Institute for Global/Local Action & Study (IGLAS)

Institute for Global-Local Action & StudyThe Institute for Global/Local Action & Study (IGLAS) prepares Pitzer students to become “engaged, socially responsible citizens of the world” by infusing global/local issues in a robust, sequential curriculum that cultivates intercultural literacy and engaged learning throughout students’ academic careers. Faculty-led curricular innovation combines (a) the study of globalization and its impacts, (b) learning and scholarship focused on questions of social justice, and (c) sustained engagement with communities near and far. As such, IGLAS is nested in the The Office of Study Abroad and International Programs and the Community Engagement Center.

IGLAS will continue to support students applying for fellowships.  Enrolled seniors who wish to apply for a Fulbright can participate in the Fulbright workshops being taught by Nigel Boyle and Azamat Junisbai, and there will be intensive use made of one-on-one zoom sessions with students working on their application essays.

The IGLAS Fellows Program and the FirstGen Program will both continue to operate through IGLAS, with a special focus on continuing Pitzer students working with first year students on their adjustment to Pitzer and its opportunities.

IGLAS will also continue to oversee prison education programming.  This fall we will have at least 5 “Inside Out” classes in which Pitzer students will be able to participate with Inside students at CRC prison and Prototypes via the zoom platform (a first in California).  Our prison BA program at CRC prison launched in 2020, through which we admit a cohort of CRC men as fully matriculated Pitzer students completing a Pitzer degree through inside out courses.


IGLAS is guided by four objectives:

  1. Ensuring that global/local action & study is a part of the intellectual and psychosocial development of all Pitzer students.
  2. Promoting curricular innovation focused on global/local themes, including curriculum that integrates high-impact educational practices such as immersive study abroad and community engagement into all fields of study.
  3. Providing opportunities for faculty professional development on global/local themes regarding (a) student mentorship, (b) course development, and (c) research projects.
  4. Enhancing Pitzer’s institutional capacity in global/local action and study through (a) leadership which combines the position of director with an endowed academic chair and an associate deanship, and (b) working to bring additional resources to the College.