Global Gateways

About

Building on Ohio State's international connections

The Ohio State University is committed to becoming a preeminent global university – one that prepares its students and faculty to participate actively in knowledge-based collaborations around the world. As one of the best public universities in the United States, we strive to build a foundation that will integrate international dimensions with every facet of the institution, to pursue international partnerships and to collaborate on the solution of local and global issues based on Ohio State's expertise. To solidify Ohio State's commitment to enhancing its global interactions, the university opened offices – Global Gateways – in key parts of the world.

Ohio State opened Gateway office locations in Shanghai, China (February 2010), Mumbai, India (March 2012) and São Paulo, Brazil (September 2014). The locations for the Gateways capitalize on the strengths of Ohio State's connections across the globe and provide the university with a myriad of opportunities, including operational support for faculty research/teaching and international partnerships, a portal for education abroad, a location for international student recruitment, a center for academic programming as well as executive and corporate training, a location for alumni gatherings and a new way to partner with Ohio-based companies operating in global markets.

Ohio State's involvement in China, India and Brazil is robust with student, faculty and alumni engagement. Global Gateways signify one initiative of several identified by the President's and Provost's Council on Strategic Internationalization in 2009 in which developing an international physical presence was among the priorities.


To further enhance the university’s global reach in China, India and Brazil, the Global Gateways work in four strategic areas to engage, facilitate and build relationships, while ensuring the integrity and compliance of our international collaborations.

Prospective and current student support
The Global Gateways support prospective students as they consider The Ohio State University for their studies or research endeavors. Before students decide to attend Ohio State, the Gateway team attends recruitment fairs and events and conducts outreach to admitted students in collaboration with the Office of Strategic Enrollment Management. As international students from China, India and Brazil prepare to arrive on campus, the Gateways work with campus partners and the Office of International Affairs’ International Students and Scholars unit to communicate needs unique to international students and hosting pre-departure orientations. To support international students throughout their time at Ohio State, the Gateways coordinate and participate in programming focusing on China, India and Brazil, as well as share experiential learning options such as global education, internship and career opportunities.

Partnerships and collaborations
The Gateways support faculty and staff through research connections and industry and university partnerships. The teams in China, India and Brazil provide information on grant funding, professional development around emerging topics and areas of interest, staff exchange programs, and intercultural training for faculty and staff who work with international populations. Global Gateways also collaborate with faculty and staff on events and conferences that are hosted in-region by providing logistical and in-country support.

Alumni engagement
The Global Gateways connect and engage with international alumni to strengthen their relationship with Ohio State. The teams in China, India and Brazil develop and support alumni club activities, invite alumni to interact with incoming students, address current students on panels and share networking and career opportunities with them.

Corporate engagement
Working with Ohio-based businesses that have international operations and in-region companies, the Gateways develop relationships and engage with the university on executive education programs, experiential opportunities, trainings, educational activities and events.


While the Office of International Affairs helps facilitate the development and growth of the Global Gateways, each of the Gateways are managed by a smaller team located both in Ohio and abroad. These leaders identify the best ways possible to achieve the goals established for the Gateways. They also ensure that the Global Gateways are advancing Ohio State's internationalization strategies.

Kaitlyn Witsaman serves as the program manager for the Global Gateways. She engages with multiple stakeholders in supporting the day-to-day operations of the Gateway offices. Witsaman is also responsible for developing Global Gateways’ policies, guidelines and best practices; developing policies and international partnership agreements in the Gateway regions and monitoring performance metrics related to the Gateway activities. She holds a Master of Arts in Leadership in Higher Education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from Fairmont State University.


Abby Krummel serves as the program coordinator for the Global Gateways. She plans and oversees Global Gateways events and programs to further the goals of the office including liaising with university and external stakeholders as well as the gateways. Krummel is also responsible for building and managing stakeholder relationships, researching information relative to programs and services offered by the unit, and tracking the logistical actions of the gateways. An alumna of The Ohio State University, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Management, Leadership and Policy with a focus in Public Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a focus in Security and Intelligence. Krummel is also currently a part-time graduate student in the Master in the Study of Law (MSL) program through the Moritz College of Law.


The academic directors serve as part-time senior advisors for the Global Gateways and connect with Ohio State’s 15 colleges and regional campuses to identify new partnership opportunities abroad. They work across disciplines to leverage existing connections and build strong relationships between Ohio State colleges/units and external partners. The faculty appointments are intended to advance the Global Gateways research and scholarship collaborations, elevate their profile in strategic areas, and connect Ohio State’s global engagement with the university’s Academic Plan.

Fabio Leite - Brazil Gateway
Fabio Leite, associate professor of psychology at Ohio State Lima, is the academic director for the Brazil Gateway. A native of Brazil, he has worked closely with the Brazil Gateway since 2020 to present workshops on developing intercultural competencies in preparation to study, conduct research or work in another culture.

Roger Williams - China Gateway
Roger Williams, associate professor of forest ecosystem analysis and management at the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, is the academic director for the China Gateway. Williams has long-standing connections with China including actively working with Northeast Forestry University to develop student exchange and education abroad opportunities, serving as director of the China Undergraduate Research Abroad Program in partnership with Guangxi Ecological Engineering Vocational and Technical Institute, and he has hosted and worked with visiting scholars from China.

Jay Anand - India Gateway
Jay Anand, William H. Davis Chair and Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Strategy at the Fisher College of Business, is the academic director for the India Gateway. Born in Delhi, Anand has deep roots in India. He has worked closely with the India Gateway in collaborations with Tata Management Training Centre and Tata Consultancy Services to develop and conduct management training workshops. He also has collaborated with colleagues at numerous Indian universities, has been heavily involved with the Indian School of Business and has built a wide network of academic and non-academic connections throughout the country.