Dr. Sherryl Byrd King Study Abroad Endowment expands international education opportunities for Tennessee Tech students
A Tennessee Tech University alumna’s passion for global learning is creating new opportunities for students to explore the world through the Dr. Sherryl Byrd King Study Abroad Endowment.
Dr. Sherryl Byrd King (`80 clothing merchandising and `82 M.A.) created the endowment to support students participating in study abroad programs through Tech’s Center for Global Experiences. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.
“I’ve seen firsthand students who would love to study abroad or participate in an international service trip but don’t have the resources to do so,” Byrd King said. “Something as necessary as a passport fee or having to pay a portion of the trip cost, such as airfare, is prohibitive. The bottom line is that I want to help remove barriers to student participation in international educational experiences."
Byrd King had always envisioned traveling after retirement, but a significant health challenge at the age of 40 prompted her to reevaluate that timeline. After obtaining her first passport, she joined her church on a trip to Israel and Egypt. The experience sparked a passion for global travel that has since taken her to more than 50 countries and reinforced her belief in the value of experiencing different cultures, traditions and perspectives firsthand.
“The more I travel, the more I realize that I actually know very little about the rest of the world,” Byrd King said. “Our lives in America are often very different than those in other countries.”
Byrd King’s own journey was shaped by her time at Tech. A graduate of Mt. Juliet High School, she chose Tech because of its strong academic reputation, affordability and location. Her time at Tech included membership in Phi Mu, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa and Order of Omega.
She credits her involvement and mentorship from Tech faculty and staff – including then Dean of Women Dr. Rebecca Quattlebaum – with helping shape the direction of her career.
“She was aware that I didn’t have a job offer as of graduation and suggested that I consider graduate school with the offer to serve as her graduate assistant,” Byrd King said. “I accepted, and that changed everything about the direction of my life and career.”
Byrd King dedicated 36 years to higher education, serving most recently as vice president for student affairs at Austin Peay State University before retiring in 2018. Throughout her career, she had the opportunity to accompany students on international trips and observed how university-hosted travel experiences could shape their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
“It allows students to soak up the culture, history and language without having to plan the trip or worry with the logistics for the most part,” Byrd King said. “It also can build confidence and independence for future trips as well as develop empathy and appreciation for other traditions, values and religion.”
The Dr. Sherryl Byrd King Study Abroad Endowment reflects her belief that international experiences are an important part of a student’s education and future success.
“Employers have consistently viewed study abroad as an advantage when evaluating resumes and hiring due to the global nature of the existing workplace,” Byrd King said. “It can also be an advantage when applying to graduate school.”
For students considering studying abroad, Byrd King encourages them to seize the opportunity.
“First and foremost, just step out of your comfort zone and do it,” Byrd King said. “This is a very easy way to have an initial international travel experience since everything is very structured and coordinated.”
Through the Dr. Sherryl Byrd King Study Abroad Endowment, Tech students will have greater access to experiences that broaden their perspectives, enrich their education and inspire lifelong curiosity about the world.
“Discover and research study abroad options within your particular major, and begin planning early,” Byrd King said. “It could very likely be one of the highlights of your time in college and just the start of a lifetime of travel experiences.”