IU Global Indianapolis is proud to announce its 2025 Virtual Global Learning Fellows, a cohort of dedicated faculty members who, after participating in the seven-week Virtual Global Learning Fellows Grant Program, are integrating global learning in their courses through virtual exchange.
The Virtual Global Learning Fellows Grant Program is designed to prepare faculty and staff from IU Indianapolis, Columbus, and Fort Wayne to facilitate global learning for students through virtual exchange. Participants learn about effective practices for developing what is commonly referred to as virtual exchange or collaborative online international learning (COIL). The Virtual Global Learning Fellows program highlights IU Indianapolis’s commitment to providing students with global career-focused experiences while breaking down geographical barriers to foster rich, intercultural learning.
Virtual exchange is a pedagogical approach that uses technology to connect students with peers from international institutions for collaborative projects and shared learning (Stevens Initiative).
It was inspiring to see this year’s cohort go from uncertain to confident as they worked collaboratively with their international partners to develop their pedagogical knowledge and create virtual global learning activities for their students.
Dr. Leslie Bozeman, director of curriculum internationalization and co-facilitator of the VGLF Program
The 2025 IU Indianapolis Virtual Global Learning Fellows are poised to offer unique and impactful global learning opportunities across a diverse range of disciplines. They are not just teaching; they are building bridges, fostering understanding, and preparing the next generation of global citizens and professionals. Their work exemplifies the power of virtual exchange to transform learning and connect IU Indianapolis classrooms to the world.
The Impact of Virtual Global Learning: Insights from the Fellows
The 2025 Virtual Global Learning Fellows are championing the transformative power of virtual exchange, highlighting its profound benefits for both students and faculty.
Expanding Perspectives and Fostering Cultural Awareness
Several fellows highlighted how virtual global learning broadens students’ understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives. Dr. Carly Bennett, clinical assistant professor of health and human sciences at IU Fort Wayne, emphasized that expanding students’ awareness of other cultures helps them make connections between global views and local contexts. She believes that a global perspective on health and healthcare systems makes students more culturally aware, better preparing them to serve diverse communities in their careers.
Similarly, Dr. Debolina Ghosh, clinical assistant professor in the Division of Science at IU Columbus, argues that global learning encourages engagement with diverse cultures, ideas, and viewpoints. This engagement fosters a comprehensive understanding of the world, crucial for any field, a sentiment echoed by Lecturer in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, Leon Johnson who noted this his students studying data visualization will learn to convey factual information in their data visualizations that are understood unequivocally, regardless of differences in cultures and perspectives.
Developing Critical Skills for a Global World
Global learning offers numerous benefits for students during their studies and after graduation, particularly in our interconnected world. Dr. Ghosh emphasized that the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills. She also pointed out that students learn to navigate differences in communication styles, language, and work ethics, which is essential for collaborating with people from various backgrounds. Dr. Roberto Gershon Swazo, full professor and school counseling program coordinator in the School of Education, further added that these experiences develop intercultural competence, ethical awareness, and reflective practice – all critical skills for working with immigrant, refugee, and international populations, which are essential for his students studying to become school counselors.
Enhancing Career Readiness and Global Competence
Employers are increasingly seeking candidates with global competence, and experience in international settings demonstrates adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to work effectively in diverse teams. Dr. Michelle Greene, clinical assistant professor of urban teacher education at the IU Indianapolis School of Education, underscores that as Indiana’s workforce demands global awareness, prioritizing global learning ensures educators can meet the needs of all students while preparing them for success in an interconnected world. Dr. Swazo also believes that this mutually beneficial initiative contributes to the development of global-ready professionals and strengthens pathways for inclusive education by applying global perspectives to local institutional challenges.
Similarly, Professor Melissa Groenewold, lecturer of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Cultures at IU Indianapolis, indicated that her virtual exchange aligns with IU Indianapolis’s research agenda by promoting intercultural dialogue and demonstrating the local impact of global engagement through meaningful service and research opportunities.
Addressing Real-World Challenges and Promoting Equity
Several fellows are focusing their virtual exchanges on real-world challenges. Dr. Kyle Carpenter, assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at the IU School of Medicine, will address surgical healthcare disparities in rural and urban underserved communities. Indiana, like many regions, faces challenges in accessing timely and specialized surgical care, especially for rural residents. Dr. Carpenter believes that by sharing insights into resource-limited surgical practices, participants can explore innovative solutions to common surgical challenges. He also stated that global learning is highly beneficial for medical students on the surgery clerkship, exposing them to new healthcare and medical education systems. Through mutual learning, participants will develop a broader, global perspective on surgical equity.
Dr. Greene’s project incorporates a ‘glocal’ approach, “Recognizing that global perspectives and local contexts must be integrated for effective teaching.”Glocal learning is essential for pre-service and practicing teachers in Indiana as classrooms become increasingly diverse, with a growing population of English learners (ELs),” she said. By embracing global learning, educators can adopt culturally responsive teaching methods, fostering inclusive environments where ELs thrive.
Breaking Down Barriers and Fostering Inclusivity
A significant advantage of virtual exchange is its accessibility. Dr. Greene pointed out that virtual exchange reduces financial barriers, making global education more inclusive. This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Bennett, who believes that while students may not have the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs, virtual exchange provides them with experience working with an international partner.
Similarly, Dr. Carpenter highlighted that integrating a virtual exchange into the surgery clerkship will expose medical students to diverse surgical practices and global healthcare challenges without geographic limitations. Dr. Ghosh further explained that virtual exchanges connect students with peers from diverse backgrounds, fostering global awareness and a multi-perspective understanding of global issues through collaborative projects.
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