Morehead State faculty lead students in courses abroad

Morehead State University's Level UP program continues to offer students education abroad experiences that increase essential career skills thanks to experienced and engaged faculty.

Three groups of MSU students were able to gain career skills in Europe as part of faculty-led education abroad programs during spring break:

• Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Jason M. Adkins and Assistant Professor of Management Dr. Jon Musgrave led education abroad experiences in Estonia, Finland, and Sweden.
• Tammy Martin, instructor of teacher education at MSU at Prestonsburg, and Mary Claire Collins, instructor of social work at MSU at Ashland, led education abroad experiences in Czechia and Germany.
• Assistant Professor of Elementary Education Dr. Gera Nelson (education) and Dr. Kimberley Nettleton, director of University Assessment, Planning Performance and Effectiveness, led education abroad experiences to Ireland and Northern Ireland.
• This year also marked a new model for faculty-led programs, with faculty from various programs across campus going to the same destination. Students in these programs are together for most activities and split off for various class-specific activities during their time overseas.

Students who went to Czechia and Germany also learned firsthand about the Holocaust by visiting the site of the Dachau concentration camp, where they discovered why it is important to remember what took place so similar events cannot happen again.

"Visiting Prague and Munich over spring break was an unforgettable experience that brought history to life in a way I never expected," said Crissy Pannell, a senior majoring in special education from Louisa. "Walking through Prague's cobblestone streets, exploring its beautiful churches and castles, and learning about the city's rich and complicated past made every moment meaningful. Visiting Dachau Concentration Camp was especially powerful; it was a heavy, emotional reminder of history's darker chapters that will stay with me forever."

Two students also received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program award, which enabled them to participate in the Czechia and Germany program. MSU awards Gilman scholarships twice a year. Any student eligible for a Pell Grant can apply. Awards are competitive, and help is available from the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education.

One of the benefits of faculty-led programs at MSU is that students take classes from trusted faculty who know their major and/or minor. Faculty also benefit from getting to know their students from previous semesters or from activities in their class before departing from the program.

"MSU faculty-led programs offer the most value for students who want an education abroad experience," said Dr. Jason M. Adkins, education abroad coordinator. "There are options to fit every student's schedule. It could be for just a week or two, to a month, to even a semester- or year-long program."

The next Gilman Scholarship application cycle opens in mid-August, and the deadline is Oct. 9. The fall cycle of scholarship awards can help pay for a spring break or summer education abroad experience. Students are encouraged to visit the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education to guide them in their Gilman Scholarship application.

MSU offers several faculty-led education abroad experiences every year. The MSU Education Abroad office will soon release more information on destinations for spring break and summer 2026.

For more information on education abroad opportunities, contact Dr. Adkins at jm.adkins@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2044.

Level UP is an initiative to ensure students can engage in experiences that prepare them for success, including undergraduate research, education abroad, service learning, and internships within the courses in their major. The courses further focus on building in-demand career skills like oral communication, written communication, professionalism, critical thinking, and teamwork.

For more information on the Level UP program, contact the Center for Career Development & Experiential Education at levelup@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2233.

Photos: Several students enjoyed cultural experiences thanks to participating in faculty-led education abroad courses.

Upper photo, left to right: Peyton, McWilliams, a political science major from Henderson; and Taylor (William) Bishop, a political science/history major from Greensburg pictures in cenetral Stockholm, Sweden.

Lower photo, left to right: Brandi Adams, an accounting major from Williamstown, Alexa Dibenedetto, a business management major from Hauppauge, New York, and America Adams, a business management major from Frenchburg, pictured in Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland.