November 16, 2020 - From the President's Desk

Summer picture of artwork on campus

Dear Campus Community,

Welcome to International Education Week 2020! International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Our University Center for International Education (UCIE) has prepared a great week for everyone.

As we start this week, I would like to congratulate Kate Conway, assistant professor of family medicine, who is the recipient of our 2020 International Education Award. Although we cannot have an in-person event to recognize her, I am sure you all agree that through her work in global health, Dr. Conway displays the best of Wright State's commitment to international education in 2020 and beyond!

At Wright State University, international education has continued to be a critical part of our mission. Just this past September, the Faculty Senate passed a Campus Internationalization Resolution committing our campus to the important effort of internationalizing our campus and providing opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, and community members to learn about our ever-changing world.

Wright State's international students are enrolled from 49 different countries, with 867 students and recent graduates either registered in classes or participating in Optional Practical Training post-graduation. Currently, 36 students are also engaged in our community through internships in their field of study. International students have quickly adjusted to our new normal, and our academic programs have been relentless in supporting them—such as our LEAP Intensive English Program. Despite the uncertainty in the world and the current public health crisis, these students continue to commit to their education and take enormous risks to follow their dreams of studying in the United States. They inspire us every day.

UCIE has overhauled all its international programming and support of international students during the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to multiple changes in immigration policy, travel limitations, and U.S. embassy closures. All advising and programming have moved online, and integration of the new international student and scholar management platform, SUNAPSIS, is near completion. International students continue to engage with domestic students through Convo Club and share their culture and traditions through various activities such as cooking demonstrations and celebration of national holidays.

Due to COVID-19, Wright State has suspended in-person study abroad through Spring Semester. However, students are participating in virtual study abroad and internship opportunities. This fall, we hosted our first ever Virtual Study Abroad Fair highlighting our many virtual and in-person opportunities. As we look to the future and the return to travel, we are very proud of nine Wright State students who were selected to receive U.S. State Department scholarships for study abroad in 2021.

This past year has been a rollercoaster for international admissions and recruitment. For fall 2020 alone, our UCIE staff processed over 300 deferrals of applications due to COVID-19 and quickly adjusted our international recruitment plan. UCIE has completed a review of international recruiting agents including new payment tiers, and diversification, new undergraduate markets, and online platforms to enhance performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. UCIE has participated in virtual recruitment fairs and Education USA events throughout the world and has focused on increased diversification of our international applicants. UCIE has also moved international marketing efforts to social media through Faculty Talks, student interviews, and a partnership with the Ohio International Consortium to promote Ohio as a destination. Finally, UCIE has worked with the Faculty Senate to remove barriers in our English Placement Test Policy and increased test options due to the pandemic.

Best wishes,

Sue