Our History

The Global Virtual Exchange programming and network that eventually became Global Partners in Education developed at East Carolina University in response to 1) an existing strength in on-line education and 2) a clear need to provide significant international experiences to ECU’s primarily rural, lower income, first generation college students who were reluctant to explore much beyond North Carolina. Starting with just the one class in 2003, GPE has grown both its membership and offerings throughout the years.

2003

Pilot of Global Understanding Course

2004

First formal Global Understanding Course

2008

Global Partners in Education Founded

Andrew Heiskell Award (IIE), Honorable Mention for International Partnerships Category

2009

Khaladjan International Award for Innovation in Higher Education (AAUA) awarded to Drs. Chia and Poe

2010

Global Climate Change course first offered

2011

Global Partners in Education Journal (GPEJ) Launched

2014

Wharton-QS Stars Re-imagine Education Award, 3rd place for Presence Learning

2015

North Carolina Association of International Education Institutional Award

Global Issues Virtual Student Research Conference (GIC) launched

2016

WorldWise Global Student Organization launched

GPEWorld StoryMap Project launched

Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization (NAFSA)

2018

Global BEEHIVE Grant (US. Dept. of Education, IUSFL) received to develop four new courses based on the proven Global Understanding course

2019

Pilot of Global Business Course

Pilot of Global Environment Course

2020

Pilot of Global Education Course

2023

Launch of GU Plus Professional Development program

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