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Dear Faculty Relations – I’ve heard from my international colleagues that they often feel isolated and invisible as they navigate the US higher education system, learn unspoken departmental norms and expectations, and develop new professionalÌýand personal relationships while living far away from friends and family. What can I do to make my department a more inclusive space for international faculty? – Inclusive ColleagueÌýÌý

Dear Inclusive Colleague – Thank you for your question! International faculty are vital members of our campus community, but don’t always receive the attention and support they deserve. Here are five strategies to help make your department more welcoming and inclusive for international faculty.Ìý

1. Reach out for a walk, refreshments, or a meal.ÌýWhen colleagues take the time to get to know their international faculty colleagues personally and listen to their concerns, they feel valued and supported. For someone away from their home country, this time can be especially meaningful.ÌýÌý

2. Ask if they have a mentor or offer to be one. International faculty may be interested in additional mentoring, especially in early years in their position. They may be navigating the US higher education system for the first time and be unfamiliar with formal and informal expectations around teaching and service. If you aren’t an appropriate mentor, you can always connect your colleagues with the AÅ·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵMent program.Ìý

3. Make sure your colleagues are connected to university support systems. Ask if they’re connected with International Student and Scholar Services and inform them about the office’s many services.

4. Make sure that department social events are inclusive. Ideally, department social events feel inclusive for all faculty. Still, it’s essential to recognize that international faculty are often away from family and friends, and for many, the department is a primary space for friendships to form. Think creatively about organizing inclusive events, ask international faculty for their suggestions, and consider when holidays or international events might make a gathering especially welcoming for international faculty. Ìý

5. Take every opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of international faculty and consider with them what forms of recognition they would welcome. All faculty should be considered and nominated for departmental and university awards, but consider additional ways you might recognize the accomplishments of international faculty in the form of informal recognition and affirmation. Ìý

Written by Mithi Mukherjee, Faculty Fellow for International Faculty, Office and Faculty Affairs, and Associate Professor of History, College of Arts and Sciences.