First project broadens Fulbright Specialist Tim Butler's business insights

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was first published on the Wayne State University Office of International Programs website.

In an increasingly global business world, Timothy Butler, associate professor in the Mike Ilitch School of Business, believes study abroad is a vital part of the college experience, and that goes for faculty too.

Recently named a Fulbright Specialist, Butler says 19 days this spring in Poland and Germany lecturing and meeting with business leaders broadened his own insights.

Working with colleagues at the International University of Logistics and Transport in Wroclaw, Poland, Butler’s first Fulbright project involved sharing his expertise in supply chain management and quality control with faculty and students, and traveling between the neighboring countries meeting with business leaders to expand existing international connections for further collaborative work.

“It is the most fulfilling part of my career so far because of the many opportunities it presents for Wayne State and our students,” says Butler. “Being in the heart of Detroit, we are in a unique position to connect with local businesses that have international ties, and show students how these global connections work.”

With support and assistance from the Office of International Programs (OIP) and Study Abroad and Global Programs, Butler coordinates annual student study trips to Europe and Asia. He hopes that his time as a Fulbright Specialist will result in additional international travel opportunities for students.

His interest in international learning brings students to Wayne State, too. Each October, he hosts a Case Competition for students from Poland, Mexico and China who come to campus to solve a business challenge designed by General Motors.

The Fulbright Specialist program is a roster of U.S. faculty and professionals selected for short-term collaborative projects at eligible institutions in more than 140 countries. The shorter grant length gives Specialists greater flexibility to pursue projects that work best with their academic or professional commitments. 

Fulbright, with more than 500 scholarship grants available, is accepting applications for Specialist and Core awards. To learn more about Fulbright, contact Jaclyn Assarian, OIP associate director, and Wayne State’s Fulbright liaison for faculty programs, at 313-577-9319 or jassarian@wayne.edu.

For questions related to the Fulbright Student Program, contact Kelli Dixon, director of Study Abroad and Global Programs, at ab6179@wayne.edu. For preliminary information, students may visit http://us.fulbrightonline.org.

OIP is always interested in hearing from faculty and student Fulbright alumni.  If you have received a Fulbright award, we want to know about it! Email Carol Baldwin, communications coordinator for OIP, at carol.baldwin@wayne.edu and tell her about your experience.

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