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The Study Abroad Committee (SAC) is a joint subcommittee of the Institute Graduate Committee (IGC) and the Institute Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (IUCC).  Its function is to act for its parent committees on academic matters related to study abroad programs. The Study Abroad Committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on Study Abroad and Global at Home programs and the policies that govern them. 

Committee Membership

Chair and IGC Rep: Prof. Lauren Stewart, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering 

IGC Rep: Prof. Blair Brettmann, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

IUCC Rep: Prof. Danielle Willkens, School of Architecture

IUCC Rep: Prof. Robbie Moon, Scheller College of Business

At-Large Member: Prof. Paul Benkeser, School of Biomedical Engineering

At-Large Member: Prof. Michael Goodisman, School of Biological Sciences

At-Large Member: Prof. Cecilia Montes-Alcala, School of Modern Languages

Vice Provost Bernard Kippelen, Vice Provost for International Initiatives 

Dean John Stein, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students 

Ansley Sharp, Senior Assistant Registrar

Amy Henry, Executive Director of International Education

Erin Rasche, International Risk, Safety, and Security Director

Lorie Paulez, Director of Education Abroad

David Bamburowski, Senior Director of Academic and Research Faculty Affairs

Staff to the Committee: Mary Alice Allen, Associate Director of Education Abroad and Ashlee Toomey-Flinn, Director of On-Campus Internationalization

FAQ

What is the difference between a Faculty-led Study Abroad Program and an Embedded Program?

Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs typically take place over the course of a fall, spring, or summer semester. Embedded Programs are faculty-led and include short-term international travel that takes place as part of a regular Atlanta campus course. The majority of Embedded Programs take place during spring break. Embedded Programs follow the same program proposal submission process.

What is the difference between a Study Abroad Program and a Global at Home Program?

Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs are group/cohort based study abroad programs, led by Georgia Tech faculty and include international travel. This also includes Embedded Study Abroad Programs. For more information about Faculty-led Study Abroad and Embedded Programs, email Mary Alice Allen at maryalice.allen@oie.gatech.edu.

Global at Home Programs are globally focused group/cohort-based programs, led by Georgia Tech faculty, which includes courses and program content offered in Atlanta, in the domestic United States, and/or virtually. These programs do not include international travel. For more information about Global at Home Programs, email Ashlee Toomey-Flinn at ashlee.flinn@oie.gatech.edu.

Will the committee review an incomplete proposal?

The committee understands the time commitment and work required of Program Directors to submit the necessary proposal components. Due to the number of proposals received each year and time required to review each proposal, the committee will no longer review proposals that are not complete or missing approval signatures.

Are proposals accepted after the deadline?

Proposals for existing programs are accepted based on the published timeline. Proposals for new programs may be submitted outside of this timeline. No proposals will be accepted less than 90 days prior to the program's proposed departure.

I'm unsure how to complete the program budget, where can I seek support?

Reach out to Mary Alice Allen in the Office of International Education at maryalice.allen@oie.gatech.edu to request a meeting. Mary Alice will assist you in understanding the different accounts for study abroad, discuss how these are maintained, and provide guidance on how to build and maintain a sustainable budget for your proposed study abroad program.

How do I proceed after my proposal has been approved?

The Office of International Education offers several resources for new and existing program directors at https://ea.oie.gatech.edu/faculty-staff. Some important resources include the Program Director Manual for Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs, Education Abroad Policy, links to Travel and Procurement Policy, and Faculty and Staff Protocols for Study Abroad.

Study Abroad Proposal Documents

All current and new Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Directors (and Embedded Faculty-Led Course Directors) are required to submit official Study Abroad Program Proposals to the Study Abroad Committee each year. All approval signatures should be obtained via DocuSign. Program proposals should be submitted via email to Mary Alice Allen at maryalice.allen@oie.gatech.edu. 

Global at Home Proposal Documents

  • Program Proposal Form (Forthcoming)
  • Faculty Course Approval Form (Forthcoming)
  • Program Budget and Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (Forthcoming)

All current and new Global at Home Program Directors are required to submit official Global at Home Program Proposals to the Study Abroad Committee each year. All approval signatures should be obtained via DocuSign. Program proposals should be submitted via email to Ashlee Toomey-Flinn at ashlee.flinn@oie.gatech.edu. 

Submission Timeline

Program proposals for existing study abroad programs are due by the following deadlines:

  • 2025 Spring Semester Programs: September 2, 2024
  • 2025 Spring Break Programs: September 2, 2024
  • 2025 Summer Semester Programs: October 1, 2024
  • 2025 Fall Semester Programs: January 10, 2025

New programs may be proposed throughout the calendar year no later than 90 days prior to the start of the term in which the program would take place. 

The Study Abroad Committee will review and vote on proposals within approximately four weeks of the submission deadlines. All new Program Directors will be asked to attend the committee meeting in which their proposal will be discussed, provide an overview of their program, and answer questions from the committee. All other existing programs will be notified if they are required to present before the committee following submission of their proposal.