20 Years of Partnership: The Forum on Education Abroad & Dickinson College

4/3/2025

For the past two decades, The Forum on Education Abroad and Dickinson College have shared a collaborative partnership dedicated to advancing the field of international education. What began as a bold vision in 2004 has grown into a lasting alliance that has influenced best practices, policies, and programs benefiting institutions, faculty, and students worldwide.

At The Forum’s Annual Conference 2025 from March 19-21 in Toronto, Forum President & CEO Melissa Torres and Samantha Brandauer, Associate Provost and Executive Director of the Center for Global Study and Engagement at Dickinson, took some time to celebrate this milestone.

Watch the video celebrating this 20-year partnership.

A Vision Takes Shape

The Forum and Dickinson partnership was built on a shared commitment to academic excellence and the transformative power of global learning.

“We wanted study abroad that was deep, meaningful, and transformative for students, and that obviously is the mission of The Forum as well,” said Neil Weissman, Professor and former Provost and Dean at Dickinson College. “There was a really strong bonding between the two entities around that shared mission and that’s continued to be the case for the last 20 years.”

Reflecting on the early years, leaders from both institutions recall key moments that defined the collaboration. From setting industry-wide standards to establishing a Code of Ethics for the field, hosting impactful conferences to world-class professional development programs, The Forum was able to rapidly expand membership and develop one-of-a-kind programs and resources much more quickly because Dickinson provided a strong foundation for growth.

“It wasn’t a transactional relationship at all,” remarked Brian Whalen, former President & CEO at The Forum. “It was one with a lot of good feeling and strong belief and support. Dickinson faculty and staff leant their expertise to The Forum, and I think it was a two-way street: [Dickinson] got a lot out of [the partnership] and we got a lot out of it at The Forum, as well.”

A Lasting Impact on Global Education

Over the years, this strategic partnership has produced significant contributions to the education abroad field. Through joint initiatives, research projects, and advocacy efforts, The Forum and Dickinson have influenced how study abroad programs operate and evolve.

“I think one of the strengths that I see in the Dickinson and Forum partnership is our ability to co-innovate and co-create,” shared Renée Cramer, Provost and Dean at Dickinson College. “It’s almost as though we’re a laboratory where ideas can be tested.”

Dickinson College, known for its global focus, has also benefited from The Forum’s presence. Faculty and students have engaged in critical conversations about the future of international education, and the college has served as a hub for dialogue among global educators.

Melissa Torres emphasized that, “One of the things that is most impressive, and certainly most valuable to The Forum is having direct access to an institution that has always been at the leading edge of education abroad. So, we have an insider’s view into emerging trends, new challenges, the changing needs, wants, and interests of student and faculty, thanks to our relationship with Dickinson.”

Looking to the Future

As the partnership enters its third decade, leaders from both organizations are looking ahead to new ways to collaborate. In an ever-changing world, education abroad faces new challenges and opportunities, and The Forum and Dickinson remain committed to leading the way.

“I think the last 20 years have demonstrated that the shared passion and values that both of our institutions hold will continue to propel the work forward. Really what we’re seeing in this Forum-Dickinson Partnership is a wonderful model of collaboration,” added Samantha Brandauer.

With a legacy of innovation and excellence, The Forum on Education Abroad and Dickinson College celebrate 20 years of collaboration—looking forward to many more years of leadership in international education.

“I hope the legacy of this partnership is a strong Forum on Education Abroad,” said Torres. "That we’re able to continue to meet the needs of the field, to innovate, to be leading edge, to make sure education abroad is a priority and is accessible to every single student who wants to go abroad.”

Here’s to 20 years of partnership—and to many more to come.

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