THE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
The Institute for International and Experiential Education implements co-curricular and integrative learning experiences that prepare Morehouse College students to lead, nationally and globally. The Institute coordinates international service, study, and internship experiences, as well as a number of domestic programs, including study tours, teach-ins, exhibits, and other programs. The Institute is home to the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program, a premier scholarship program at Morehouse that, over the last 34 years, has funded the educations of almost 800 Men of Morehouse. Additionally, the institute provides programs for students interested in pursuing careers in international service.
Dr. Jann Adams (Jann.Adams@morehouse.edu) is the director of the Institute for International and Experiential Education.
Experiential Education
The Andrew Young Center designs and implements experiential education programming to support the academic program and to enhance and deepen the learning experiences of students. Experiential education programs include study tours, teach-ins, lectures, and exhibits on important topics, as well as the Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. The Center also provides infrastructure and support for students, faculty, and staff to learn best practices to design, implement, and assess interventions related to community impact and experiential learning.
Highlights of programs offered during the 2023-24 academic year include The Many Lives of Andrew Young Exhibit, the AYCGL’s Teach in on the Israel/Palestine Conflict, and two study tours: the November 2023 study tour visiting the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Peace & Justice Memorial and the February 2024 African American History and Heritage Tour which took place in Charleston, SC.
Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program
The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program provides financial support, leadership development experiences, and service opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need, strong academic potential, and interest in and commitment to community service. The program seeks to develop community and global leaders through leadership development and service experiences during the academic year and provides an opportunity to travel to South Africa during the summer to engage in service and leadership experiences. In addition to monthly community meetings, lectures, and teach-ins, scholars participate in weekly and program-wide service, an annual book study, and study tours, such as the Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Museum and Peace and Justice Memorial. Scholars have an opportunity to participate in a fully funded study abroad program during spring break as well as the Oprah Winfrey South Africa Leadership Program which travels to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa each May.
The Institute for International and Experiential Education also supports faculty interested in developing and implementing unique and specialized experiences for students to enhance their courses and learning outcomes.
International Education
Morehouse students who study abroad develop cultural awareness and sensitivity, maturity, and independence that support their development as global citizens and leaders and prepares them for international careers.
The Morehouse College strategic plan includes study abroad as a key strategic initiative to advance Morehouse Beyond Borders. The college seeks to significantly increase the global experiences of Morehouse students. Thus, the Office of International Education (OIE) collaborates with academic leaders and faculty to integrate global experiences into the curriculum and campus life as well as implements study abroad programs at college. The College offers many study abroad programs, including unique, short-term, faculty-led programs and academic term programs offered by our preferred partners, Arcadia, CEA CAPA, CIEE, IES Abroad, and ISEP.
The Office of International Education works to enhance the global experiences, culture, and perspectives of Morehouse students by implementing programs that encourage study abroad and provide global experiences on campus. These include an annual international education symposium, study abroad fairs, information sessions, passport support and funding, application support sessions, pre-departure sessions, individual advising, and sessions targeting parents of students to encourage their support for study abroad. The OIE implements a Study Abroad Ambassadors Program and social media campaigns to reach more students and to provide information in a way that students find accessible and easy to understand.
Financial barriers are the first challenge many students encounter when they consider studying abroad. A recent $1 million award to the Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership established the Andrew Young Fund for International Scholars which funded $76,875 in student scholarships for study abroad during the 2023-2024 academic year. During the 2023-2024 academic year, students participated in study abroad experiences for as little as $500, with four fully funded programs offered at no cost to students. The OIE will increase funding to support students studying abroad in both faculty-led and academic-term programs during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Ms. Jeanine White (Jeanine.white@morehouse.edu) and Ms. Nandi Musengwa (Nandi.Musengwa@morehouse.edu) are the program directors for study abroad. Students considering study abroad are asked to visit the Morehouse College Education Abroad website, https://morehouse.edu/international-education/, follow @MorehouseOIE on Instagram and TikTok,contact the OIE by email (OIE@morehouse.edu), or visit the Office of International Education located in the Massey Leadership Building, Room 440.
Careers in International Service
The Institute for International and Experiential Education prepares students for global leadership opportunities in both government and non-profit organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, USAID, and the Peace Corps.
THE DIPLOMAT-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers who coordinate training opportunities and provide guidance and advice on careers, internships and fellowships to students and professionals in the communities they serve. The USAID and Department of State Diplomats-in-Residence serving the southeast region are housed at Morehouse College and Spelman College, respectively.
PEACE CORPS
The Peace Corps has been a leader in international development and citizen diplomacy for more than 50 years across more than 139 countries. In an increasingly interdependent world, the Peace Corp is devoted to tackling challenges that know no borders—such as climate change, pandemic disease, food security, and gender equality and empowerment. Although times have changed since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961, the agency’s mission—to promote world peace and friendship—has not. Today, the Peace Corps is more vital than ever, working in collaboration with partner organizations and using cutting-edge technologies and well-tested best practices to enhance impact.
Learn more about our Diplomats-in-Residence and the Peace Corps: https://andrewyoungcenter.org/preparing-students-for-international-careers.