Resources for Recruiting International Graduate Students
Call for College Proposals
Colleges with existing contacts in target countries and an interest in diversifying graduate enrollments and strengthening international partnerships are encouraged to submit a proposal. Academic Affairs/The Office of International Programs will offer five funding packages annually, each of which will include:
- One funded Ph.D. or Master level assistantship for first year of study. A second assistantship should be offered by the college/department. This makes a total of two students per package.
- Travel funding for a two-year cycle to support faculty travel to explore and cultivate university connection with a potential institutional partner/collaborator
- Funding to invite new partner to UNC Charlotte to co-teach a summer course or conduct research
- Colleges should expect to commit between $8,000 and $10,000 plus one graduate assistantship as a cost share match for each two-year project. Summer teaching stipends will also be offered to incoming visiting scholars.
To apply, Deans are asked to submit a one to two page proposal describing in details the plan/project, the specific new source country of focus, specify the existing or proposed partner institution in addition to the names of your project team members. Target countries include South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, Colombia, Greece, Turkey, Egypt but others will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please include a proposed budget, estimated dates of travel. Please submit your proposal as a Google/Word document or PDF to international@charlotte.edu. For questions, please contact Joël Gallegos, Associate Provost for International Programs at jagalleg@charlotte.edu.
June 3, 2022: Proposal deadline
June 30, 2022: Funded projects announced
Overall goal
The purpose of this initiative is to support colleges and departments in building international frameworks and developing sustainable pipelines for the recruitment of more diverse international masters and Ph.D. students. It is likely that we have many contacts and connections around the world that go largely underutilized. It is our goal to thoughtfully develop some “in-house” intelligence and market expertise to assist in supporting and reinforcing our broad recruitment efforts. As we consider the University’s Shaping What’s Next strategic plan and our goals toward a more prominent position in the higher education landscape, international students will, no doubt, serve as critical contributors to that trajectory.
Why diversify international graduate student recruitment?
- a portfolio approach to recruiting provides for more effective risk management, avoids over-dependence on select markets
- attract the best and the brightest from a wider talent pool
- build foundations for sustainable future pipelines through more diverse alumni network
- support the mission to attain top tier research status
Where do our international students come from?
What can faculty do to diversify recruitment?
- Identify your own professional contacts and connections at universities in other countries
- Invite visiting scholars to UNC Charlotte for a semester through the Call for College Proposals outlined above
- Strategically utilize visits to partner universities, conferences or research trips as opportunities for graduate student recruitment by sharing program information
- Proactively participate in recruitment webinars hosted by EducationUSA (further details below)
- or the US Commercial Service (further details below)
- Consider other opportunities for international engagement which will strengthen existing partnerships with specific universities (student or faculty exchange, collaborative research, Globally Networked Learning)
How can the Office of International Programs assist you in program/departmental international recruitment efforts?
- Identify faculty champions and convene regional interest groups: in progress
- Market research: Identify emerging opportunities and trends in regions
- Institutional research: Identify existing international connections both formal and informal
- Facilitate connections/discussions/meetings/agreements through partner institution’s international office
- Connect you to marketing opportunities through EducationUSA and other organizations e.g. webinars, virtual recruitment fairs aimed at graduate students
- Assist in developing your messaging to prospective students
- Provide marketing materials as needed
External resources for international recruitment
EducationUSA
The EducationUSA network consists of hundreds of advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories.
EducationUSA advising centers may be located in U.S. embassies and consulates, or in a variety of partner institutions, including Fulbright commissions; bi-national cultural centers; U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as AMIDEAST and American Councils/ACCELS; and foreign NGOs, universities and libraries. These centers share a common goal: assisting students in accessing U.S. higher education opportunities.
- EducationUSA Global Guide
- Open Doors Report
- Student Mobility Fact Sheets
- EducationUSA events
- Recruitment fairs and industry conferences
What the U.S. Commercial Service Can Do for You
The U.S. Commercial Service is the export promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. Their global network of more than 1,330 trade professionals is located throughout the United States and in U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 75 countries. Whether you are looking to recruit your first international student or expand your recruitment efforts to additional countries, the U.S. Commercial Service offers the expertise you need to assist with your international outreach to students, potential partners, and agents.
How Can the U. S. Commercial Service Help Your Institutions
The Commercial Service Global Education Team works to help connect you to high school counselors, agents, and potential partner universities, recruit international students, and meet with companies or government entities that require specialized training. They can also assist with your educational state consortia efforts and overseas promotion by providing you with the tools and information you need to set priorities and plan for international outreach.
