Gateway International Group is dedicated to preparing the next generation of international education leaders. Our commitment is reflected through the Gateway Leadership Institute, where a seasoned team of facilitators deliver comprehensive professional development programs for international educators, irrespective of professional focus or experience levels. Through a combination of workshops, real-world projects, and coaching, the Institute engages participants in an exploration of the business of international higher education.
Please join our Summer 2024 “Design Challenge for International Educators”. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the business of international higher education while actively competing in a real-world design challenge.
International higher education has undeniably evolved into a distinct profession. We have successfully established ourselves as a group with specialized knowledge and skills, derived from formal research, training, and education. We now enjoy professional associations, recognized competencies, and widespread adherence to ethical standards and codes of conduct. Our roles reach well beyond traditional campus contexts to include a vast network of essential stakeholders, such as insurance firms, technology companies, recruitment agencies, education abroad providers, and many more.
Navigating this complex industry requires astute insight into financial management practices, international negotiation and contractual stewardship, regulatory compliance and duty of care, etc. While international education professionals have historically avoided discussing the business aspects of our collective work, moving forward necessitates openly acknowledging and embracing discussions about the business foundations on which we turn our educational aspirations into reality.
The Summer 2024 Gateway Leadership Institute is structured over seven weeks, with weekly virtual meetings lasting 60-90 minutes.
SPRINT is a Google-developed, problem-solving strategy which engages agile methodology, design thinking and inclusive teamwork to produce results. Participants are briefed on a business or tech-related challenge presented by a renowned international education organization. Participants break down the challenges in real-time, ideate, make strategic decisions, prototype, and test their hypotheses. The Institute will provide a foundational overview of the SPRINT methodology, and industry leaders will present master classes that bring real-world international experiences directly to the participants. The Institute culminates in a competitive pitch contest to a panel of expert judges.
Introductory lecture session on the business of International Higher Education
Teams receive their challenge and begin working to understand its unique dynamics
Teams begin to break down the challenge and create “aha! moments” while they develop strategic insights.
Teams check in with their “client” to ask questions, seek clarity and test hypotheses.
Teams spend time prototyping solutions and preparing to pitch a solution.
Teams present their solutions to the host company in a competitive pitch event.
Contemplate your achievements and the collaborative experience. Connect with fellow participants and industry professionals.
Gateway partners with leading international educators, professional associations, and influential organizations that are collectively shaping the future of international higher education. Our partner organizations are on the cutting edge of international higher education and will provide critical guidance and insight to participants.
During the Summer 2024 Gateway Leadership Institute, participants will work through the SPRINT problem-solving process to address a contemporary challenge presented by a leading international education organization (TBA)
Coordinating the Gateway Leadership Institute are Dr. Kati Bell and Kerry Geffert, each highly regarded, international education scholar-professionals. Also joining the Institute will be an array of well-known and highly-respected international educators who will provide guest lectures, targeted workshops and participant mentorship. In totality, the Institute presents participants with opportunities to engage directly with some of our profession’s most respected, influential, and transformative leaders.
Mr. Geffert is an expert dedicated to shaping the future of international education. As a co-facilitator for the Gateway Leadership Institute, Geffert seamlessly bridges the worlds of education and business. With extensive experience driving success in international education enterprises, he guides participants through strategic insights, financial considerations, and innovative business models. Geffert brings a unique perspective that empowers participants to marry educational vision with business strategy.
Participate in the Summer 2024 Gateway Leadership Institute for a dynamic exploration of the business of international higher education. Following the Google SPRINT model, this 7-week program immerses participants in strategic and creative teamwork to solve a real-world business challenge presented by a renowned international education company. The Institute transforms theory into practical experience through collaborative settings, culminating in a live, competitive business solution pitch contest.
Open to all, the Summer 2024 Institute serves as a collaborative platform to build new knowledge, skills and awareness that transcend any specific professional focus or experience level. Participants will be challenged to explore “next generation” strategic thinking – thinking that must be analytical, design oriented, and technological. Successful completion of the institute will result in a digital badge for each participant that acknowledges the caliber of the professional development and the skills obtained.
Upon completion of the Gateway Leadership Institute, participants receive an electronic certificate of completion through VerifyEd, which can be stored, shared and verified instantly anywhere in the world.
VerifyEd works with educational and awarding institutions to replace paper certificates with digital versions that are 80% cheaper to issue and cannot be forged or changed, thanks to blockchain.
Embark on a transformative journey with the Gateway Leadership Institute’s Design Challenge for International Educators—a 7 week immersive experience designed to unlock innovation and deepen understanding of the business dynamics in international education. Through an intricately crafted agenda, participants will delve into the SPRINT model, a powerful framework for creative problem-solving.
From mapping the unique dynamics of each challenge and sketching strategic insights; to deciding through iterative processes, prototyping tangible solutions, and culminating in a competitive pitch event, this challenge offers a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between international education and business. The program is designed not only to foster collaborative thinking but also to provide practical insights and networking opportunities, ensuring participants leave with a heightened ability to shape the future of global education. Join us and be a catalyst for innovation in the international education landscape!
To enable diverse representation of early and mid-career international educators to participate in this professional development opportunity, Gateway is leveraging industry sponsorships to offer the Institute at minimal cost to participants. As such, participants are asked to pay a one-time, non-refundable participation fee of $250USD, which includes access to all elements of the Institute, etc. Participants will need to purchase their own copy of the SPRINT publication (Knapp, Zeratsky, & Kowitz, 2016).
With anticipated high demand, participants must submit an application for participation. Participants will only be billed if admitted into the Institute.
Those interested may submit an online application. Applications are due no later than 5:00 pm ET, June 3, 2024. Decisions are made within one week of the application deadline. Applications must include:
With sincere gratitude to the generous sponsorship of the following organizations, Gateway is able to offer the Gateway Leadership Institute at a reduced cost. These inspiring and generous organizations are truly committed to preparing the next generation of international education leaders.
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.
