Presentation by Beth Ernst, Christie Gates, and Sally Thelen from Western Michigan University for MITESOL 2015

1. The Integration and Inclusion of International
Students on Campus
MITESOL 2015
Michigan State University
October 9-10, 2015
Beth Ernst, Christie Gates, and
Sally Thelen
Western Michigan University

2. Overview
• Introduction
• International Student Statistics and Research
• Goals of the Meet/Greet Project
• Planning, Logistics, and Budget
• Marketing
• Events
• Challenges
• Improvements for Future
• Whole Group Discussion
• Evaluation

3. Introduction
• International Student Enrollment
– Facts and Figures
– Trends
• Who we are
• CELCIS Program
– Six level IEP
– No TOEFL to matriculate
• Student-inspired event—January 2014
– Nawal and Norah’s story

4. To the
University
From CELCIS

5. International Student
Statistics and Research (1)
• “Each day almost one million international students
make their way to class at U.S. higher education
institutions”(IIE, 2013; Glass, Wongtrirat and Buus,
2015 pg. 1).
• Campus administrators and leaders believe that
“international students add diversity to a mostly
homogeneous campus,” but…

6. International Student
Statistics and Research (2)
• “…evidence that diversity contributes to the
development of intercultural learning among U.S.
students is relatively thin”(Glass, Wongtrirat and
Buus, 2015 pg. 2).
• “Universities are eager to accept our fees—but are
they doing enough to support young people like me
who come from far away to study?” (Paudel, 2013;
Glass, Wongtrirat and Buus, 2015 pg. 2)

7. Goals of the Meet/Greet Project
• Create connections between CELCIS students, advisors,
professors, and students in departments across campus.
• Support ongoing and long-term international student
engagement and inclusion (social networking, student
organizations, etc.)
• Give CELCIS students an opportunity to ask questions
about their upcoming academic programs
– How do I register for classes?
– How do I meet other students in my program?

8. Planning, Logistics, and Budget
• Room reservation for 80-90 people
• 1 round table for each department representative
• Budget: $670
– Catering
– Advertising
– Nametags
• Student worker compiled list of majors, contact info
for advisors

9. Marketing
• Save the Date email sent to department
representatives approx. 1 ½ months beforehand
• Postcard sent to students and department
representatives 3 weeks beforehand
• Classroom visits
• Facebook
• Newsletter

10. Events
• Fall 2014: October 22
– 10 departments
– Student attendees: No data
• Spring 2015: March 19
– 10 departments
– 42 student attendees
• Summer 2015: July 23
– 9 departments
– 29 student attendees

12. Challenges
• Overestimated food and drink quantities
• No representation from some units: How can we get
them involved?
• Some representatives attended but received little
traffic: How can we encourage interaction?
• Gap between classes and event
• Lower level students wanted to attend

13. Improvements for future:
• Need to solicit formal feedback from students and
departments
• Target specific programs
• Consult advising offices before setting date
• Personal invitations from CELCIS Director
• Personally directing students to student service
representatives
• Opened event to Pre-Advanced students
• Sign-in sheets
• Consistent record keeping

14. Questions for Discussion
• What are some ways that your program is integrating
and including international students on your
campus?
• What challenges has your program faced while
attempting to help international students adjust and
integrate?
• What types of programs exist on your campus that
help to make international students feel included?

15. Session Evaluation
Please complete the session evaluation survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BYZBLDG