Frequently Asked Questions

The Global Laureates Academy is a network of faculty and staff who aim to make an impact on the Wake Forest University community by exploring relevant topics aligned with five global learning threads. After participating in a series of workshops, members will propose and implement collaborative final projects aimed at positively influencing our global campus community.

The GLA is one of 4 initiatives that came out of the 2016 QEP (university’s 10 year quality enhancement plan). Through a series of focus groups, which included faculty, staff and students from all disciplines and both the College and Graduate and Professional Schools, the GLA was born out of what the committee believed was a need for a collaborative program that would bring the campus together in a global focus. The GLA was established to encourage learning and collaborations among faculty, staff, and students.

In the current iteration of the program, any faculty or staff member at WFU is eligible to apply to the GLA and will need 2-3 semesters to complete the program.

It would be difficult for faculty teaching abroad to participate. While their interest is appreciated, it would be best to delay involvement in Global Laureates Academy until they return to campus.

Each cohort will consist of no more than 12 participants and will be comprised of faculty and staff.

• Intercultural Inquiry: Interpret global events, values, and practices from multiple cultural perspectives. 
• Self Awareness: Explain how their own perspectives and experiences influence their understanding of other cultures. 
• Community Interaction: Collaborate across diverse cultures and settings to address complex global challenges. 
• Intercultural Communication: Negotiate intercultural interactions using appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication skills. 
• Global Responsibility: Formulate solutions to global challenges through informed decision-making and reflection. 

Supervisor or department chair approval should be obtained to participate.

The program will take approximately 3 semesters. In the first semester, participants will be responsible for watching pre-recorded workshops (~20 minutes) aligned with each of the global learning threads via Canvas. This will be followed by an hour-long discussion with other Laureates on the topic. There will be four conversations via Zoom over the course of four consecutive weeks. Two in-person gatherings will take place: one at the beginning of the program and the other after Zoom discussions are completed in order to brainstorm final project ideas.

During the second year, participants will work individually or in self-selected groups to develop and implement a final project that will positively impact our global campus community. The time involved with the final project depends on the number of team members and the complexity of the project.

The program concludes with participants giving a brief presentation about their projects to the cohort and the Center for Global Programs & Studies leadership team.

Although faculty and staff may have attended other workshops with similar content, it’s important to participate in the GLA workshops in order to build community and be in conversation with other Laureates. This shared experience will be crucial as groups begin to identify ideas and collaborate on their final projects.

Workshops will be available via Canvas for participants to watch on their own time. We will then come together via Zoom to reflect and discuss the information shared. If you are unable to make the workshop discussion, you will be asked to meet with the program coordinator to talk about the content of the workshop.

We understand conflicts happen, but please make every effort to attend. It’s important to participate in the GLA workshops in order to build community and be in conversation with other Laureates. This shared experience will be important as groups begin to identify ideas and collaborate on their final projects.

There is no set template! A project can be developed and implemented on any subject that will positively impact the global mindset of the Wake Forest community. Final projects are encouraged to be undertaken by a collaborative group of faculty and staff; however, individual projects may be approved. Project ideas will need to be submitted in advance to the GLA program coordinator.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be featured on the GLA website and be invited to a recognition ceremony where you’ll receive a certificate and gift for your participation. You will hopefully gain a sense of pride knowing you have further developed your cultural agility and global awareness.

Whether it be professional development or personal improvement, the incentive to participate may be different for each person. From the perspective of GLA, we hope members of each cohort – whether this be their first step in cultural curiosity or another part of the journey – will develop their cultural agility and global awareness on both individual and collective levels as they strive to implement a final project for the greater good of the Wake Forest community.

Apply now on the GLA website at global.wfu.edu/global-laureates-academy/

For more information about the GLA, contact Sandra Lisle McMullen ( or 336-758-4889).