St. Cloud State University is one of 34 U.S. colleges and universities to be awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program, which aims to develop and expand study abroad programs around the world. SCSU is the only college or university in Minnesota to earn the 2023 grant.
SCSU’s Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Exchange Grant was submitted by Angie Witte, Associate Director of Multicultural Student Services, in collaboration with the Center for International Studies and Iyekiyapiwin Darlene St. Clair, Director of the Multicultural Resource Center and Associate Professor.
IDEAS grantees will receive up to $35,000 to develop institutional study abroad capacity, making them better equipped to deliver effective and inclusive study abroad programs around the globe. Grant recipients will develop new international partnerships, train faculty and staff, internationalize curriculum, engage diverse students in study abroad, broaden the destinations where U.S. students study and create virtual and hybrid exchanges.
“I am delighted that SCSU is a recipient of the IDEAS program grant,” SCSU President Robbyn Wacker said. “SCSU is firmly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and fostering the life-changing experiences that come with studying abroad. This is a wonderful opportunity provided by the U.S. Department of State and we are ready to extend our reach around the globe with new partnerships, new perspectives and innovations for our students.”
The IDEAS Program contributes to the State Department’s diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts to engage the American people in foreign policy. Since 2016, the IDEAS Program has awarded 179 grants to 173 U.S. colleges and universities in 49 states and territories to create, expand and diversify their U.S. study abroad programs in 71 countries across all world regions. In addition to the IDEAS grants, the program offers opportunities for international educators at U.S. colleges and universities to participate in free virtual and in-person study abroad capacity-building activities.
The IDEAS Program is a program of the U.S Department of State with funding provided by the United States Government and supported in its implementation by World Learning. For a full list of 2023 IDEAS grantees, as well as information on upcoming IDEAS webinars and workshops, please visit www.studyabroadcapacitybuilding.org.
