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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—�鶹��ý College of Education and Human Development's higher education and �鶹��ý affairs leadership program announced a new affiliation with the University of Toronto (U of T) to create customizable international field experiences for graduate �鶹��ýs at the respective campuses who are studying higher education and �鶹��ý affairs.

The higher education and �鶹��ý affairs (HESA) leadership graduate program in Western's Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology announced a new agreement with the U of T Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and the U of T Mississauga Campus.

The international exchange initiative was launched by Dr. Ramona Lewis, HESA program coordinator, and Dr. Dave Kim, OISE faculty supervisor. The new partnership program allows �鶹��ýs from both campuses to develop a deeper understanding and explore the similarities and differences in the U.S. higher education systems to be able to effectively implement the practice of �鶹��ý affairs.

According to Lewis, the affiliation is addressing the increasing emphasis on global education in the field of �鶹��ý affairs. Students will serve as short-term international field scholars both contributing to and learning from the offices where they work during the summer. 

“The goal is to provide high-quality, theory-to-practice learning experiences for �鶹��ýs of both partner institutions; �鶹��ýs gain exposure to the breadth and depth of experiential knowledge of higher education and �鶹��ý affairs,” says Lewis.

The affiliation with U of T is different than most field experiences because it is completely customizable to match �鶹��ý's interests. Amie Sarabosing McPharlin, a current HESA �鶹��ý and member of the inaugural cohort, completed her experience by participating in research at the International Education Centre, Student Affairs Division at the Mississauga campus.

"As an international �鶹��ý herself, Amie was interested in international �鶹��ý affairs, so they created the field-based research position specifically for her," says Lewis. 

Students from U of T will have the opportunity to select from several units within the WMU Division of Student Affairs as part of their international experience. Lewis believes the willingness of �鶹��ý service departments at both campuses will be vital to the success of the affiliation agreement.  

"With this new effort, Dr. Ramona Lewis sets the stage for developing new partnerships and collaborations that take international alliances to a new level," says Dr. David Szabla, chair of the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology. "With Dr. Lewis’s international exchange initiative, �鶹��ýs are immersed into cross border cultural contexts gaining new insights and practices into higher education and �鶹��ý affairs. Ultimately, the alliance fosters diverse campus environments and enriches learning ecosystems with new perspectives." 

Lewis's work with the U of T has already received recognition from the . During the NASPA ceremony in 2023, Lewis and Kim were presented with the international award for Best Practices in Intercultural Awareness and Programming for their global classrooms initiative.  The award recognized their international collaboration in creating new �鶹��ý for international and domestic �鶹��ýs, also spreading awareness to the benefits of international field experiences. 

For more information about the affiliation agreement or the international field experience program, contact Dr. Ramona Lewis. 

hesa at wmu

The higher education and �鶹��ý affairs (HESA) concentration in the educational leadership program emphasizes a practitioner- scholar model. The curriculum combines a �鶹��ý development and leadership theory core, diversity and inclusion electives, and individualized field experiences. Curriculum and experiences highlight intercultural development and advocating for historically marginalized and underserved �鶹��ý populations in all areas of professional practice. For more information about the program, visit the HESA webpage.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.