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Fulbright GPAs A Medium for Transformational Change and Professional Engagement. Dr. Joanna Sabo Professor of Political Science - Monroe County Community College Member - Midwest Institute for International and Intercultural Education. “I was forever transformed.”. Add photos here:
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Fulbright GPAs A Medium for Transformational Change and Professional Engagement Dr. Joanna Sabo Professor of Political Science - Monroe County Community College Member - Midwest Institute for International and Intercultural Education
“I was forever transformed.” • Add photos here: • With the children in Botswana • At UNIZUL teaching • Handout original email received from Theo • Photo of sticker
A Rare Opportunity • Fulbright Group Programs Abroad (GPA) are one of the few opportunities for community college faculty to participate in a Fulbright experience. • Community College faculty face obstacles when applying for Fulbright opportunities. • Most require Ph.D. or graduate student status. • Two avenues: Apply to participate with a four-year college/university GPA program; or apply through an institute like MIIIE.
Why Community College Professors Need Fulbright Experiences Abroad • Curriculum Development – Modules and new courses • Enriched Teaching – Through shared experiences, observed facts, and storytelling. • Classroom Materials – Reports, print material, photographs and videos from the host countries • Enthusiasm - for international studies for students upon return from a Fulbright GPA
Lessons from Fulbright GPAs – Curriculum and Extra-Curricula • Modules: • Voter turnout and elections in Africa • HIV/AIDS problem and solutions • New Courses: • Comparative Politics • ? • Extra-Curricula: • 2006 – MCCC formed International Studies Club • 2008 – Michigan community colleges formed College Consortium for Socio-Cultural Awareness.
Enriched Teaching • Shared experiences • Story telling • Observed Facts • ADD PHOTOS HERE6
Classroom Materials • Books • Newspapers • Cultural Items • Videos • Slide shows of your own photographs
Enthusiasm • A GPA often translates into leadership for student travel. • Who else would be crazy enough to take 15-30 students half-way around the globe. • 2003: My Fulbright GPA to southern Africa. • 2005: Sabbatical - observed study abroad in Peru. • 2007: First MCCC study abroad to Europe. • 2009: Second MCCC study abroad to Southeast Asia – inspired by 2002 MIIIE Fulbright GPA to Vietnam.
Future Directions • Continue and expand opportunities for community college professors and non-Ph.D.s to have a Fulbright experience abroad. • Continue to fund consortium applications like MIIIE. • Develop formal processes for community college professors to participate with 4 year school Fulbright programs. • Community colleges are becoming more and more the colleges of choice for new high school grads and displaced workers.