Office of Global Engagement

Jennifer Evanuik, Executive Director
Ronan Hall 330; 989-774-4308;

https://www.cmich.edu/offices-departments/global-engagement

The Office of Global Engagement's mission is to foster intercultural understanding and global perspectives among the Central Michigan University community. We believe that all members of our community should have opportunities to engage with other cultures, develop new perspectives, and learn how to lead in a global society. Through partnerships across campus and around the world, we support study abroad programs, curricular and co-curricular global initiatives, and we welcome international students, scholars, faculty and staff to our campus. Through our work, we contribute to CMU’s mission to “prepare students for productive careers, meaningful lives and responsible citizenship in a global society.”

The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) provides centralized support for CMU’s international initiatives. OGE is comprised of two main work groups: Study Abroad and International Student and Scholar Services. In addition, OGE supports CMU’s broader internationalization efforts.

In support of campus internationalization, OGE:

reviews, evaluates, and assists in the creation of international agreements and partnerships;
maintains data on CMU’s international activities;
disseminates information about global opportunities for faculty and staff;
collaborates with campus and community partners to offer programming to support cross-cultural understanding.

International Student and Scholar Services:

provides comprehensive initial orientation and ongoing support services to international students, scholars, and faculty for a smooth transition and a successful academic experience at CMU;
serves as social and academic advocates on behalf of the international student and scholar population;
assists international students, scholars and faculty in understanding immigration regulations and maintaining valid legal status in the United States;
ensures university compliance with Department of Homeland Security and Department of State regulations for international students and scholars and is the Program Sponsor for CMU’s Exchange Visitor Program.

Study Abroad:

offers over 150 approved study abroad programs in more than 50 countries;
ensures a wide range of short-term, semester and year-long study, internship, and/or service abroad opportunities in almost every major;
offers opportunities to study world languages;
offers virtual international internships;
works closely with students and academic departments to ensure study abroad programs contribute to academic progress and on-time graduation.

Knowledge of a world language is not a requirement to study abroad because there are many programs around the world that offer courses taught in English. The office’s experienced study abroad advisors meet with students to help them choose an appropriate program to match their budget and academic interests. All students participating in a CMU approved program will receive academic credit for courses completed. Students can request that all of their courses be pre-approved by the academic department, so they will know, in advance, the course credits to be awarded by CMU. Students must be in good standing at CMU to apply; information about academic standing can be found in the University Bulletin. Some programs specify that a minimum GPA is required and this information can be found on the program brochure page on our website.

Studying abroad does not have to be expensive. Students looking for affordable programs can choose from a variety of tuition exchange and low-cost programs offered around the world through CMU partners and affiliates. There are also a number of resources available to help fund study abroad. The Office of Global Engagement offers a large number of study abroad scholarships each year. In addition, there are scholarships available through CMU colleges and academic departments as well as from external sources to help students fund their international study. Students participating in a CMU-approved study abroad program may also continue to receive financial aid and may apply for additional funds to cover the study abroad program costs.