Global Engagement

A global perspective promotes social cohesion, meets the demands of modern employers, and prepares our students to be active, engaged citizens. 
 
Promote Unity and Mutual Respect  

Learning about diverse cultural, political, social, and business customs from around the world enriches our campus community and prepares us to thrive in an interconnected world. By understanding and appreciating these differences, we build a more inclusive and harmonious environment for everyone. 
 
Meet Employer Demands for a Global Mindset  

In today's job market, employers value employees with a global mindset. They seek individuals who can navigate and contribute to diverse and multicultural workplaces. By cultivating a global outlook, our students strengthen their employability and are better prepared to succeed in a variety of professional settings. 
 
Prepare Students for Active Citizenship  

A global perspective equips students to be engaged and informed citizens. It encourages robust discussions about contested ideas, turning debates into opportunities for learning and growth. This approach does not mark the end of conversations but opens the door to ongoing dialogue and deeper understanding. 
 
Embrace the world with us and discover the value of a truly global education. 

Welcome to the Office of Global Engagement. We are home to many of the global opportunities and support services for students, faculty, and staff at Seattle University. We offer strategic leadership for campus-wide and global initiatives, overseeing and managing:

• Global education
• Global operations
• Global partnerships
• English-language learning for multilingual speakers
• International students and faculty support and services
• Native American and Indigenous students support and services
• Prestigious fellowships and awards guidance 

We are your connection to a broad range of experiences, support services, and learning opportunities across campus and around the world. Never hesitate to contact us!

Call for Proposals – Deadline April 30, 2025

About the Grants:

This program supports initiatives that will make an ongoing contribution to the global education mission of Seattle University.

Grants will be made to support or seed:

• research projects;
• new course development,
• partnerships on- and off-campus,
• faculty-led education abroad and community-engaged learning[1] experiences,
• programs and initiatives designed to support international student success and retention,
• the creative re-envisioning of existing curricula, programs, and initiatives to attract new students and/or better prepare our current students for a rapidly changing world, and
• global community engagement or experiential learning projects with local Tribes or global partners.

Focus is on innovation that strengthens retention, and/or enhances mission by aligning Global Engagement programming more closely with our Jesuit values, including transdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive excellence, community-engaged learning, and environmental sustainability as outlined in Reigniting Strategic Directions.

About the Awards:

There is no fixed amount for each grant, though the cost and number of students impacted will be a criterion for decisions. Awards will typically be $2,500-$7,500. Support could take the form of summer stipends, educational program or conference fees, travel support, research assistance, materials, or even a course release if warranted by the scale of the project.

Note that awards to support the creation of new courses will typically be $3,000 and the new course form must be submitted to curriculog within the academic year. For substantial revisions (over 50% of the course content changing), awards will typically be $1,750.

Eligibility:

Current full-time faculty of Seattle University are eligible to apply.

Process: 

Submit the completed proposal by email to the Office of Global Engagement (global@seattleu.edu) by April 30, 2025. Awards will be announced by May 31, 2025.  Funds will be distributed through the Office of Global Engagement as the projects become active. Remember that travel with students needs to be approved by Education Abroad.

Note that where funds are available, submissions may be considered off-cycle.

Selection Criteria:

• Clarity of proposal - needs to be easily understood by readers not in the discipline
• Viability of the project – the likelihood of accomplishing the stated objectives
• Realistic timeline
• Expected impact on Seattle University’s global education mission
• Multiplication – expanding SU’s capacities, permeating the campus with international experiential learning capabilities
• Cost-benefit of budget and other resources to number of students ultimately impacted

Application Format:

Applications should include the following

• Cover page
• CV(s)
• Where appropriate (for example, if S.U. responsibilities or curriculum implicated), your Dean’s signature
• Project description (written for an audience of colleagues not in your discipline; maximum 5 pages single-spaced)
  • Purpose and goals
  • Scope of activities
  • Timeline
  • Impact - contribution to SU global education mission
  • Viability – provide evidence that the goals can be achieved
  • The multiplication factor is especially important - how will the project contribute to the university’s strategic directions, not just that of experienced faculty?
  • Project Team, including any internal or external partners - describe who will be involved in this project and what they will do
  • If the project will be part of a course, please indicate the course number and provide the course description.
  • If developing a course or program, describe the expected course learning outcomes or program goals, as the case may be
  • Evaluation method for students and SU partners
  • Resources/budget
    • Include all funding and requested resources dedicated to the project and an itemized budget. Be sure to include student contributions which are expected if students will participate. The Education Abroad Office has an online budget planner you might find helpful.
  • Qualifications/experience of applicants for completing this project
    • Demonstrate that the applicant(s) can accomplish the project and impact proposed.
    • General qualifications and experience need not be included, but you are welcome to highlight the qualifications and experience you would like considered.

Additional Considerations:

• These grants may not be used for salary supplement, conference travel, or payment for services to SU employees (except student employees).
• For these grants, research should lead to a student learning benefit or contribute to the university’s research excellence.
• If the project requires adjustments to contracts or to SU responsibilities, applicants must have preapproval of their dean.
• All programs must go through established SU approval processes such as Office of Sponsored Projects, Institutional Review Board, and Education Abroad Office, as applicable.
• All travel with students must be approved through the Education Abroad Office. Global grant funding does not change this requirement, or the necessary timeline required.
• GE funds will only be disbursed after other funding sources have been applied. GE funds may be applied up to the total amount requested in the proposal to GE.

Results of Award Report:

Grant recipients should prepare a brief written report on a form provided by GE. It should include:

• Results summary
  • activities of the project
  • impact of the project (including ongoing results expected)
  • this summary may be used for reports to donors and for SU marketing/publications
• Lessons learned that can be applied to future projects and proposed follow up
• What were the differences between expected experience and actual experience?
• Resources used, final itemized budget
• Evaluation results
• Please provide photos that can be used for marketing/publication
• Reports due at the start of the term following the project

Contact:

For more information, contact the Office of Global Engagement (global@seattleu.edu) or Aymie Tude (atudi@seattleu.edu).

[1] Community engaged learning is a credit-bearing educational experience during which students apply course material to contribute to equitable solutions for issues impacting one or more communities. Community engaged learning courses include reflection activities that integrate students' learning across classroom and community contexts.