Faculty Resources

Are you interested in leading a faculty-led study abroad program? The Division of Continuing and Global Education will work with faculty and departments across the university to provide administrative and logistical support for these programs to encourage a diverse range of students to study abroad. All faculty-led study abroad programs are short-term (generally 1.5 to 6 weeks), taught and led by a Fresno State professor. Most programs have between 10 to 20 students and run during the summer and winter sessions.

To learn more about creating a faculty-led program, please contact Rishad Gandhi at rgandhi@csufresno.edu.

How to Propose a Faculty-led Study Abroad Program 

• Read the faculty handbook to learn about how faculty-led programs are set up, responsibilities of faculty leaders and program development timeline. 
• Complete and submit the CGE International Programs Interest and Funding Request Form in Adobe Sign to secure travel grant funding for your program. Program Interest forms must be submitted by:
  • February 4, 2023, for all programs that will operate during the Winter 2024 term (December 2023 - January 2024) or
  • February 24, 2023, for all programs that will operate during the Summer 2024 term (May 2024 - August 2024).

Completed forms must be signed and completed in Adobe Sign by the Instructor(s), Department Chair, and School/College Dean.

Once the Faculty Leader has completed and submitted the International Programs Interest and Funding Request form to CGE, the Study Abroad Coordinator will schedule a meeting with him/her to discuss the next steps of their travel study program. As part of the application submission, faculty leaders will need to complete the Faculty-Led Short-Term International Travel Study Program Proposal Form which will be sent to you by the Study Abroad Coordinator.

For more information,  contact Study Abroad Coordinator at rgandhi@csufresno.edu.

Faculty Resources

• Faculty Handbook (Features a sequential flow that lists all tasks needing to be completed to ensure a successful program. Guidelines, pull-out information, quick-reference charts and many helpful additions throughout the handbook and appendices)
• Faculty Guide for Study Abroad Portal (how to review applications)
• Faculty Guide for Study Abroad Portal (how to track and view applications)
• International Programs Interest and Funding Request Form
• International Payee Data Record Form
• Wire Transfer Request Form
• Faculty Volunteer Form
• Faculty-Led (CGE) Instructor Registration

As a Fresno State faculty member, you have the unique opportunity to support the internationalization of your department and college by teaching abroad with USAC (the University Studies Abroad Consortium). Visiting Professors establish contacts with foreign colleagues, enhance their own foreign language acquisition, strengthen and support international education and study abroad on campus, diversify course curriculum, and develop international relationships for research and other purposes. Faculty often apply to teach in the summer.

Details

• Teach two classes (semester) or one (summer or January session), in English or relevant foreign language, at select USAC program sites
  • Teaching sites are likely to include multiple cities within Brazil, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and Thailand 
• Semester applicants and those on 12-month contracts must have approval from their Department Chair/Dean. 

Applicants must  

• Be full-time faculty members in good standing
• Be returning on contract to campus following term abroad
• Demonstrate student evaluations that reflect superior teaching abilities
• Be flexible regarding international living, working conditions and a willingness to enthusiastically experience local culture with students
• Contribute to host university overseas, in addition to teaching the selected course(s)
• Publicize students’ opportunity to study abroad with the VP (reach out to colleagues and students) 

USAC appoints faculty with the following abilities:

• Can teach courses in the humanities, social sciences, business, economics, tourism, education, environmental sciences, African studies, and biology.
• Can offer at least one course that specifically relates to the teaching site, region or nation, or is clearly international in nature; the language of instruction may be English or the relevant foreign language (Spanish, French, etc.)
• Will have student evaluation summaries that reflect superior teaching abilities and written approval from their supervisor
• Are flexible regarding international living and working conditions and are enthusiastic about experiencing local culture with their students
• Are willing to contribute to the host university in addition to teaching the selected courses
• Are willing to publicize the opportunity to study abroad with them

Interested faculty should contact Rishad Gandhi at rgandhi@csufresno.edu or Sabrina Harris at visitingprofessors@usac.unr.edu with any questions.

Each year the CSU International Programs recruits faculty to serve as Resident Directors (RDs) in a number of its study abroad programs. These positions represent one of the best chances within the CSU to work and live for a year in the following countries: France, Italy and Spain. As a faculty member appointed to be RD, you will have the advantage of:

1. Close advising and mentoring relationships with CSU students in the study centers
2. Professional faculty contacts in the host country
3. Administrative experience abroad and at home 

Who is Eligible to Apply?
Tenured or tenure track faculty in a full-time teaching or administrative position are eligible to apply (FERP faculty are not eligible). Faculty must have the following:

• Appropriate terminal degree for the candidate's discipline
• Appropriate overseas experience
• Appropriate foreign language skills 

What is the Application Process?
Applications are available from your campus ACIP representative

• Available in September
• Completed applications are due December 1 of each year
• Application screening takes place in January
• On-site interviews of candidates with the Faculty Affairs Committee takes place at the Chancellor's Office in February
• RD appointments are announced in April 

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program 
Sends American scholars and professionals to approximately 130 countries, where they lecture and/or conduct research in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program also offers 15 Postdoctoral/Early Career Awards, as well as nearly 300 awards that are open to a range of scholar profiles, including early career scholars. These awards are open to American citizens who have recently completed their doctoral degree – typically within the five previous years. For more information, pease email Dr. Gillisan Harootunian at gharootunian@csufresno.edu

The Fulbright Specialist Program
Sends U.S. faculty and professionals to serve as expert consultants on curriculum, faculty development, institutional planning, and related subjects at academic institutions abroad for a period of 2 to 6 weeks.

Visit the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website for general information. https://eca.state.gov/fulbright/fulbright-programs/. For more information, please email Dr. Gillisan Harootunian at gharootunian@csufresno.edu

Thank you for your interest in Fresno State Study Abroad Programs. To request a Study Abroad Presentation in your classroom, for your group, or event, submit a request form.

Please note:

• You must be a student, faculty, staff member, or administrator to request a presentation.
• We ask that you allow at least 2 weeks’ notice to schedule a presentation.
• Availability for presentations during the evening, weekend, campus breaks, dead week, and finals week are limited.

Thank you for being an advocate of study abroad and exchange. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at studyabroad@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.274.6452.