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WKU Faculty-Led Programs


Global Learning & International Affairs is responsible for assisting students and faculty with all off-campus educational opportunities, including domestic and international faculty-led programs (FLPs), internships, research, and semester study.

Domestic and international programming led by WKU faculty is vital to achieving the goals of the WKU strategic plan. In the spirit of the plan, greater emphasis will be placed on academically rigorous, demonstrably sustainable programs that are integrated into an academic major or which offer Colonnade credit.

Why are we re-focusing our efforts? In addition to the strategic plan, we have specific WKU data demonstrating that study abroad by the end of a Hilltopper's second year increases 6-year graduation rates by 15% for low-income students, by 8% for first generation students, and by 29% for students with a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49. In leading a study abroad or Study USA program early in a student's time on the Hill, faculty leaders can have a quantifiably positive impact on student success.

GLIA looks forward to partnering with faculty program leaders to create high-impact experiences for students.

 

GLIA staff contacts:

Katie Bush (katie.bush@wku.edu, 270-745-4162)

Manager, Global Learning Programs

 

Nate Foster (nathan.foster@wku.edu, 270-745-2054)

Specialist, Global Learning Program Administration and Budgets

 


5 Considerations for Developing a Faculty-Led Program Video Preview


Upcoming Faculty-Led Proposal Deadlines

  • Programs intending to run in Winter 2025 or Spring 2025: October 15, 2023 
  • Programs intending to run in Summer 2025 or Fall 2025: March 15, 2024 (Proposal Open!)

 

  1. Pre-Decision Phase
    • Provide Basic Program Information
    • Identify Program Leadership
    • Provide Academic Information
    • Identify Target Audience & Minimum Eligibility Requirements
    • Preliminary Risk Management & Contingency Planning
  2. Post-Decision Phase (follows proposal review & approval process)
    • Determine Final Itinerary, Budget, & Syllabi
    • Create Emergency Action Plan
    • Provide Leaders' Emergency Contact Information
  3. Returnee
    • Post-Program Report
    • Financial Close-Out
  1. Faculty meet with their own academic unit & GLIA staff to discuss program idea (recommended)
  2. Faculty submit proposal online
  3. GLIA reviews for completeness and potential risk management concerns. If necessary, communicates with program leader
  4. GLIA sends the proposal and evaluation questions to the relevant department head(s) and dean(s) for their approval
  5. Associate Provost for GLIA reviews and makes final approval decision

Proposals will be evaluated on the following points: 

  1. Meets the academic standards set forth in WKU policies, as well as departmental policies;
  2. Clearly state(s) learning objectives that align with the academic activities and program location(s);
  3. The engagement expectations in WKU Policy 1.4034 are realistically achievable before, during, and after the off-campus component;
  4. Clearly describes pedagogical reasons for offering the course(s) in the particular location(s);
  5. Instructor(s) make appropriate use of local expertise and describe how they will develop or have developed local expertise;
  6. Contributes to the academic department's global learning goals;
  7. Review for possible overlap with other off-campus programs in department

We are in the process of updating the WKU Faculty-Led program leader manual. Check back for updates. Here are some resources to get started:

 



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 Last Modified 1/18/24