International Academic Initiatives (IAI) is a function of the Office of the Provost. IAI is dedicated to supporting and promoting academic internationalization at Montclair State, which is a collaborative effort between academic leaders, faculty, International Academic Initiatives (IAI), Office of International Engagement and many entities and partners across campus and the world.
IAI supports the development of students’ global competence through initiatives such as study abroad and study away, scholar mobility, international collaborations, and international curricular integration. IAI aspires to collaboratively engage across the campus community to offer and increase access to international and intercultural experiences for students, enhance and expand international components of the curriculum, and support student global learning.
Mission
To promote, integrate and support internationally-engaged initiatives throughout Montclair State’s teaching, learning and research activities by connecting our community meaningfully and responsibly with the world.
Areas of Service
IAI provides campus-wide support and coordination of Montclair State academic internationalization initiatives, partnerships and programs.
Study Abroad/Study Away
Of all the experiential options available to students, international study abroad, with the attendant immersion in the local language and culture, is by far the most effective in cultivating a consciousness of global citizenship and international engagement. IAI strives to develop international study abroad and domestic study away opportunities that provide cultural immersion and an academic complement to Montclair State programs. IAI offers a broad and flexible range of programs to meet the needs of our diverse student population. Programs are available in over 60 countries, and during every term of study. IAI carefully develops and maintains exchange partnerships with institutions around the world, providing affordable options for Montclair State students to study away.
In addition to international study abroad programs, Montclair State University students have the opportunity to select a domestic study away program through National Student Exchange (NSE), allowing them to explore the full range of cultural experiences within the United States.
IAI also administers a robust incoming exchange program to host international and domestic exchange students, adding to the rich diversity of our campus.
International Partnerships
IAI works closely with faculty, Chairs, and Deans to develop and maintain strategic international partnerships. These partnerships include foreign academic institutions, governing bodies, non-profit organizations and individuals and serve to create mutually beneficial relationships..
IAI collaboratively builds and nurtures teaching, learning, research and service projects spanning more than 60 international institutions.
Internationalizing the Curriculum
Faculty can guide Montclair’s students to a deeper understanding and curiosity about the world around us and how they will interact with it. IAI serves as a resource for faculty involvement in shaping the international experience of our students. IAI offers the following resources to faculty to enhance their internationalization efforts:
- Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) – Virtual Exchange Projects
- Administration of faculty-led study abroad courses
- Study Abroad semester programs, course mapping and alignment
- Materials, tools and resources for embedding international perspectives into courses
Fulbright at Montclair
IAI works actively in all aspects of Fulbright, such as the U.S. Student Program, the U.S. Scholar Program, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, and the NJ Fulbright Association at Montclair State University. Through these programs, Montclair benefits from connections to scholars, recent graduates, and graduate students from nations and disciplines spanning the globe. Montclair State University students and faculty have been selected as Fulbright grantees in a variety of fields and countries.
Events and Programs
IAI sponsors many programs, guests and events on campus related to international topics. If you are interested in having IAI co-sponsor an event, please reach out to us!
Contact Us
- Dr. Tim White, Director, International Academic Initiatives
- Jessica Epstein, International Programs Coordinator – Semester Programs
- Sandy Holder, Coordinator for International Education
- Brooke Klinger, Program Associate for Inbound Exchange and Campus Engagement
- Kyle Velez, Program Assistant, Communication
- Dr. Katia Paz Goldfarb, Associate Provost, Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs
For advising appointments, please reach out to Jessica for semester, exchange, and summer study abroad if you are a CHSS, FSBUS, CEEL, or Univ. College student. Please reach out to Sandy for semester, exchange, and summer study abroad if you are a CSAM, CCH, NURS, CART, or SCM student. Please reach out to Brooke if you are an inbound exchange student, to Kyle if you are a Faculty-Led Program student, and to Tim if you are applying for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.
You can also contact studyabroad@montclair.edu.