What is the Reeves Scholars Program?
The Reeves Scholars Program (RSP) is a reciprocal exchange between future teachers at Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States and at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana. It offers a close-knit learning community and international travel experiences that prepare future teachers to be open-minded, community-engaged, and globally-oriented leaders while strengthening their cross-cultural competence in and beyond their classrooms.
Each year, between 10 and 16 Reeves Scholars are selected from among junior and senior teacher education students, 5-8 at MSU and 5-8 at UCC. This cohort of between 10 and 16 students enroll in a virtual seminar during the academic year, facilitated by Reeves staff and featuring faculty at both institutions and teacher education professionals in both countries. At the end of the academic year, all Reeves Scholars will participate in 4 weeks of high-impact transnational experiences when they visit each other’s countries and campuses in both Ghana and the U.S.
Reeves Scholars will learn from and with each other to develop leadership skills, grow as globally-aware and culturally-responsive educators, create new friendships and professional relationships at MSU and UCC, and make critical interventions to educational practice in their classrooms and their communities in Ghana, the U.S., and beyond.
Funded Travel + Global Engagement
The RSP is generously funded by Larry W. and Arlene M. Reeves who are both alumni and long-time supporters of MSU. Their passion for education, global experiences, and creating lasting change in the world have been crucial in shaping RSP’s focus on supporting international learning opportunities that are transformational for future teachers. The vast majority of program expenses including airfare, lodging, 3 meals/day, and program activities will be covered. For detailed information about out of pocket expenses, check the logistics and cost information below.
What Activities Will You Participate In As A Reeves Scholar?
During the 2023-2024 academic year, Reeves Scholars will engage in the following activities:
- 1 semester-long seminar
- Participate every other week in synchronous virtual seminars facilitated by faculty and RSP staff at both UCC and MSU.
- Design and carry out self-directed teacher education-related research projects with a fellow Reeves Scholar from the partner institution.
- 4 weeks of high-impact transnational experiences
- From mid-May to mid-June 2024, Reeves Scholars will live and learn together at MSU and at UCC.
- During the first phase, UCC-recruited Scholars will travel to the U.S., where they will meet and spend 12 days of face-to-face interaction with MSU-recruited Scholars.
- During the second phase, MSU-recruited Scholars will travel to Ghana alongside UCC-recruited scholars and spend another 12 days of face-to-face interaction in Ghana.
- MSU-and UCC-recruited Scholars will take an active role in hosting and planning site visits and off-campus excursions in the U.S. and in Ghana, respectively.
- Please note: All participants are expected to commit to full-time engagement for 4 weeks. Participants may not be enrolled in coursework or have other outside commitments during this time.
Through the seminar activities and travel experiences, Reeves Scholars will learn with and from each other how future teachers can become change agents in their classrooms and their communities. The program seeks to answer questions including:
- What are the opportunities and constraints that shape education and teaching in Ghana, the U.S., and the wider global community?
- What are the similarities and differences in teaching and learning in Ghana, in the U.S., and elsewhere in the world? In what ways does this shape classroom practice?
- As future teachers, how can we contribute to and benefit from cultivating and nurturing cross-cultural and transnational relationships?
- What educational and teaching innovations are possible to meet student needs in your community and to address the 21st century challenges that our world faces?
