Study Abroad at Campbell University has become so much more than “study abroad.” For that reason, the Office of Study Abroad is now the Global Engagement Office, a name change to reflect the University’s growing international programing and the many policy issues — from security to international recruitment — under the program’s umbrella.
The change means a new title for Donna Waldron, now the Dean of Global Engagement. The former director of Study Abroad says the name change provides a better description for what her office has been doing for years.
“With the recent increase in global learning opportunities offered across campus, our work has expanded significantly both in breadth and depth,” Waldron said. “Study Abroad is just a part of what we do. We assist in risk management for the University and all its schools when students study in other countries or take part in missions or other global outreach projects. We oversee credit hours and curriculum engagement in these programs, and we handle financial policies and assist with contracts and international relationships on the university level.
“Renaming the Office from Study Abroad to Global Engagement will more accurately reflect the scope of the work being done. And it will give due emphasis to and provide greater alignment with strategic initiatives.”
Among those initiatives, Waldron said, will be greater emphasis on University partnerships and exchanges — more short-term international student swaps and programs to “internationalize” Campbell’s main campus and produce a more “global ready workforce.”
“We’re looking at much more than just summer Study Abroad experiences,” she said. “We want more students spending entire semesters in a variety of countries. We hope to have international students who can enroll here without having to seek their degree here. It will expand opportunities for our students and diversify our campus at once. And we want to facilitate international connections, not only for undergraduates, but also graduate students and faculty to create opportunities that enhance learning and forward the mission of the University.”