Alison Nagy - “Tackle the Enrollment Cliff with 60% Study Abroad Participation”
Alison Nagy, the Associate Director of Study Abroad and Inbound Programs for International Education at American University. Alison shares her insights and experiences on how American University has grown the study abroad programs from a handful to over 100, with a remarkable participation rate from students of well over 60%. She emphasizes the importance of making study abroad attainable for all students, ensuring that there are academic options for a wide variety of majors and that financial barriers are minimized. Alison also discusses the significance of effective communication, data analysis, and departmental buy-in in creating a successful study abroad program.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT INSIGHTS EPISODE 9 ALISON NAGY Associate Director, Abroad at American University Tackle the Enrollment Cliff with 60% Study Abroad Participation
What’s Inside(Page 1 of 2) [0:29] Introduction to Alison Nagy [0:59] Limitless Growth Beyond 60% IE Participation [28:45] Full Podcast Episode [1:42] Making Study Abroad Attainable for All Students [2:47] Creating Affordable & Accessible Study Abroad Programs [3:30] Empowering Students with Direct One-On-One Communication [2:13] Advocating for Students Safety & Support During Study Abroad [1:20] Increasing IE Participation through Departmental Buy-In [1:58] Making Study Abroad Part of the DNA of the University
What’s Inside (Page 2 of 2) [1:45] The Importance of Data in Offerings and Decision-Making [1:47] Recommendation: Growing IE Programs for Small Teams [1:22] Ensuring the Right Set of IE Options for Students [1:18] How to Maximize Study Abroad Opportunities for Students [0:59] Setting Goals for Study Abroad Programs [3:34] Student Story: Successes & Untapped Potential [0:56] Making IE the University’s Top Priority
A Podcast with Alison Nagy Alison Nagy, Associate Director of Study Abroad at American University, shares her insights on how to make international education a top priority for universities. With over 18 years of experience, Nagy discusses the importance of offering a wide range of study abroad programs that align with students’ majors, making it affordable and accessible for all. She emphasizes the need for departmental buy-in, data- driven decision-making, and ongoing communication with students throughout their study abroad experience. Nagy’s success in increasing student participation to over 60% proves that international education can be a transformative and integral part of higher education.
(0:59 Video) Limitless Growth Beyond 60% IE Participation "There are always more students that can be reached. There are always students who come in wanting to meet with us in the first semester of their freshman year, saying I want to study abroad." —ALISON NAGY
Full Episode “We want to make sure that there are options for every student who wants to go abroad.” —ALISON NAGY
Full Episode: Topics Covered 1. Expanding Study Abroad Opportunities 2. Empowering Students Through Communication 3. Data-Driven Decision Making 4. The Path to Greater Participation
(1:42 Video) Making Study Abroad Attainable for All Students “When we are building out our programs, we want to make sure that if you can afford to be at American University for a semester, you can afford to study abroad.” —ALISON NAGY
(2:47 Video) Creating Affordable & Accessible Study Abroad Programs “In addition to making sure that there are academic options for every major, we want to make sure that any student can afford to go abroad.” —ALISON NAGY
(3:30 Video) Empowering Students with Direct One-On-One Communication “We go over budget sheets in every advising session to be transparent about what this program will cost. What is going to go on the AU bill? How is your financial aid going to apply?” —ALISON NAGY
(2:13 Video) Advocating for Student’s Safety and Support During Study Abroad “We work very closely with them on ensuring that if there's a critical situation, all parties are involved in communicating what the needs are.” —ALISON NAGY
(1:20 Video) Increasing IE Participation through Departmental Buy-In “You really have to get departmental buy-in. We have tried very hard to work with academic units and create guidance for every single major on campus by working with those academic advisors.” —ALISON NAGY
(1:58 Video) Making Study Abroad Part of the DNA of the University “We’ve built our own in- house database that shows the courses that students have taken abroad. It’s very easy to use, without having to go and navigate every single partner’s individual course listings.” —ALISON NAGY
(1:45 Video) The Importance of Data in Offerings and Decision-Making “We do want to use the data for making sure that we have the breadth of offerings that we feel best fit the needs of our students.” —ALISON NAGY
(1:47 Video) Recommendation: Growing IE Programs for Small Teams “It doesn't have to be big changes all at once, but identifying small gaps that you could fill.” —ALISON NAGY
(1:22 Video) Ensuring the Right Set of IE Options for Students “It's breadth and depth, you don't necessarily have to have 100 options, but do you have 10 really strong options that offer lots of opportunities for your students.” —ALISON NAGY
(1:18 Video) How to Maximize Study Abroad Opportunities for Students “If you have limited resources, if you have limited program options, make sure that you have programs that can fit more than just one student.” —ALISON NAGY
(0:59 Video) Setting Goals for Study Abroad Programs “Definitely make sure that your entire focus isn't just on Europe.” —ALISON NAGY
(3:34 Video) Student Story: Successes & Untapped Potential "Students come in wanting to meet with us their first semester of their freshman year saying, I want to study abroad. How do I make it happen?" —ALISON NAGY
(0:56 Video) Making IE the University’s Top Priority “You want to always stay engaged. You want to always think about how you can do better.” —ALISON NAGY
(0:51 Video) Maximizing Study Abroad Opportunities for Students “The top priority is making sure that when a student comes to you and wants to study abroad, you’re not having to turn them away.” —ALISON NAGY
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