The Integration and Inclusion of International Students on Campus
MITESOL 2015Michigan State University
October 9-10, 2015
Beth Ernst, Christie Gates, and Sally Thelen
Western Michigan University
Overview• Introduction• International Student Statistics and Research• Goals of the Meet/Greet Project• Planning, Logistics, and Budget• Marketing• Events• Challenges• Improvements for Future• Whole Group Discussion • Evaluation
Introduction• International Student Enrollment– Facts and Figures– Trends
• Who we are• CELCIS Program– Six level IEP– No TOEFL to matriculate
• Student-inspired event
To the University
From CELCIS
• Campus administrators and leaders believe that “international students add diversity to a mostly homogeneous campus, but evidence that diversity contributes to the development of intercultural learning among U.S. students is relatively thin”(Glass, Wongtrirat and Buus, 2015 pg. 2).
Goals of the Meet/Greet Project• Create connections between CELCIS students, advisors,
professors, and students in departments across campus.• Support ongoing and long-term international student
engagement and inclusion (social networking, student organizations, etc.)
• Give CELCIS students an opportunity to ask questions about their upcoming academic programs – How do I register for classes?– How do I meet other students in my program?
Planning, Logistics, and Budget• Room reservation for 80-90 people• 1 round table for each department representative• Budget: $670– Catering– Advertising– Nametags
• Student worker compiled list of majors, contact info for advisors
Marketing• Save the Date email sent to department
representatives approx. 1 ½ months beforehand • Postcard sent to students and department
representatives 3 weeks beforehand• Classroom visits• Facebook• Newsletter
Events• Fall 2014: October 22
– 10 departments – Student attendees: No data
• Spring 2015: March 19– 10 departments – 42 student attendees
• Summer 2015: July 23– 9 departments– 29 student attendees
Challenges• Overestimated food and drink quantities• No representation from some units: How can we get
them involved?• Some representatives attended but received little
traffic: How can we encourage interaction?• Gap between classes and event • Lower level students wanted to attend
Improvements for future:• Need to solicit formal feedback from students and
departments • Target specific programs• Consult advising offices before setting date• Personal invitations from CELCIS Director• Personally directing students to student service
representatives• Opened event to Pre-Advanced students• Sign-in sheets• Consistent record keeping
Questions for Discussion• What are some ways that your program is integrating
and including international students on your campus?
• What challenges has your program faced while attempting to help international students adjust and integrate?
• What types of programs exist on your campus that help to make international students feel included?
Online PresentationYou can access our presentation online at:
http://tinyurl.com/p8mve4y
Session EvaluationPlease complete the session evaluation surveyhttps://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BYZBLDG