Christina Schwartz | Tennessee State University Newsroom

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – At Tennessee State University, the world isn’t just outside the campus—it’s a classroom brimming with opportunities. With its long-standing study abroad program, TSU empowers students to step beyond borders, not only broadening their academic horizons but also nurturing the leadership skills and global awareness that today’s employers demand.

As students traverse continents—from the vibrant streets of Ghana to the serene beaches of St. Croix—many are finding that the journey is as transformative as the destination.

This travel season, TSU has already sent 63 students and eight faculty members on international journeys, with trips spanning Africa, Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America. The 2024-2025 season promises further adventures in countries such as Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Spain. Recently, a cohort of 12 TSU students and faculty returned from a life-changing excursion to St. Croix, an experience that blended cultural immersion with academic exploration.

“Spring break of 2025, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to St. Croix as a logistical coordinator,” said Kennedy Ann Lee Johnson, a junior biology major from Atlanta. “This experience helped me enhance my leadership skills by exposing me to a new dimension of global advocacy. It reshaped my perspective on the island, revealing its deep historical and cultural ties to Africa. I decided to pick up a double minor in Africana Studies to explore these connections further.”

On their recent visit to St. Croix, a group of study abroad students find time for photo by the Millennium Monument above Point Udall on the east end of St. Croix. The monument was built for the New Year’s celebration in 2000, marking the azimuth of the first U.S. sunrise of that year. (submitted photo)

Fellow student Christina Elaine Schwartz, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Columbia, Maryland, was on the journey with Kennedy. “Studying abroad in St. Croix was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. You’ll come back with new knowledge, confidence, and unforgettable memories.”

According to Dr. Bridgett Golman, Vice President for Student Affairs, the exposure TSU students gain from these experiences is invaluable.

“The convenience of having a passport application acceptance facility directly on campus enhances our students’ ability to explore the world. We believe that engagement in international education is vital to their growth,” Golman said.

Mark Brinkley, Director of International Education and Global Learning, added, “The study abroad experience allows students to align their academic, career, and personal goals. It equips them with the skills necessary to initiate respectful, meaningful conversations across cultures. Our students have expressed a strong desire to explore their African heritage and the Diaspora, and we’re excited to cater to those interests.”

A group of TSU study abroad students, and other tourists visiting a wildlife reserve in Tanzania, observe a relaxed male lion enjoying the coolness provided by the visitors’ parked tour vehicle. (Submitted photo)

Freddie Louis Calhoun III, a first-year graduate student who participated in the study abroad program to Ghana, said, “It opened my eyes to new things. The connections I made and the perspectives I gained have been invaluable.”

As TSU continues its mission to cultivate global leaders, one message resonates louder than others: experience the world. The university invites students to embrace these unique opportunities for growth, advocating for a future where they not only aspire to lead but are inspired to serve. The world is waiting—take the leap and let it transform you.

For more information on the TSU Study Abroad program, visit www.tnstate.edu/business/international

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has been recertified as a passport application acceptance facility by the U.S. Department of State for another year. As a designated Passport Application Acceptance Facility, TSU is committed to preparing global scholars by making international travel more accessible to students and the North Nashville community.

The facility guides students through the passport application process, allowing them to explore a world of academic and cultural opportunities beyond the university.

“Having a passport acceptance facility on the TSU campus exemplifies our commitment to providing our students and the community access to the world,” said Mark Brinkley, Director of International Education and Global Learning at TSU. “A passport is not just a document; it is permission from the Department of State to explore new cultures, experiences, and opportunities. With our facility, we’re not just processing applications—we’re demystifying the experience of international travel for our students.”

The TSU Passport Acceptance Facility is open by appointment on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. To make an appointment, individuals can call 615-963-5640. Located in Kean Hall on the main campus, the facility operates concurrently with the university’s academic calendar.

To apply for a passport, you typically need the following items:

– A completed passport application form

– A valid photo ID

– A passport-sized photo

– Proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate)

– The required fees

Students are enthusiastic about the convenience of the facility. Christina Schwartz, a senior interdisciplinary studies major from Columbia, Maryland, who just returned from a study abroad program in St. Croix, shared her thoughts: “I like having a passport because it gives me the freedom to travel wherever I want and to explore opportunities like my trip to St. Croix. Having a passport acceptance facility right here on campus is extremely convenient—I no longer have to deal with the long waits associated with the passport agency.”

Freddie Louis Calhoun III, a first-year graduate student from Memphis, Tennessee, who previously traveled to Ghana on a study abroad program, echoed Schwartz’s sentiments. “Having the ability to go to Kean Hall for passport services would have made my experience so much smoother. It’s a quick and accessible way to identify yourself while traveling. I encourage all students to embrace this opportunity. Having a passport at this stage in life is invaluable.”

Dr. Bridgett Golman, Vice President of Student Affairs, emphasized the significance of the passport acceptance facility in shaping global scholars. “At Tennessee State University, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom. By facilitating access to the world through our passport services, we are not only enriching the academic experiences of our students but also empowering them to become engaged and informed global citizens,” Golman said.

TSU’s Passport Acceptance Facility has been in operation since 2014, having processed approximately 200 passports annually.

For more information about TSU’s Passport Acceptance Facility or study abroad opportunities, please visit www.tnstate.edu/passport.

Tennessee State University Newsroom

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From the Classroom to the Globe: TSU’s Study Abroad Program Transforms Lives and Leaders

TSU Enhances Access to Global Opportunities with Passport Facility