International Programs is excited to launch a new series of events this year, Cultivating Success: A Global Faculty Initiative, that aims to provide mentoring and guidance to new international faculty as they make the transition to the University of Iowa (UI).  The series follows the success of the April 2024 event, Global mentoring: Strategies for international faculty success.

"The purpose of this series is to help with the onboarding of new international faculty,” said Russ Ganim, dean and associate provost of UI International Programs. “The knowledge shared by more experienced colleagues serves as a resource for recently hired faculty from international destinations."

Drawing on the expertise of veteran faculty, these lively panel discussions will focus on a range of topics relevant to international scholarship and teaching, including cross-national research collaborations, navigating administrative structures, work-life balance, tenure and promotion, and classroom experiences, among others.

“The University of Iowa community is enriched by the international scholars, students, and faculty who bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to their scholarship and teaching,” said Meenakshi Gigi Durham, professor in the UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication. “We know that starting an academic career while navigating a new culture often presents specific challenges and barriers, so the ‘Cultivating Success’ series offers support and strategies for finding one’s feet here. Mentorship is crucial, and the series offers mentorship and networking opportunities on a broad range of topics to help international students, scholars, and faculty flourish.”

Two events will take place in the 2024-2025 academic year:

Cultivating Success: International Scholarship and Creative Work 

• Date/Time: Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 1:30 - 3 p.m. (CDT)
• Location: Virtual (register here)
• Co-sponsor: UI Office of the Vice President for Research

Scholarly and creative research activity is a linchpin of faculty life at the University of Iowa. International collaboration has been demonstrated to boost the visibility and impact of research. This webinar will focus on the challenges and rewards of international scholarship, including cross-national research collaborations, grant proposals, ways to promote research to domestic and international audiences, the opportunities and potential pitfalls of publishing in non-U.S. journals, and tactics for successfully working with bureaucracies overseas. Promotion and tenure issues will also be discussed.

Speakers:

• Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean, International Programs
• Meenakshi Gigi Durham, professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• Aliasger Salem, associate vice president for research, Office of the Vice President for Research
• Kristy Nabhan-Warren, associate vice president for research, Office of the Vice President for Research
• Luis Martin-Estudillo, professor, Spanish and Portuguese; director of the Obermann Center
• Monica Correia, professor of 3D design; School of Art, Art History, and Design
• Don Letendre, professor of pharmacy practice and science, College of Pharmacy

Cultivating Success: International Teaching 

• Date/Time: Wednesday, February 12, 2025, from 3 - 4:30 p.m. (CST)
• Location: International Commons, UCC 1117 (register here)
• Co-sponsor: UI Center for Teaching

Teaching in a new cultural environment can be both rewarding and challenging. This panel discussion is designed to share faculty expertise on how to address these issues. In this panel discussion, veteran faculty with successful teaching careers at the University of Iowa will share different pedagogical approaches and discuss ways to enrich classroom environments based on transnational knowledge and wide-ranging experiences to enhance students’ learning outcomes. The panel is also meant to facilitate networking among international faculty on the UI campus.

Speakers:

• Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean, International Programs
• Meenakshi Gigi Durham, professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
• Anna Flaming, assistant provost for teaching & learning and director of the Center for Teaching
• Tamar Bernfeld, assistant director of the Center for Teaching

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.