About Global Engagement
The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) is responsible for the development, promotion, and support for all global engagement activities on campus.
Global Engagement at
The University of Mississippi
OGE's goal is the comprehensive internationalization of the university, and the development of our students, faculty, and staff as global citizens. OGE fosters the growth of multidisciplinary and collaborative partnerships both within the university community and around the world, in support of our institutional position as the flagship university of the State of Mississippi, and as a renowned global public research university.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Global Engagement is to provide leadership for the comprehensive internationalization of The University of Mississippi by fostering the growth and development of our international programs and services in order to increase the exposure of our students to a multicultural and internationally enriched education. As today’s students graduate into a global workforce and market place that have virtually no borders, it is imperative for Ole Miss as a major national university to expand its international footprint and to train our students to take advantage of the inherent opportunities of a globalized market place and be future global leaders.
Going Global in Mississippi
Mississippi & the World
OGE, a multidisciplinary network of people and programs, brings the world to Mississippi and takes Mississippi to the world. We guide UM's development of global citizenship, scholarship, and human development. We partner with academic and non-academic units across the university to enhance the global content of UM programs. In the increasing globalization of our world, The university partners with leading education and research institutions across the globe to produce global leaders through our programs such as study abroad, exchange programs, an international student population, and international internships and service learning.
Global Citizens
We strive to provide international education and research opportunities to all of our students, faculty, and staff. These opportunities invariably provide transformative experiences that allow our students to learn, engage, and interact with peers across multiple languages and cultures around the world. These experiences prepare them as future global leaders in all professional fields. International students and scholars from 90+ countries enrich our university community by contributing to the internationalization of our university, and also by fostering a rich multicultural atmosphere, while helping to extend the reach and global footprint of Ole Miss.
Offices & Programs
The Office of Global Engagement is made up of five constituent offices and special programs, including International Enrollment Management (IEM), International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), Intensive English Program (IEP), Study Abroad Office (SAO), and the US Japan Partnership Program (USJP). Once again, welcome to the Office of Global Engagement at Ole Miss. Please do not hesitate to use this opportunity to explore the rich variety of programs in each of our departments.
Global Engagement Goals
In addition to the operations of its five core programs (IEM, IEP, OIP, SAO, and USJP), the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) provides the leadership necessary for internationalization efforts at The University of Mississippi. OGE is the primary resource for international students, faculty, and staff at UM, as well as for UM students and employees traveling abroad to study or on University business.
Global Engagement actively supports the UM Strategic Plan, Flagship Forward, in its goal to educate and engage global citizens.
Toward this goal, OGE directly supports the following actions:
- Study abroad participation increased 23% from 2016 – 2017
- Total number of student participants on UM-approved study abroad programs for 2018 is 677
- Please see the Study Abroad Report (September 2019) for additional information.
- Recruitment partnership finalized in December 2017
- Collaboration with on-campus partners to make UM even more welcoming, through increasing diverse dining, housing, and transportation options and streamlining the admissions process
- International Collaboration Grant for Faculty – Faculty can apply for up to $4,000 in funds to support collaborations (research, collaboration, and technical assistance initiatives).
- The new agreements database shows UM’s Global Footprint. Faculty interested in collaborating, teaching, researching, or sending students to study with current partners can now see all partnerships at UM.
- More and more UM faculty are proposing and leading study abroad programs.
Our Senior International Officer
Blair Thomson
Senior International Officer and Director of Study Abroad