UCA awarded IDEAS grant to increase study abroad capacity

New lower-cost study abroad programs planned for Canada, Mexico

The University of Central Arkansas has been awarded a $35,000 IDEAS Program grant through the U.S. Department of State for "Stepping Stones Abroad: Accessible Arts-Based Approaches for Mental Health and Wellbeing in North America," which seeks to grow study abroad participation among early career, low-/middle-income students, increase Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) in UCA's Living Learning Communities, and develop a robust global learning assessment plan for UCA. UCA received the only grant in Arkansas during the 2025 award cycle.

The award will be used to develop two new week-long, lower-cost study abroad programs to Montreal, Canada, and Merida, Mexico, in collaboration with the UCA Center for Global Learning and Engagement.

"'Stepping Stones Abroad' was intentionally designed to be interdisciplinary and appeal to students of all majors," Dr. Leah Horton, associate dean of the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, said. "We know that this generation of students experience increased mental health struggles, and research shows that engaging in creative pursuits has positive benefits for mental health and overall wellness.

"One of the primary goals of this program is to encourage students to tap into their creativity and introduce them to skills, tools and activities that they can utilize over the course of their lives to promote their own mental health and wellbeing."

The first iteration of the Montreal program will be led by Horton and Dr. Crystal Harris of the School of Language and Literature in May 2027. Dr. Adam Frank of the Honors College and Professor Kayla Gowin of the Department of Psychology and Counseling will lead the Merida program in May 2028.

The U.S. Department of State's IDEAS Program awarded grants to 31 U.S. colleges and universities across 24 states to develop international programming for U.S. students that contributes to career readiness and supports American competitiveness, national security interests and international engagement.

IDEAS Program grantees implement projects that expand U.S. study abroad opportunities while advancing key foreign policy goals, including strengthening economic growth, innovation and industry, and promoting freedom and democracy through international academic partnerships. These initiatives prepare U.S. students to contribute to their communities and future careers in ways that support national security and long-term economic prosperity. IDEAS grants support programming in 37 destinations across all world regions, including in Ecuador, India, Japan, Kenya, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan, strategically expanding the destinations where U.S. students study abroad. More information about the 2025 IDEAS grant recipients and resources designed to expand study abroad opportunities are available at studyabroadcapacitybuilding.org.

The IDEAS Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State supported in its implementation by World Learning.