Page 49 - Academic Report FINAL VERSION WEB

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

MGA Joins “USG Goes Global”

Dr. Laura Thomason

Long a member of the University System of of courses spanning the core curriculum and multi-
Georgia’s European Council and Asia Council study ple majors. In 2020, two MGA faculty members (Dr.
abroad consortia, Middle Georgia State joined the Benita Muth and Dr. Laura Thomason) will teach on
new USG Goes Global initiative in February 2019. European Council study abroad programs in Edin-
USG’s world regional councils (European Council, burgh, Scotland and Waterford, Ireland respectively.
Asia Council, and Africa, Americas, and Middle East Dr. John Girard will teach in Zhengzhou, China as part
councils) offer a variety of international opportuni- of the Asia Council’s study abroad program there.
ties including faculty development and conferences
as well as study abroad. The new USG Goes Global
works with the regional councils as an administrative
unit that “partners with USG institutions to provide
quality, affordable, and impactful faculty-led study
abroad experiences open to all USG undergradu-
ate students” and “keeps programs affordable, safe
and manageable by using innovative technology, ex-
isting USG systems and proven study abroad best
practices.” USG Goes Global will take over the ad-
ministrative work of operating a study abroad pro-
gram so that faculty and students can focus on aca-
demic quality and high-impact cultural experiences.

This year, European Council participating insti-
tutions including MGA signed memoranda of un-
derstanding to join USG Goes Global. Asia Coun-
cil members, again including MGA, are expected to
follow suit in 2020, with the option for other USG
World Regional Councils or smaller consortia to join
in the future and benefit from USG Goes Global’s ad-
ministrative oversight. By participating in USG Goes
Global, MGA ensures that faculty participating on Eu-
ropean Council and Asia Council study abroad pro-
grams have access to equitable salaries; students
pay a single, unified, tuition rate; and administra-
tive tasks such as faculty accreditation and atten-
dance verification are managed easily and uniformly.

European Council study abroad programs in par-
ticular have long been the centerpiece of MGA’s study
abroad programming, offering students and facul-
ty a choice among seven destinations and a variety

Academic Affaris Annual Report 2019 | Middle Georgia State University 45