Beyond Checking Boxes: Advancing DEI in International Education

Conversations—and action—around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in international education have rightly increased in recent years. The field has come a long way in these and related areas like access, belonging, and social justice. But there is much work to be done to ensure that the profession of international education embodies and reflects diversity in all its expressions and that students of all backgrounds and identities have access to a global education.

To get a sense of the state of DEI in international education, International Educator asked five professionals about their dedication to advancing DEI in the field: their motivations, how they support students from diverse backgrounds, and how they create inclusive international experience for all students—particularly those who have been historically marginalized in higher education. 

These five international educators represent predominantly white institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as the non-profit sector. Some were the first in their family to study abroad, which inspired them to pursue a career in international education to create opportunities for students who looked like them. 

Editor’s note: These interviews have been lightly edited for length and clarity. 

Listen to the full interviews from this article on the International Educator podcast.

Jewell Green Winn

Tennessee State University

Not only does Jewell Green Winn serve as the senior international officer at Tennessee State University, a historically Black college in Nashville, she’s also the chief diversity officer. She oversees international abroad and global learning, English as a second language, and