Visiting International Scholar (Research Associate) Program
The University of Minnesota regards the presence of international visiting scholars as being of strategic importance to fostering international education and the internationalization of the institution.
The Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) has a long history of hosting international scholars whose goals are consistent with the research mission and available resources of the Department, College of Education and Human Development, and the University. An alignment of interests between a visiting scholar and the Department contributes to the richness of the experience for the visiting scholar as well as providing valuable contributions to the intellectual life of department faculty, staff and students.
Origins of Contacts
International scholars often come to the attention of the Department in a number of ways:
- Through direct contact with an OLPD faculty member whose work and interests have been known the prospective scholar.
- Through prior knowledge of individual faculty members and/or the reputation of the Department.
- Through referral from national or international funding agencies, foundations, Fulbright commissions, IREX, foreign universities, foreign embassies or other reputable national and international organizations.
Length of Stay
Visiting scholars may visit the Department for up to one calendar year. It is important that an early understanding be established about the proposed length of stay. The anticipated length of stay may determine the kind of visa under which the scholar will be eligible to enter the U.S. (For visa information please contact the International Student and Scholar Services office at www.isss.umn.edu).
Application Guidelines
The Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) currently accepts only visiting scholars with a completed doctorate degree or equivalent, unless there are compelling reasons to make an exception. Such an exception must be approved by the department chair.
All visiting scholar applicants need to complete the Application for Visiting International Scholar (Research Associate) form. Please submit completed application and a current vitae to:
Dr. Deanne Magnusson
Coordinator, International Initiatives and Outreach
Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development
University of Minnesota
330 Wulling Hall
86 Pleasant St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Expectations
In addition to submitting an application, a visiting international scholar needs to:
- Obtain leave from the home institution.
- With the assistance of the OLPD coordinator of international initiatives and outreach, acquire a department faculty mentor who agrees to provide guidance on a chosen research project.
- Be fully funded with financial resources outside the University of Minnesota, and assume financial responsibility for visa processing fees of the University of Minnesota’s International Student and Scholar Services. See www.isss.umn.edu.
- Provide health insurance individually, and for any accompanying family members for the duration of the agreed upon time period. All visiting scholars and their dependents are required to enroll in the University of Minnesota Student Health Benefit Plan unless they are covered by another U.S. based, employer sponsored health plan. More information on the University of Minnesota Student Health Benefit plan may be obtained by contacting studins@bhs.umn.
Letter of Invitation
A letter of invitation will be sent to visiting scholar applicants from the department chair when the completed application materials have been received, reviewed, and approved. This process includes securing a department faculty mentor and may take 3-4 weeks.
Contacting International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
If you are accepted:
Before arriving: For questions about visas and appropriate procedures, including SEVIS, please contact the International Student and Scholar Service office (ISSS) at www.isss.umn.edu. The ISSS website has valuable information about how to complete the appropriate forms, frequently asked questions, and administrative costs.
Upon arrival on campus: Go to the International Student and Scholar Service office (ISSS) for processing documents.
International Student and Scholar Services
190 Hubert H. Humphrey School
301 19th Ave. South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
Phone: 612-626-7100
Fax: 612-626-7361
Email: isss@umn.edu
Services
A visiting scholar in OLPD will be assigned the service title of Visiting Scholar without pay. It is important to note that a visiting scholar does not hold an official academic appointment in the Department or University.
This process is facilitated by the Department administrative director once the letter of invitation sent by the Department chair has been sent and the visiting scholar accepts the invitation.
A visiting scholar:
- May visit the Department for up to one year
- Is assigned a shared office space with access to a computer and printer (if available)
- Is given free reading and borrowing privileges in the University libraries
- May purchase photocopying services at the University libraries
- Has access to computer labs and may purchase copying privileges in the computer labs upon payment of fees
- May have use of the services of the International Scholar and Student Services Offices by paying applicable fees.
- May attend courses on a non-credit basis with instructor approval
- Have access to the Department fax machine for faxes sent within the United States
- Budget and staffing limitations prohibit access to the following services: copying on department equipment, long distance telephone calls and support staff or graduate student assistance.
- May use the University recreational facilities upon payment of fees
- Will be provided with access to University of Minnesota housing information. Visiting scholars are responsible for securing housing arrangements for themselves, and any accompanying family members. This includes any education placement needs for school age family members.
Contact
For more information, contact:
Dr. Deanne Magnusson
Coordinator, International Initiatives and Outreach
Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development
University of Minnesota
330 Wulling Hall
86 Pleasant St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612-626-9647
Email: magnu002@umn.edu
Revised October 2011