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Global Engagement Newsletter

Spring 2024

33 stories, 24 countries, a world of impact

From research collaborations in Malawi to student exchanges in Tajikistan, Hokies are forging connections that span continents and cultures. The bridges we build are pathways through which knowledge, innovation, and service travel. 

Spanning 24 countries, the stories gathered in this edition of the Global Engagement newsletter showcase our university community’s unwavering commitment to international education and collaboration.


In Switzerland, workshop prepares faculty to lead study abroad

Nine faculty members from five departments spent a week at the Steger Center for International Scholarship in Switzerland. The workshop covered study abroad logistics and fostered connections with local universities to support future place-based learning courses.

A large group of people posing in front of the Steger Center for International Scholarship
The Global Teaching Scholars Workshop included faculty members from the departments of civil engineering, computer science, population health, human nutrition, foods, and exercise, and human development and family science.

Joint study sheds light on refugee access to college

A research class led by Brett Shadle, director of the Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies, partnered with students from Elimisha Kakuma — a college access program in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp — to publish a report on the barriers refugee youth face in accessing higher education. 

A group of students from Elimisha Kakuma posing for a picture
Students from Elimisha Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya contributed significantly to the joint report "Access to Higher Education in Kakuma Refugee Camp," published by Virginia Tech's Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies. 

Hokies shine at global gathering of international educators

Virginia Tech made a strong and diverse showing at the 2025 NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo, the world’s largest event for international educators.

The 13 attendees represented offices from across the university, highlighting the universitywide commitment to global engagement.

A group of people posing behind a large NAFSA sign
Virginia Tech’s delegation to NAFSA included (from left) Lauren Oliver, Caleb Umberger, Jennifer Clevenger, Danielle Davis, Juan Espinoza, Dawn Jefferies, Tess Dunn, Theresa Johansson, Elsie Paredes, Amanda Broome, Mais Omar, Jeff Van Doren, and Mingzhi Li.

Global Teaching & Learning

A way to bring the learning home for students: Rent a kit at the library

Faculty members now have a new tool to make international and domestic curricula more engaging. The new Virtual Exchange and Study Abroad (VESA) kit, available through the university library’s equipment checkout system, provides photo and video capture tools along with training on how to create impactful content. 

A GoPro-style camera in a hard shell case
A VESA kit available at the library.


Global Outreach & Engagement

Malawi university partnership rooted in real-world impact 

In May, the vice chancellor and board members from the Malawi University of Science and Technology met with Virginia Tech faculty and administrators to explore how their growing partnership could deliver even greater impact — for students, researchers, and communities in both countries.

People sitting at a conference room table
Members of the delegation from the Malawi University of Science and Technology, including Vice Chancellor Address Malata (second from left) and Boyd Luwe (third from left), meet with Virginia Tech faculty and staff




Why do these stories about research, education, and engagement matter to the broader university community? They underscore Virginia Tech's commitment to Global Distinction. To enable our faculty to serve as a force for positive change, Global Distinction supports groundbreaking scholarly activity by our world-class faculty, empowering impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity.