Accomplishments
International elements in the strategic plan are divided into five categories:
- Internationalization of Curriculum
- International students and faculty and student
exchanges
- Study abroad
- Outreach programs
- Program development and partnerships
This includes:
1.3.2 Survey alumni of record. (Work on International Alumni Association.)
2.1.4 Review admission and graduation requirements for academic programs. (Work
with international competencies graduation requirements.)
2.1.7 Provide the library resources needed for academic excellence at all Campus
Centers and for online programs. (International Resource Center.)
2.1.8 Provide academic enrichment initiatives. (Work with International programs.)
2.2.1 Develop and implement a Faculty Recruitment Plan. (Work with international
faculty.)
2.2.8 Increase the number of faculty who participate in student study abroad
programs.
2.3.1 Increase the academic preparedness of first-time freshmen. (Work with
internationalization of curriculum.)
2.3.4 Document that students achieve program competencies prior to graduation.
(Work with international competencies.)
2.4.3 Create a Center for International Business and Management.
2.4.4 Create a Center for Global Understanding.
2.5.1 Increase the number of majors and minors with an international focus.
2.5.2 Integrate globalization into the curriculum and into course requirements
for graduation.
2.5.3 Create a Visiting Global Scholars Program to bring international teachers/researchers/artists
to teach face-to-face and online and to collaborate with resident faculty.
2.5.4 Become a leader in innovative delivery models of international/global
education.
2.5.5 Conduct annually a Conference on Global Solutions.
2.5.6 Increase student international/global experience via co-curricular programs
on campus.
2.6.1 Grow existing and new programs through strategic planning and curricular
development. (Work with International programs.)
2.7.3 Develop the Park University Lecture Series and Concert Series to draw
regional as well as national attendance. (Work with International recognized
scholars.)
2.7.4 Enhance the University's Honors Program. (Work in combining honors and
study abroad programs.)
2.7.5 Provide funding for Graduate Assistantships. (Work with international
students.)
3.1.1 Conduct a benchmark analysis to identify best practices. (Work with International
programs.)
3.2 Student recruitment and retention will be strategic and market driven. (Work
with international students.)
4.6.2 Complete redesign and reorganization of the website. (Work with international
admissions and programs website.)
The following are accomplishments during the last three years consistent with
the strategic plan. They are divided into the five categories listed above.
1. Internationalization of Curriculum
At Park University, internationalization of the curriculum means not only
adding more internationally-themes courses and programs, but also infusing international
principles and themes into every course the university offers.
The main goal of the Internalization of Curriculum program is to continue Park
University's commitment to internationalization of the curriculum and faculty
development activities. This includes offering more internationally-themed majors
and minors, integrating international courses into graduation requirements,
sponsoring international faculty exchanges, and supporting the English as an
International Language (EIL) program.
- During FY04, Park was selected by the American Council on Education (ACE)
to participate as one of eight institutions nationally in the ACE Internationalization
of Higher Education Program for FY05. As a part of the program, Park is developing
a plan for internationalizing the university's curriculum, and that model
will be shared with other institutions.
- The Associate Dean of the School for Natural and Applied Sciences drafted
a new core curriculum in collaboration with the other associate deans. That
draft was submitted to the faculty and will continue to be reviewed by the
Faculty Senate and the administration in 05-06. The ITF is reviewing international
competencies with the general education revision committee.
- A new course, The United Nations, will be offered in the fall of 2005. The
United Nations course, and its Model UN component, will allow students to
role play as ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on
the organization's vast agenda, prepare draft resolutions, plot strategies,
negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate
the UN's procedures, all in the interest of mobilizing international cooperation
to resolve global problems.
- Park's EIL Program was developed and successfully launched during 04-05
under the direction a new, full-time coordinator.
- A new Global Studies minor was approved in the fall, 2004.
- The International Center for Music was launched at Park University. Its
purpose is to foster the exchange of master teacher/performers, renowned young
musicians, and programs from countries across the globe.
2. International students and faculty and student
exchanges
In 2004-5, Park hosted 447 students from 91 countries. Park is also home to
16 international faculty, and boasts three Fulbright scholars in the last four
years. Many of Park's administration, faculty, staff and students are demonstrating
the importance of internationalization by participating in the ACE Internationalization
Laboratory and Internationalization Task Force (ITF).
Park University's international programs have a worldwide focus, and seek a
simultaneous presence on all continents. These examples listed below are sorted
by continent:
Asia
- Because of a new partnership formed with Ming Chuan University during FY04,
a criminal justice professor taught at Ming Chuan University and Tamkang University
in Taipei during the fall 05 term.
- Professors Steve Youngblood and Carol Getty traveled to China for three
weeks in June and July, 2005. Their mission, consistent with Park University's
internationalization efforts, was to teach, and to make sustainable contacts
with Chinese professors, students, and universities.
- Park University is forming a partnership with Pacific Resource for Educational
Learning (PREL) in 2005 that will serve as the bridge for the future. This
partnership will offer Park University access to PREL's satellite coverage
of Asia and the Pacific; assistance to PREL staff in their distance learning;
providing Park University credits for teachers and others in the PREL region
as they pursue credit, programs and certificates; and collaborating on institutes
(e.g. the institute that Park has held this summer and in previous years).
PREL's goals include developing "High-performing Learning Communities"
consisting of partnerships with schools, districts, Ministries/Departments
of Education, Institutions of Higher Education. Their second goal is to improve
the quality of teaching and education administration, increase the number
of professionals and increase the number of teachers and administrators.
Africa
A business professor was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship for FY05 in Benin.
He was Park's third Fulbright professor since 2001.
Europe
- Park University has had a partnership with The American College of Thessaloniki
(ACT) since 2001. ACT was a program provider for short term faculty lead trips
to Greece in the summers of 2001- 2004. One Park University student also attended
the American College of Thessaloniki during the summer semester of 2001, two
students attended during the summer semester of 2002 and one during the fall
semester of 2004.
- Park University has had a partnership with 's International Study
Abroad Program (DIS) in Copenhagen, Demark since 2003. This cooperation between
schools was developed in order to enhance international student exchange of
high academic quality. This partnership allows for Park University students
to study in Copenhagen for a semester or year-long term. In 2006, 20 students
are planning to attend DIS.
- The ITF has been has planned and launched the Visiting International Scholars/Artists
program. The first visiting scholar from Aristotle University in Greece taught
at Park University in May, 2005.
- Park University is forming a partnership with The Istituzione di Alta Cultura
in Lucca, Italy to establish university cooperation to facilitate the exchange
of students majoring in music in 2005.
South America
In September of 2004, Olga Ganzen and Michael Fitzmorris visited universities
(FBV, and FAFIRE), and English schools in Recife and Sao Paulo, Brazil. They
also worked with social programs with the Ana Prado NGO in Recife. In March
2005, Steven Youngblood, Sapna Gupta, and Laura Lane visited Recife to study
the possibilities of further programs with local universities and the Ana Prado
NGO in Recife. As result, in March, 2006, 30 students and faculty from Park
University will participate in a service learning project in Brazil.
Miscellaneous
- In March 2005, Park University received a grant from the American Council
on Education (ACE). The grant was jointly given to Park and St. Mary's University,
Kapi'olani Community College, and The University of Kansas for a "Global
Solutions Service Project" that will result in a consortium for future
service leaning exchange programs for students and faculty.
- Oregon State University System representatives presented study abroad opportunities
to Park University students on April 14th during its International Career
Day.
3. Study abroad
Park is working to increase dramatically both the number of students who incorporate
study abroad into their degree programs and the number of faculty who seek international
opportunities for teaching and research.
Park students are now able to choose from two international courses taught
abroad each summer by Park faculty and numerous study abroad courses in foreign
languages. Park is actively seeking scholarship funding through national and
private foundations to make study abroad possible for more students and currently
offers financial, sabbatical, and flexible leave incentives for faculty to participate
in the Fulbright program.
- Six full-time faculty (communication arts, theater, history) participated
in study abroad activities during FY04.
- Short-term study abroad programs were developed for Spain, Italy, Greece,
, and Brazil.
- Park University has had a partnership with The American College of Thessaloniki
(ACT) since 2001. ACT was a program provider for short term faculty led trips
Greece in the summers of 2001- 2004. These trips were lead by professors of
International Business, Theatre, History, and Communications.
- Park University has had a partnership with Oregon State University Consortia
since 2003 which allows students to study abroad for a semester or year in
France, Germany, Mexico, , Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, or
Ecuador.
- In the summer 2005, two faculty members from different disciplines (Art
and History) and 16 students studied abroad in Italy through an arrangement
made possible by a partnership with the Center for Academic Programs Abroad
(CAPA).
- The International Education and Study Abroad office is planning a "Park
University Greece Preview" program in summer 2006, In this program, 2006
high school graduates will experience four weeks classes of at Park University's
home campus, followed by three weeks in Greece, and one week at Park after
the trip.
4. Community outreach
Park University's outreach program educates the community on international
businesses, cultures, customs, languages, and globalization. Outreach partners
include People to People International, The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
and World Trade Center, International Relation Council, UNA-USA, International
Visitors Council, and National 4-H Council. Park University outreach programs
are responsible for increasing community awareness on international issues,
developing critical thinking, and preparing its audience to make informed decisions.
- In FY04 and FY05, the university funded four faculty and staff members to
participate in the GLOBE Program. Global Leadership Opportunities for Business
Executives, or GLOBE, is a unique program designed to train a select group
of business executives and educators in the methods and practices of conducting
international business.
- Global Future, a cooperative international business education program featuring
participants from six universities/colleges (Park University, Johnson County
Community College, Benedictine College, William Jewell College, University
of Kansas, and University of Kansas City Missouri) and the Kansas City World
Trade Center, is also offered for credit at Park University. This program
is designed to provide an understanding of international business and international
business leadership skills through interaction with international business
leaders and class projects and discussions. Sessions also discuss educational
opportunities, business culture, and the role of equality in economic globalization.
Global Future offers outstanding networking opportunities for students.
- A World Trade Center Partnership has been established, and Park hosts a
World Trade Center Satellite office on the Park University Parkville Campus.
World Trade Center Satellite is an organization dedicated to the education
of students and faculty about international culture and business operations.
It also aims to establishing networking opportunities that lead to mutually
beneficial relationships between students and the business community.
- Park University agreed on future cooperation with Greater Kansas City People
to People International. The Greater Kansas City Chapter of People to People
International (GKCPTP) is a volunteer organization formed to promote fun,
understanding and friendship among the peoples of the world through fellowship,
goodwill, tolerance, and mutual respect through direct person-to-person contacts.
This agreement will allow visitors to Park University to benefit from PTPI
Homestay programs. Park University is the first and only university to have
a student chapter of People to People. The purpose of Park University chapter
is to foster educational processes that will promote understanding and goodwill
among people of all nations. The Park University Chapter of People to People
International sponsors other outreach programs such as the International Classroom
Partnership, Coming to America Series, and Model UN.
- The Model UN Program, an authentic simulation of the UN General Assembly
and other multilateral bodies, involves students in the world of diplomacy
and negotiation, and has sent students to Chicago, St. Louis, and New York
during the 03-04 and 04-05 academic years.
- Park hosted a successful high school Model UN conference in April, 2005.
Over 60 student delegates participated. Park will host a second, larger high
school Model UN in November, 2005, and Park's Model UN sponsor is working
with the United Nations Association and other university Model UN advisers
to establish a regional Model UN conference.
- In the Coming to America Series, international students present their countries
to Park University students, faculty and staff. The speakers generally discuss
their countries' politics, cultures, traditions, geography, religions, and
current conditions. The goal is to increase cultural awareness on campus.
The Coming to America Series, in its six sessions in 2005, featured 19 International
speakers, and an audience of 147 students and faculty.
- In the International Classroom Partnership, a group of international students
volunteer to speak at local elementary schools. This program, run in conjunction
with the International Relations Council, connects our international university
students with Kansas City-area elementary-school students, providing them
with insights into the cultures, traditions, languages, geography, and conditions
of the presenters' home countries. Both sets of students gain from the experience.
During this academic year, 35 Park University International Speakers presented
information about their countries to 650 elementary students from North Kansas
City School District. Seven international students presented 2 workshops at
the Kansas City 4-H Youth Conference, attended by 75 high school students
from all over the United States.
- The International Center for Music sponsored a 2005 Grand Piano Festival.
It featured world class performers like Dmitri Bashkirov as well as budding
young talents. In all, seven free concerts were presented.
- Each year, during November, the University sponsors International Education
Week, which allows the faculty, staff and students, as well as the Kansas
City community, to learn about other cultures in an educational setting. This
week also includes the annual International Dinner and Program, a long-time
tradition of the University.
- During the 2005-6 academic year, Park's International Center for Civic Engagement
will host a monthly brown bag lunch series that will allow faculty, students
and staff and the general public to consider and discuss timely topics.
5. Program Development
Program Development is a continuing task for the International Education and
Study Abroad Office. The objectives of program development are making international
education a major campus commitment, establishing financial foundations, and
creating a strong marketing program.
These efforts are also sorted by continent:
Asia
- Park University exchanged letters of intention, and is working on a formal
agreement, with Ming Chuan University in Taipei, Taiwan for a student and
faculty exchange program that is to be supplemented by online education. Ming
Chuan University and Tamkang University are also eager to collaborate with
Park University in bringing more online education to China, including the
People's Republic of China. The Provost, the distance education vice president,
and the director of International Education and Study Abroad visited the university
to arrange the partnership.
- Park University is forming a partnership with Pacific Resource for Educational
Learning (PREL) in 2005 that will serve as the bridge for the future. This
partnership will offer Park University access to PREL's satellite coverage
of Asia and the Pacific; assistance to PREL staff in their distance learning;
providing Park University credits for teachers and others in the PREL region
as they pursue credit, programs and certificates; and collaborating on institutes
(e.g. the institute that Park has held this summer and in previous years.)
PREL's goals include developing "High-performing Learning Communities"
consisting of partnerships with schools, districts, Ministries/Departments
of Education, Institutions of Higher Education. Their second goal is to improve
the quality of teaching and education administration, increase the number
of professionals and increase the number of teachers and administrators.
Europe
- In FY04, a partnership was formed with the Centers of Academic Programs
Abroad (CAPA). This partnership enables Park University students to participate
on short-term faculty led programs, and/or long-term study-abroad in Italy.
- Park University is negotiating a partnership with St. Petersburg University
of Humanities and Social Sciences in Russia. Park University is exploring
the option of working with the St. Petersburg University through online programs,
faculty and student exchanges, and study abroad programs. Park University
also is reviewing the potential of creating an executive MBA summer program
for Russian executives with English as an International Language, Business
Administration, and American Civilization and Culture courses.
South America
- In September of 2004, Olga Ganzen and Michael Fitzmorris visited universities
(FBV, and FAFIRE), and English schools in Recife and Sao Paulo, Brazil. They
also worked with social programs with the Ana Prado NGO in Recife. In March
of 2005, Steven Youngblood, Sapna Gupta, and Laura Lane visited Recife to
study the possibility of further programs with local universities and Ana
Prado NGO in Recife. All five faculty members offered training for the community
and universities. Through a partnership with Transformational Journeys, a
program provider, Park University is studying the possibility of future short-term
academic exchange programs with a service component.
- In July of 2005, Janaina Sa Peres and Renato Santos, Ana Prado NGO's coordinators,
visited Park University home campus in Parkville, Missouri to further the
discussions on service projects and curriculum with the Ana Prado NGO in Recife.
Miscellaneous
- Meetings between Park University faculty members and foreign institutions'
faculty
members took place in order to establish an endowed chair. Olga Ganzen and
Ronald Miriani met with Phillip Kargopolis from Anatolia College in Greece.
Olga Ganzen met with Valeria Magistrelli from Italy, and Carol Getty and Olga
Ganzen are working with Ming Chuan University in Taiwan.
- Olga Ganzen has contacted faculty members from Aristotle University in Greece,
Tam Kang University in Taiwan, and Georgetown University in the U.S. for the
purpose of establishing the groundwork for an annual conference on Global
Solutions.
- In March 2005, Park University received a grant from the American Council
on Education (ACE), along with St. Mary's University, Kapi'olani Community
College, and The University of Kansas, to create a "Global Solutions
Service Project" that will result in a consortium for future service
leaning exchange programs for students and faculty.
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