Trinity Renames Office of Study Away to the Global Engagement Office

Kashmala Khan ‘29

Managing Editor

On March 24, Trinity College officially renamed its Office of Study Away to the Global Engagement Office (GEO), with an aim to express how the institution conceptualizes learning beyond campus. The change hopes to signal a broader effort to align off-campus experiences with Trinity’s academic mission, which emphasizes a more integrated and immersive model of education. 

‘In conversation with theTripod, Senior Director for Global Engagement Rebecca Hovey explained that the previous name no longer captured the depth of these programs. Study away, she noted, risks sounding “too technical,” instead of encompassing the intellectual and personal transformation that students encounter. The shift to “global engagement” incorporates elements of active participation and grounds the experience in meaningful interaction with different communities.

Hovey described that the renaming emerged as a product of ongoing conversations that took place amongst administrators and faculty. The idea has already been in motion, as discussions arose with Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Sonia Cardenas about how to better articulate the college’s values through this office, as well as enhance operational efficacy. Later on, these conversations were referred to broader institutional segments and thus ideas were shared with the Faculty Advisory Council for Global Learning (FAC-GL). FAC-GL ultimately endorsed the shift.

In the renaming process, one of the considerations was examining how peer institutions frame similar programs and offices. Though many used terms like “study abroad” or “international programs,” Hovey noted that for the goals of Trinity, such language can be limiting. For instance, she highlighted, the term “international” tends to center nation-states, whereas Trinity’s programs often emphasize comparative and cross-cultural learning that extends beyond a single country. Programs focused on areas such as human rights, climate change and global health frequently span multiple continents; this reinforces the need for a more in-depth and expressive framework.

Therefore, the word “global” was chosen to reflect this ideology. It also acknowledges that global learning is not confined to travel. Hovey pointed to Hartford itself as a “global place,” shaped by migration, history and cultural exchange. From this perspective, global engagement includes both off-campus experiences and interactions within the Trinity community.

Equally important is the tangent of “engagement.” GEO seeks to highlight active participation and learning whether through academic engagement and internships, or simply through daily navigation of new environments. Hovey emphasized that even seemingly small experiences, such as learning to use public transportation in a new city or adapting to a different language, play a significant role in building independence and confidence. Thus, capturing these experiences is at the forefront for GEO. 

As a result, a central goal moving forward is also strengthening what happens after students return. The college aims to better integrate study away experiences into academic and campus life. This could include research projects, classroom discussions, or presentations that allow students to share their insights and connect them to broader learning.

The renaming comes with structural changes within the office. As part of the shift, Katie Clair, Associate Director of International Students and Scholars, will join the GEO team. This integration brings together previously separate areas of global programming. By aligning study away opportunities with support for international students and scholars, the office seeks to offer a more unified and accessible idea of global engagement and opportunities. 

Looking ahead, Hovey hopes to build a more connected campus network around these opportunities. “The goal,” she said, “is to create an environment where students learn from each other, from faculty and from the world around them.”