Wake Forest earns national recognition for global campus commitment
Wake Forest University has been recognized by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and Diversity Abroad for increasing access to global experiences for all students. 
The University ranked fourth among doctoral U.S. colleges and universities in the percentage of students studying abroad, according to the Open Doors 2020 report published today by IIE. Nearly 81% of Wake Forest undergraduates received credit for study abroad in the 2018-2019 academic year – shattering a goal set in 2014 to have 75% of students studying abroad before the end of 2020.
New this year, the University has also earned a “Gold Seal of Inclusive Excellence” from Diversity Abroad. The seal is awarded based on a global equity and inclusion assessment that looks at support for underrepresented students to study abroad among participating higher education institutions.
During this time when travel is severely restricted, international experiences are happening virtually. Wake Forest academic partners in Denmark and Sweden are supporting Wake Forest faculty members at home who want to integrate global perspectives into the classroom by offering guest lectures, panel discussions and virtual field studies. Faculty partners teaching in Wake Forest’s study abroad programs have created opportunities for remote study abroad to keep students engaged globally. For more information, contact the Center for Global Programs and Studies at 336.758.5938.
A story highlighting Wake Forest’s global campus commitment can be found on the University news site.
As a reminder, International Education Week (IEW) began today and runs through Friday, Nov. 20. The Center for Global Programs and Studies and co-sponsors invite the Wake Forest community to participate in a wide variety of events this week to celebrate. Co-sponsors include the Intercultural Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Museum of Anthropology, Campus Recreation and the University Counseling Center.
Categories: Faculty News, Inside WFU, Staff News
Celebrating International Education Week with events Nov. 16-20
International Education Week (IEW) 2020 begins Monday, Nov. 16. IEW celebrates the benefits of internationalization 
on campuses across the U.S. It serves as a reminder that college and university campuses play a special part in shaping the awareness of our role in the global village. Wake Forest University faculty, staff and students are encouraged to explore the value of education abroad, the richness that is brought into our classrooms and departments by international faculty, staff and students, and the benefits derived from all international programs on campus.
The Center for Global Programs and Studies and co-sponsors invite the Wake Forest community to participate in a wide variety of events Nov. 16-20 celebrating international education all week long. Co-sponsors include the Intercultural Center, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Museum of Anthropology, Campus Recreation and the University Counseling Center.
View the full list of campus and virtual events on the Global Wake Forest website.
Categories: Events, Faculty News, Inside WFU, Staff News
A message from President Hatch
President Hatch emailed the following message to students, faculty and staff on March 30:
Dear Wake Forest Community,
My message today is one of continued gratitude. Thank you, to our faculty and staff working to sustain our vital educational mission through remote learning options. Thank you, to the essential staff still on campus delivering resources and support to approximately 400 students, who, out of necessity, still call our campus home. And thank you, to our students who are adapting to a new learning experience and adjusting expectations along with the rest of us for how this semester will play out. I am grateful to all of you for your flexibility in these unprecedented times.
The public health community is now unified in their advice that we will not be able to resume in-person classes this spring. Therefore, Wake Forest courses will be delivered remotely for the remainder of the semester. This one decision has an impact on final exams, refunds for housing and meal plans, summer school and summer international trips, and the logistics of safely retrieving personal belongings from residence halls. Of significant importance to all graduate and undergraduate members of the Class of 2020, we must also rethink our plans for a traditional Commencement ceremony this May.
Final Exams
Final exams will be delivered virtually. The University has extended the pass/fail decision period to minimize the impact of final exams being delivered remotely.
Academic deans will communicate with faculty about options and resources to support remote delivery of exams. Students should direct questions to their professors for information about expectations specific to each course.
Refunds for Housing and Meal Plans
Undergraduate students will receive a prorated refund for meal plans and on-campus housing and will receive information about their refunds on or before April 17. Please note, there is a high degree of variability based on room and board packages, and we have created different options to claim your refund. We are grateful to those families who have indicated a desire to decline any refund and to contribute these funds as a charitable gift to the Wake Forest Crisis Response Fund, and we will provide information about how to do so.
Retrieving Personal Belongings From Residence Halls
Wake Forest will continue to put the safety and health of students, their families and University staff among our top priorities. The University asks students and families NOT to travel to our Winston-Salem campus to retrieve personal belongings. Access to residence halls is currently restricted to those currently approved to be living on campus.
On March 27, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued a “stay at home” order that runs through April 29. This order is in addition to the “stay at home” order issued earlier in the week by the mayor of Winston-Salem. These orders restrict travel and activities throughout the state with exceptions for essential activities as defined by these orders. On or before April 30, we will send an update about plans regarding retrieval of personal belongings, as well as options for storage of such belongings.
Commencement for Class of 2020
My heart goes out to the Class of 2020. I regret the need to postpone the opportunity to walk across the stage and hear your name called in front of your classmates, family, friends and faculty. We will soon address plans to celebrate your accomplishments in an email specific to each undergraduate, graduate or professional school.
We will be in touch to seek your input to help shape the postponed Commencement experience. In general, you can anticipate two things:
- A virtual conferring of degrees on May 18
- An in-person Commencement ceremony when it is safe to gather in large numbers (undergraduate, graduate and professional schools will each tailor a ceremony to meet the needs of their respective students)
Categories: Inside WFU, University Announcement
Wake Forest community invited to WISE Conference 2019
This is a guest post from the Center for Global Programs and Studies:
The Center for Global Programs and Studies encourages members of the Wake Forest community to attend WISE Conference 2019 on Feb. 14-15, at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem.
Wake Forest faculty, staff and students may attend at no cost when registering with their Wake Forest email address.
The full schedule and session descriptions are available on the WISE website.
Registration is open through Monday, Feb. 4. Wake Forest personnel planning to attend for only one day* should utilize one of the following discount codes:
Thursday, Feb. 14 ONLY — WISE19THUR
Friday, Feb. 15 ONLY — WISE19FRIDAY
*If already registered, you are encouraged to email wiseconference@nullwfu.edu to adjust your registration to reflect the day you can attend. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us be mindful of fixed cost and food waste.
WISE is the pioneering conference for faculty leaders, program coordinators, and administrators to develop the knowledge and skills needed to help students advance their intercultural skills and awareness during abroad experiences. Founded as the Workshop on Intercultural Skills Enhancement, WISE has grown into a nationally-recognized conference. With approximately 275 attendees, the opportunities to have in-depth conversations and network with colleagues is the norm, rather than the exception.
The conference features a number of Wake Forest faculty, staff, and student presenters, including the following sessions:
- Supporting International Students: Understanding Cultural Barriers and Creating a Supportive Campus Network with Kawana Neufville, Porshè Chiles, and Joshua Ziesel.
- A World of Possibilities: Academic Library Partnerships for Intercultural Development with Joy Gambill and Hubert Womack.
- Speak Easy: Script-Based Communicative Strategies for Non-Language Programs with Rebecca Thomas.
- Impacts of the Study Abroad Gender Gap on Intercultural Competency: Data and Ideas to Help Engage Men in Intercultural Learning with Sean McGlynn.
- BRIDGE the Gap: A Rubric for Facilitating Meaningful Connections Between International and Domestic Students with Kara T. Rothberg.
- Collaborative Excellence in Global Education with Ashley Brookes and Marcia Crippen.
- The Relationship Between Domestic Student Friendships and International Students’ Social Outcomes at U.S. Universities with Nelson Brunsting and two Wake Forest undergraduate students, Yueying He and Yihan Zheng.
Categories: Events, Guest Post, Inside WFU
Wake Forest community invited to WISE Conference 2018
This is a guest post from the Center for Global Programs and Studies:
The Center for Global Programs and Studies encourages members of the Wake Forest community to attend the 2018 Workshop on Intercultural Skills Enhancement, or WISE Conference, celebrating its 10th anniversary, Feb. 8-9. Wake Forest faculty, staff and students may attend at no cost, although registration is required.
WISE is the pioneering conference for faculty leaders, program coordinators, and administrators to develop the knowledge and skills needed to help students advance their intercultural skills and awareness during abroad experiences.
Farzana Nayani, a nationally-recognized Diversity & Inclusion Specialist and Intercultural Trainer, will present the keynote address on Thursday morning. Nayani, who has extensive experience working with academic institutions, Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations, will speak on Being Inclusive: Creating an Environment Where Authentic Selves Thrive.
The conference features a number of Wake Forest faculty, staff, and student presenters, including the following sessions:
- Bridging the Communication Gap: Script-Based Language and Culture for Non-Language Programs with Rebecca Thomas
- Inclusive Excellence: Including the On-site Team with Jessica Francis and Shayla Herndon-Edmonds
- International Student Adjustment to U.S. Universities: The Role of Intercultural Skills with Nelson Brunsting, and student presenters Megan Mischinski, Frank Fang, and Wenjin Wu
The full schedule and session descriptions are available on the WISE website.
Registration is open through Jan. 27. WISE 2018 will be held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Winston-Salem, located at 425 North Cherry Street.
WISE 2018 also features pre-conference workshops on February 7. Topics include Mindfulness & Intercultural Teaching and Learning, and Global Service-Learning Pedagogy and Partnerships. Paid registration is required.
Please contact wiseconference@nullwfu.edu or 336-758-5938 with any questions.
Categories: Events
