Global Engagement

Welcome! Willkommen! Bienvenido! Bienvenue! Karibu! Assalamualaikum!

Whether you are a U.S. student looking to study abroad or an international student seeking an American college experience, Global Engagement at Slippery Rock University is here to assist you!

For U.S. students wishing to see the world, we offer a variety of programs from week-long break programs with your peers to a traditional academic year abroad. Expand upon what you've learned in the classroom: attend a European Premier League soccer game in Barcelona, experience the Theatre in London, learn to make authentic sushi in Japan, navigate the Parisian Metro system. The options and experiences are endless! Where will you go? What will you do?

If you are an international student looking for the American college experience, you will find that here at Slippery Rock University. Global Engagement staff are excited to assist you in all aspects of your transition to the U.S. In addition, you will be welcomed by a growing, enthusiastic, and involved group of current international and U.S. students. Through advisement, programming, and events, you will find that our campus will be your home away from home.

Your adventure awaits! Let us know how we can assist you!

Vision, Mission, Goals

Vision

Our vision is a Slippery Rock University community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who see beyond national borders and cultural differences, embrace the rich diversity of the world for educational and personal growth, and contribute to the greater good of our global society.

Mission

The mission is to provide meaningful international experiences for SRU students, faculty and staff in pursuit of academic, professional and cultural exploration and growth. We do this by facilitating mobility, interaction and support.

Goals

The strategic goals, to successfully support our mission and accomplish our vision, are to:

Build and support a quality and diverse student body
- International students:
  - Increase international student enrollment so that their collective and individual presence has a greater and positive impact on the campus community.
  - Continuously improve support for international students for their successful navigation of the university and community.
Study abroad:
- Expand international programs, partners, and locations to provide increased opportunity and greater flexibility for the diverse and unique needs of our students.
- Increase student participation in international experiences while supporting their holistic development.
Support international initiatives for faculty:
- Increase faculty participation in international experiences through outreach and support.
Coordinate high-impact practices to support the curriculum and foster co-curricular involvement:
- Continue to integrate international experiences into the curriculum and academic program requirements.
- Expand involvement and create new opportunities for co-curricular programs such as living-learning communities, FYRST seminars.
Enhance outcomes for students, faculty, staff, and Office for Global Engagement program:
- Strategically combine programming and support to increase international student retention and graduation rates.
- Integrate career development into students' international experiences.
- Collaborate with campus constituents to increase funding opportunities for international professional development for faculty and staff.

We Pledge to

consider the nature of our students and their needs,
provide student-focused service, in order to meet the diverse nature and needs of our students,
operate all programs in a fiscally responsible manner,
support the professional development of students and staff,
nurture relationships with alumni.

Staff

Sierra Bell

Assistant Director for International Admissions
724.738.4084
sierra.bell@sru.edu

Sierra Bell - Office of Global Engagements

Sierra is responsible for managing undergraduate international admissions and is fortunate enough to meet with many students abroad. She graduated from Westminster College with her BSc in International Business and Spanish. At California University, she earned her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and a Certificate in Student Affairs Practice.

She has had amazing experiences studying abroad in Costa Rica and living in Belgium and Rwanda, prior to returning to the Pittsburgh region.

Fun Facts:

Her hometown is known as the “Fireworks Capital of America” and the “Hot Dog Capital of the World.” She enjoys horseback riding, traveling, cooking, and painting.

Noora A. Alie

Associate Director for International Student Services
724.738.4687
noora.alie@sru.edu

Noora is responsible for international student advising and programming.

She graduated with a Bachelors of Art in Communication from Hiram College and a Master of Science in Global Leadership from Duquesne University.

Fun Facts:

She is an Arab-American and speaks Arabic. She loves traveling to new places, binge watching TV series on Netflix and spending quality cuddle time with her kitty, Hamoud!

JENNY KAWATA

Director for Global Engagement
724.738.2605
jenny.kawata@sru.edu

Jenny Kawata

Jenny is responsible for developing and maintaining global exchanges and partnerships. She received her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Slippery Rock University and her Masters of Art in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Fun Facts:

Her first experience abroad was studying Japanese at Kansai Gaidai University, one of Slippery Rock's partner institutions. From there, her global journey began. She became involved in the field of international education and has traveled to over 23 different countries for both work and fun. Loves learning new languages, exploring new cultures and trying new foods.

Alumni

Throughout the year at the Rock there are special events and news that we will announce in an effort to maintain contact with our more than 2000 international student alumni from 125+ countries. We ask that you take a few minutes to fill out our form to update your information so that we stay connected.

Faculty Information

Below are resources for SRU faculty and staff regarding professional development funding, serving on the Global Engagement Advisory Committee, leading short-term programs abroad and Export Control regulations.

President's International Professional Development Grant

The President's International Professional Development Grant provides financial support for SRU faculty and staff to pursue professional development in an international setting. The awards come from an endowed fund, and the number of awards varies each year. Information about the grant including the application process, eligibility criteria and deadlines will be sent out via the Provost’s Office to the Colleges and Departments in November every year. All grant activity must be completed in the upcoming calendar year, January-December. The next call for proposals will be in November 2024 for calendar year 2025.

Global Engagement Advisory Committee

This Committee is comprised of 1 elected representative from each college plus 1 from LASA, serving two-year terms. On an ad-hoc basis, the committee will appoint non-voting, ex officio members that represent areas on campus with significant international exposure.

The Committee will have 2 Co-Chairs.

1 Co-Chair from Global Engagement
1 Co-Chair representing Faculty

Mission/Vision:

The vision of GEAC is to facilitate and promote global learning and internationalization by

Educating our community about the world, it’s cultures, languages and events.
Advocating for international students, faculty and students studying abroad.
Building global community within and outside of Slippery Rock University.

For more details about the committee, meeting dates and/or meeting minutes, please contact Jenny Kawata

May 2025 Short-Term Program Application Information

Our next call for short term program proposals will take place in spring 2025 for May-Summer 2026 programs. Please contact Jenny Kawata The Director for Global Engagement for more information regarding the proposal process, requirements and deadlines.

Export Controls

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is committed to the principle that teaching, research and service shall be conducted openly and without prohibitions or restrictions to the publication and dissemination of the results of academic, scholarly and research activities. However, Export Control Laws are federal laws and regulations that restrict the transfer of certain materials, technology, related technical data and certain services outside the United States in the interest of protecting the national security and domestic economy. These laws have been in existence for many years. Every University faculty member, researcher, department head, dean and administrator should have a fundamental understanding and general awareness of Export Control Laws to know when to raise questions and alert responsible officials to a possible export control or embargo issue. (PASSHE Procedure/Standard Number 2012-14A-Compliance with United States Export Control Laws)

Export Controls also apply to international travel. The 2018 PASSHE COMPLIANCE WITH UNITED STATES EXPORT CONTROL LAWS provides a basic introduction. Updates related to international travel and visitors will be posted here. Check back for further details as they become available.

Global Engagement

Contact Information