International & Global Studies program celebrates 30 years of global education

Members of the campus community gathered in front of Lindner Hall in April for a program that commemorated three decades of the university’s International & Global Studies Program.

“Celebrating Three Decades of International & Global Studies: Advancing Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Excellence” highlighted the efforts and achievements of key faculty and staff in creating the first interdisciplinary major at Elon.

The program on April 21, 2026, included remarks by Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book; Hilton Kelly, dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; and Andrea Sinn, an associate professor in the Department of History and Geography and the program’s current director.

Nancy Mueller ’27 and Emily Ecker ’26, both international and global studies majors, also delivered remarks.

Book shared the early beginnings of the program, and she noted important milestones and alumni accomplishments. She also praised Professor Emeritus Brian Digre for his leadership in launching the program.

“Three decades later, so many lives have been changed through Dr. Digre’s vision,” Book said. “Thank you to faculty and students for continuing to ask important questions, for your curiosity and for reaching beyond where you are comfortable into our really rich and diverse world.”

Launched for the 1995-1996 academic year as International Studies, Elon’s first interdisciplinary major, the program provides students with a knowledge of international affairs as well as expertise on one of five world regions: Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East and Africa. From the start, study abroad, foreign language learning and the flexibility for students to shape their own academic paths were central to the program.

“Through international and global education, as well as study abroad, we are preparing students intentionally for new opportunities for collaboration, connection and competition in an era of global interconnectedness,” Kelly said. “Study abroad is far more than an opportunity to travel. It is a transformative educational experience. Study abroad is a cornerstone of the International & Global Studies program because it transforms regional concentration from an academic focus into lived understanding.”

Currently home to more than 100 students and a growing alumni network of over 1,000, the International & Global Studies program continues to explore political and cultural dynamics, technological advances and intertwined global economies. The major equips students with this understanding through an interdisciplinary approach that combines broad knowledge of global issues with focused study of one of the five regions.

The program allows students to build a customized interdisciplinary curriculum, drawing from fields such as politics, economics, history, geography, literature, religion and culture, while focusing on a specific world region.

Tributes to the program came from Nancy Mueller ’27 and Emily Ecker ’26.

“I love that Elon has an array of study abroad opportunities and a unique ‘choose your own adventure’ IGS program where I could align my studies with my interests,” Mueller said. “I enjoy the interdisciplinary nature of the program and its emphasis on language learning. I also love that the program faculty themselves come from various backgrounds, each bringing their own expertise to the table. My semester in Tunisia took me a few steps closer to me dream career where I get to travel to new places, meaningfully interact with local people, use and advance my Arabic language and cultural skills and pursue my own research interests.”

Both students expressed gratitude for the faculty that make up the International & Global Studies Program.

“I am deeply grateful for the faculty here today who are part of what Dr. Idris calls ‘my constellation of mentors’ — people who have supported, challenged, and advocated for me through every high and every setback at Elon,” Ecker said. “These relationships are something no study abroad program, no research project, or line on a resume can replace. The people here today are among the greatest strengths of this program and among the best things about this university, so I urge everyone to take advantage of this unique program.”

Associate Professor of History Andrea Sinn has directed the program since 2023.

“Study abroad is a cornerstone of the International & Global Studies major and one of the most powerful ways students bring their academic learning to life. While coursework builds critical knowledge about global systems, cultures and regions, studying abroad allows students to experience these dynamics firsthand,” Sinn said. “Students can further demonstrate their skills through the Intercultural Global Competency digital badge, highlighting their ability to navigate and communicate effectively in diverse global contexts.

“Together, these experiences prepare graduates for careers that require strong intercultural understanding and global awareness including roles in government, international business, nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, education, diplomacy, and law, as well as for advanced graduate study.”

Since graduating its first cohort in 1996, the International & Global Studies Program has steadily expanded its global reach. In its first five years, 57 students studied abroad in six countries including Australia, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Today, that number has grown to more than 50 countries. A new interactive StoryMap created by Ryan Kirk, associate professor of geography and environmental studies and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies, captures this evolution, showcasing the experiences of International & Global Studies majors who complete at least one semester abroad, often in regions tied to their academic focus.

“This immersive experience enables students to engage directly with local communities, institutions and perspectives, while earning credit toward their major,” Sinn explained. “For IGS students, studying abroad is not just an opportunity: it is an essential component of their education that fosters adaptability, cultural humility and real-world perspective needed for globally engaged careers. Whether studying politics in London, public health in Rwanda, or culture and language in Argentina, students gain a more nuanced and personal understanding of global issues.

“We take great pride in our students and alumni, whose impactful work embodies and advances the values of IGS across the globe.”

Professor of Religious Studies Pamela Winfield, the program’s associate director since 2023, said the 30th anniversary serves as a reminder that cultivating the values of global citizenship, international cooperation and cross-cultural collaboration continues to be relevant.

“I see this milestone anniversary as an opportunity to reaffirm our faith in those values and in our mission to educate and prepare this next generation for their international careers both here and abroad,” Winfield said. “It inspires me to look ahead to the next 30 years and beyond, when our substantive coursework, foreign language training, transformative study abroad and real-world internship experience will attract even more IGS majors and expand our already vibrant world-wide network of IGS alumni.”

Many faculty advisory board members attended the celebration, including Damion Blake, associate professor of political science and public policy; Shereen Elgamal, assistant teaching professor of Arabic; Sean Giovanello, assistant professor of political science and public policy; Nick Gozick, dean of global education and assistant professor; Mussa Idris, associate professor of anthropology, Waseem Kasim, assistant professor of history; Douglas Kass, associate professor of cinema and television arts; Juan Leal Ugalde, associate professor of Spanish; Ariela Marcus-Sells, associate professor of religious studies; Vitaliy Strohush, associate professor of economics; and Yidi Wu, O’Briant Developing Professor and associate professor of history.

History of the program

Brian Digre, professor emeritus of history, secured a Department of Education grant to launch the university’s first interdisciplinary major. Established in 1995-96 as International Studies, with only an African regional concentration, the program grew with additional regional concentrations in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. By 2005, immersive global learning became central, with study abroad, advanced language study and a senior seminar requirement for all majors.

Under the leadership of Safia Swimelar, professor of political science and public policy, the program underwent a transformation during the 2015-16 academic year. The International and Global Studies Program adopted a revised mission, new interdisciplinary themes and enhanced language expectations.

The introduction of IGS 250 International Studies: Approaches and Perspectives further strengthened the curriculum by providing a shared foundation for all majors.