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Faculty member's visit to Italy strengthens international research collaborations and creates new opportunities for students
When management faculty member Michael Pisani returned from Italy this spring, he brought home more than memories from two months abroad. His appointment as a visiting international scholar at the University of Sannio in Benevento strengthened an international partnership that is already leading to new research collaborations, enriching classroom experiences and creating future opportunities for Central Michigan University students.
Throughout his appointment, Pisani taught undergraduate and doctoral students, delivered presentations on international business and research methods, collaborated with faculty on new research projects and met with university leadership to explore future partnerships. While the work filled his schedule, he said the most valuable outcome wasn't any single presentation or project.
"International partnerships take time to build because they're built on trust and authenticity," Pisani said. "Once people have the opportunity to work together and see each other's strengths, those relationships continue to grow and create new opportunities."
The visit grew from a relationship Pisani first established while pursuing a Fulbright opportunity in southern Italy. Although that program ultimately did not move forward, the connection remained, allowing CMU and UniSannio to continue building the partnership through a different path. The cross-institutional international collaboration was actively encouraged and supported by CMU’s College of Business, including the dean’s office, management department, and colleagues, all crucial partners in the future success of the cross-cultural exchange.
For Pisani, that experience reinforced an important lesson about international collaboration.
"Some of the most important work happened outside the classroom," he said. "It was getting to know people, sharing ideas, learning about the community and building trust. Those relationships become the foundation for future research and engagement."
As Italian faculty became familiar with his work, new opportunities naturally followed. Pisani presented to undergraduate students, doctoral students and faculty members, eventually meeting with the university president to discuss future collaboration. Each conversation helped strengthen the relationship between the two institutions and opened the door for additional projects.
Several collaborative research efforts are already underway, exploring topics ranging from international business and entrepreneurship to labor markets and consumer behavior. Pisani also plans to bring those experiences back to his classrooms, incorporating examples from Italy and exploring opportunities for CMU students to engage with international peers through future collaborative projects.
Although the visit centered on scholarship and teaching, Pisani said some of the most memorable moments came through everyday interactions with the local community. Conversations with neighbors, colleagues and local residents offered insights into Italian culture that extended far beyond the classroom.
His own family history also helped establish an immediate connection. Pisani's great-grandparents immigrated from Italy, his grandparents grew up speaking Italian, and he studied the language in college before continuing to practice it over the years.
"There was an immediate appreciation for that shared cultural history," Pisani said. "It created a starting point for conversations and relationships, but after that you still have to demonstrate what you can contribute and share."
By the end of the visit, those relationships had grown beyond professional collaboration. Faculty introduced him to local traditions, colleagues welcomed him into their community and his local hosts went out of their way to make both him and his wife feel at home, reinforcing the generosity that shaped the entire experience.
For Pisani, those personal connections are inseparable from the academic work.
"The goal is to maintain these relationships," he said. "When you've invested the time to authentically build trust, those connections continue to create opportunities for research, teaching and, ultimately, for our students."
As the partnership continues to grow, Pisani expects new collaborative research, future faculty exchanges and expanded opportunities for students to engage with peers around the world.
"Every new partnership starts with a conversation," he said. "You never know where that conversation will lead, but if you sincerely invest in the relationship, the possibilities continue to grow."
CMU management faculty member Michael Pisani presents to students at the University of Sannio during his two-month appointment as a visiting international scholar in Benevento, Italy.
