Case Study: Kent State Office of

Global Education

Primary Research
Interviewed AALANA students at a Kent State
Multicultural Fair
11 African American students
Six Latin American students

Surveyed students entering the Student Recreation

and Wellness Center
25 students

Primary Research Continued

Interviewed Kent State AALANA opinion
leaders
Victoria Humphreys: President of the Native
American Student Association
Federico Subervi: Professor of Latin media and
audiences
Traci Easley Williams: Pan-African studies
professor

Secondary Research

Online interviews
Student blogs
Scholarly articles
Previous case studies
College study abroad program websites
Literature provided by OGE

Secondary Research Findings

Need to see people who look like them

Return on investment
Already have a cultural experience everyday
Racism
Financial constraints
Family

Research Recommendations
Awareness Survey
Access AALANA undergraduate students
knowledge of short-term study abroad programs
100 students

Parent Focus Groups

Two focus groups
Pinpoint AALANA parents perceptions of studying
abroad
10 participants per group

Problem
Lack of participation in study abroad programs
among AALANA students
Stems from negative family perceptions, fear of
racism and financial restrictions

Opportunities
Gain AALANA student participation in OGE
study abroad programs
Show that study abroad programs
are inclusive
Build relationships with other on-campus
organizations

Audiences

African American undergraduate students

Latin American undergraduate students
Native American undergraduate students
Parents of AALANA students
AALANA students who have previously
studied abroad

Objectives
Train and deploy AALANA student
ambassadors
Increase AALANA students awareness of
short-term study abroad programs
Increase AALANA parents acceptance and
awareness of study abroad
Increase participation in study abroad
programs among AALANA undergraduate
students

Key Messages and Theme

Study abroad is affordable with planning
There are resources to guide you through
the process
While studying abroad, you will have a
support system
Study abroad has a significant return
on investment
Theme: Travel is an expense that makes you
richer

Strategies
Train AALANA student ambassadors
Face-to-face communication
Establish partnerships with other on-campus
organizations
Host special events
Use social media and e-blast campaigns

AALANA Student Ambassadors

Recruit six AALANA students who have previously
studied abroad by offering a paid position with OGE.
Send out applications through
AALANA listserv.
Jan. 1
Student resumes, cover letters
and applications due by 5 p.m.
Jan. 17
Jan.2025

By Jan.31

Interviews will be held

this week.
Ambassadors will be chosen
and trained.

Picture Yourself There

This event held at the multicultural center will help
AALANA students envision themselves on a
trip abroad.
Make reservations and
secure photo booths.
Feb. 7
Feb. 14

Feb. 28

Place food order.

Event begins at 5p.m.

OGE Twitter Contest

Create a contest through OGEs Twitter to have 5
AALANA students passport fees paid.
Feb. 24

Announce contest

Feb. 28

Students can take pictures with

ambassadors at Picture Yourself There

March 7

Contest ends and winners

are announced

Sponsorships
Co-sponsor Dinning Services themed food nights and
the Black United Students Annual Renaissance Ball
Dates for these events are to be announced, and
change each semester
Food themed nights occur monthly, while the Black
United Students Renaissance Ball takes place
each fall

E-blast Campaign
Three Simple Ways to Save for Study Abroad
Three Simple Ways to Find Study Abroad
Financial Aid
Send out Three Simple Ways to
Jan. 13 Save for Study Abroad.
Send out Three Simple Ways to
April 7 Find Study Abroad Financial Aid.

Destination Dates
Informal, informational meeting with a student
ambassadors
Cap set at 30 per semester
Can be set up at any study abroad event and take place at
any point during the semester

Schedule: Spring 2014-Fall 2014

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

April May June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Hang
posters

Picture
Yourself
There

Food
Themed
Nights

Hang
posters

Acade
mic
STARS

Academic
STARS

Create
new
brochur
e

Class
visits

Food
themed
nights

Multicultur
al Fair

Recruit
and
train
student
s

Twitter
Contest

Place Ad
in
Uhuru

Multicu
ltural
Fair

Parent
focus
group

Establish
relationshi
p with
Career
Services

Hang
posters

Greek
life visits

Hang
posters

Launch
second eblast
campaign

Launch
first eblast
campaig
n

Class
visits

Parent
Focus
Group

Launch
first eblast
campaig
n

Club/org
anizatio
n visits

Place ad
in
Uhuru

Awaren
ess
survey

Greek
Life
Visits

Launch
second
e-blast
campai
gn

De
c.

Budget
Total campaign cost for three years: $35, 673.60

Evaluation
Surveys
Digital and hardcopy
Follow up focus Groups
Monitor media engagement and impressions
Number of AALANA students who
study abroad

Questions?