Interactive Guide for International Faculty

The following set of resources might help you get a better understanding of what KSU, the BCOE and the surroundings will offer you. We recommend having a look at the provided resources so you can get ready to make relevant decisions upon arrival. 

Discover KSU (2018): The following clip provides an overview of the opportunities KSU provides to our over 36,000 students.

CETL Welcoming Video Series: The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) promotes research based pedagogies that foster student academic engagement, learning, and success. CETL supports the integrated professional development of students, faculty, and administrators throughout their careers. You will find a variety of short clips regarding the services provided by CETL. 

Campus Maps: You will find the maps for our two campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. 

Big Owl Bus Routes: You will find the Big Owl Bus routes in case you need to come to campus and still don't have your own vehicle. 

The Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University leads with excellence in the teaching profession. Recognized for its master’s, specialist and doctoral degree programs, the BCOE is a leading preparer of teachers in the state of Georgia. Focused on culturally responsive practices, student achievement and 21st century technology, we offer online, hybrid and face-to-face graduate degrees, endorsements and MOOC’s for teachers and leaders.

To accommodate our rapid growth, a 78,756 square-foot addition to our facility opened during 2015. The Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Education Building houses 12 general classrooms, three computer labs, eight model classrooms, student study areas, the Center for Literacy and Learning, conference rooms, the dean's office, two departments and a research suite. The addition connects with our existing space in Kennesaw Hall. 

As a vital part of Georgia’s third largest university serving more than 32,000 students from 132 countries, the Bagwell College of Education is creating a future in which all of Georgia’s educators and students are poised to achieve excellence.

Research Consortium (RCC): The Research Consortium is a faculty-driven organization intended to provide support to BCOE faculty and graduate students for research design, implementation, and data analysis. This clip summarizes the aims, scope and services provided by the RCC. 

Kennesaw: Kennesaw, Georgia is a premiere destination for families and businesses looking to relocate in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

• History & Culture
• Maps & Boundaries
• Things to do
• Cobb County Schools
• The clip provides an overview of what you can find in the city of Kennesaw

Atlanta: Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. With an estimated 2017 population of 486,290, it is also the 38th most-populous city in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, home to 5.8 million people and the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the nation.

• History
• Things to do
• Parks & Recreation
• Transportation
• The clip provides an overview of what you can find in the city of Atlanta

• Apartments for Rent Near Kennesaw State University

• Campus Big Owl Bus Routes: You will find the Big Owl Bus routes in case you need to come to campus and still don't have your own vehicle.
• Transportation in Atlanta

Bank Accounts: There are two basic types of bank accounts: checking accounts and savings accounts. With a checking account you can deposit your money in the account and access those funds using your Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card or by writing personal checks. Most likely you will pay your rent and bills with your checks, but most stores do not accept personal checks for purchases anymore. The bank will provide you with a checkbook and checks (there may be a fee depending on how you want to personalize your order). The ATM card is provided for free, but there are often fees for using your ATM card at banks other than the one where you hold an account. Additionally, most checking accounts have a minimum balance requirement. If you go below the minimum, you will be charged a fee. If you have money that you do not need to use immediately, you may want to open a savings account. The advantage of a savings account is that money in the account earns interest. You can usually deposit and withdraw money from a savings account as you wish. As with checking accounts, there is normally a minimum account balance requirement. When you go to open your account, take your passport and immigration documents along with any and all U.S. identification that you possess. It is very helpful to get your bank account set up soon after you arrive so you can have your paychecks directly deposited into your accounts.

Taxes: Nearly everyone who works in the U.S. must pay federal income tax. Some states and cities including Georgia also collect income taxes. There may be a tax treaty between your country and the United States. The University Payroll, and Human Resources can assist you with your tax-related questions.

Benefits 101 Videos: In this video series you will be able to learn about the different health care options provided by the University System of Georgia. In the previous link you will find information regarding the following aspects: preventative Care, coinsurance, deductible, copay, telemedicine, and where to get care.

USG Benefits - New Hire Enrollment

• The following clip summarizes the information you will find in the University System of Georgia Retirement site. Please pay special attention to the new employee section.

Retirement Options: The following clip summarizes the retirement options you will have as an employee of the University System of Georgia. It is important for you to know the different options that are available since you will have to make a decision during your orientation week.

• USG New Employee Video

• International Employees at Kennesaw State University

• Campus Life: A university education is not complete without activities and programs to develop one’s social and personal life. Get to know interesting people, become a part of our community, and create a niche. Campus Life is an integral part of the KSU education and the experiences and development of our students is important.
• 21 things to do in Atlanta

• KSU Faculty handbook

• • Review and Evaluation of Faculty Performance (faculty handbook, Section 3)
  • Bagwell College of Education Promotion & Tenure guidelines (soon)
  • Workflow & levels of review  
  • Promotion & Tenure FAQs
  • Digital Measures                  

• Information on Annual Reviews (AR)
• Clip summarizing the AR process

• Taxes
• Building credit

• International Employees at Kennesaw State University

• Measurements: The United States is moving very slowly toward adopting the metric system. In most non-scientific settings, weights and measures are not discussed in metric terms. Many websites offer free conversion calculations between measurement systems, such as onlineconversion.com.
  • To change Centigrade (C) to Fahrenheit (F), multiply the C reading by 9/5 and add 32 to that amount. To change F to C, subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9.
  • To change kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.2 pounds.
• Holidays: Official holidays are usually recognized throughout the U.S. On those days, schools, offices, banks, post offices and many stores are closed. The list below includes official holidays. 

  • New Year’s Day (January 1) – Official
    New Year’s Eve, December 31, is more important in the U.S. than New Year’s Day itself. On New Year’s Eve many people go to parties or watch firework displays. Popular activities on New Year’s Day include watching televised parades and football games.

  • Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (Third Monday in January) – Official
    Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. organized and led the civil rights movement in the U.S. during the 1960s. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was assassinated in 1968. Many people perform community service on this day to commemorate Dr. King’s contributions to social justice.

  • Presidents’ Day (Third Monday in February) – Official
    This holiday commemorates George Washington’s birthday (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12). George Washington was a General during the American Revolution and the first President of the U.S. Abraham Lincoln was President during the Civil War, 1861-1865. He signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.

  • Mother’s Day (Second Sunday in May)
    On this day, Americans honor their mothers by sending them flowers, buying small gifts, sending cards, or taking them out for meals.

  • Father’s Day (Third Sunday in June)
    Fathers are honored on this day with cards and gifts.

  • Memorial Day (Last Monday in May) – Official
    Memorial Day is dedicated to the memory of all Americans who died in wars. Many families visit graves and decorate them with flowers, and the day is also marked with patriotic parades. This day is considered the beginning of the summer season.       

  • Independence Day/Fourth of July (July 4) – Official
    This is the U.S. National Day. It commemorates the day the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia in 1776. This holiday is celebrated all over the country with picnics, parades, political speeches and community get-togethers that culminate in firework displays.

  • Labor Day (First Monday in September) – Official
    This holiday was established in recognition of the labor movement’s contribution to the productivity of this country. This day is the last holiday of the summer season and is celebrated with picnics and other events.

  • Columbus Day (Second Monday in October) – Official
    Columbus reached the West Indies in 1492, and is popularly referred to as the explorer who “discovered” America, although the continent was already populated by Native Americans and had been visited by earlier seafarers. Americans observe the holiday with parades and festivals. In the Northeast, the long weekend is the high point of the season for viewing the brilliantly colored fall leaves.

  • Halloween (October 31)
    This was originally a religious holiday, the day before All Soul’s Day, but its religious character has been lost in the U.S. Traditions include carving out pumpkins, dressing in costumes, and going house to house to “trick or treat.” Traditionally, children dress in costumes, walking from house to house, and adults give the costumed children small bars of candy. If you do not wish to have children ring your doorbell, just turn off your porch light for the evening. Adults often use the occasion for costume parties.

  • Veteran’s Day (November 11) – Official
    Originally established to commemorate Armistice Day of the First World War, the holiday was changed after World War II to serve as an occasion to pay tribute to veterans of all wars. It is marked by parades, speeches, and the laying of wreaths at military cemeteries and war memorials.

  • Thanksgiving Day (Fourth Thursday in November)
    In 1621 the pilgrims of Plymouth colony in Massachusetts prepared a feast that they shared with Native Americans to give thanks for the bountiful harvest. It was made an official holiday in 1863. Many Americans give thanks for the good life they enjoy by getting together with family and friends to eat traditional food such as turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.

  • Christmas Day (December 25) – Official
    Although religious in origin, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is a holiday celebrated either in a secular or religious way by most of the country. Family members travel great distances to be together for this day on which gifts are exchanged and a traditional dinner is shared. Many houses are decorated with Christmas trees and lights.