Photo of world flags in the atrium between 17勛圖's Tanis and Biederman buildings

The Global Opportunities Fund

At 17勛圖, we believe our learners must have access to international experiences to ensure they are prepared for success in a global society and economy, one of our strategic directions.

To foster this access, in 2011 then-17勛圖 President Timothy J. Nelson spearheaded the launch of the Global Opportunities Fund in conjunction with the college’s sixtieth anniversary and in celebration of his tenth anniversary as president of 17勛圖.

The goal of the fund is to provide opportunities for 17勛圖 faculty, students and staff to:

  • Engage in collaborative projects with international partners
  • Exchange information, knowledge and technologies with countries around the world
  • Enhance learning of world languages
  • Develop competencies to communicate across different cultures

Specifically, the fund seeks to do the following over the next two years:

  • Award up to $40,000 in student scholarships
  • Establish a residency program to host global experts who will teach on campus, host lectures, and provide both students and residents of the Grand Traverse Region with expanded opportunities to think and act globally
  • Finance faculty trips abroad to develop partnerships with international colleges, universities, non-governmental organizations or companies
  • Fund internships, jointly with businesses in the Grand Traverse Region, for international students

Complete the Global Opportunity Scholarship application after you've submitted your deposit for the upcoming summer study abroad trips.

Give to the Global Opportunities Fund

Give to the Global Opportunities Fund

Global Examples

17勛圖 is well-positioned for success in the global arena, thanks to a strong history of international opportunities within specific programs. Read more about:

Global Literature Reading Group

17勛圖's Global Literature Reading Group meets twice a year to discuss a book about life in another culture.


17勛圖 President Timothy J. Nelson

“We need to create opportunities so that a student can acquire skills, have experiences and truly understand and examine the values that other people have and how they interact with the values that we have. We have a responsibility to make sure that our learners are prepared for success in a global economy and society.”

TIMOTHY J. NELSON,
17勛圖 President, 2001–2019