Investing in staff: a key to university internationalisation

The University of Mississippi recently took an impactful step towards enhancing its global education initiatives by sending a cohort of advisors to Florence, Italy, for its inaugural Global Compass: Cultural Immersion for Advisors program. This week-long immersive experience, in partnership with SAI Programs, has proven to be a transformative journey for the participants and a strategic investment in the university’s internationalisation goals. 

A group of twelve academic advisors were selected from a pool of applicants based on previous international experience, with a preference for little to none, and an essay explaining the anticipated impact on their advisees. The selection panel also intentionally chose participants who represented a wide variety of departments and diversity of student advisees for maximum impact.

The selected advisees represented Ole Miss Athletics, the School of Business, the Center for Student Success and First Year Experience, the Health Professions Advising Office, Grove Scholars, the School of Engineering, the Sally McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College, the College of Liberal Arts, the Ole Miss Women’s Council, FASTrack Program, and the Croft Institute for International Studies.  The Office of the Provost and the Office of Global Engagement at the University of Mississippi provided funding for the program.

The Florence experience

The program, designed to give advisors a firsthand understanding of the study abroad experience, was packed with educational and cultural activities. Participants engaged in in-depth explorations of SAI’s innovative programs and services, attended academic sessions at Florence University of the Arts, explored their own global and intercultural competence through guided discussion with SAI staff, and participated in the same hands-on cultural experiences as their students, such as an Italian cooking class and a leather upcycling workshop.

These carefully curated experiences mirrored what students will encounter during their study abroad program and were not merely tourist attractions. By immersing advisors in these experiences, the university has equipped them with personal insights and stories that can help students better prepare for and appreciate their own international adventures.

As one advisor noted: “Being part of the program really changed my perspective of study abroad. I became more accepting and open to other cultures, I became more confident in myself as an advisor, and I made so many good friends. Florence, Italy, is an amazing place to learn! I highly encourage any student to consider studying abroad.” 

In conversation, one advisor also shared how much empathy they had gained and how their academic advising of international students on campus will be positively impacted.

This newfound confidence and firsthand knowledge will translate into more effective advising sessions. Advisors can now speak from personal experience about the academic rigor of programs like those through SAI Programs, the cultural adjustments students might face, and the transformative power of immersive experiences.

Investing in staff: a strategic move

The decision to invest in this cultural immersion program for staff underscores a crucial aspect of successful internationalisation strategies: the importance of developing globally competent personnel. While many universities focus their resources primarily on student mobility programs, the University of Mississippi has recognised that equipping staff with international experience and intercultural skills is equally vital.

By investing in their advisors’ global competencies, the university is indirectly investing in every student these advisors will counsel. This multiplier effect means that the benefits of this one-week program will ripple through the student body, influencing hundreds of students’ decisions to study abroad and enhancing their preparation for these experiences.

Moreover, this investment sends a powerful message about the university’s commitment to internationalization. It demonstrates that global engagement is not just a buzzword but a core value that permeates all levels of the institution.

Long-term benefits

The benefits of this program extend beyond immediate improvements in advising quality. Participants returned with a renewed enthusiasm for international education and a toolkit full of resources to better serve students. This enthusiasm is already contagious, inspiring colleagues and students alike to engage more deeply with global opportunities.

One advisor shared a heartfelt message: “It’s hard to put into words what this experience meant for me – both professionally and personally. On a professional level I feel so much more confident in advising my students about the study abroad process, and it was a great opportunity to learn about how to prep my students about the challenges of being abroad. I feel like the time we had to reflect on developing confidence abroad helped me to get out of my rut of old information and think about fresh ideas for creating a globalised campus.

I didn’t realise until we were there just how close I was to a total burnout, and having time away from campus to reflect was invaluable

“Once we arrived in Florence, I realised how meaningful this experience was going to be. I made wonderful new friends and connections and learned so much from my colleagues. I didn’t realise until we were there just how close I was to a total burnout, and having time away from campus to reflect was invaluable. Although I was exhausted when we returned, I have felt so much more energised in my work life and my personal life. I’ve had the chance to have a lot of really cool and meaningful experiences through the years, but this one has shot to the top of my list.”

Upon return, advisors will share their experiences on campus throughout the academic year through ‘Lunch and Learns’ for the UM community, meetings with student organisations, and discussions with their specific cohorts of student advisees through targeted engagement. Several advisors have already begun preparation for faculty-led programming in their fields and will either teach or serve as resident directors for a future faculty-led program at the University of Mississippi.

A model for others

Experiences like the University of Mississippi’s Global Compass program on other campuses will prioritise the global competencies of staff, the development of which is a lifelong endeavour. By instituting similar programs, universities can create a more robust and supportive environment for international education, representing a holistic approach to internationalisation that recognises the interconnected roles of students, faculty, and staff in creating a truly global campus.

As higher education continues to grapple with the challenges and opportunities of globalisation, initiatives like the Global Compass program should become a standard practice. It’s a powerful reminder that when it comes to internationalisation, investing in staff is an investment in the entire university community.

About the author: Blair Thomson is the senior international officer at the University of Mississippi, overseeing the strategic vision for internationalisation and leading the Office of Global Engagement at UM. In addition to advocating for the international community and implementing internationalisation goals on campus, she serves as the risk and crisis manager for international programs and facilitates globally themed opportunities for the university and local community. She has presented worldwide on issues in international education and comparative legal systems.