What implications will a global economy have on education policy in the United States? Should high schools, community colleges, and universities revise their programs and services in order to prepare young people to be successful in work places that are evolving as technology’s influence become increasingly pervasive? What does it mean to be “career ready” in the 21st Century?
The MSU Global EPLP (formerly in partnership with the Institute for Educational Leadership, Inc.) is designed to provide GEPLP Senior Fellows with the opportunity to study policy in the Age of Globalization by investigating education policy challenges in economically developed and developing countries. Across cultures, political leaders and policy makers are preparing initiatives to ensure that their countries will remain competitive in a global economy.
The Global EPLP engages participating Senior Policy Fellows in conversations about these and related questions with policy makers, educators, private sector leaders, and others in the countries selected to better understand the changing global education policy landscape. Through a series of assigned readings, online synchronous meetings, and a highly-focused in-country field study, the Senior Fellows gain insights into global policy challenges, develop new network contacts and experience new cultures.
Program Details
Format
- Monthly Conference Calls – Pre-departure orientation and briefings
- 10-Day International Field Experience
- A blend of academic, business, and cultural experiences
- Post-trip reflections and evaluation
- Background readings and discussions
- Optional Policy Project
Goals
- Develop greater awareness of how other countries prepare young people for a globally interconnected economy
- Develop a multi-cultural perspective on U.S. efforts to ensure its schools are globally competitive
- Observe and engage with leaders shaping school reform efforts
- Establish relationships with global education policy leaders
History
- 2011 and 2012 Field Experience to Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai, China
- 2013 Field Experience to London, Cambridge and Oxford, England
- 2015 Field Experience to Thimphu and Paro, Bhutan
- 2016 Field Experience to Bangalore, Delhi and Agra, India
- 2017 Field Experience to Beijing, Chongqing, Chengdu and Shanghai, China: Group Photo in Chongqing, Group Photo in Beibei, Chongqing
- 2018 Field Experience to Baden-Württemberg, Germany and Zürich, Switzerland
- 2020 Field Experience to Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Terra del Fuego, Argentina (Canceled due to COVID-19)
- 2021 Field Experience to Iceland
- 2022 Field Experience to England, Group Photo at Churchill College and Cambridge University, Group Photo at Little Ilford Secondary School
- 2023 Field Experience to New Zealand, Group Photo: University of Auckland Powhiri, Group Photo: Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata
- 2024 Field Experience to Oslo and Trondheim, Norway: Group Photo NTNU Campus, Trondheim, Group Photo Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo, Group Photo, Oslo City Hall
- 2025 Field Experience to Costa Rica, Group Photo: Monteverde Institute, Group Photo: National Museum
Partners
Typically, the MSU Global EPLP works in collaboration with a distinguished host country university, government agency, or respected national education partner to plan and organize a series of orientation briefings designed to provide policy context and help prepare the Senior Fellows in advance of their international travel. In addition, our host country partners also assist us in arranging focused in-country briefings during the field study with expert academic, policy and community leaders, and strategic school and university site visits.
Our distinguished international academic partners are highlighted below.
Recruitment
Each year applicants are recruited from across the United States. Candidates include academics, researchers, school and policy leaders. Since 2011 over 2/3 of program participants have been female. See map for the states where past Senior Fellows were based.
Application
Applications for the Fall 2026 Global EPLP Program to Copenhagen, Denmark, and Trondheim, Norway will open in April 2026.
Program Fees
Each GEPLP Senior Fellow or the Fellow’s employing agency (the sponsor) is responsible for the participation fee of $5,200 (double occupancy lodging) or $6,395 (single room lodging). This fee includes program costs, hotel accommodations, land transportation with guides, tips and gratuities, daily breakfast, several lunches, admission to all sites included in the itinerary, and airport transfers. Round-trip international airfare, as well as any in-country airfare, is the responsibility of the individual participant.
Copenhagen, Denmark and Trondheim, Norway 2026 Field Study
In this period of shifting international priorities, realignment of strategic partners, and growing concern over the impact on children and youth of social media and artificial intelligence (AI), the 2026 MSU Global EPLP will examine innovative policy initiatives, school practices, and cultural traditions in Denmark and Norway designed to promote student and adult well-being and healthy lifestyles. In Denmark, Norway, and numerous other countries, government leaders, parents, and educators are grappling with growing concerns about social media’s influence on mental health, brain development, and the need to protect children from potential abuse. The worldwide trend of childhood obesity and related health concerns can be linked to the growth of “screen time” and the preference of today’s youth to conduct much of their social activity online. Growing up in the digital world combined with a lack of physical activity can influence lifestyle choices at an early age. Policy initiatives to restrict screen time, promote age-appropriate experiences for teens, limit social media for younger age groups, increase outdoor activities, and adopt healthier lifestyle practices are potential solutions that will be explored as part of the program. To learn more about the 2026 Global EPLP in Denmark and Norway, see the Program Description.
Program Leaders
Dan Schultz
Coordinator
Global EPLP
dws@msu.edu
Dan Schultz is Senior Policy and Program Advisor for the Office of K- 12 Outreach in the College of Education at Michigan State University. He serves as Coordinator Emeritus for the Michigan Education Policy Fellowship Program (MI EPFP), a program he co-led for more than 35 years. He has developed and led over 25 academic and policy-oriented study tours to China, India, Botswana, Bhutan, Germany, Switzerland, the U.K., Iceland, New Zealand, and Norway. His background includes executive leadership and policy roles in state government in Michigan, where he was Assistant State Superintendent and Director of Technology and Grants for the Michigan Department of Education. He holds academic degrees in economics and education administration. He is the recipient of the Michigan Reading Association’s Advocacy Award, the MSU College of Education Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Institute for Educational Leadership’s National Leadership Award, and the International Friendship Award from Southwest University in China.
Robert J. Monson, Ph.D.
Coordinator
Global EPLP
rjm747@mac.com
Bob Monson coordinates the Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program in New York. From 2000 to 2009, he was a senior lecturer and program coordinator in education leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. From 2001 to 2022, he coordinated the Education Policy Fellowship Program in the Department of Education Policy & Social Analysis at Teachers College. In 1977, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Across seven states he has served public school children in the capacities of teacher, high school assistant principal, high school principal, assistant superintendent, and four superintendent positions in Ohio, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York. In 2010, he was a visiting fellow in education at Oxford University. From 2011-2015, he was a consultant to the University of Cambridge (UK) International Education as well as a consultant in Bhutan, China, the U.A.E., Nicaragua, and India.
For questions, please contact one of the program co-coordinators.
