Media Invitation to Global Education Summit 2012 at Kent State University, March 15

On Thursday, March 15, Kent State University’s Office of Global Education will host the 2012 Global Education Summit. We extend an invitation to members of the media to cover this event as Kent State administration, faculty, staff and community members come together to review, discuss and strategize global initiatives for the campus and surrounding area.

The day will begin at 7:45 a.m. with breakfast (Kent Student Center Ballroom Balcony). Kent State President Lester A. Lefton will begin his opening remarks at 9 a.m., followed by plenary speaker Ronn Richard, CEO and president of the Cleveland Foundation. After a short break, attendees will participate in two rounds of breakout sessions from 10 a.m.-11:25 a.m.:

Expanding Education Abroad (Kent Student Center, room 317)
As study abroad enrollment continues to increase at Kent State, we must address the trends and changes in policy and training. “Expanding Education Abroad” will review these needs and open the floor to suggestions from faculty and administration to ensure guidelines and procedures both benefit our students and create a streamlined process.
Presenters: Donald Williams, Ph.D., Dean, Honors College; and Ediz Kaykayoglu, Manager of Education Abroad, Office of Global Education

Globalizing the Curriculum (Kent Student Center, room 313)
Academics in the United States have realized for some time that providing a more globally focused experience for students is part of our mission for the 21st century and beyond. This session will review some of the current literature on the topic, focusing on the ways in which curricular change is integrated with changes throughout the university, if the institution wishes to move “from tinkering to deep change,” (Green and Olson, 2003:21). 
Presenters: Martha C. Merrill, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Coordinator of the International Higher Education Certificate; and Mary Anne P. Saunders, Ph.D., Executive Director, Office of Global Education

Internationalization at Home (Kent Student Center, room 316)
Internationalization at Home (IaH) originated at Malmӧ University, Sweden, as a way to think systemically about how to ensure that all students have an international experience, whether or not they ever choose to study abroad. IaH has since grown in popularity among educators in Europe, but it is still poorly understood in North America. This session will provide examples of IaH in practice and suggestions for strengthening IaH at Kent State University.
Presenters: Ralph Lorenz, Ph.D., Associate Dean, College of the Arts; and David L. Di Maria, Director of International Recruitment, Admissions and Advising, Office of Global Education

Strategizing Global Partnerships (Kent Student Center, room 315)
This presentation will focus on the international partnerships at Kent State University. Learn about our partnerships, what makes a successful partnership and the future of international partnerships.
Presenters: Verna Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., Coordinator for Applied Science and Technology and Associate Professor; and Sarah J. Malcolm, Manager of International Partnerships, Office of Global Education

At 11:30 a.m., “Celebrating the Globalization of the Kent Community Panel” (Kent Student Center, room 310 A&B) will discuss the effect of international issues on the local community. Panel members include: State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, 68th Ohio District; Dave Ruller, Kent City Manager; Lori M. Wemhoff, Executive Director of the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce and Central Portage County Visitors & Convention Bureau; Roger J. DiPaolo, Editor of The Record-Courier; and Bob Mayfield, Owner of McKay Bricker Framing.

Following the panel, lunch in the Kent Student Center Ballroom Balcony will begin with opening remarks by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert G. Frank and the presentation of faculty, staff and student awards.

The day will conclude with “Expanding Your College Around the World” (Kent Student Center, room 317) from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. It will provide updates from the Globalization Task Force and from Kent State’s international centers in China, India, Italy and Switzerland. 

For questions, please contact:
Mary Anne Saunders, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Office of Global Education, Kent State University
330-672-7980
msaunde4@kent.edu