The past decade has witnessed a significant growth in SPSU's international footprint. While some limited programs existed before, starting in January 2002, SPSU began developing or expanding student and faculty exchange programs with institutions of higher education in Asia, Africa and Europe. Aside from offering a major and minor in International Studies and a new degree program in Political Science through its Department of Social and International Studies, SPSU now has very active articulated degree and exchange programs with partner universities in China, Cameroon, Jamaica, Italy, and Germany, with additional programs under development in the Republic of Georgia, India, and Malaysia. These programs involve more than 250 students and ten disciplines, including several engineering technologies, technical communication, computer science, international studies, and business administration. In recent years, SPSU has been recognized by the Institute of International Education for hosting the fifth largest international student population among all universities in the U.S. based on percent of student body. Each year, 30-50 SPSU students also participate in short- and long-term study programs in such locations as Germany, China, Korea, England, Spain and Italy.
Dr, Richard Bennett, Director of International Programs, has provided leadership for the increase in international education
activities at SPSU. He has studied, lived in, or traveled in 32 countries around the world and is on the faculty of eight
universities. With a Ph.D. in Middle Eastern History, he has developed an expertise in cross-cultural relations and lectures
frequently in international locations. In fall 2009, Raj Sashti, joined SPSU as Director of International Program Development,
thereby also establishing SPSU as the headquarters of Nine University and College International Studies Consortium of Georgia.
He is a recipient of three Fullbright scholarships to Germany, Japan and Brazil, has developed and implemented international
faculty development and student study abroad programs in two dozen countries around the globe and is the recipient of numerous
direct and matching grants.
Over the next five years Southern Polytechnic State University is deeply committed to securing funds to support the following activities: