SALISBURY, Md. – Governor Wes Moore has announced the expansion of a longstanding academic and cultural exchange between Salisbury University (SU) and the Japan Study Abroad Foundation (JSAF), a move expected to enhance international learning opportunities and global engagement at the university.
The renewed partnership broadens SU’s access to more than 50 Japanese universities, opening the door for increased educational and cultural exchange. University leaders believe the collaboration will significantly bolster SU’s study abroad programs and establish a two-way pipeline for student mobility.
“This partnership elevates our global footprint,” said SU President Dr. Carolyn Ringer Lepre. “It allows us to connect with over 50 institutions across Japan and offer our educational programs to a broader international audience. We’re optimistic about the future pipeline of students this will create.”
In the early phase of the expanded agreement, 10 Japanese students are expected to study at SU, contributing an estimated $200,000 annually in tuition, fees, and housing. The broader economic impact is projected at $4 million, with expectations for continued growth in the years ahead.
Brian Stiegler, Assistant Provost for International Education, emphasized the importance of global exposure for SU students. “This partnership deepens our campus’s international reach,” he said. “It brings new cultural perspectives that enrich the academic experience and ensures all students have access to global learning opportunities.”
President Lepre added that the agreement will also provide JSAF students with greater access to higher education opportunities in the United States.
“The most valuable educational experiences occur when students are exposed to diverse viewpoints and backgrounds,” she said. “This is about bringing the global community to our campus.”
