Hankamer Professor Among Recipients of Texas International Education Fund

Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business (HSB) was recently awarded a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Grant from the 2024 Texas International Education Fund (TIEF). The fund supports new virtual international collaborations for undergraduate or graduate students. 

Christina Iluzada, PhD, the assistant director of HSB’s McBride Center for International Business, received the grant for a COIL project partnering with Mudita Sinha, PhD, at Christ University in Bangalore, India. The grant helped launch their project, “Cultivating Authentic Persuasion: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Micro-Influencers and User-Generated Content to Raise Awareness About Eco-Friendly Practices and Conscious Living.” 

“This grant reflects HSB’s commitment to equipping students with the tools they need to navigate an increasingly interconnected business world,” Iluzada said. “Through COIL projects, we not only foster cross-cultural collaboration and global business communication skills, but also reinforce the importance of ethical and sustainable practices in today’s marketplace. It is an honor to be part of this meaningful effort to shape the next generation of global business leaders.” 

The project’s content incorporates two of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG)—Responsible Consumption and Production, as well as Climate Action. It is common for COIL projects to incorporate these and other UNSDGs, Iluzada said. The use of these particular objectives helped align Mudita’s discipline in marketing and Iluzada’s in business communications. 

Students in both Texas and India are expanding their understanding of global business, Sinha said. She believes the project will have a lasting impact on their education and career. 

“I am confident that this COIL project will be a transformative experience, equipping the students with the skills and knowledge needed to make a significant global impact. As they learn to navigate communication barriers and cultural differences, they will emerge as more competent and compassionate global citizens, ready to champion their future careers.” 

Global business education remains a priority at the Business School, where the Dean’s Office and the McBride Center are working to expand COIL courses. As business continues to become more internationally intertwined, HSB strives to prepare each student for success with a global mindset, whether that be through a study abroad, a mission trip or an international internship. COIL programs are another example of this growing commitment. 

Iluzada is leading the effort to expand COIL programs within the Business School. As the global learning coordinator at HSB, she assists other faculty members integrate COIL projects into their own courses. Her work in this role has earned Iluzada the Global Engagement Award from Baylor’s Center for Global Engagement. 

“The Business School is dedicated to providing our students with a global perspective,” said Sandeep Mazumder, the William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean of HSB. “Our graduates need to be informed and prepared to operate in an international business world, and COIL provides a great way for students to engage with global partners to achieve desired outcomes.” 

For more information about COIL projects, contact Iluzada at Christina_Iluzada@baylor.edu. Visit the McBride Center website for more information on global business education programs.