Looking ahead for the 2024-24 Academic Year
CGE has launched a series of new initiatives for the 2024-25 academic year that further support global engagement through student success, research support, experiential learning and alumni engagement.
Internationalize Campus through Transnational Programs
Transnational programs in higher education refer to academic programs and initiatives that cross national borders, typically through collaborations between universities in different countries. These programs can take various forms, such as but not limited to joint/dual degree programs, online/distance learning programs and research collaborations. Transnational programs are often implemented to internationalize the campus, enhance undergraduate and graduate enrollment and foster innovation in key fields. Additionally, the global networks established through these programs drive research collaborations that can lead to economic development, job creation and the growth of international partnerships, further elevating Tennessee’s status in the global academic community.
Currently there are programs under development in the Herbert College of Agriculture and the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences. If you are interested in learning more about the current program or developing new programs, please contact ut_grip@utk.edu.
Grant Awards that Expand Our Reach
The English Language Institute has recently been awarded a US Department of State Grant Award of $146,000 in FY25. Through this people-to-people cultural grant, ELI will provide online language programming with Nanjing Agricultural University. The scope of the project includes online language teaching in the areas of environmental sciences and health sciences, respectively. This opportunity will be included in our portfolio of online courses, allowing more students to access online English language courses.
Connecting Campus Through Global Strategy Commission
The Center For Global Engagement is spearheading an effort to create a unified
vision and strategy regarding global engagement for University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
To accomplish this goal, the Office of the Provost and CGE created the UT Global Strategy Commission, which includes various stakeholders from all 14 colleges across UT’s campus. The commission officially launched on August 27, 2024.
Empowering Tennessee and the World with Global Talent
International Student and Scholar Services is collaboratively working with campus partners to expand access to international talent through increased support for staff and non-academic unit H-1B sponsorship. The UT Exchange Visitor Program has been updated to enable placement at the Cherokee Research Farms and locations across the UT System. This enables UT to bring in the best global talent and fuel research and economic initiatives state-wide. For more information on how to engage with global talent, contact us at international@utk.edu to schedule a training workshop.
Programs Abroad and VolEdge
Programs Abroad is playing a major role in the launch of the Global Transformation Pathway of the recently launched VolEdge Program. VolEdge is a career-readiness program that encourages students to think about how their classes, majors and outside experiences contribute to their chosen career path. PAO will contribute to helping students establish the skills necessary to maximize the career impact of their study abroad experience through innovative pre-departure training on intercultural competency while also deepening their post-trip evaluation to enhance students’ ability to market their experiences abroad to future employers.
Increasing Support in Global Research
With the launch of Global Research, Innovation and Partnerships office in March, 2024, working with ORIED, CGE unveiled a strategic reorganization aimed at enhancing global engagement and fostering innovation on campus. You can contact GRIP at ut_grip@utk. edu for pre-award support such as proposal development, connection and facilitation of multidisciplinary teams and partner networking.
International Funding Opportunities Newsletter
In October, CGE launched the International Funding Opportunities newsletter that help UT faculty access global research grants, expand their financial resources and enhance their research impact. These grants not only support cutting-edge projects but also boost Tennessee’s economy by creating jobs, driving innovation and fostering international collaborations that can lead to further investment in the state.
Connecting Alumni All over the World
Whenever and wherever CGE travels abroad, we are always thinking about connecting with our Vols all over the world. In August 2025, CGE and Alumni Affairs Office co-hosted an Alumni Reunion in Tokyo, Japan. A third reunion in Japan and the sixth reunion in Asia in the past 5 years.
Providing Opportunity to International Alumni
International Student and scholar Services is collaborating with the International House and the Center for Career Development and Academic Exploration to create a series of workshops building international alums understanding of visa sponsorship options available to them post-graduation. This includes a pragmatic explanation of the sponsorship process, differences in private sector and academia sponsorship and guidance on the best practices for receiving sponsorship. Workshop dates and times are available at the ISSS Calendar.