contributions by staff and faculty to global teaching, outreach, research, and service. Staff nominees may include those who support study abroad programs, facilitate international partnerships, advise global 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 Learning, 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 Enrichment

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

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