COB Education Abroad Mentor Program

General purpose and scope

International Business Programs (IBP) will provide funding for a COB faculty member to shadow an experienced short-term faculty-directed (STFD) program leader. The aim of the mentor program is to develop COB faculty preparedness and insights into STFD programming. A secondary goal is to increase the number of short-term programs offered and increase students’ participation and cultural competence.

Eligibility

Any COB faculty member is eligible to apply for the COB Education Abroad Mentor Program funding; however, they must consult with, and receive support from, their Department Head prior to submitting an application. Faculty members may only receive funding for one mentorship.

Selection

The Director of IBP and a COB Associate Dean will review all applications and award funding based on the merit of each application. A maximum of two faculty may receive funding each academic year. Additional conditions include:

  • An approved program leader must agree to mentor a faculty applicant.
  • An approved program leader may mentor only one faculty per program.
  • Funding is only granted to faculty who have accounts in good standing, i.e., balances of $200 or less, with the university. Accounts must be in good standing at the time of selection, as well as at the time travel arrangements are made.
  • The awardee must provide a letter of support from their Department Head.
  • The awardee must have SA (Scholarly Academic), SP (Scholarly Practitioner), Instructional Practitioner (IP), or Practice Academic (PA) status.

Proposal requirements

Faculty seeking funding for this program will submit an application which includes the following:

  • Motivation for leading a short-term faculty-directed program
  • Reason for selecting a particular destination(s) and mentor, if known
  • Expected learning outcomes from the mentorship experience
  • Signed Agreement to Participate, as provided by IBP

Benefits of funding

  • Faculty who are chosen must enroll as a guest in the short-term program facilitated by the faculty mentor.
  • IBP will fund 75% of the total program fee to participate.
  • Any cost to obtain a visa, which is not included in the program fee but required for travel, will be funded by COB, if necessary to complete the program.
  • The cost of obtaining a passport is the responsibility of the awardee.

Expectations of recipient

Awardees must participate in all aspects of the short-term program led by their mentor, including:

  • Reviewing the Education Abroad proposal forms completed by the mentor. The mentor should review each required component of the academic and budget proposal form with the awardee.
  • Attend and observe each pre-departure and post-travel meeting held for students who participate in the mentor’s program.
  • Complete the Education Abroad application and required documentation for the program.
  • Complete the travel component of the program, assisting the faculty leader as needed to support safety and learning objectives.
  • Attend workshops available for short-term faculty-directed program leaders, including the Education Abroad Faculty Luncheon.
  • Complete mandatory Program Director pre-departure orientation with Education Abroad, which includes the Legal Counsel orientation.
  • Complete Campus Security Authority Training.
  • An awardee who fails to complete the travel component of the program will be liable for 25% of the total program fee, plus the International Programs Academic Experience Fee, and any non-refundable purchases made on their behalf. The fees will be charged to the awardee’s Missouri State account.

At the conclusion of the program, the awardee will be required to:

  • Review the final Education Abroad report prepared by the mentor.
  • Prepare and submit a drafted course proposal, itinerary, and budget for their future program.
  • Lead a short-term program within 18 months after participating with their international faculty mentor. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Agree to serve as a faculty mentor to a future awardee.

Agreement to participate

By submitting my application to work with a COB education abroad mentor, I understand and agree to fulfill the following obligations if selected as a recipient of this funding:

  • I met with my Department Head and received approval to apply to this program.
  • I am interested in leading a short-term faculty-directed program with COB students.
  • I will review the Education Abroad academic and budget proposal forms completed by the mentor, which are a required component in the program development process.
  • I am financially responsible for 25% of the program fee.
  • I will attend and observe each pre-departure and post-travel meeting held for students who participate in the mentor’s program.
  • I will complete the Education Abroad application and required documentation for the program.
  • I will complete the travel component of the program, assisting the faculty leader as needed to support safety and learning objectives.
  • I will attend workshops available for short-term faculty-directed program leaders, including the Education Abroad Faculty Luncheon.
  • I will complete mandatory Program Director pre-departure orientation with Education Abroad, which includes the Legal Counsel orientation.
  • I will complete Campus Security Authority Training.
  • I understand that if I fail to complete the travel component of the program I will be personally liable for 25% of the total program fee, plus the International Programs Academic Experience Fee, and any non-refundable purchases made on my behalf (such as airline or event tickets). The fees will be charged to my Missouri State account.*

*Exceptions to this policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Agreement to Participate