Institute for Global Engagement
Welcome to the Institute for Global Engagement!
The mission of the Institute for Global Engagement is to serve as the collaborative hub of international activity at Saint Michael’s College, promoting global learning and literacy, deepening inter-cultural competency and inclusion, and supporting opportunities for global engagement for students, faculty, staff, alumni and local community members.
From international student advocacy, semester-long and faculty-led study abroad programs, international in-person and virtual internships, scholarships such as the Fulbright program, a Peace Corps Prep program, internationally-oriented student clubs, campus programming and a curriculum that includes a variety of globally-themed majors and minors, we provide a wide array of opportunities to celebrate global citizenship and actively engage in a global community. The Institute also assists new and continuing international students with immigration and visa concerns, and provides support and assistance in engaging with the campus community and to adjusting to life in the United States.
Saint Michael’s College is located 35 miles/56 km south of the Canada-U.S. international border, and only 90 miles/145 km from the multilingual and cosmopolitan metropolis of Montréal, Québec. The College is also adjacent to Burlington, Vermont’s largest city. With its growing multiethnic and New American community, Burlington provides access to globally-oriented festivals, food and shopping.
Collaboratively with our student body, staff, faculty and community members, we provide a welcoming environment for exploring international experiences, deepening global competencies and thriving personally and professionally in an interconnected and globalized world.
Global Citizenship and Global Learning
The Institute for Global Engagement supports a variety of academic and co-curricular experiences for all members of the campus community to become informed and effective global citizens and life-long learners in an increasingly inter-connected world. Explore below some of the programs and opportunities supported by the Institute.
Study Abroad
At Saint Michael’s, you can choose from more than 100 study abroad programs in countries spanning the globe. Where will you go?
Learn MoreInternational Internships
The Institute for Global Engagement helps students gain real-world, international work experience with internships abroad.
Learn MoreGlobal Curriculum
Explore majors and minors that offer in-depth plans of study to build global and inter-cultural competency.
Learn MoreInternational Admissions
Interested in studying at Saint Michael's College? Let our International Admissions team help guide you through the process.
Learn MoreOffice of International Students and Scholar Services
The Office of International Students and Scholar Services provides a wide array of services to promote the personal and academic success of international students and scholars.
Learn MoreInternational Scholarship and Post-Graduate Peace Corps Volunteer Opportunities
Scholarships and Grants
The Institute for Global Engagement helps students, faculty and employees of Saint Michael’s College explore and obtain a variety of grants, scholarships and fellowships that support global citizenship.
Learn MorePeace Corps Prep
The Peace Corps Prep program will prepare you for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service.
Learn MoreContact the SMC Global Engagement Team
Jeffrey Ayres
Director, Institute for Global Engagement
jayres@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2680, St. Edmund’s Hall 117
Languages Spoken: English and French
Peggy Imai
Director, Office of Study Abroad
pimai@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2222; Klein 107
Languages Spoken: English
Nick Drake
Associate Director of International Admission
ndrake2@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2808
Languages Spoken: English and Mandarin
Patricia Siplon
Director of Undergraduate and Post-Graduate Fellowships
psiplon@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2766
Languages Spoken: English
Rosemary Yargici
Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services
ryargici@smcvt.edu; 802-654-3104
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
Allison Cleary
Peace Corps Prep Coordinator
acleary@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2901
Languages Spoken: English and Spanish
Peter Vantine
Chair of Classical and Modern Languages and Literature
pvantine@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2853
Languages Spoken: English and French
Ben White
Associate Professor of Applied Linguistics, Director of MATESOL Program
bwhite3@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2605
Languages Spoken: English, some Spanish, and a bit of Czech
Adrie Kusserow
Department Chair, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology
akusserow@smcvt.edu; 802-654-2267