The Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) and the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) have launched the Student Affairs International Fellowship (SAIF), a unique professional development opportunity for Student Affairs staff to contribute to faculty-led study abroad programs while enhancing student support and intercultural learning.
The SAIF is open to exempt, full-time DoSA staff with at least one year of service at UMBC. Applicants must be in good standing with a performance rating of “meets expectations” or higher, and have approval from their supervisor.
Dr. James DeVita, assistant vice president for academic partnerships and high-impact experiences says, “Study abroad is a unique and meaningful high-impact experience that helps students to expand their worldviews, deepen their sense of identity, and engage in holistic development that transforms both their learning and their lives. Through the Student Affairs International Fellowship (SAIF), student affairs staff have the opportunity to extend their expertise in supporting student well-being, identity development, and intercultural engagement while collaborating closely with faculty members from various disciplines.
“SAIF was intentionally designed to be mutually beneficial: enhancing support for students and faculty during study abroad programs, advancing professional growth for staff through meaningful international experiences, and helping UMBC continue to scale equitable access to high-impact opportunities for all students,” Dr. DeVita adds.
SAIF Fellows will
- Support student well-being, identity development, and crisis management abroad.
- Partner with faculty to balance academic goals with student development needs.
- Assist with program promotion, orientation, community-building, and co-curricular activities.
- Strengthen risk management and logistical coordination.
"In January 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program in Rome, Italy, alongside political science faculty member Dr. Carolyn Forestiere,” says Laura Schraven, director of Student Affairs Communications and Marketing. “The experience was truly transformative. I was able to connect with students in new and meaningful ways, helping to build a micro-community of support and shared learning.”
Schraven adds, “Dr. Forestiere and I also engaged in thoughtful conversations about our work and discovered new connection points that deepened our mutual understanding of the valued partnership between academic and student affairs. Ideas were shared, questions explored, and conversations that began in Rome continue to inspire. The benefits of this program and partnership are truly limitless.”
Dr. DeVita, Schraven, and Dr. Forestiere, along with Katie Heird, director of education abroad and global learning in the CGE, will co-present “Developing a Student Affairs International Fellowship to Support Education Abroad” at the online American Association of Colleges & Universities’ Conference on Global Learning on November 12.
The presentation “...will highlight SAIF’s structure, training components, and early outcomes as a novel institutional response to two key challenges: enhancing student support abroad and creating meaningful global learning experiences for staff. Participants will explore how staff-faculty collaboration can advance equitable access to high-impact practices and leave with insights for replicating this adaptable model on their own campuses.”
Student Affairs staff can learn more and apply to the SAIF program on the Division of Student Affairs internal myUMBC group.