The Office of Global Affairs works to facilitate and expand international programming at ECU.  The unit is a hub for international activities and exists to serve faculty, students, and the ECU community as they engage globally, positively impacting lives in North Carolina and around the world.  The Office is involved in a wide range of activities in support of the university’s commitment to maximize student success, serve the public, and lead regional transformation.  

We work to broaden and deepen ECU’s partnerships with universities and other organizations abroad.  Currently, ECU has more than 80 partner schools abroad allowing our students and scholars to work with and learn from a variety of international experts.  Many of these partnerships are organized through Global Partners in Education (GPE), an organization housed at ECU which focuses on expanding international and intercultural competence through virtual exchange.  This nationally recognized program is a world leader in utilizing innovative technology based learning strategies to provide high-impact, interactive global education experiences.

The Office of Global Affairs also oversees student exchanges and faculty-led study abroad programs, providing support for faculty and students traveling internationally to observe, understand, and experience divergent cultures and traditions.  As part of our commitment to globalizing our campus, we work to recruit students from around the world.  We seek to attract the brightest international students and scholars to collaborate with and broaden the perspectives of our students, faculty and community.

The Office of Global Affairs coordinates the nationally-accredited ECU Language Academy, home to international students working to improve their English proficiency for the purpose of attaining additional graduate or undergraduate training.  Finally, the Office works to assists international students and scholars as they acclimate to ECU’s unique culture and academic traditions.  Each of these activities help to magnify ECU’s global impact and reputation as an important national university while enhancing scholarship and cultural understanding on and off campus.

At ECU we encourage you to Capture Your Horizon, wherever that may take you.  I welcome you to explore the Office of Global Affairs website and connect with us if you any questions about how you can become involved with international programming at ECU.  

Jon Rezek, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Office of Global Affairs