The Big Ten Academic Alliance Staff Development Program on Internationalization
The Big Ten Academic Alliance Staff Development Program on Internationalization was established in 2019 and is a professional development opportunity for selected staff to learn about the internationalization of higher education and best partnership practices.
In 2024, Northwestern will award this opportunity to two staff members.
This program involves a series of monthly online webinars and additional special topic sessions. Webinars are interactive in nature and responsive to the current state of global education. Meetings feature guest speakers, including current Big Ten Senior International Officers (SIOs) and representatives from international partner organizations. As a result of participating, individuals gain a better understanding of campus internationalization strategies and mechanisms as well as explore their own role in the context of their institution’s internationalization efforts.
The Program’s final component is a field experience to an international location which allows members to experience international travel and to meet with BTAA member universities’ partners.
2024 Program and Activities
Virtual Webinars & Optional Coffee Hours
Exact Dates TBA: January - June 2024
(5 webinars and 4 coffee hours, usually held on Fridays)
These regular online seminars provide foundational knowledge about issues of importance to international higher education; an opportunity to study, discuss and hear Senior International Officers’ views and perspectives; and facilitate each participant’s exploration of internationalization efforts at their home campus. Cohort members also participate in group project presentations focused on various elements of German higher education and culture to aid in their preparation for their field experience.
Field Experience
Dates: June 8-15, 2024
The 2024 cohort will travel to Spain. Participants will meet with representatives from Big Ten partner institutions, government officials, and non-profit organizations in the international education and relations sector.
2023 Participant Testimonials
- "There were so many wonderful opportunities to connect with other BTAA members and offices abroad that covered a wide range of topics to get to know a wider pool of work dedicated to internationalization."
- "The program experience gave me insight into the challenges and opportunities of working with partners abroad - to learn from their experiences with students/staff/faculty. The program allowed me to network with other international professionals at Big Ten universities and created a cohort that I can reach out to for help and support as needed professionally."
- "This was such an invaluable experience, and it has motivated me to explore more opportunities abroad in my career. Getting to know the group was special too, and it was a nice break from my everyday work."
- "This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I am truly grateful for the experience! While the site visit was the highlight, getting to meet individuals from other universities and understand their roles & structure at different institutions was truly invaluable."