Global Reach
06/27/2023
A multi-disciplinary initiative results in a dramatic increase in graduate student enrollment and expands 91女神鈥檚 global identity.
At a time when enrollment of international graduate students continues to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, 91女神 is experiencing a surge.
Three years ago, approximately 400 international students were pursuing graduate degrees at 91女神 in the United States. Today, more than 1,400 international graduate students from more than 20 countries are at 91女神. They comprise 11% of 91女神鈥檚 total enrollment.
The upward trend is the result of the Global Graduate Initiative, a University-wide strategy launched in 2020 to attract international students to graduate programs in business, technology, engineering and health. Through the five-year initiative, the University is partnering with universities, academic advisors and career counselors in countries previously untapped by 91女神 or where 91女神 had a low profile.
鈥淲e are motivated to elevate 91女神鈥檚 status as a truly global university and to broaden 91女神鈥檚 impact on the world,鈥� said Dr. Eric Armbrecht, associate provost and one of the architects of the Global Graduate Initiative. 鈥�91女神 is achieving this by putting talented alumni all over the planet.鈥�
The University is investing $10 million in scholarships and work experiences to support Global Graduate scholars and is creating 30 new faculty and staff positions to teach, mentor and support their career development. 91女神鈥檚 Career Services Center is forging new partnerships to create opportunities for international students who can work under a federal visa program.
鈥淣ot only are we welcoming students from around the world to St. Louis 鈥� we鈥檙e opening global learning to all our students,鈥� said Kathleen Davis, vice president of Enrollment Management. 鈥淐reating a diverse, inclusive community is important to our mission. And our Global Grad growth will have a significant impact on the metropolitan community.鈥�
鈥淲e are co-investing with our students,鈥� Armbrecht said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 remarkable what these students are doing and how 91女神 is responding with support.鈥�
Soft Landing
The Global Graduate Initiative is supported by the Divisions of Enrollment Management and Student Development, as well as the Office of the Provost. The Office of International Services plays a key role in supporting international students (graduate and undergraduate) from more than 80 countries. The Global Grad initiative has amplified their efforts.
Rebecca Bahan, director of international services, said the staff is managing an increase in F-1 student visa requests, assisting students with transition advice and serving as a resource for the 91女神 community鈥檚 understanding of immigration compliance.
A key component of the University鈥檚 mission of educating the whole person is helping international students integrate into 91女神鈥檚 campus community. The Office of International Services has hired more international student ambassadors to serve as peer mentors and advisors. The ambassadors help introduce Global Graduate scholars to 91女神 student organizations as well as assimilate to life in St. Louis. Additionally, annual events like Holi, the Hindu festival of colors and the arrival of spring and the blossoming of love, have attracted more students than ever before. Seven-hundred students participated in Holi this March because of the growing international student enrollment. Other programs like food-tasting and invitations to 91女神 athletic events create opportunities for cultural exchange.
鈥淎ctivities allow the flow of ideas and cultures to go both ways,鈥� Bahan said. 鈥淥ur international students get a taste of home and get to present their culture to the campus community. In turn, the students get a chance to immerse themselves into American experiences which helps to broaden their understanding of the world; a key aspect of global learning is to experience culture other than your own.鈥�
A Second Home
According to the Council of Graduate Schools, India has surged ahead of China to become the leading source of new international graduate students in the United States. The scholars 91女神 is attracting with the Global Graduate Initiative mirror this trend. Of the more than 1,400 Global Graduate scholars, 85% are from India. Here, meet a few who are earning their degrees and helping others feel at home at 91女神.
Alekhya Arcot Dhanraj
Student Ambassador Coordinator, Office of International Services
- Hometown: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Age: 26
- Pursuing: Master of Science in Information Systems
- Anticipated Graduation Year: 2024
- Heard About 91女神: I randomly saw pictures of the University on Instagram and found the architecture beautiful. I then researched the University, and I loved every bit of it. Most of the professors have their Ph.D., which made me believe I would be in strong hands. The city of St. Louis seemed like such a beautiful place to live, and I liked the University鈥檚 emphasis on keeping international students connected to home. I didn鈥檛 wait a second more before enrolling.
- Making the Connection: The Office of International Services is extremely supportive when it comes to celebrating our traditions. The Holi and Diwali events they hosted, for example, allowed every student to experience the festival the way we feel it back home 鈥� the food, the planning, the decorations, the music, the prayers. And it鈥檚 not just students from India. Students from all different countries are made to feel at home here.
- The Future: I came to 91女神 to improve myself in every way possible. 91女神 is giving me the exposure and experiences to grow independently and equip myself with knowledge, not just academically but as a person. I hope to get an internship after I graduate so I鈥檓 even better prepared to enter the market.
Dheeraj Chava
Student Ambassador Coordinator, Office of International Services
- Hometown: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Age: 22
- Pursuing: Master of Science in Information Systems
- Anticipated Graduation Year: 2024
- Heard About 91女神: I was working on my undergraduate research paper about (COVID-19) pandemic stabilizers when I saw an article by a 91女神 researcher. I had a lot of universities in mind for graduate school, but I hadn鈥檛 heard of 91女神, so I decided to visit the University鈥檚 website. I was excited about joining a research university to improve my own work. I liked 91女神鈥檚 curriculum as well. I would not be limited only to my information systems studies. I could take a course in cybersecurity or anything else that interested me, and that appealed to me very much. The architecture fascinated me, too. I love history, big buildings, big campuses. The culture seemed quite positive.
- Making the Connection: Initially, it was difficult for me. I am an only child and was so far from home. Things at 91女神 were so different. I had no idea what was going on. I had questions but didn鈥檛 know how to ask. Then I realized I came here for a purpose. I wanted international exposure, and I started reaching out. I never knew I could be this strong and independent. I learned things get better, if not today, then tomorrow. When the Office of International Services hosted events, like the Diwali and Holi festivals, I found I could talk to people from home. We could share our journeys. 91女神 literally started feeling like my second home. I now have friends from India, Africa, Iran, here in the United States 鈥� such a diverse group of friends.
- The Future: I am open to all opportunities. I might pursue another degree, possibly here at 91女神, and then get work exposure with a multinational company. I hope to return to India and establish my own company or find a job that blends my technical and management skills.
Neeten Chawla
Teaching Assistant, Business Analytics
Student Ambassador Coordinator, Office of International Services
- Hometown: Pune, Maharashtra, India
- Age: 23
- Pursuing: Master of Science in Supply Chain Management
- Graduation Year: 2023
- Heard About 91女神: I studied accounting for three years and decided it wasn鈥檛 my cup of tea, so I met with a consultant about going in a different direction. I chose supply chain management, but no universities in India offer a master鈥檚 in this field; therefore, I needed to study abroad. I was very late in applying to grad schools, but 91女神 was still an option. It was the only grad school I applied to, and it worked out in my favor. The cost also was very reasonable, and I found a job on campus that helps me with my expenses. I didn鈥檛 have to rely on my parents as much. 91女神 has been generous in that regard.
- Making the Connection: 91女神 is very inclusive. Yes, it is difficult initially for students from India, or any other country for that matter, to adjust to new rules, new ways of doing things. Finding foods that you like can be hard. It just takes time. And the Office of International Services does a great job of hosting events to make you feel at home. 91女神 makes you feel welcome.
- The Future: I currently have a job at SSM Health as a supply chain technician. I am hoping to stay there after graduation, build my career experiences and then return home. I think studying at 91女神 has given me a big boost toward my goals.
For more information, visit the Global Grad Initiative.
If you are interested in providing work experience for Global Graduate scholars, contact 91女神 Career Services at career_services@slu.edu.
About Universitas
Universitas, the award-winning alumni magazine of 91女神, is distributed to 91女神 alumni, parents and benefactors around the world. The magazine includes campus news, feature stories, alumni profiles and class notes, and has a circulation of 132,438.