Ursinus College is preparing to send students far beyond the boundaries of its Collegeville campus, and alumni are already investing heavily in the vision.
The Montgomery County college has officially launched Go Global, a new tuition-inclusive initiative that will give sophomore students the opportunity to participate in immersive domestic and international learning experiences beginning in spring 2027. Ursinus also announced that alumni and supporters have already pledged $2 million to help bring the program to life.
Go Global is a signature component of the school’s broader APEX (Applied. Professional. Experiential.) program and is designed to connect students with real-world career exploration opportunities through short-term travel experiences tied to Ursinus innovation hubs and faculty-led coursework.
Students will be able to spend Experiential Learning Week abroad, exploring issues ranging from climate policy and public health to sports management, immigration, and cultural identity. Destinations include Dublin, Ireland; Manchester, England; the Dominican Republic; Puerto Rico; and Appalachia in West Virginia.
“At Ursinus, we believe that a critical component of leadership is the ability to understand the world beyond ourselves,” said Ursinus President Gundolf Graml, Ph.D.
The fundraising momentum behind the program has been equally significant. A newly announced $1 million gift from alumnus Bill Pepper helped push total Go Global support past the $2 million mark.
“Go Global resonates deeply with me and my family,” said Pepper. “I believe wholeheartedly in providing students with these experiences early in their college careers and am truly honored to be able to support that.”
College leaders say the strong alumni backing reflects growing enthusiasm for experiential education and hands-on learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.
“We are so happy to see our alumni getting behind Go Global,” said Michelle Yurko, vice president for external relations and strategic initiatives. “We hear from many alumni that their Ursinus education set them apart in their careers because here, they learned and practiced early on how to adapt, think across disciplines, and understand others’ experiences
Importantly, all costs associated with Go Global will be included in Ursinus tuition, and the college will also assist students who need passports. Students unable to travel will instead participate in job-shadowing and experiential learning opportunities throughout the greater Philadelphia region.
With the launch of Go Global, Ursinus is betting that global exposure, career readiness, and experiential education can become central parts of the undergraduate experience.
To learn more about the Go Global Program and the broader APEX program, visit Ursinus College.
