What’s Up Vol. 11, Issue 15 July 19, 2017
Students From Greek High School Spend Summer Week at Widener Ten students from a Greece-based high school recently spent a week at Widener taking part in leadership and engineering programs. The visit by the group from American Community Schools of Athens, or ACS Athens, was part of a partnership formalized between Widener and ACS Athens in December.
W. Medeiros, dean of Academic Affairs and the school’s Institute for Innovation and Creativity. The group, made up of students who are American, Greek, and of other nationalities, stayed in Harris Hall and were assisted throughout the week by Widener student Aidan Hostetter. Those who participated in the leadership programming spent time examining the attributes of leading self, others, and change. They talked about inequality, and made presentations on the topic. They also worked on developing their own leadership philosophies, which the university presented to them on framed certificates at the conclusion of the program. Student Elina Pipas decided on “Why Worry?” for her philosophy, and she was grateful for the experience.
An ACS Athens Student launches bottle rockets at the engineering summer camp.
“We were proud to share with students from ACS-Athens how Widener students learn about leadership here at the Oskin Leadership Institute. It was a rewarding experience for everyone – and I’m confident that the skills they learned here they’ll begin to use when they get back to their school,” Oskin Leadership Institute Director Arthur Schwartz said. Nine of the visitors spent a week doing institute programming, and a tenth student took part in an engineering camp. They were accompanied to Widener by Peggy Pelonis, dean of the ACS Athens Office of Student Affairs, and Steven
“Thank you for making me realize that leadership isn’t something that is just an idea, but it is something that can become a reality with greatly focusing on leading self, leading others and leading change,” she told Schwartz.
ACS Athens Student prepares his rocket for launch at engineering camp.
diplomas. Under the agreement between Widener and ACS Athens, which also formalized this summer opportunity, ACS Athens students who graduate with international baccalaureate diplomas and choose Widener will enter the university with sophomore status.
Schwartz said the students were able to meet with Widener President Dr. Julie Wollman and also enjoyed time out at historic sites in Philadelphia, at the cinema, and an engineering camp activity on how things fly. They traveled to Washington, D.C. for sightseeing before returning home to Greece. ACS Athens is attended by Greek students, international students and students who are American citizens – including many who have spent their whole lives in Greece. The school offers American high school diplomas and international baccalaureate
Ten students and two administrators from ACS Athens high school in Greece visited Widener for a week of summer programming through an engineering camp and the Oskin Leadership Institute.
Lunch with the President August 28,2017
Widener University President Julie E. Wollman had lunch with Nicole Schaefer and her daughter, Emilia Alafouzos. The family from Greece visited Widener University to help daughter, Lena Alafouzos, move into campus housing before classes began August 28.
Lena is attending Widener after the university formalized a partnership with the American Community Schools of Athens, or ACS Athens, based in Greece. Under the agreement with Widener, students who graduate with international baccalaureate diplomas will enter the university with sophomore status.
New Agreement Creates Path for Greece-Based High School Students to Study at Widener Vol. 11 Issue 8, Feb. 8, 2017
Widener University has formalized a partnership that provides educational opportunities for students at the American Community Schools of Athens, or ACS Athens, and the Pinewood American International School of Thessaloniki, both based in Greece. President Julie E. Wollman traveled to Greece recently to meet with administrators, teachers, students and parents at the schools. Dr. Wollman signed multiple agreements that provide for: •General collaboration for graduating high school seniors to pursue their undergraduate degrees at Widener. •Summer programs in leadership and engineering for high school juniors. These will last one week and begin this summer.
•Specific collaboration for students who come to Widener for bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the School of Business Administration and School of Engineering. The schools in Greece provide rigorous high school programs. ACS Athens is attended by Greek students, international students and students who are American citizens – including many who have spent their whole lives in Greece. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools recently gave it the highest level of accreditation and labeled it a “model for success” school. The Pinewood school has students of more than 35 nationalities and operates with an American college-preparatory curriculum. It, too, is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and it reports 100 percent of its students go on to colleges or universities.
In addition to offering American high school diplomas, students at both schools can earn international baccalaureate diplomas. Under the agreement with Widener, students who graduate with international baccalaureate diplomas will enter the university with sophomore status. “We are delighted to partner with these schools and provide a path to a high-quality undergraduate education on American soil, which many of these students are seeking. In turn, their global perspectives will enhance our vibrant Widener community, which is already rich in diversity with many international students,” Wollman said. “We look forward to welcoming them to Widener for summer programs, or even more long-term opportunities as undergraduate and graduate students.”