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USAC Visiting Professors

University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Visiting Professor Program

NOTE: The application cycle for Summer 2026 visiting positions is now closed. 

Visiting professors are selected from USAC consortium universities to teach on temporary bases on USAC programs abroad.  Interested Cal Poly faculty should contact Stacey Shimizu, Assistant Director of the International Center (stshimiz@calpoly.edu). You can also contact USAC at visitingprofessors@usac.edu. If you are not a Cal Poly faculty member, you should contact the study abroad/international center at your own university.

Cal Poly faculty who have participated in the past have taught in the summer or during a sabbatical. USAC appoints faculty with the following academic qualifications:

  • Full-time faculty members in good standing at a USAC Affiliate University
  • Have at least a Master’s degree; preferably PhD/EdD or terminal degree
  • Be teaching at their home university the semester prior to their Visiting Professorship with plans to return to teaching at their home university
  • Experience teaching a relevant course in the humanities, social sciences, business, economics, tourism, education, environmental sciences, African studies, or biology (depending on USAC needs)
  • Ability to offer at least one course that specifically relates to the teaching site, region or nation, or is clearly international in nature; the language of instruction may be English or the relevant foreign language (Spanish, French, etc.)
  • Will have student evaluation summaries that reflect superior teaching abilities and written approval from their supervisor
  • Are flexible regarding international living and working conditions and are enthusiastic about experiencing local culture with their students
  • Are willing to contribute to the host university in addition to teaching the selected courses
  • Are willing to publicize the opportunity to study abroad with them

Summer 2026 Options

NOTE: The application cycle for Summer 2026 visiting positions is now closed. 

USAC has 33 visiting professor openings available for Summer 2026.  Locations and specific courses have been pre-determined by USAC.  All courses are taught in English and require a minimum enrollment of 5 students.

Visiting professors will receive a $6,000 stipend, CISI health insurance, and visa assistance. USAC will provide assistance on identifying housing, but visiting faculty are responsible for the cost of transportation, lodging, meals and incidentals.

USAC is seeking applicants to teach the following courses: 

  • Bilbao, Spain – Summer Session 1 (June)– International Marketing (BUS/MKTG, 400-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Bilbao, Spain – Summer Session 2 (July)– Operations Management (BUS/MGMT, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand – Summer Session 1 (June)– International Management and Organizational Behavior (BUS/MGMT, 400-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand – Summer Session 2 (July)– International Business Management (BUS/MGMT, 400-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Heredia, Costa Rica – Summer Session 1 (June)– Foundations for Personal Wellness (CHS, 100-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Heredia, Costa Rica – Summer Session 2 (July)– Sports Nutrition, Exercise, and Performance (KIN/NUTR, 200-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • La Habana, Cuba – Summer Session (July)– Latin American Social Revolutions (POLI, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Lüneburg, Germany – Summer Session 2 (July)– International Business (BUS, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Lyon, France – Summer Session 1 (June)– French Art and Architecture I: Classical to Beaux Art (ART, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Lyon, France – Summer Session 2 (July)– Francophone Women Writers (FREN/WMST, 400-level, 3 credits, taught in French)
  • Madrid, Spain – Summer Session 1 (June)– Mass Media and Political Communication (JOUR, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Madrid, Spain – Summer Session 2 (July)– Gender and Communication (COMM, 400-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Montevideo, Uruguay – Summer Session (June)– Government and Politics in Latin America (POLI, 400-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Pau, France – Summer Session 1 (June)– Sustainability in France (ENV/GEOG/PSC, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Reggio Emilia, Italy – Summer Session 2 (July)– Health and Wellness Communication (HLTH/COMM, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • San Sebastián, Spain – Summer Session 1 (June)– Food and Culture (ANTH/NUTR, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • San Sebastián, Spain – Summer Session 2 (July)– Positive Psychology (PSY, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Torino, Italy – Summer Session 1 (June)– International Strategic Management (BUS/MGMT, 400-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Torino, Italy – Summer Session 2 (July)– International Sports Business (BUS/MGMT, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Verona, Italy – Summer Session 1 (June)– Food and Beverage Tourism (BUS/FAB, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Verona, Italy – Summer Session 2 (July)– Digital Marketing (BUS/MKTG, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Viterbo, Italy – Summer Session 1 (June)– Food and Culture (ANTH/NUTR, 300-level, 3 credits, taught in English)

USAC is also accepting proposals for courses in the following areas (applicants will need to submit a course blurb or a draft syllabus):
  • Chengdu, China – Summer Session 1 (June)— Intercultural Communication or a related communication/culture/sociology/anthropology topic (COMM/SOC/ANTH, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Chengdu, China – Summer Session 2 (July) – Food and Culture or a related communication/culture/sociology/anthropology topic (COMM/SOC/ANTH, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Chiang Mai, Thailand – Summer Session 1 (June)– comparative/global health systems/ issues/health and wellness (HLTH/SOC, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Lüneburg, Germany – Summer Session 1 (June)— STEM/engineering/tech/biotech with intersection with sustainability/renewable energy (STEM/ENGR, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Prague, Czech Republic – Summer Session 1 (June)– sociology/psychology of sport/activity/exercise/wellness (SOC/PSY/KIN/HLTH, 200-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Prague, Czech Republic – Summer Session 2 (July)– sociology/psychology of sport/activity/exercise/wellness (SOC/PSY/KIN/HLTH, 200-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Santiago, Chile – Summer Session 1 (June) or 2 (July)– criminology/criminal justice (CRIM/HIST/POLI, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Santiago, Chile – Summer Session 1 (June) or 2 (July)– international/cross-cultural journalism/communication (COMM/JOUR, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Shanghai, China – Summer Session 1 (June)— Digital Marketing or a related business/international business topic (BUS/MKTG, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Shanghai, China –Summer Session 2 (July)– Global Economics or a related business/economics topic (ECON/BUS, 300-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)
  • Viterbo, Italy – Summer Session 2 (June)– travel journalism/food and writing (ENG/COMM/JOUR, 200-400 level, 3 credits, taught in English)

To Apply

NOTE: The application cycle for Summer 2026 visiting positions is now closed. 

Interested Cal Poly faculty can access the USAC Visiting Professor application here and should also contact Stacey Shimizu in the International Center (stshimiz@calpoly.edu).  You can also contact USAC at visitingprofessors@usac.edu. 

For future cycles, please note that applicants are required to submit a statement of approval from both their department head/chair and the Cal Poly International Center at the institution. A sample template for this statement can be found in the call for applicants.