Faculty Exchange

Outbound Faculty Exchange

SVSU Faculty have connections around the world. Through the Study Abroad Office and different departments on campus, professors and staff from SVSU participate in a wide variety of teaching, research, and other professional activities ranging from short-term international conferences to multi-month teaching experiences. SVSU has partnerships with several universities that offer faculty exchange programs.

Shikoku University, Japan

Background

Established in 1981 under the direction of Dr. Robert Yien, former SVSU Vice President for Academic Affairs, this is SVSU's longest-running international partnership — now in its 44th year. This partnership grew from the longstanding sister-city relationship between Saginaw, Michigan and Tokushima, Japan, and continues to serve as a model of sustained international academic exchange.

Our goal

Our exchange program is designed to provide one Shikoku University faculty member and one SVSU faculty member per year with an international exchange experience. SVSU sends one faculty member to Shikoku University (usually from April 1 to August 31, reflecting the Shikoku semester schedule) to teach courses in English (and typically a course on American Culture to members of the Shikoku campus community). During a U.S. academic semester, Shikoku University sends one faculty member to teach at SVSU. These arrangements may also involve research assignments, in addition to the teaching, if approved by the host institution.

Eligibility

SVSU faculty who have completed their first- and second-year evaluations are eligible to apply. Applications sent out each fall by the Office of International Programs through the Deans. Applications must include a recommendation from the appropriate Dean and final selection is made by the Provost/VPAA’s Office. The SVSU faculty member receives a stipend for the equivalent pay of $15,000 U.S. dollars and SVSU benefits are not interrupted, though some coordination with the SVSU Human Resources Office is necessary. For current information on stipend and travel compensation, as well as any other questions regarding this program, please contact the International Partnership Coordinator, Collin Glenn at intpartner@svsu.edu. Applications are typically distributed each fall through the Deans. Faculty are encouraged to express interest early, as final selection is made by the Provost/VPAA's Office.

SVSU Faculty Who have Taught At Shikoku University

Faculty	Exchange Year
John Kezierski	1983
Norman Sterchele	1986
Terry Ishihara	1987
Basil Clark	1988
Lu Cochen	1991
Merlyn Mondol	1992
Tai-Chi Lee	1993
Sachiko Claus	1994
Paul Munn	1995, 2001
Morteza Maeziarani	1997
Carlos Ramet	1999
Mason Wang	2000
Mike Mosher	2002
Thomas McManus	2004
Vince Sammarco	2005
Venessa Herd	2008, 2017
Rob Drew	2009
Shaun Bangert	2010
Blake Johnson	2013
Bradley Herzog	2014
Warren Fincher	2015
Scott Youngstedt	2016
Sara Beth Keough	2016
Matthew Vannette	2019
Il-Hyung Cho	2023
Phillip Hanson	2024
David Berry	2025

Shenyang Aerospace University, China

Background

This Partnership Program between the SVSU Art Department and Shenyang Aerospace University sends one faculty member and two students to Japan each summer to teach and assist with teaching a workshop in the area of graphic design or art. This program has supported ongoing collaboration between SVSU's Art Department and Shenyang Aerospace University since 2011, giving students real international teaching and professional experience in a creative field.

Eligibility and Duration

Selection of the faculty member and students is made by the Art Department in consultation with the Office of International Programs. This program typically lasts three weeks and takes place during June. For questions regarding this program, please contact the International Partnership Coordinator, Collin Glenn at intpartner@svsu.edu.

Jinan university, China

Background

SVSU's partnership with Jinan University in Guangzhou, China dates back to 1986 — nearly four decades of sustained academic exchange in nursing education. To date, approximately 30 nurses and staff from Jinan University have participated in visiting scholar programs at SVSU, and more than 110 SVSU faculty and students have taken part in academic exchanges at Jinan University.

In 2018, Jinan University visiting scholars and SVSU nursing faculty collaborated with staff from Covenant and MyMichigan Midland on a research study examining nurses' knowledge of patient fall prevention. The study involved 1,702 nurses across both countries and was published in the Journal of Patient Safety in March 2022.

Exchange

Each summer, SVSU sends a contingent of faculty and students from the College of Health and Human Services to visit Jinan University. This program operates as an exchange for one or two nurses from Jinan University who stay at SVSU during the Fall and Winter semesters. SVSU faculty and students typically spend time at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University and present at a regional nursing conference.

'In exchange, visiting scholars from Jinan University enroll in English and nursing courses at SVSU, including evidence-based practice and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. They participate in joint discussions with SVSU nursing students on differences between U.S. and Chinese healthcare systems, and complete clinical observations at McLaren and MyMichigan Health facilities.

Eligibility

Faculty and students are selected by the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, although Jinan University may request faculty with specializations that complement the annual nursing conference. For questions regarding this program, please contact the International Partnership Coordinator, Collin Glenn at intpartner@svsu.edu.

Changchun Normal University (CCNU), China

Background

SVSU's partnership with Changchun Normal University (CCNU) in Jilin Province, China is one of our most active and long-standing international collaborations. Through the SVSU–CCNU Joint Early Childhood Education Program, SVSU faculty travel to CCNU's campus to teach English-language early childhood and special education courses to Chinese university students preparing to become teachers.

This program has been active since 2018 and has involved more than a dozen SVSU faculty members across multiple disciplines within Teacher Education, Nursing, and related fields. Courses have included Introduction to Early Childhood Education, EC Exceptionalities, Language Development, Writing K–3, Science K–3, Infants and Toddlers, Literature and the Arts, Health, Social Studies, and Leadership.

Exchange

Faculty typically teach during two windows each academic year: a spring session (late March through April) and a summer session (May through June), living and working on the CCNU campus for approximately three to eight weeks per session. Teaching is supported by CCNU teaching assistants who provide translation and cultural liaison services, significantly reducing any language barrier for incoming SVSU faculty. For any questions regarding the program, please contact the International Partnership Coordinator, Collin Glenn at intpartner@svsu.edu.

SVSU Faculty Who have Taught At CCNU

Faculty	Term	Discipline
Dr. Debbie Lively	Spring 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025	Introduction to EC, EC Exceptionalities, Language
Amber Scott	Spring 2019	Introduction to EC (co-taught)
Lori Cummings	Spring 2019	Introduction to EC (co-taught)
Tabbetha Greco	Fall 2019	Infants & Toddlers, Pre-K
Dr. Kathryn Murray	Spring 2020	Leadership
Gabbie Marguery	Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025	Literature and the Arts, Pre-K, Infants/Toddlers, Health, Social Studies, Leadership
Dr. Kathryn Peckham	Fall 2023, Spring 2024	Reading K-3, Assessment & Curriculum, Leadership, Social Studies, Health
Dr. Jennifer Ward	Spring 2024	EC Exceptionalities, Writing K-3, Science K-3
Dr. Helen McCabe	Spring 2024	Writing K-3, Science K-3
Dawn Edwards	Fall 2024, Spring 2025	K-3 Literacy, Assessment and Curriculum, Science K-3, Writing K-3
Dr. Chenyi Zhang	Spring 2025	Introduction to EC, EC Exceptionalities, Language
Dr. Sara Tours	Spring 2025	Introduction to EC, Science K-3, Writing K-3

John Cabot University, Italy

Background

Every summer John Cabot University in Rome has welcomed over 40 visiting faculty who
join JCU local faculty creating a vibrant, collegial, and enjoyable community of educators. We continue this tradition
of offering an international experience to faculty from our partner universities across the United States.

Exchange dates

John Cabot University (JCU) holds two 5-week Summer sessions and a mini-3-week session, and we invite
visiting faculty from our University partners to join us in Rome for summer teaching.

Summer classes are scheduled as follows:
Summer I 2026: May 20 to June 27
Summer II 2026: July 2 to August 8
Summer II Mini 3-week 2026: Please contact our Partnership Coordinator directly at intpartner@svsu.edu for three-week summer program dates or request information directly from JCU here.

Teaching commitment

Regular Summer-session classes are 2 hours a day, four days a week (Monday to Thursday)
plus one final Friday for five weeks. For the Summer Mini 3-week session, classes are held Monday through Thursday
for 3 hours each day plus a Friday final exam. Class size is small and usually between 5 to 25 students in line with JCU's
mission as a liberal arts university. The course stipend is $5200 gross which is normally enough to cover transportation to Rome and housing for five weeks. Faculty do find their own housing.

Academic fields

Art, Business, Management, Marketing, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Humanities,
Legal Studies, Mathematics, Communication and Media Studies, Social Sciences, Psychology, Public Health, and
Education.

Interested? Should you wish to apply for summer teaching, please send a resume and cover letter to the Dean of Academic Affairs, Stefano Arnone (sarnone@johncabot.edu), with “Summer Teaching at JCU” in the subject line. Please also notify the SVSU International partnership coordinator at intpartner@svsu.edu so the OIP can provide any visa or immigration guidance. Receipt of the materials will be acknowledged, but only faculty whose profiles align with our summer offerings will be contacted for follow up.

US citizens may teach at JCU in the summer without the need for a visa (stays must be less than 90 days); payment
is in US dollars with direct deposit to your US bank account and reported to the IRS for the W-2. Unfortunately, we
do not sponsor visas for Italy for non-US, non-EU passport holders.

Inbound faculty exchange

Students Walking on Campus

Help an exchange faculty member feel at home at SVSU!

SVSU is proud to host faculty from around the world who teach, conduct research, and engage in a wide variety of activities as part of the campus community. SVSU typically hosts two to five visitors each year with priority given to visitors from our partner universities.

The experience of these visiting faculty members can be richer and more authentic when members of the SVSU community invite and accompany them to academic and cultural experiences (on and off campus). Past visiting scholars have especially enjoyed attending local cultural events, campus lectures, Lunar New Year celebrations, and day trips to destinations including Dow Gardens, Mackinac Island, and Frankenmuth. If you have an experience or outing you'd be willing to share, we'd love to connect you with one of our current visitors.

If you are willing to have a visiting faculty member accompany you to an on or off campus experience, please e-mail Collin Glenn to express your interest. He can be reached at intpartner@svsu.edu. You can also find out more about our guests on our Visiting Scholars Page!

Our Inbound Exchange Partners

Shikoku University (Japan)

Each year, one Shikoku University faculty member joins the SVSU campus for a U.S. academic semester to teach and engage with our community. This is the reciprocal component of SVSU's outbound Shikoku exchange. Visiting faculty may also undertake research assignments.

Jinan University (China)

Each fall and winter, one to two nursing faculty or staff from Jinan University's First Affiliated Hospital visit SVSU as part of our long-running nursing exchange. Visiting scholars enroll in coursework, attend clinical observations at area health systems, and participate in academic seminars with SVSU faculty and students.

Changchun Normal University (China)

In accordance with our joint program agreement, CCNU nominates three faculty members to visit SVSU approximately every two years. During their stay, visiting scholars observe courses, meet with SVSU administrators and faculty, visit local early childhood and special education facilities, and participate in cultural excursions throughout the region.

CONTACT US.

Study Abroad
Kal Spencer
studyabroad@svsu.edu
+1-989-964-4268

International Partnerships
Collin Glenn
intpartner@svsu.edu
+1-989-964-2593

International Student Advisor
Hannah Turk-Lerash
hrturk@svsu.edu
+1-989-964-4059