International initiatives
CEHD International Initiatives is focused on deepening relationships locally and globally. In fall 2023, CEHD is home to over 300 international students, representing 65 countries. Learn more about International Student Initiatives.
This year we are partnering with TRIO Student Support Services to integrate global perspectives in its programming, working with faculty to highlight the college’s Sustainable Development Goals contribution, and bettering support services for our international students. Globally we are focused on transitioning back to field work programming and collaboration. This means listening and responding to the current needs of our global partners. We are committed to fostering meaningful relationships that intentionally work to decolonize international engagement.
College of Education and Human Development Overview
2025 CEHD Summer Institute in Kazakhstan
University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development offers a hybrid Summer Institute on Critical Digital Literacies in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI), focusing on their impact on education, research, and knowledge production.
Transform yourself and your future
Time abroad is more than just travel. Experiencing a new culture first-hand will expand and deepen how you think about the world, and yourself. An international experience is often the single most important and rewarding activity a student engages in during their academic career.
CEHD Visiting Scholars Program (Kazakhstan)
These programs, offered in 5 or 12 month cohorts, are designed as an effective and structured visiting scholars program that supports international scholars from Kazakhstan in building knowledge and capacity in research methods and innovative teaching approaches.
These customized programs include course enrollment, academic seminars, and workshops, on and off-campus activities, and individualized time for research planning.
Student and alumni stories
Program resources
The CEHD International Student Advisory Group was formed in 2021 to support, advocate, and provide resources for international students. The advisory group actionable strategic plan for 2022/2023 is focused on student grants, faculty training, and resource development.
Scholars from around the world join our college community each year to further their research and teaching. These scholars contribute to our internationalization efforts and support our commitment to international collaboration.
Read profiles of our 2024-2025 scholars:
CEHD's global fellowships and grants support for faculty, staff, and graduate students.
For faculty and staff
- Global Signature Grant - supports programming activities.
- Global Residency Program - provides opportunities for international activities.
- Fulbright Initiative - provides support to faculty applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.
For graduate students
Mary Tjosvold Graduate Fellowship
The Mary Tjosvold Fellowship is one of the few study abroad programs at the University of Minnesota that provides graduate students an opportunity to engage in graduate-level professional development through community-based work in a foreign country.
Global Graduate Grants (3Gs)
The Graduate Global Grant (G3) is an annual grant that offers funding up to $5,000 to one graduate student to support international research that demonstrates a commitment to global engagement.
We partner with institutions from across the globe in exchanges, teaching, and research. Check out some of our program partnerships:
- Khachatur Abovyan Armenian State Pedagogical University (Armenia)
- The Federal University of Espirito Santo (Brazil)
- Colegio Heylos (Brazil)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China)
- Beijing Sport University (China)
- Institute for Social Research in Zagreb (Croatia)
- Ashesi University (Ghana)
- University of Iceland (Iceland)
- Hiroshima University (Japan)
- Seoul National University; College of Human Ecology (South Korea)
- Seoul National University; College of Education (South Korea)
- Universidad Autonoma De Madrid (Spain)
- Mwenge Catholic University (Tanzania)
- Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)
- Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (Thailand)
- Chiang Rai Rajabhat University (Thailand)
If you're interested in a partnership between your institution and CEHD, contact Marina Alexio at aleix001@umn.edu.
CEHD Sustainable Development Goals Initiative

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by all countries. In alignment with the University, CEHD launched its own SDGs initiative.
Learn more about the college's the SDGs Initiative.
Office staff

Marina B. Aleixo, PhD
Director
International Initiatives and Relations
aleix001@umn.edu

Lamia Shapiro
Education Abroad Coordinator
lshapiro@umn.edu

Ainur Jumagaliyeva
Graduate Assistant
Program Supervisor

Sophea Om
Program Support

Zhuldyz Amankulova, PhD
Post-Doctoral Associate
amank005@umn.edu

Satomi Mitani
Graduate Assistant

Washington Galvão
Graduate Assistant