COB Advisor Education Abroad Familiarity Program

IBP will assist qualified advisors in the Business Advisement Center (BAC) and COB Graduate Programs Office (GPO) to participate in a Short-Term Faculty-Directed (STFD) COB Education Abroad Program or to attend a site visit conducted by an approved Education Abroad Program Provider. The purpose is to familiarize academic advisors with Education Abroad programs and ultimately boost student participation in Education Abroad programs.

Eligibility

• COB advisors (including BAC Director, BAC Associate Director, and COB GPO Coordinator) must have completed three years in the BAC or COB Graduate Programs Office, or combination, prior to the travel departure date.
• The advisor must have exhibited satisfactory job performance at their most recent review as indicated by the absence of any Performance Improvement Plan and have no history of a Title IX or similar violation or current investigation into the same.
• There is a maximum of two participants per year, combined, in the COB Advisor Education Abroad Familiarity Program and the COB Education Abroad Mentor Program. Each advisor can be funded no more than one time under this program.
• Recommendation by immediate supervisor and the COB Dean or designee is required.
• Participants must have a valid passport with sufficient blank pages and expiration six months beyond the conclusion of the program.
  • If a visa is required, COB will cover the cost.
• Participation priority will be determined by the Dean or designee taking into account:
  • Years of service to COB/MSU
  • Performance evaluations
  • The advisor’s preference for a specific program offering (e.g., geographic region)
  • The supervisor’s assessment of potential benefit to COB students

Benefit

Up to $4,000 (excess fees, if any, will be paid by the advisor and are not reimbursable) will be paid by COB toward the program fee for an international STFD education abroad program led by a COB faculty member or an international site visit conducted by an Education Abroad Program Provider approved by the MSU Director of Education Abroad. The program or site visit must be approved by the COB Dean or designee. If the program fee is less than $4,000, the unused portion will remain with COB; it cannot be assigned to another person or carried over to a future program.

The COB Education Abroad Financial Award Program shall not be combined with the Advisor Education Abroad Familiarity Program.

Expectations

• Following the program, the advisor will hold a debriefing session for fellow advisors, the IBP Director, and COB Dean or designee to discuss their experience and thoughts on promoting Education Abroad program participation by COB students.
• If the advisor has sufficient tuition fee waiver credits (not exhausted by personal or spouse/dependent use), they are expected to register for and fully participate in a course associated with the STFD program. If credit is not sought, audit declaration is the advisor’s responsibility.
• The advisor is required to complete and abide by all Education Abroad Program agreements.
• Any guest of the advisor must be approved by the STFD Program Director or Education Abroad Program Provider, COB Dean or designee, and the MSU Director of Education Abroad, and must pay the full program fee.
• The advisor will not be expected to perform program director responsibilities, but as a University employee, may need to assist in an emergency situation.
• The advisor is expected to travel with the STFD Program Director and fellow participants throughout the entire program.