from VCCA Journal, Volume 3, Number 2, Fall/Winter 1988, 25-32
© Copyright 1988 VCCA Journal
This is my third year of involvement in international education. There are many people at other Virginia community colleges who have been promoting international education on their campuses and sharing resources between campuses for a much longer time period. I offer the Virginia Western Community College experience as one of many avenues to the goal of bringing an international awareness to your campus.
Step 1 - The Hook
At the opening faculty meeting for the 1985-1986 year, Dr. Charles Downs, President of VWCC, shared some of his experiences in traveling to Kisumu, Kenya as a consultant for educational needs (sponsored by the Roanoke Sister City organization). His description of the people and their culture against the majestic backdrop of the Kenyan landscape captivated his audience. At least three faculty were "hooked" by the international education spirit expressed in Dr. Downs' remarks.
During the summer of 1986, these faculty members explored the possibilities of international education. Roger Wilson, associate professor of speech and drama, spent six weeks in Kisumu, Kenya. He produced two plays at R.I.A.T. (Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology) and brought African folktales to our campus the following fall. In August, John Killian, professor of biology, traveled to the Dominican Republic to assess the possibility of taking students there as an international education experience in a "third world country." Just before the opening of the 1986-1987 academic year, Dr. Downs invited me to work on a "special project" to develop international education opportunities at VWCC.
Step 2 - Finding Outside Resources
To begin my work, I needed to know what resources could be provided by "international education" organizations, journals, and programs existing at other colleges.
Of the many organizations offering resources and services in international education, VWCC has benefited most from the following:
In addition, the following individuals have been especially helpful.
(See appendix for further information about these resources and people.)
Step 3 - Self-Study
My involvement in international education began with contacts in national and state organizations. Having attended several workshops and conferences which provided the tools, ideas, and information, I was ready to begin the task of increasing awareness of and participation in international education at VWCC. When the first faculty survey netted only eighteen responses, I used an informal telephone survey to identify programs and activities which were already in existence. Much like my approach to learning about resources throughout the state, I found one telephone call led to another on my own campus.
International education was very much alive at VWCC, but few people knew about it. For example, Clarence Mays, Chairman of the Humanities Division, had been very active in the Foreign Language Committee of the Roanoke Valley Education Consortium. In this capacity, he worked with the annual foreign language drama contest for area high schools. He also assisted in writing grants to fund the production of cultural video tapes in foreign languages and for instructional assistance in foreign languages for elementary school teachers. He had also written a grant which brought an internationally renown dance troupe, Ballet Folclorico Nacional de Mexico, to Roanoke.
Other VWCC faculty were also working on international education projects. Foreign language faculty were sponsoring active Spanish and French clubs to involve students in films, poetry, food, and other cultural aspects of their foreign language study. Several faculty were members of the International Management Council which was working with R.I.A.T. in Kisumu, Kenya. Our Director of Community Development Programs, Dr. Harry Nickens, had arranged the "Out of Kingdom Training Program" for Saudi Arabia. Under this arrangement, VWCC provided courses and internships for the purpose of improving English skills and gaining technical experience for Saudi nationals. VWCC, in cooperation with the World Trade Center in Norfolk, sponsored three international trade seminars during 1987-1988. Several VWCC faculty participated in "Fireworks and Panda Bears: A Current Perspective on China," a symposium for area high school students. A faculty gourmet club met monthly to sample international cuisine. Several faculty members were using cross-cultural examples in their courses. Faculty who had traveled were eager to share their experiences through informal "brown bag lunch seminars." Following a study of third world countries in Sociology 199, John Killian took ten students to the Dominican Republic for three weeks. The course and travel experience were repeated in the spring and summer of 1988.
I found that much was already happening in international education. In addition to those already involved in these projects, other faculty members expressed their interest to learn more about international education. What we needed was organization.
Step 4 - Forming an International Education Plan
What really helped me to organize an international education plan at VWCC was the opportunity to write a "Funds for Excellence" grant for SCHEV. Although the grant was not funded, it provided the opportunity to develop a framework for an international education program. More importantly, it provided the impetus to develop the structure to support international education at VWCC. Dr. Robert Harrell, Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, encouraged me to write the grant proposal for the development of international education. Over a period of three weeks, we worked together to transform ideas and concepts into manageable projects. By the end of the grant writing experience, several proposed activities were ready to be implemented. For example, Dr. Harrell gave his endorsement for the appointment of an international education committee as a part of the college governance system. The VWCC Curriculum Committee met to endorse the proposals developed in the "Funds for Excellence" grant. Thus, an unsuccessful grant proposal became an organizational structure for international education at VWCC which had the support and endorsement of both President Downs and Dean Harrell.
By the end of the 1988 spring quarter, VWCC had an 11 member International Education Committee. Subcommittees were designated to formulate programs in the areas of student travel, World Food Day, speakers and activities, a campus international education newsletter, and International Friendship Club. Before the end of the academic year, plans were developed by committee members to pursue these areas. At the end of the spring quarter, faculty and support staff received their first issue of International Education Report, VWCC's international education newsletter.
Step 5 - Keep on Going and Growing
Now the VWCC International Education Committee has a budget of $5,000 to fund programs and activities during the 1988-1989 academic year. The committee approved funding of Irina McClellen to speak on "Women in Russia" in November 1988. Funds were also approved to promote World Food Day, October 17, 1988.
Acting on a suggestion from Dr. Downs, the committee advertised a "Faculty Development Grant in International Education." The committee received two excellent proposals. One faculty member proposed "a search for extant specimens -- living, preserved, and herbarium" collected by John Bartram (1699-1777), a colonial Quaker who became "His Majesty's Botanist for North America." The research would take place in London, Glasgow, and Edinburgh over a four to six week period during the summer of 1989.
The second proposal requested funding to teach psychology at a two-year college in American Samoa for one semester. Teaching courses in another society was viewed as a method to exchange cultural perspectives.
While policy decisions and financial arrangements have not been resolved regarding these faculty development proposals in international education, the committee is working with the administration toward that end. Tidewater Community College will be sharing its guidelines for faculty development in international education. VWCC international education news is being gathered for our next edition of International Education Report. We hope that our upcoming newsletter will provide those of us directly involved in international education with an opportunity for reflection as well as increasing the awareness and involvement of other VWCC faculty.
Postscript - The Benefits of International Education at VWCC
International education at VWCC has provided the stimulus for creative faculty development opportunities in travel. Faculty and students have benefited from the development of new courses and revision of existing courses using an international education perspective. Projects and activities have encouraged cross-discipline planning and participation. Activities such as World Food Day have brought students, faculty, and local citizens together as we have sought to further our understanding of our global community.
Within the safe boundaries of our own disciplines, international education has led to inter-college cooperation. In a strong, supportive network, committed people from several community colleges have encouraged each other and provided assistance in the cause of international education. VWCC has benefited greatly from the cooperative spirit of the Virginia Community College International Education Consortium.
Appendix
1. International/Intercultural Consortium (I/IC) of the AACJC. Institutional membership is $550 a year. The consortium offers a newsletter, International Update, which provides information regarding grants, conferences, publications, and opportunities for faculty and student exchanges. The I/IC holds a membership meeting each fall in Washington, D.C. and a two to three day conference preceding the annual AACJC meeting in the spring. The newsletter is also offered to nonmembers at an annual subscription rate of $12 for twelve issues. For more information regarding the I/IC of the AACJC contact Mary Ellen Duke or Michael Paradise at AACJC, National Center for Higher Education, One Dupont Circle, N.W., Suite 410, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202-293-7050).
2. Community Colleges for International Development (CCID). While VWCC has not joined the CCID, two representatives from VWCC attended the CCID annual meeting in February 1988 in Washington, D.C. For more information regarding the CCID contact: CCID at Brevard Community College, 1519 Clearlake Rd., Cocoa, FL 32922 (305-632-1111).
3. ACCESS - The Cooperative Newsletter of the American Forum. This newsletter publishes exchange opportunities for students and faculty, feature articles, grant competition announcements, resources (books, films, reports, directories, and curriculum materials) in the area of international education. Subscription rate is $25 a year for eight issues. Contact: ACCESS Editor, The American Forum, 45 John Street, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10038 (212-732-8606).
The American Forum will sponsor a conference on "Teaching for the 21st Century" May 19-21, 1989, in Atlanta, GA. Four major themes will be explored: teacher education, internationalizing undergraduate education, business and international education, pre-collegiate foreign language, and international studies. Registration is $95 (early registration) or $150 for regular registration. Contact: The American Forum, 45 John Street, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10038 (212-732-8606).
4. Community College Ministries. Rev. Steve Darr, coordinator (serving New River, Virginia Western, Danville, Patrick Henry, Dabney Lancaster, Wytheville, Central Virginia, Southwest, Virginia Highlands, and Mountain Empire Community Colleges). Steve Darr has been instrumental in the development of the Dominican Republic course and travel opportunity. He has arranged for guest speakers from South Africa, Honduras, and Nicaragua to come to the VWCC campus. Contact: Rev. Steve Darr, Cooper House, 305 Washington Ave., Blacksburg, VA 24060 (703-552-2473).
5. National Committee for World Food Day. For the past three years, VWCC has been a satellite teleconference site for World Food Day which is held annually on October 16. The purpose of this event is "to create public will and support in each country for private and government efforts to combat hunger, and to build a world food security system through local, national, and international programs and policies."
The National Committee for World Food Day provides tremendous support for this observance. Resource material includes bibliographies, films, press releases, and a complete curriculum guide for the topic to be addressed by the expert panelists during the teleconference. This year's discussion addresses "Global Security: Focus on Africa." The panel discussion originates at George Washington University TV studios and is transmitted live via satellite to sites in the U.S. and Canada. After the one-hour panel discussion, local sites are given an hour to discuss issues raised or to organize their own agenda. During the last hour, local sites may call in questions to the expert panel for further discussion of the topic. World food day provides an excellent opportunity for the college community to join with local groups and organizations to explore international concerns.
There is no charge for any service related to this event. Contact: Patricia Young, National Committee for World Food Day, 1001 22nd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20437 (202-653-2404).
6. Foreign Policy Association - The Great Decisions program. The Great Decisions program is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan adult education program in the field of foreign affairs. The topics covered in the 1989 Great Decisions program include: Ethics in International Relations, Persian Gulf, Latin American Debt, Arms Agreements, China, Farmers, Food and the Global Supermarket, Horn of Africa, and International Drug Traffic. The Director of College and Community Programs for Great Decisions, Nancy Yanofsky, visited the VWCC campus in March 1988. She addressed a small group of faculty members regarding the importance of bringing international education to our campus. VWCC hopes to organize a Great Decisions discussion group during the 1989 semester.
The cost per activity book is $9.95. The leadership book is $5.00. Contact: Nancy Yanofsky, Foreign Policy Association, 729 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 (212-764-4050).
7. FACDIS - The West Virginia Consortium for Faculty and Course Development in International Studies. Organized in 1980, FACDIS is a consortium of 21 West Virginia institutions of higher education with over 250 participating faculty. The consortium provides annual workshops in international studies, faculty travel grants to attend professional meetings/workshops, quarterly FACDIS Newsletter, and many other services for their members. While VWCC is not eligible to join FACDIS, we have benefited from the newsletter. In addition, Sophia Peterson, co-director of FACDIS, has served as a valuable resource and guest speaker for the VCCA sponsored workshop on building a Virginia Community College International Education Consortium held on April 13, 1988, in Richmond prior to the VCCA meeting. The FACDIS Newsletter can serve as a valuable resource for information regarding conferences, books, films, teaching modules, and exchange information in the area of international education.
Contact: Ann Levine, Editor, FACDIS, Department of Political Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 (304-293-7140).
8. Sister Cities Program. VWCC has pursued the relationship with Roanoke's sister city, Kisumu, Kenya. Our president, Dr. Charles Downs, has been active in the Kisumu Sister City organization. The Roanoke Sister City organization sponsored Dr. Downs' trip to Kisumu in the summer of 1985. VWCC co-hosted the three month visit of Dorothy Shiroya from Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology in Kisumu to Roanoke in the fall of 1986. Mrs. Shiroya took computer classes at VWCC during her Roanoke stay. Several VWCC faculty members and classes had the opportunity to learn about the Kenyan culture through Mrs. Shiroya.
9. Virginia Community College Association. The VCCA has funded two workshops in international education which VWCC co-hosted. On March 4, 1987, representatives from twelve community colleges met in Richmond to hear presentations on international trade, the AACJC International/Intercultural Consortium, U.S. Department of Education funding and grants, international education as faculty development, international education through student travel opportunities, and resources provided by Sister Cities and Community College Ministries. The second workshop, co-hosted by VWCC and sponsored by the VCCA, was held on April 13, 1988, in Richmond. FACDIS co-director Sophia Peterson led representatives from ten Virginia community colleges in exploring options for establishing a Virginia Community College International Education Consortium. The VCCA has sponsored international education workshops during the past two annual conventions.
Virginia Community College Resource People.
Many of the ideas for international education programs which have been implemented at VWCC have come from colleagues all over the state. These people have not only worked to develop international education workshops, but also have been available by telephone for consultation and encouragement. Each telephone call resulted in a new friend and the name of a new contact at another community college.
1. Blue Ridge Community College--Nancy Sandberg, Division Chair. Nancy brought her experience and enthusiasm from Northern Virginia Community College to a small, rural setting. I first met Nancy in the lobby outside the VCCA Friday evening banquet at the Richmond Hyatt in November 1986. She joined Charles Downs, Barbara Nudelman, Mary Ruth Clowdsley, Steve Darr, and myself in an informal brainstorming session to discuss how community colleges could work together to learn more about international education. During that meeting, and ever since, Nancy has provided those of us who have informally banded together in the pursuit of international education with encouragement, enthusiasm and direction.
2. Central Virginia Community College--Eduardo Peniche, director of the Cultural Resource Center. Ed has been working in international education for over ten years. After years of working with area businesses needing assistance in language translation, Ed helped establish the Piedmont World Trade Council. He co-directed four regional International Trade Seminars from 1977 to 1981. In 1983-1984, he coordinated the Piedmont Export Expansion Program with a Funds for Excellence grant from SCHEV. Ed has shared his experiences at VCCA sponsored workshops and meetings.
3. Northern Virginia Community College--Gloria Terwilliger, Genivieve Sheridan, Mary Jane O'Neill, and Dean Haledjian.
Early in my research of community college resources in international education, Gloria Terwilliger's work at NOVA came to my attention. She played a central role in the VCCA sponsored International/Intercultural Workshop held in April 1986 at the Alexandria campus. When planning the March 1987 international education workshop hosted by VWCC, Gloria served as an invaluable resource.
When VWCC faculty members needed information and advice regarding submission of an application for a Fulbright Scholar Award, Gloria was called. She provided information and encouragement based on her own successful Fulbright experience.
Ginny Sheridan captivated her audience at the March 1987 workshop with her lively slide demonstration supporting the value of taking students to other countries as a vital part of her art history course. Several of us came away looking forward to developing a travel/study course at our own campuses.
Mary Jane O'Neill has provided the foreign student perspective that led to the development of an "International Activity Day" which was expanded to an "International Activity Week" at the Annandale campus. International Activity Week showcases the food, music, art, poetry, literature, customs, and other aspects of foreign students' culture.
Dean Haledjian has generously shared resources in international education. Dean has forwarded information on conferences and publications in the area of international education which I have found very helpful. His Faculty Survey on International Education, developed and implemented at NOVA, will be used to devise a follow up survey of the VWCC faculty.
4. Southwest Virginia Community College--Quintin S. Doromal, Jr. The international education achievements of Quintin in a relatively isolated, rural community have been a source of inspiration to me. He has developed an international education policy statement for SWVCC, a series of international guest lecturers and performers, and a campus newsletter-- International Education Speaks.
5. Tidewater Community College--Mary Ruth Clowdsley (Portsmouth Campus) and Barbara Nudelman (Frederick Campus). Mary Ruth and Barbara were part of my early support group in November 1986. They had contacted Dr. Downs at VWCC to inquire about working with other community colleges to develop international education programs. Beginning with that first brainstorming session, Mary Ruth and Barbara worked to increase the involvement of other community colleges in our workshops.
In November 1987, they hosted a follow-up meeting to our March 1987 workshop. In addition to providing the opportunity for four other community colleges to share their accomplishments since the previous spring, they also shared their developments at TCC which was in the process of acting on the eleven recommendations of their "Task Force on International Education." They had established an international education committee and newsletter.
Rita Krasnow is a Professor of Sociology at Virginia Western Community College. She is chair of the International Education Committee at VWCC, coordinator of World Food Day, and member of the SCHEV International Education Committee.