The Community College International Education Research Initiative (CCIERI) is a research group organized by Dr. Melissa Whatley in William & Mary’s School of Education. Our work focuses on all aspects of international education in the U.S. community college context. We are especially interested in unconventional, less common, and new approaches that promote access to international learning opportunities for underserved populations and that result in outcomes that lead to a more just world.
The Team
Our team is made up of faculty, staff, and students primarily but not exclusively affiliated with William & Mary’s School of Education. While most everyone on our team is involved in a research project or two, some members of our team also play key organizational and leadership roles in advancing the CCIERI’s work.
The Research
Our current research focuses on a variety of topics related to community college international education, including access to global learning opportunities, financial support for study abroad, discourses that frame international education, and support for international students.
Upcoming Events and Presentations
We share about our work on a regular basis at a variety of virtual and in-person events and conferences. Sign up for our newsletter to learn more about upcoming events and presentations.
| Title | Description | How to Attend |
|---|---|---|
| Community College International Education: Stratified Access to Global Learning Opportunities | This study, presented by Dr. Melissa Whatley, Christian Nyarko, Alena Chaplygina, and Yi-Yun Minnie Tsai, counters the marginalization of community colleges in U.S. international higher education through providing a comprehensive account of global learning opportunities available in this sector. We use institutional stratification theory to explore institutional characteristics and student demographics associated with the provision of various international opportunities. | This in-person presentation is part of the program of the Association for the Study of Higher Education‘s annual conference in Denver, CO, which is November 12-15, 2025. |