In This Section

Design of the Academy

Academy Scholars

Participants are not expected to have had significant global experience, but a desire to gain such experience is a crucial criterion for admission. We attempt to balance the group in terms of rank, scholarly interests, and commitment to our instructional, research, and outreach missions. Scholars must agree to participate in the program in the first year and then serve as Fellows in the second year to help mentor new participants. Each Academy member is expected to prepare and submit a proposal in response to an international funding opportunity.

The Academy covers all basic costs associated with the program, with the expectation that each Scholar will participate in all Academy activities. These, of course, are designed to minimize interference with normal work duties and personal time. Scholars must understand that participation in the Academy requires a commitment of time and attention and that individuals unable to continue that commitment will be excused from the program.

Academy Fellows

Typically, Academy Fellow is a title issued to those who have completed the Academy Scholar program. These Fellows serve as mentors to the academy scholars in subsequent program years.  This group of Fellows should be actively involved in the development of the program, serve as mentors to participants, lend their expertise to the formation of the immersion focus and design, and provide presentations to the scholars as applicable. 

The Capstone Global Immersion Experience

Provisional guiding principles for the capstone are:

• To develop a meaningful experience internationally that will launch the international career of a faculty or staff member in research, teaching, or extension.
• Challenge participants, as a group, to provide leadership for developing the agenda of the capstone.
• Seek guidance from faculty who are experienced in international program building.

A structure of a location, theme, and provisional goals of upcoming years will be posted and marketed to faculty so that potential members of the Academy would be able to choose and apply to that program that most closely aligns with their own research, teaching, or outreach career objectives. Future themes and destinations:

• 2012:  Rwanda and Kenya with a focus on food security and nutrition
• 2013:  Brazil with a focus on food systems
• 2014:  Sierra Leone with a focus on capacity building
• 2015:  Southeast Asia