Please note: This letter serves as a formalization of a proposed visitor exchange program to the Exchange Visitor’s
Dean (or supervisor) AS WELL AS the initial request for the Department of Global Affairs (DGA) to determine
whether the proposed exchange is covered by the J1 exchange visitor program.
This letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed by the college dean/department chair, and forwarded to
the indicated individual. Letters not signed by a Dean or Department Chair will not be processed. All letters must be
forwarded to Michele Miller mmiller@kennesaw.edu in order to begin the J-1 visa sponsorship process.
If the individual is not currently working at a university abroad, please address this letter to KSU’s Education
Abroad Office.
Date
Addressed to Dean/Chair of Visitor’s Home Institution
University Department/Name
City, Postal Code
Country
Dear DEAN OF VISITOR’S HOME UNIVERSITY:
The College of [COLLEGE NAME] at Kennesaw State University is interested in inviting your
colleague, Dr. [NAME], to be a Visiting [Research Scholar/Professor/Short term Scholar/Specialist] in
the Department of [DEPARTMENT NAME] for a period beginning [begin date] and ending [end date].
As proposed, Dr. [NAME]’s responsibilities will include [give specific responsibilities, including number
of courses to be taught, topic of courses, topic of research, etc. – not just generalities]. Additionally, we
expect that [he/she] will be involved in many activities that will allow for cultural exchange among
faculty, staff, and students.
During his/her stay at Kennesaw State University, we will provide Dr. [NAME] with office space,
secretarial support, a computer, and access to the university’s resources, including the library’s print and
electronic media. His/her compensation for the period listed above will be [COMPENSATION].
This invitation is contingent upon Dr. [NAME] being legally eligible for and obtaining a J-1 visa prior to
the proposed start date. Should you agree to the exchange, Kennesaw State University will initiate the J-1
sponsorship process on Dr. [NAME]’s behalf, but there is no guarantee that a visa will be granted by our
government. More information will be provided to Dr. [NAME] regarding this process soon.
This invitation is also contingent on Dr. [NAME] meeting all academic requires for a faculty/research
appointment at the university. KSU requires official transcript, degrees, and curriculum vitae (CV) as a
condition for participation in our Exchange Visitor Program. We will also need a letter of
recommendation from you home institution, supporting the conditions stipulated in this letter and in the
“Agreement for Cooperation” between our universities. Should you agree to Dr. [NAME]’s participation
in an exchange between our institutions, please send this letter at your earliest convenience so that we
may begin preparing for his arrival.
With your permission, we look forward to welcoming Dr. [NAME] to Kennesaw State University. We
hope that this exchange will continue to build a strong relationship between our university and yours.
Sincerely,
Dean of College/Department Chair
Cc: KSU Education Abroad Office, MD 9116