Global Ties Akron provides programming to connect people and nations to the Greater Akron community. Our programs build international bridges between cities, universities, businesses, economic opportunities, and educational initiatives.
International Exchange
International Visitor Leadership Program
The US Department of State’s premier professional exchange program, offering short-term visits to the United States. Global Ties Akron hosts current and emerging foreign leaders in various fields as visiting leaders meet with American counterparts.
Open World Leadership Program
We host delegations with this program sponsored by the Congressional Office for International Leadership. It brings current and future Eurasian leaders to experience American democracy, civil society, and community life. Participants stay in American homes while nurturing professional and personal relationships in their area of expertise.
Alumni Partnerships
Akron-Accra partnership has a 5-year history with an alumni partnership through an agreement between the cities of Akron, Ohio and Accra, Ghana. Efforts include working toward exchange and opportunities in the fields of science, business, culture, and education. This alumni partnership was made possible by a grant through the U.S. Embassy in Ghana for The UGBS Global Online Collaboratory Hub, entrepreneurial education, and soft skills development platform pilot. The project supports the University of Ghana’s newly launched UGBS Innovation and Incubation Hub by providing a digital community-based platform for its students to collaborate locally and globally. We look forward to continued partnership with Accra, Ghana. Look for future alumni connections.
Global Concierge
We provide soft landing resources to students, scholars, and business people relocating to Akron for a short—or long-term stay. This service is uniquely customized to each individual’s needs.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Klaum
Global Education and Training
Know Your Community, Know Your World: Bring a dynamic host speaker to your classroom. We provide customized interactive learning with a guest speaker on the country of interest. This is a great way to explore global and regional diversity in your classroom. Curriculum design includes input from local international scholars, immigrants, and refugees to teach students about global diversity in our community. Our goal is to prepare students to be ready once they graduate to study and work in an interconnected and multicultural global community.
Global Threads Boutique
Global Threads Boutique is a social enterprise retail store in Downtown Akron, inside the Northside Marketplace. Global Ties Akron provides economic empowerment and earning opportunities to local immigrants and refugees, and global affiliated Artrepreneurs. The stories of each artisan’s heritage are kept alive through the products we market and sell.