College of International Studies An International Profile: 2017
October 2017
Message From the Deans
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he College of International Studies (CIS) has completed another fantastic year. While the 2016-2017 academic year was challenging in some ways, the CIS faculty, staff and students rallied together in support of OU’s international community, global awareness and cultural appreciation. We begin this new academic year stronger than ever, and with greater determination to maintain and enhance the university’s international mission. CIS continues to work with colleges, offices and departments across campus to create and implement a plethora of international activities, both at home and abroad. The University of Oklahoma is an international university and the International Profile highlights and celebrates the many international educational accomplishments of the OU community. Moreover, this new and improved publication has been expanded to include the CIS Compass magazine, which provides more in-depth coverage of the international activities and achievements of OU’s faculty, staff, students, friends and alums. During 2016-2017, CIS received a generous gift from the Sandra Mackey family to support one endowed chair (the Sandra Mackey Chair in Middle East Studies) and two endowed professorships (the Colin Mackey and Patricia Molina de Mackey Professorship in Middle East Studies and the Adrian Molina Mackey Professorship in Middle East Studies). Mrs. Mackey was an esteemed veteran journalist and famed international author on the Middle East, and we are grateful to her family for their generous support of the college. The Department of International
and Area Studies (IAS) faculty continued to be incredibly productive throughout the last year, publishing numerous books and journal articles, as well as teaching popular courses and representing the University of Oklahoma on a number of media platforms. IAS faculty, in collaboration with other OU scholars and national and international experts, also launched a new Cyber Governance and Policy Center. With an ever-growing and dynamic list of study abroad opportunities, a record-breaking 1,727 OU students traveled abroad during 2016-2017. At this rate, approximately 41 percent of the OU student body will have an overseas experience before obtaining their degrees. The Office of Education Abroad (EA) organized and implemented OU’s first study abroad program to Cuba during spring break 2017. The students visited the OU Study Center in Puebla, Mexico, and then spent five days learning about Cuban history and culture in Havana. In addition, more than 2,000 international students from 120 countries studied at OU last year, contributing to a vibrant community in Norman. CIS continues to work with colleges across campus to serve OU’s international students studying in all colleges, ensuring access to and opportunities for study abroad programs that contribute to academic degrees, plus offering courses and contributing research and service that enhances international knowledge and global awareness. These are only a few examples of the international achievements of the College of International Studies
during the 2016-2017 academic year. We invite you to explore this Compass: An International Profile to learn more about the many other ways in which OU is engaged globally at home and abroad. Of course, this success is only possible because of the dedicated staff in the CIS offices of Education Abroad and International Student Services; the talented team in the CIS Dean’s Office; the outstanding IAS faculty and staff; the enthusiastic CIS personnel located in Arezzo, Puebla and Rio de Janeiro; and the numerous partners in colleges, offices and departments across the OU campus. We are truly grateful for everything the CIS faculty and staff do every day to promote international education. We are very thankful for our campus partners, who regularly collaborate with us to create and deliver topnotch international programs. We offer special thanks to Miranda Wilson, CIS Communications Specialist, and Jacque Braun, CIS Marketing and Media Specialist, for their diligent work in writing and designing this publication. Also, thanks to copy editor Maura McAndrew for her steady editorial assistance. All of us at CIS are dedicated to developing and strengthening programs and activities each year in support of the University of Oklahoma’s international mission. Our unlimited enthusiasm for international education is our strength, and we look forward to the coming years as we continue to bring OU to the world and the world to OU! c
Cover: Davis United World College (UWC) Scholar, Robert Bob Okello.
Suzette R. Grillot, Ph.D.
Dean College of International Studies Vice Provost of International Programs William J. Crowe, Jr., Chair in Geopolitics
Mitchell P. Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs College of International Studies Max and Heidi Berry Chair and Professor of International and Area Studies
Rebecca J. Cruise, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean College of International Studies Assistant Professor of International and Area Studies
Contents College of International Studies................... 3
Profile of Ashley LaRue.................................. 29
Davis United World College Scholars Program........................................................ 5
College of Professional and Continuing Studies.......................................................... 30
International Student Services...................... 8
Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College......................................................... 30
OU Cousins................................................... 11 Eve of Nations............................................... 12
Gallogly College of Engineering................... 31
Arabic Flagship Program............................... 13
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication............................................ 31
Global Engagement Fellowship.................... 16
Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education...... 32
University Libraries........................................ 16
Virtues of Study Abroad................................ 33
Fulbright Scholars.......................................... 17 Education Abroad......................................... 20
Department of International and Area Studies.......................................................... 35
International Study Centers.......................... 21
IAS Faculty Spotlight..................................... 38
College of Allied Health................................ 26
Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy..... 39
College of Architecture................................. 26
Michael F. Price College of Business............. 39
College of Arts and Sciences........................ 27
Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts... 40
College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences........................................................ 27
Profile of Kiersten Strachan........................... 41
College of Law.............................................. 28
UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA
College of International Studies
Turbulent World? World. Turbulent Discover the new online M.A.ininGlobal Global Affairs Affairs Discover theUniversity UniversityofofOklahoma’s Oklahoma’s online M.A. atatthe Studies. theCollege College of of International International Studies.
Offering= concentrations in Opportunity Dedicated Faculty + Global Expertise + Innovative Teaching Understanding and International Security Studies or Global Economics and Development COURSES INCLUDE: Rebecca Cruise
Suzette Grillot
Eric Heinze
Bo Kong
Joshua Landis
“The opportunity to visit the EU institutions and hear firsthand from everyone, from citizens to representatives, their pride at how far they have come, and their fears and hopes for the future, opened my eyes and ignited my own passion . . .” --S. Lucca Vaughn, M.A. in Global Affairs ‘17
Global Economic Turbulence Mitchell Erika Alan Samer Smith Larkins McPherson Shehata International Activism
Noah Theriault
Global Social Turbulence
The program includes a week-long OU faculty-led study abroad Culture, Power and the Global Environment experience and participation in aPolitics hands-on team project. of the European Union International Relations of the Middle East
The only online international affairs master’s degree program that incorporates a weeklong, faculty-led study abroad experience.
OU’s Italian Study Center in Arezzo, Italy 2016
OU’s Mexican Study Center in Puebla, 2017Mexico
OU’s Brazilian Study Center in Rio de Janeiro 2018
Oslo, Norway Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Brussels, Belgium Olympic Legaciesabout this program Institutions Sustainability and Peace For more information or and our on-campus M.A. in International Integration in Europe Studies, contact Katie Watkins at kwatkins@ou.edu or visit www.ou.edu/cis.
For more information or to apply, visit www.ou.edu/cismaga.
1 Compass ProgramThebegins 2015.is Apply now at institution. www.ou.edu/cismaga. Universityfall of Oklahoma an equal opportunity www.ou.edu
College of International Studies
An International Profile EDITOR
Miranda Wilson GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Jacque Sexton Braun “Cloud Nine,” by Haleigh Van Horn. Mount Titlis, Switzerland.
COLLEGE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES DEAN
About the College of International Studies
Suzette R. Grillot
The objective of the College of International Studies is to expand the OU international experience and develop compassionate, open minded citizens and leaders by enhancing global engagement and educational opportunities.
ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Mitchell P. Smith ASSISTANT DEAN
Rebecca J. Cruise About the University of Oklahoma Created by the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a doctoral degree-granting research university serving the educational, cultural, economic and health-care needs of the state, region and nation. The Norman campus serves as home to all of the university’s academic programs except health-related fields. The OU Health Sciences Center, which is located in Oklahoma City, is one of only four comprehensive academic health centers in the nation with seven professional colleges. Both the Norman and Health Sciences Center colleges offer programs at the Schusterman Center, the site of OU-Tulsa. OU enrolls more than 30,000 students, has more than 2,800 full-time faculty members, and has 21 colleges offering 171 majors at the baccalaureate level, 152 majors at the master’s level, 79 majors at the doctoral level, 32 majors at the doctoral professional level, and 35 graduate certificates. The university’s annual operating budget is $941 million. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. This publication, printed by University of Oklahoma Printing Services, is issued by the University of Oklahoma. 500 copies have been prepared and distributed at no cost to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma. This publication is printed on Forest Stewardship Councilcertified paper with soy ink. The Forest Stewardship Council’s mission is to promote environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ABROAD
Whitney Franca
DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES
Robyn Rojas DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
Patsy Broadway
DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT AND STAFF ATTORNEY
Suzanne Kern
DIRECTOR OF STUDY CENTER OPERATIONS
Annaly Beck
DIRECTOR OF ITALIAN PROGRAMS IN ITALY
Kirk Duclaux
DIRECTOR OF OU PROGRAMS IN MEXICO AND
CO-COORDINATOR OF LATIN AMERICAN PARTNERSHIPS
Armando Garcia
DIRECTOR OF OU PROGRAMS IN BRAZIL AND
CO-COORDINATOR OF LATIN AMERICAN PARTNERSHIPS
Caren Addis Botelho
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College of International Studies
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ampus-wide study abroad programming is the specialty of the College of International Studies (CIS). CIS focuses on offering general education courses through Journey programs to China, Italy, Latin America (Brazil or Peru) and Tanzania, as well as serving two presidential programs — the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) and the President’s Community Scholars (PCS). PLC programs in Italy and Germany, and PCS programs to Italy and Brazil were as popular as ever during 2016-17, with nearly 200 students studying in leadership and activism while abroad. A highlight of summer 2017 was the PCS and Lead Team program in
Brazil. Eighteen students traveled with CIS faculty and staff to Rio de Janeiro to study Brazilian culture, society, inequality and activism, and they also participated in a servicelearning project. Working with a nongovernmental organization in one of Rio’s largest favelas, students interacted with approximately 20 local students ages five to ten through after-school activities. They taught the students lessons in visual and performing arts, played games and shared memories. The high point of the program was accompanying the young students and several of their parents on a trip to the Christo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue. This colossal monument is named one of the new
PCS and Lead Team students at the Selaron Steps in Rio de Janeiro.
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Seven Wonders of the World. The students can see it from their homes in Rocinha, but rarely have a chance to visit it up close. These interactions were priceless in terms of how much OU students and the young students of Rio learned from each other. During 2016-2017, CIS also organized other special programs at OU’s international study centers in Arezzo, Italy; Puebla, Mexico; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Additionally, in the summer of 2017, International and Area Studies faculty led the second study abroad program for the online Master of Arts in Global Affairs, traveling to Brussels, Belgium, to study institutions and integration in Europe.c
College of International Studies Staff: Morgan Brokob, Mary Beth Polk, Jennifer Rowley, Becky Wilson, Burns Thornton, Megan Reeves, Kristin Stewart, Lauren Lee-Lewis, Miranda Wilson, Jennifer Grover, Suzanne Kern, Annaly Beck, Bushra Asif, Diana Tiffany, Jacque Braun, Mitchell Smith, Tracy Holloway, Suzette Grillot, Rebecca Cruise. Not pictured: Patsy Broadway, Donna Cline, Merla Davis and Marjan Seirafi-Pour.
Master of Arts in Global Afffairs students on their international experience in Brussels, Belgium.
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Davis United World College Scholars Program
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he University of Oklahoma was awarded the prestigious Davis Cup for the fourth consecutive year in recognition of its recordsetting enrollment of United World College (UWC) international freshmen. OU is the only public university in the nation to ever be awarded the Davis Cup. This year’s freshman class includes 56 Davis UWC Scholars — a new Davis UWC Scholars Program record. Phil Geier and Shelby M.C. Davis are the founders of this international program. “When Phil Geier and I founded this program in 2000 we never imagined a partner school would matriculate more than 50 scholars in any given year,” said Davis. “We are absolutely blown away
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At the Davis Scholars Cup Award Ceremony.
by the University of Oklahoma’s outstanding results in recent years and send our congratulations to President David Boren and his team for their unrivaled performance in winning the Davis Cup for the fourth straight year. We are excited that so many Davis UWC Scholars are benefiting from the wonderful environment of the University of Oklahoma and feel confident that their presence is bringing a meaningful global perspective to their many American classmates.” Additionally, OU has the largest total enrollment of Davis UWC Scholars in the United States, with 189 Scholars enrolled, representing more than 70 countries and all 17 UWC global
high schools. “The University of Oklahoma is proud to host more Davis Scholars than any other US university,” said OU President Boren. “These exceptional students enrich the learning experience of all of our students.” While the Davis Cup is a coveted prize, the Scholars’ experience and overall success is the focus of the university. Three full-time staff members work with UWC students in the admissions process, and engage with all Davis Scholars who enroll throughout their entire undergraduate student experience. c Below: Recent UWC graduates.
Worldly Scholar Creating His Own Path
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U Junior Robert Bob Okello begins each day with reflection and gratitude. Then he heads off to his challenging classes for his major, African Development Engineering — a degree he created himself. When he graduates, he will be the first OU student to earn this achievement, forging a path for others and inspiring them along the way. Charting his own course is nothing new for this first-generation college student. Hailing from a small village in Uganda called Barlwala, Okello is the fifth of seven children. His father, now retired, worked with the Uganda prison service, and his mother runs a few small businesses from home. Okello recalls his parents always working hard and making sacrifices to ensure he and his siblings received good schooling. They believed in the power of knowledge. When his primary education (grades one through seven) was almost complete, Okello turned his focus to secondary education (equivalent to high school) with a heavy heart: he worried about the expense of education for his family. Unsure of his future, he thought further pursuit of advanced studies might not be possible for him. However, those worries soon eased as the headmaster of his primary school approached him about a new opportunity. A very prestigious school, located in Uganda’s capital of Kampala, was awarding scholarships based on outstanding academic performance, and the headmaster recommended that Okello apply — and quickly, because the deadline approached.
Okello did apply, and it was only a matter of time before he received the answer he had been hoping for: he’d won a full-ride scholarship for the next four years. He packed his bags for the Light Academy, located nearly 212 miles away from his home. For the first time ever, he was leaving the comfort zone of his hometown and the close proximity of his family. “Moving to a new area was a unique experience for me, but I had previously attended boarding school and believe it helped prepare me for this moment,” he said. “I remember when my parents dropped me off at boarding school — I cried!” Thankfully, this transition was a little easier in part due to friends old and new, advances in technology and the presence of Okello’s oldest brother, who also lived in Kampala. It felt like a home away from home, and things sailed along until a fateful day arrived that changed Okello’s trajectory. At age 16, Okello remembers returning to school in Kampala after a trip home to visit his family.
Boarding his bus, he saw an empty seat at the front and debated in his mind if he wanted the window view. Deciding no, he opted instead for an aisle seat in the back where he could stretch out his tall frame. Lulled to sleep by the open road, he abruptly woke from what he thought was a dream, but in reality was a nightmare. They had crashed head on with a truck driving in the opposite direction. Seven people aboard the bus died, mostly those who sat at the front. While deeply shaken and saddened by the events, Okello was luckily not injured. Thoughts raced through his mind and he wondered, “How did I not get a scratch?” He determined that “it was a miracle,” and walked away from that accident with a newfound perspective on life, seeing each day as an opportunity to be purposeful. Today, he lives by a mission statement: “If I should be remembered for anything, base it on how many lives I touched,” he said with a smile. After graduating from high school, Okello became a Davis United Students during a session at the IT Center.
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Some of BINDEC Uganda’s beneficiaries.
World College (UWC) Scholar at OU. He studied at the UWC Red Cross Nordic, Norway, before making the move to Norman, Oklahoma. Already knowing what he wants to do in the future, with the help of an OU adviser, he built a degree program to encompass his interests — engineering with a combination of business and entrepreneurship, focused on development in Africa. As graduation lingers on the horizon in 2019, Okello is already putting his skills and abilities to use back home in Uganda. Two years ago, Okello created the nonprofit BINDEC Uganda, which stands for Business Incubation and Enterprise Development Center. Consisting of Okello and his eldest brother, along with a project manager, an operations director and an accountant, BINDEC creates empowered and sustainable Ugandan communities through skills training, financial support and networking
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opportunities to aid the fight against poverty. For example, they provide skills training for agribusinesses such as poultry farmers, awarding funding to them in the form of interest-free loans from social investors and matching the local farmers with businesses in need of their products. In the summer of 2017, Okello launched a new venture in partnership with BINDEC: a computer literacy center in his home community. With over half of the population in Uganda under the age of 18 and the area experiencing an unemployment rate of over 60 percent, Okello knows firsthand how computer skills remain out of reach for many in the country. “Internet is a precious resource,” he said, and many students do not have access to computers at home or school. His learning lab, selected for funding through the Davis UWC Scholars’ Projects for Peace program, features 10 computers
with internet access, as well as trainings from student volunteers and eventually full-time instructors. “In life, it is easy to focus on the negatives, but focusing on the positives is far better,” said Okello. “I am grateful for the UWC Community at OU and the special sense of belonging it has provided me. The University of Oklahoma has helped me discover myself and how I can contribute and make an impact in many ways.” After graduation, he plans to “get out in the community and start doing stuff!” He thinks about getting a master’s degree and then his doctorate at some point, but not just for the sake of going to school. He says it has to be to fulfill a knowledge gap that allows him to make a greater impact. “I believe the most meaningful life lived is one lived for others.” c
International Student Services
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ne of the bright lights of each semester is when International Student Services (ISS) welcomes new international students to OU. Their ISS Arrival Appointments are part of the comprehensive New International Student Orientation (NISO) offered by the College of International Studies. Prior to the beginning of the semester, ISS welcomes anywhere from 200 to 400 incoming international students. After arriving on campus, their ISS adviser collects immigration documents, gathers contact information such as a US address and provides a “next steps” checklist to assist students as they navigate the various appointments around campus they must make. Waiting in line at these appointments can be exhausting for someone who just got off a long international flight, so ISS tries to make the experiences as hospitable as possible. To assist with this busy check-in period, ISS hires a temporary workforce of student employees in addition to its regular student employees, many of whom are international students themselves. Watching international students welcome and assist their incoming classmates is inspiring, and there is no better advice than that from someone who has been in their shoes. Additionally, ISS serves up refreshments to students while they wait. Enhancements to this process have included making the check-in paperless and implementing a pre-appointment sign-up in hopes of keeping students from all arriving at the same time. ISS has worked diligently over the last several years to improve the overall experience of arrival appointments, always keeping the students’ time and needs in mind, as well as providing the best service possible to OU’s international community. c
New student waiting in the David L. Boren Lounge in the College of International Studies. This area is used as a hospitality lounge for students during appointments.
International Student Services staff: Robyn Rojas, Titus Boswell, Brandi Hembree, David Allen, Katie Richardson, David Osburn, Rhonda Ehrhardt, Caroline Serçe, Adam Hall, Mukarram Lillard, Emilie Gordon and Brenda Aflleje.
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Spring 2017 International Students Enrolled International Students
2,011
Enrolled Reciprocal Exchange Students
219
Enrolled International Undergraduate Students
920
International Students on Post Graduation Employment Authorization
260
Enrolled International Graduate Students
876
International Student Interns
52
Top 5 Countries of Citizenship
583
China
187
99
India
82 South Korea
Saudi Arabia
67 Iran
Total International Students As a percentage of total student population
8%
Top 5 Majors: International Graduate Students
Top 5 Majors: International Undergraduate Students
International Bazaar, November 2016.
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International Undergraduate Students
Enrolled International Students | Percentage of Total College Population
College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences
College of International Studies
College of Architecture
College of Arts & Sciences
18 | 4.4%
18 | 6.2%
24 | 6.5%
231 | 3.3%
Gallogly College of Engineering
College of Continuing Education
Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education
Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy
275 | 8.5%
5 | 2.9%
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
19 | 1.7%
2 | 0.3%
159 | 24.3%
Price College of Business
University College
Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts
327 | 9.6%
15 | 0.9%
Academic Affairs
62 | 11%
8 | 1.1%
International Graduate Students
Enrolled International Students | Percentage of Total College Population College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences
16 | 14.8%
College of Law
5 | 0.8%
College of International Studies
2 | 4.8% Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
21 | 38.2%
College of Architecture
College of Arts & Sciences
46 | 37.7%
243 | 14.8%
Graduate College
Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education
2 | 7.7%
38 | 5.3%
Price College of Business
Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts
Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy
Gallogly College of Engineering
61 | 20.7%
27 | 12.7%
157 | 64.9%
296 | 54.8%
*Statistics compiled by the International Student Services (ISS) office from internal COGNOS reports compiled on February 7, 2017. The total number of international students described here reflects the number of international students enrolled at Norman Campus excluding Advanced Programs and Liberal Studies. Counts include all additional majors. Summing counts will not equal standard unduplicated enrollment counts.
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OU Cousins dancing at the annual OU Cousins BBQ.
OU Cousins
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he OU Cousins program celebrated another banner year! In 2016-2017 OU Cousins had more than 1,100 students representing over 64 countries register and participate throughout the year. OU Cousins participants were able to take part in a variety of activities, such as a trip to an Oklahoma City Thunder basketball game, a Halloween pumpkin carve, OU’s Big Event, a tour of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and riverboat rafting in the Oklahoma City Boathouse District. One of the highlights was the 22nd annual OU Cousins BBQ, with more than 400 students in attendance. This end-of-year celebration, held on a working ranch, featured food, a live country band and country line dances. The BBQ is the most highly anticipated event of the year among international students. President David L. Boren and First Lady Molly Shi Boren established OU Cousins in 1996 to build understanding, friendship and unity between domestic and international students attending the University of Oklahoma. Matching of students is based on interests, hobbies, majors and countries of origin. They are invited to participate in monthly programs, both on and off campus, and meet outside of scheduled events to build friendships and share culture through normal daily life. c
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OU Cousins and the International Advisory Committee volunteer together at the Big Event and help to clean and organize the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center at OU.
Students at the annual OU Cousins BBQ.
Eve of Nations
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pring 2017 ushered in the 47th annual Eve of Nations — always a favorite event. As OU’s international community continues to grow and diversify, more than 800 attendees showed up to support the international students and watch several new student organizations perform for the first time, including the Malaysian Student Association, Students for Justice in Palestine, Omani Student Association and the Pakistani Student Association. Hani AlHasan, a graduate student in the College of Architecture and member of Students for Justice in Palestine, read a historical poem about Jerusalem, the mother of the three monotheistic religions and the meeting point of cultures across history. The group then participated in a traditional Dabke, a combination of circle and line dancing performed at weddings and other joyful occasions. With growing numbers of students
from Oman eager to share their culture with Oklahoma, the Omani Student Association combined the Albaraa dance — a Bedouin tradition using daggers, drums and poetry — with the Al ’Azi dance — a popular dance symbolizing social pride, strength and unity. The Pakistani Student Association, established in fall 2016, performed a folk dance of songs embodying the diversity of Pakistan’s four provinces, while the Malaysian Student Association represented several Southeast Asian nations through a fusion of three different dances, namely Tari Saman, Wushu (Chinese martial arts) and Bhangra (Punjabi dance). “This was meant to represent the cultural richness and diversity of the native ethnic groups in Southeast Asia, as well as the cultural influence from the neighboring countries,” explains Ducha Nadya Hapsari, a Petroleum Engineering major, who sang a solo during the Tari Saman.
“as this dance requires lots of concentration and memorization, we had to prepare nearly every day for a month to ensure our common harmony,” she added. At the end of the night, the Indian Student Association won first place, along with the title of most involved organization and crowd favorite. The Angolan Student Association placed second, while the Malaysian Student Association took third place. The International Advisory Committee and the performers worked incredibly hard to make this year’s Eve of Nations amazing. Hapsari reflected, “Our participation this year has given us opportunities to be brought closer together as an organization, to share a little more about our origin and simply to have fun and celebrate diversity with the OU community.” c
Andleeb Zahra, Ameel Chaudhary, Raphia Mallick and Mehrun Nisa perform a traditional Pakistani folk dance.
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Arabic Flagship Program
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ne of the most innovative components of the Language Flagship approach to teaching critical languages is their commitment to immersion programs. While pursuing their chosen course of study at the University of Oklahoma, students in the OU Arabic Flagship Program have the opportunity to spend a summer or a year at the Arab-American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM). The study center, located in the town of Meknes, hosts Flagship students year-round, and offers a curriculum designed to challenge and support students beyond what is possible in most domestic language programs. OU Flagship students consistently earn high scores on their post-program exams, going on to apply their language skills in a variety of exciting careers and post-graduate studies.
Standard Arabic, along with Moroccan and Egyptian colloquial dialects. Students live with host families and take classes with Moroccan students at Moulay Ismail University, while experiencing numerous cultural events and excursions. Capstone-year students complete internships at local community organizations, gaining the chance to apply their language skills in a professional environment. Past internship sites have included the Aml Association for Social Development, the Library of the Great Mosque, Al-Oush Orphanage and Misa Press. Emily Wellham, a Security Studies major, spent her summer in Morocco, while Laith Elothman, a Linguistics major, was accepted into the capstone year program for 2017-2018. c
The capstone year abroad is a defining feature of the OU Arabic Flagship Program with selected students attending rigorous classes in Modern
Students and staff on a tour of the city center in Meknes.
Capstone student Laith Elothman makes friends with a camel.
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Capstone student Ellie Bednarek celebrates Eid al-Fitr, a holiday marking the end of Ramadan, with her host family.
The Art of the Arabic Language
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llie Bednarek earned a dual degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies in spring 2017, as well as minors in History and International Security Studies. Now, she shares an inside look into the Arabic Flagship program and what it meant to her. “I joined the Arabic Flagship program in August 2014. I was involved for five full semesters. I decided to join the program when a professor during my freshman year explained it to my class and told us it was a good way to become fluent in the language. It also seemed like the Flagship program had a tight-knit community and provided a lot of resources to help with language study. It helped my education by giving me a lot of opportunities to practice Arabic outside the classroom. Also, I heard about a lot of opportunities on campus through the program, [such as] different scholarships, internships and job opportunities. [Through it] I met some of my best friends. I love the sense of community that the program provides and how it has helped me connect with other students who share the same interests and career goals.” Now that Bednarek’s time with OU’s Flagship Program has come to an end, what advice does she have to offer incoming and current students? “I would tell all students interested in learning a language to give Arabic a chance. I decided to study Arabic on a whim and then I loved it so much that I switched my major to Arabic. My decision to study Arabic and participate in
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Standing in front of the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Israel.
Sitting in a turret in an old fortress in Oman.
the Flagship program completely changed my college and career trajectories. I think it’s important to take a chance on Arabic. I knew no Arabic when I started taking classes, but it has been a great experience. The Arabic Flagship program is a wonderful way to meet new people and be exposed to different cultures. [Also], learning Arabic is great for studying abroad! If you had told me in high school that I would end up traveling to Israel, Oman, Jordan and Morocco, I would have said that you were crazy. I have traveled around the world by studying Arabic and participating in the Flagship program.” Ellie was a great asset to the Flagship program and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors, which she says involve “potentially getting an MBA and working for the State Department or a nongovernmental organization (NGO).” After spending the past summer in Morocco, she is now studying in Jordan on a Boren Scholarship. c
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Standing in front of a door in an Omani castle.
Global Engagement Fellowship
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he University of Oklahoma’s Global Engagement Fellowship program (GEF) is open to incoming freshmen who wish to know more about the global community. This year, the program flourished, with 41 students traveling abroad, some for the first time, to 12 different countries. These individuals also emerged as a vibrant community on campus. Through a student-run advisory board, current Fellows instituted a mentorship program for incoming Fellows, participated in and arranged international programs and events around campus, and even established a strong social media presence. In spring 2017, Fellows Andrew Moore and Shelby Meyer graduated a year early, fulfilling all their academic and GEF program requirements in just three years. According to Moore, who will be working in Japan for a year before pursuing a doctorate in neuroscience, “as my time at OU
[came] to an end, I [started] to become nostalgic about the people and organizations. One of the most fun [was] the German Club, which allowed me to meet Germans, better understand the German language and make connections that will last a lifetime. It is truly amazing that OU offers such a broad range of opportunities in this area.” Meyer, an International and Area Studies major who plans to go on to medical school, described her
GEF experience as follows: “The GEF program allowed me the means to study abroad while at OU, an experience I feel was one of the most meaningful of my whole undergraduate career.” She also believes that “it helped me develop a multifaceted perspective through which to shape my worldview. Furthermore, it connected me with a diverse and driven group of students who pushed me to explore new interests.” c
Global Engagement Fellows Sara Fisher and Rose Marinaro in South Korea.
University Libraries
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new archive that will provide students and scholars with a wide range of rare books, reference materials, translation drafts, correspondence, notes, ephemera and other important historical materials that provide context for Western readers to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese literature has been established at the University of Oklahoma Libraries. The Chinese Literature Translation Archive opened in conjunction with the 2017 Newman Prize for Chinese Literature, awarded biennially by the OU Institute of US-China Issues to recognize prose or poetry best capturing the human condition. The archive currently houses nearly 10,000 volumes and thousands of documents from some of the greatest translators of modern
Chinese literature in the West. The vision of the archive is to improve the material conditions for translation studies, comparative literature and world literature at OU by providing the materials necessary for historically informed research supported by the richly textured intellectual environments within which translation
takes place. The opening of this archive and special collection created the opportunity for three visiting fellows from China to study at OU during the spring 2017 semester, and attracted donations of translation materials from international scholars.
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Jonathan Stalling, Keith Gaddie, Robert Con Davis-Undiano and former Gov. Brad Henry at the opening ceremony for the CLTA.
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Fulbright Scholars
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ponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright US Student Program offers fellowships abroad for one academic year to graduating college seniors, graduate students and young professionals. Participants pursue advanced or professional study, research or English teaching. OU’s Fulbright program is administered by the College of International Studies and over the past few years has consistently produced recipients who have gone on to teach, conduct research and study around the globe. For the 2017-2018 academic year, nine OU students received the prestigious grant. Hannah Kristen Baird, Kate Bergum, Laura Catherine Burns, Rosemary Mahaffey and Hailey Nicole Powell will spend the year as English Teaching Assistants in Mexico, Macedonia, Germany and Hungary. Molly Catherine Hackett will pursue a master’s degree in European Studies at the University of Leuven in Belgium. Jordan Woodward, Joseph Brown and Cody Williams will conduct research in India, the Philippines and Brazil, respectively. Woodward also received a Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) from Fulbright to study Hindi during her time in India. As part of her research, she will conduct a series of digital storytelling workshops with women in New Delhi and Varanasi regarding their socio-cultural, religious and domestic relationships to and interactions with the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. Her innovative work aims to provide women living in traditionally patriarchal communities an opportunity to tell their own stories about how the Ganga and Yamuna rivers influence their lives and identities. By facilitating storytelling in a digital platform, Woodward aims to not only impart video-making technology to participants, but also hopes to increase the possibility for the stories to be shared cross-culturally. CIS wishes her and the other Fulbright recipients much success and fulfillment in their work and future endeavors. c
Fulbright recipient Jordan Woodward, an English graduate.
Fulbright recipient Kate Bergum, a Psychology, English and Professional writing graduate.
Fulbright recipient Molly Hackett, a European Studies graduate.
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Fulbright: A Story of Love an applied study abroad experience,” explained Brunwald. “Although I completed seven semesters of German language study, I never traveled to Germany as an OU student. This appeared to be an opportunity for me to improve my foreign language ability while exchanging cultural fluency, as the immersive experience encouraged me — as well as my colleagues and students — to explore differences in our lifestyles and perspectives.”
Hunter Brunwald in front of several banners for the “Kieler Woche,” Kiel’s largest public event and the most-attended sailing event in Europe each year.
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period of waiting to receive news — good or bad — can be an unsettling time in a person’s life. The flood of emotions may range from uncertainty, fear and anxiousness to confidence, optimism and a whole lot of what-ifs. When Hunter Brunwald finally received his big news, “I yelped like I won Miss America,” he laughed. After eight months of hard work and studying, his long-awaited dream became his new reality. Brunwald’s interest in learning about the world led him to the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in International and Area Studies, with a concentration on Global Economics and Development. He also ventured to China to study architecture and landscapes in Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai, and journeyed to Brazil to learn about cultural and modern differences in Salvador da Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. He held the respected title of Fulbright scholar in 2015-2016. “I sought the Fulbright grant as
In August 2015, this scholar landed in the northern city of Kiel, located between Hamburg and the Denmark border, to work as a high school English teaching assistant. The first American assigned to this location, Hunter’s focus was English-language classes, but he also provided insight for a few geography and political economy classes about the US Electoral College, primary system and cultural trends. “My year in a German classroom environment allowed me to better appreciate and understand how we handle education. I had this extraordinary opportunity to offer context to anything the German students may have heard about the United States.” With a strong foundation to guide him, he soon
“Even today, I use my international studies education daily.” began to see firsthand things he had only previously heard about. He witnessed the country’s rising rightwing movement as the migrant crisis neared its peak. During his travels around the northern part of Germany, he noticed more diversity among the train passengers, some making local trips and others en route to Denmark or Sweden. The state of SchleswigHolsten received an estimated 60,000 immigrants. “As I traveled, I used my rough German with my English to help migrants along their way.” He also picked up on the ranging emotions felt by the locals. “Curiously, in the beginning, some [people] were steadfast in their support of the German government caring for incoming migrants,” Hunter recalls. “Anxiety began creeping in following the attacks in Paris late in 2015. Across the street from where I taught was an abandoned German
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military post. In December 2015, about 1,000 refugees were moved into those refurbished facilities as they awaited further diffusion across the countryside. The town mayor held a town hall to explain the move, wherein many parents and even teachers experienced a range of feelings.” From the sights he saw to the people he met to the events happening around him, Brunwald’s was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a great example of taking knowledge from the classroom and applying it in a real world setting. “Even today, I use my international studies education daily,” he stated. “Each module in the [College of International Studies] celebrates immediate exposure and direct immersion into any area or region. Those
modules work together over the life of the degree plan to develop a broader cultural fluency that can be applied in every part of life.” In Brunwald’s story, it definitely applies to every part of life — including love. Brunwald and his girlfriend Endija Kreslina began dating in early 2013. Endija was a Davis United World College (UWC) Scholar from Latvia who graduated from OU in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a minor in International and Area Studies. After graduation, the two faced a potential transatlantic relationship as Kreslina’s post-OU studies led her to Luxembourg. However, once Brunwald received his Fulbright award to study in Germany, their distance shortened to just over 415 miles, or about a seven-hour drive. This close
proximity allowed them to see each other about every six weeks — and they soon realized marriage was in their future. Fast forward to 2017 when, during a trip to Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Lawton, Oklahoma, Brunwald got down on one knee to ask Kreslina an important question, and she said yes! Jaci Gandenberger, former Global Engagement Fellowship and Fulbright Programs Coordinator, said, “Hunter was one of the program’s biggest boosters. He regularly made himself available to support new applicants and even served on some of the interview committees. He has been a fantastic resource to OU’s growing program.” So what advice does Brunwald have to offer current IAS majors? “When abroad, speak softly. Learn a new language. Enroll in an interesting class. Choose to study in a part of the world that is genuinely fascinating. International studies offers such a flexible course plan in part because it values a diversity of experiences. Living and learning abroad — long-term, and especially while [practicing] a foreign language — is so intimate an experience. [Also] discipline created as a student will inspire spillover effects beyond college.” A positive force during his time in college, it is great to see Brunwald continuing this trend as a professional. A person who spends any amount of time with this go-getter can only be inspired by his attitude. He clearly has a great future ahead of him — full and bright. c
The “Baumallee” (literally tree alley) down which he walked to go home from taking the bus.
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Education Abroad
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hroughout the year, the Education Abroad (EA) team helped many embark on transformative study abroad experiences, culminating in a recordbreaking year. A total of 1,727 students participated in study abroad programs during 2016-2017. This included record attendance at OU’s international study centers in Brazil, Italy and Mexico. Additionally, we sent our first group of students to Cuba, and OU was recognized by Hebrew University in Jerusalem for sending the largest number of students to participate in their programs. This increase in study abroad numbers was largely due to EA’s recruitment efforts that aimed to reach more students from all academic programs. Throughout the year we increased the number of classroom visits, enhanced participation in activities such as Fall Move-In and Camp Crimson, and included former study abroad ambassadors in recruitment endeavors. In addition, we focused on new specialty programs to help first-generation students make their study abroad dreams a reality, and facilitated greater participation for specific academic interests such as pre-med majors.
Internally, the office of Education Abroad experienced a year of transition and change. In February, the team welcomed new director, Whitney França. Whitney previously directed a one-woman international services office at Oklahoma Baptist University, and more recently served as Assistant Director of OU International Student Services. She has brought new energy and ideas to the position of EA Director, which are clearly paying off. Whitney works with an incredible team of dedicated staff, including Shanna Vincent and Loy Macari who were both promoted this year — to Assistant Director and Senior Adviser. Finally, Monica Goodwin assumed a new role as EA’s Recruitment Coordinator. During the summer, Monica began the process of streamlining and extending the many recruitment activities of the office. Working with colleges, departments, faculty and students across campus, the EA team continues to expand on the variety of study abroad programming the University of Oklahoma offers. There has truly never been a better time to see and study the world! c
Education Abroad staff: Zeeshan Malik, Monica Goodwin, Aleithia Stephens, Brittany Donnelly, Shanna Vincent, Whitney França, Kaydee Dyer, Loy Macari, Lana Ferguson and Kelsey Mays.
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OU in Arezzo
OU in Puebla
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he OU in Arezzo, Italy, Kathleen and Francis Rooney Family Residential Learning Center (OUA) launched several new community service projects last year. OUA provided children in the community with sessions of Lego Mindstorms, a software for creating small robots and teaching the basics of engineering and working with technology. Fall 2016 student Billy Ramsey worked on the project with Charlotte Duclaux, OUA’s Director of Student Affairs, and a local engineer to teach the activity. Duclaux says, “it is a culturally enriching experience for college students and it is important to give back to the community, [which] is [providing] the students a good experience. We are putting their talents to use.” Ramsey, who participated in the Mindstorm project as a part of an internship, said that he “enjoyed being able to teach something that I’m passionate about to children.” The Mindstorm activity served about 10 children in Arezzo. Another event that Duclaux oversaw was the OUA President’s Community Scholars’ (PCS) summer 2017 day camp. PCS student leaders extended their stay after their group project in June to help run a day camp for 25 children in Arezzo. PCS student leader MaryKate Gatewood said, “We are bringing something to them we grew up with, so [they] can experience a fun and educational week.” Each day the camp consisted of team-building activities and exercises such as stop-motion videos, crafts and camp songs. The week allowed campers to participate in cultural and language exchange, helping the PCS students experience service in a different way. “With the language barrier, it is not easy, but we worked hard to prepare for the camp and it was unlike any experience I have ever had,” said PCS student leader Gladvin George. c
OUP Spring Break Group 2017 in Puebla, Mexico. The group visited two countries, Mexico and Cuba, in the faculty-led program: The Exceptional Island-Cuban Culture and Politics.
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he OU in Puebla, Mexico, International Study Center (OUP) has expanded OU’s presence in Latin America by partnering with new institutions in the region. As OU’s presence in Mexico continues to grow and evolve, more students than ever visited OUP in the academic year 2016-2017, including study abroad programs from engineering, Spanish, and media and music studies. OUP continues to seek new opportunities to partner with local institutions and entities to create additional programs for OU students. During spring break 2017, the College of International Studies organized its first study abroad program to Cuba. Charles Kenney, OU Associate Professor of Political Science and the 2016-2017 OUP Faculty in Residence, and Dr. Tassie Hirschfeld, OU Associate Professor of Anthropology, led a fantastic experience for students to study two different Latin American histories and systems. From Puebla to Havana, the participants were able to explore and compare these fascinating countries. c
PCS student leader and intern, Katie Karmer, and Director of Student Affairs, Charlotte Duclaux, register children for the OUA day-camp for the Arezzo community.
OU in Rio
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he proudest moment during a typical semester at the OU in Rio de Janeiro (OUR) International Study Center is when students “become local.” Although they typically arrive speaking little to no Portuguese, within a month or two they can ask for directions and find their way around, oftentimes on public transportation. In the case of Ashley Dirks, a junior Anthropology major, the process of going “local” was accelerated. Dirks, who was spending the semester at OUR, was able to join the spring break course Another America: Lessons from Brazil. In the course, Associate Professors of Anthropology and 2016-2017 OUR Faculty in Residence Misha Klein and Sean O’Neill used student experiences and knowledge about the United States to explore and study Brazil. Among other activities and classes, students studied music, interviewed native Brazilian peoples, trekked along Afro-Brazilian history paths, learned about Brazil’s different regions and tried their hand at Brazilian cuisine. After a seven-day course, they left with a sophisticated appreciation of Rio and the Brazilian experience. While in Rio during break, students benefited from Dirks’ expertise. Using the Portuguese language she had learned since her arrival and her experiences exploring the city, she showed Rio “from a student’s perspective.” Dirks was effectively transformed from student to expert guide and Portuguese communicator just a short time after she herself arrived in Rio! c
Learning about culture and cuisine from the exotic region of the Brazilian Northeast.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Summary of Education Abroad Participation Total Program Participants
1727
OU in Arezzo
Reciprocal Exchange Programs
Other
Affiliate Provider Programs
651
463
151
142
137
Independent Registration
OU in Puebla
OU in Rio de Janeiro
International Internship
Arabic Flagship Program
75
55
40
9
4
OU Faculty-led Programs
Top 6 Destinations
506 Italy
113 France
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269 United Kingdom
76 Germany
158
Spain
56 Mexico
Gender
Race and Ethnicity
(Self-identification. Students may choose multiple categories.)
Female
Male
61.5%
35.6%
Gender-Neutral
.3%
3.7%
65.5% .78%
White/European American
Law
3.6%
2.3%
OU HSC
6.5%
Other
Graduate Student
Middle Eastern
30.2%
7%
Senior
Hispanic/Latino(a)
28.2%
5.7%
Junior
Black/African American
18.8%
6.6%
Sophomore
Asian/Pacific Islander
8.9%
American Indian/Alaska Native
Freshman
6.3%
Classification
Destination by Region
Africa
2.2%
Asia
5.6%
Europe
77.7%
Latin America
10.8%
Oceania
.65%
Middle East
2.6%
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Study Abroad Participation by College College of Arts & Sciences
Price College of Business
569
359
Weitzenhoffer College of Fine Arts
College of Law
OU Health Sciences Center
85
62
61
University College
College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences
Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education
33
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29
Gallogly College of Engineering
154
19
College of International Studies
113
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
105
Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy
College of Architecture
39
34
Academic Affairs
College of Continuing Education
8
2
“Kayaking with the Portuguese,� by Landyce Smith. In the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Lagos, Portugal.
College of Allied Health in the Health Sciences Center
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hen it comes to food, Italy is known for its delicacies. In May 2017, a group of 25 students from various majors at both the OU Norman and Health Sciences Center campuses traveled to Italy for the Mediterranean Diet and Culture course with College of Allied Health Dean Allen Knehans and Dr. Leah Hoffman. Participants learned about the history and health benefits of the Mediterranean diet while experiencing Italian food culture. Special guest lecturers included the internationally recognized scientist Dr. Pier Luigi Rossi, who discussed how the Mediterranean diet affects genetics and metabolism of nutrients, and food historian Professor Karima Moyer-Nocchi, who described how poverty and food scarcity led to the development of the most iconic Italian food — pasta! Students experienced Italian food culture from farm to table throughout the course. They tasted honey with the beekeeper who harvested it, learned how wine can be produced
organically and toured a Pecorino cheese factory. They learned how to cook Italian favorites, including a lesson on pasta making and an advanced cooking class for a threecourse meal with a local chef from one of the finest restaurants in Arezzo. They visited a preschool to learn how food culture values are taught to children, instilling in them a lifelong appreciation for fresh, seasonal and healthy food. The Italian passion for food was infectious, and in their final reflections on the course, students
A pre-dental hygiene student mixes pasta dough with Nutritional Sciences students.
said their views on food completely changed. Chayse Capps, a senior Health and Exercise Science major, said, “We, as Americans, get so caught up and focused on the little details like calories that we forget to enjoy the food we are eating. I hope to take on the Italians’ approach towards food and to teach others the idea of enjoying our food again.” c
College of Architecture Student documenting an architectural artifact on the Caelian Hill.
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he College of Architecture’s Rome 2017 program highlighted the college’s emphasis on both collaboration and service learning. The students took part in a week-long design project for a metro stop along the new metro line in Rome. Divided into teams with architecture students from Iowa State University and Roma Tre University, the students worked together all week
and then presented the designs to a jury of local design professionals and academics. As part of the project, the students spent one day walking the entire 14 miles of the ancient walls surrounding the city to better understand the historical context. Midway through the semester, the students also joined in a service-learning activity by working with an archaeologist from the Capitoline Museums to document architectural fragments located on the Caelian Hill in Rome. The students learned about the importance of the artifacts and the need for them to be documented for a future archaeological park on the site. They separated into groups to begin measuring a series of five architectural artifacts in order to produce drawings from their documentation. Later, they went back to the site to learn how to use the more modern documentation methods of photogrammetry and laser scanners. Lastly, students were led in an all-day hands-on learning exercise on how to set up and work the equipment on site, all done in the shadow of the archaeological wonders of the Colosseum and Palatine Hill in Rome. c
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College of Arts and Sciences
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n exciting new College of Arts and Sciences summer study abroad program, Economics in London, had its inaugural run this year. Brexit and the changes it may bring to the United Kingdom’s economy made it the perfect time to launch this offering. Led by Department of Economics faculty members Greg Burge and Dan Hicks, the group of 19 students took advantage of much that the city had to offer, visiting museums, checking out historical sites and attending performances. The two courses, Urban Economics and World Economic Development, were
ideally suited to the location, and the course content was adapted to make the most of London as a classroom. Visits to the London Transport Museum, the British Museum, Harrod’s, the Museum of London’s Sugar and Slavery Walking Tour and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine were part of the academic curriculum. Participants lived in central London at Florida State University’s Study Centre. Both professors have spent significant time in London, and are uniquely qualified to help OU’s students appreciate the history and importance of this global city. Many of the students traveled with the professors for an excursion to Bath and saw the Roman sites. These students also had the chance for wider travel during an open three-day weekend in the middle of the program. Pub quizzes and evenings playing darts filled some of the free time, and several students were earlymorning joggers with Burge. The group consisted of 16 economics majors in Arts and Sciences, two Price College of Business students majoring in finance and economics and one undeclared major. Minors ranged from middle eastern studies to entrepreneurship. If all goes according to plan, the program will continue each year, alternating the teaching load between pairs of OU economics faculty. c
Group in front of the Florida State facility.
College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences
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he School of Meteorology continues to be actively involved in semester exchange programs with Monash University in Melbourne, Australia; the University of Reading in England; and the University of Hamburg in Germany. A total of 13 students from these partner universities studied at OU during the 20162017 academic year, while three OU students spent a semester at Monash University and four students at the University of Reading. Other highlights of the school’s international activities included the 2016 OU and Nanjing University Joint Symposium on Weather and Climate Research, held Aug. 14-17, 2017, in Nanjing, China. The symposium was attended by 11 OU faculty members from the School of Meteorology, five research scientists from OU’s National
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The 2016 OU and Nanjing University Joint Symposium on Weather and Climate Research.
Weather Center and two OU graduate students. During summer 2017, School of Meteorology Professor Dr. Petra Klein participated in a unique international research project, the Perdigão project, which took place in Portugal’s Vale Do Cobrão near the Spanish border. The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, involves more than 50 atmospheric scientists from the United States and
Europe who study weather patterns in variable terrain. In addition to Dr. Klein, OU’s Perdigão team included three graduate students and one staff person. The data sets collected will be used to improve weather forecasting and wind resource assessments. Five students from the department also participated in study abroad programs, including those at OU in Arezzo
and OU in Puebla Study Centers. Additionally, Professor Laurel Smith from the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability was selected to be the Faculty in Residence at OU in Puebla for academic year 2017-2018. Smith’s courses focus on the environment and society, coupled with regional geographies of indigenous media. c
College of Law
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ver spring break 2017, the OU College of Law’s Human Rights Practicum class attended RightsCon, the leading international conference on the internet and human rights. The conference took place in Brussels, Belgium, and focused on counter violent extremism (CVE), a topic the class studied throughout the spring semester. As part of the class’s Diplomacy Lab project, students worked to understand measures that 11 European countries and the EU adopted to address CVE. The class determined whether such measures violate international and regional human rights treaties, also determining their level of effectiveness.
RightsCon welcomed 1,500 participants from over 100 countries, including government officials from the US Department of State and the European Union, representatives from information and communication technology companies (such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Yahoo!), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, online dissidents from various countries, technology specialists and academics. Prior to the conference, practicum students not only toured the headquarters for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Brussels, where they engaged in a
roundtable discussion with the top NATO lawyer and members of his staff about a variety of international law matters, but also visited the European Parliament and heard human rights remarks by various Parliament members, NGOs and a former US Ambassador to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. “We very much appreciated the opportunity the College of Law gave us to participate in a conference that was the epicenter of the global CVE conversation and to interact with experts from around the world on our research project,” said OU Professor Evelyn Aswad. c
OU Law practicum students at NATO Headquarters.
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Pat Tillman Award-winner Completing Final Semester of OU MAIR
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fter working for the United States Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, Ashley La Rue knew she wanted a career advocating for human rights. Today, her work involves delivering newborn care packages to refugee families at emergency shelters in Vienna, Austria. In the next five years, La Rue wants to start a nongovernmental organization to expand advocacy for the rights of women and children across the world, beginning with partnerships in Senegal to end the practice of children begging in schools. La Rue also is a military spouse: her husband has 17 years of service in the US Army, and she could not be prouder of him. “I have been inspired by his love and service to a cause greater than himself and aspired to follow in his footsteps.” To aid her progress, she is enrolled in her final semester of OU’s Master of Arts in International Relations program, housed within the College of International Studies. It began as a degree for military personnel stationed around the world, but is now open to all students and offered at nine European sites as well as five US sites. La Rue believes the flexibility of classes offered and the variety of subjects, along with the professors who teach, make this degree an important foundation for any international affairs career. “I find the online forum educational and engaging,” La Rue said. “I’ve enjoyed being able to interact with my classmates and appreciate the breadth of knowledge and experience they are able to bring to the discussion.” She is well on her way to making her dreams a reality, and others are taking notice: she was named a 2016 Pat Tillman
Ashley La Rue Scholar for International Studies. The Pat Tillman Foundation honors activeduty service members, veterans and military spouses with scholarships to cover educational expenses. Selection is based on educational and career ambitions, record of military service or community impact as a military spouse, demonstration of service, pursuit of personal achievement and making a positive difference in one’s town or city. Once awarded, scholars must attend a leadership summit in Chicago, maintain full-time student
status with high academic standing and showcase high moral character and leadership. “Throughout my husband’s military service, I have been deeply involved in serving our communities, both by mentoring fellow spouses and volunteering,” said La Rue. “In addition to my husband’s service, the service of my fellow Tillman Scholars, both spouses and veterans, continues to be a constant inspiration fueling my desire to go forward and make my
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi 29 Compass
College of Professional and Continuing Studies
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he newly named College of Professional and Continuing Studies held a recognition ceremony on June 3 to honor 167 students graduating with master’s degrees in International Relations, Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum and Human Relations. The ceremony took place in Kaiserslautern, Germany, at the Vogelweh Post Complex. Speakers included OU Graduate College Dean Randy Hewes, Garrison Cmdr. Col. Keith Igyarto and Ramstein Air Force Base Mission Support Group Cmdr. Col. Curtis Juell. Eli Smith from the Armed Forces Network Radio served as the Master of Ceremonies. Advanced Programs facilitates OU degree course offerings on 13 military bases across Germany, Belgium, Spain, England and Italy. The program has served thousands of students since its inception in 1964. c
OU Advanced Programs site directors and staff in Europe.
Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College
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ow in its 20th year, Honors at Oxford is the premier study abroad experience administered by the Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College. Prior to convening in Oxford, England, students take an intensive three-week course in Norman during June. Afterwards, the program meets at Oxford’s Brasenose College from July 2-22. Brasenose, one of the 38 constituent colleges that make up Oxford University, was officially founded in 1509, and features two quads, a chapel, a pub and a stunning view of the Radcliffe Camera — a glorious domed building that is at the heart of Oxford’s Bodleian library system. Alumni of Brasenose include former Prime Minister David Cameron, author William Golding and Monty Python’s Michael Palin. Honors at Oxford students spend three weeks steeped in the traditions of this ancient college.
explore England while simultaneously maintaining the rigor of OU’s Honors classes. During the weekends, many students opted to travel to Paris, Dublin, Edinburgh and Amsterdam. Nearer to the Oxford campus, students visited London, Bath, Cornwall and the Cotswolds. c Honors at Oxford students dine at High Table.
While abroad, students meet with both OU faculty and Oxford University professors each week. The courses offered cover a wide range of interests, including the works of C.S. Lewis and Evelyn Waugh, the history of aesthetics in England, World War I and the suppression of literary works such as Lady Chatterley’s Lover. All four course options give students ample opportunity to
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the world.” c Gallogly College mark ofonEngineering
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n May 2016, the Gallogly College of Engineering launched a new program at the OU International Study Center in Puebla, Mexico. Nine students attended the May 2017 intersession for the inaugural course in Engineering Professional Development. The partnership with Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) in Puebla is outstanding, and offers many opportunities for future collaborations with OU. The Engineering Professional Development course is designed to enhance, through practice, the
student’s appreciation for the topics of leadership, presentation skills, ethics, project control, research skills and entrepreneurship. Real-world experience is invaluable for teaching these skills, especially in a global economy.
Nacional de Metrología, the Mexican equivalent of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Cultural visits across the city included touring the National Museum of Anthropology, the Chapultepec Castle and the Teotihuacan Pyramids.
The trip began in Mexico City, where students learned about intellectual property with a visit to the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial, the Mexican equivalent of the US Patent and Trademark Office. They also learned about scientific principles and standards by visiting the Centro
The group then moved on to Puebla to explore manufacturing environments in a variety of industries: automotive electronic subassemblies being built at Fujikura, a production assembly line at Volkswagen, an entrepreneurial example in seamless garment production at SGSolutions and a Talavera pottery manufacturer at Uriarte. The students demonstrated their artistic talents while painting a Talavera tile, then firing it and returning home with it as a souvenir of their time in Mexico.
Students touring the Teotihuacan Pyramids.
Classroom activities and assignments for the course were scheduled to coincide with appropriate site visits, adding discussions with industry representatives to enrich the experience and provide practical exposure. However, the program wasn’t all about study and work. In their free time, students explored the picturesque city of Puebla and enjoyed many of its fabulous gastronomic options. c
Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
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he Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication led its first summer session at OU’s Study Center in Arezzo, Italy, in 2017. Professors Ralph Beliveau and Debbie Yount taught 11 Gaylord students in two classes. Gaylord students and faculty in Arezzo took Casa Museo Ivan Bruschi as their client for both classes, Documentary Production and Direction and Gaylord 360: Storytelling Without Walls, creating a 10-minute documentary on the museum and a fully integrated communications plan. Building on the concept of Ivan Bruschi “living a life well collected” and the importance of stories in each
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of the museum’s collections, the courses culminated with students’ final project presentations to museum leadership. The summer session at the beautiful monastery campus and annex provided first-class, once-in-a-lifetime experiential learning opportunities abroad for Gaylord students. Gaylord College also hosted Michael Yao Wodui Serwornoo, an emerging African media scholar and doctoral candidate at the Ruhr Valley of Germany. Serwernoo presented a talk to Gaylord faculty and students in May on the opportunities and challenges facing African media, the Africa Rising discourse and media
Gaylord students and street art guide Giorgio Silvestrelli by one of the great mural walls.
coverage of the African continent by Western media. His visit came after meeting Gaylord faculty member Dr. Peter Gade and doctoral student Emmanuel Nduka at a conference on African news media development and sustainability in Neuchatel, Switzerland, in November 2015. The college’s faculty also presented across the world, including Dr. Katerina Tsetsura, who spoke at the PR Summit in Armenia. Additionally, Dr. Meta G. Carstarphen and Gaylord instructor Jocelyn Pedersen again took a class to Puerto Rico in January to examine tourism writing and writing across cultures. Gaylord faculty and students presented to the State Department during summer 2017 as part of the Diplomacy Lab project, along with Gaylord students traveling with Believeau to the United Kingdom in May for the British Media program. c
Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education
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rom June 5-30, five undergraduate students added an adventure of a lifetime to their college experience: The Northern Uganda Collaborative Learning Program. These students, from different backgrounds and disciplines, came together to help further the mission of developing educational curriculum and learning programs for women and children in northern Uganda affected by military conflict. Dr. Sara Ann (Sally) Beach, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Literacy Education and Grant Family Presidential Professor, worked with Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe, Director of the Saint Monica Girls’ Tailoring Centre in Gulu, Uganda, to help teachers develop and expand curriculum, and assess the level of knowledge of the women and children who enter their doors. This includes but is not limited to providing textbooks, school supplies, learning materials such as flashcards and any other resource that can be brought to the school. The OU Education team in Gulu consists of post-graduate, graduate and undergraduate students. Although all members of the team experience different aspects of the program, the graduate team focuses more on curriculum and assessment, while the undergraduate team works more in the classroom teaching and interacting with students. A highlight, and one the students felt was most rewarding,
was visiting St. Mary’s Redeemer Primary School in Adjumani. St. Mary’s, a convent for the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, operates a boarding school and working farm, like that of St. Monica’s. Using limited resources and only one classroom, OU students had the chance to work one-on-one with 75 to 100 children who were eager to learn –– and OU students learned a great deal from them as well. c
Megan A. Krohmer, senior Elementary Education major, writing books with some local women. This is a new project where students help displaced women write books about their life experiences.
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The Virtues of Study Abroad by Jackynicole “Stephanie” Eyocko [Engagement]
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made the mistake of taking the direct flight from Dallas to Shanghai. This flight consisted of babies crying for 14 hours straight, documentaries on Chinese opera and sleep — lots of it. While sleeping, I dreamt I was going to walk out of Pudong International Airport and it was going to smell like freedom and the journey of a lifetime, like you see in Hollywood movies. Instead, outside the airport reeked of burning gasoline and sticky tofu, which is an unpleasant combination. My cab driver, who I had hired a few weeks prior, showed up 20 minutes late and waited until I put my own bags in the taxi. I was not in Oklahoma anymore — no Southern hospitality. The university I attended was in Baoshan, at least a 45-minute
drive from the airport. Talk about an expensive cab ride. The first sentence my driver said to me was: “Obama, Yes We Can!” I chuckled and immediately knew I was in for the journey of a lifetime. Apart from moving to the United States at the tender age of eight, this was my first trip abroad without any family. I was alone, and the very first days of being in Shanghai were the most difficult. It turns out the Chinese public was obsessed with my skin and hair, and sometimes I would stay in my dorm room to avoid direct contact. Obviously, this was not the best idea, especially because I am an extrovert by birth. I took all the negative
thoughts and self-consciousness and engaged the only way I knew how: through dance. It all began when one of the international student advisers from the university approached me and asked if I had any interest in leading a dance for an upcoming showcase. I immediately responded yes! The next few days consisted of choreographing a show with one of my newly found friends, Vee, who hailed from South Africa. From there, we began to round up people from all over. Our dance team consisted of boys and girls from China, Uzbekistan, Madagascar, South Africa, Panama, Ireland, Russia, Congo, Kazakhstan and Peru. During this process, I realized once again
“To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful.” -Jackynicole “Stephanie” Eyocko.
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The mothers, aunts and sisters I never knew I had.
that the Chinese members of the group were infatuated with American culture and particularly interested in African American culture. Some were puzzled at the very idea that black people came from America, while others already had an idea of what blackness represents. I took this moment as a learning experience, and an opportunity to positively influence their opinion on the plight of the black body. I was able to accomplish this through dance — by showing that we are truly only human. Next, I had an opportunity to teach an Afro-Zumba dance class to the older ladies in the neighborhood. The only problem was that they were not fully aware that a black woman was going to teach the class. On our first interaction, they glared at me with such disgust and then proceeded to the dance studio owner to express their frustration. He told them to give me a chance, and they did. We went back to the dance room, where we talked, laughed and danced. They confessed, much to my surprise, that
I was the first black person they had ever met. These women from a small town within the confines of Shanghai had no prior contact with persons of African origin; they did not know who we were and they did not know who I was. As time went on, more Chinese women attended my Monday and Wednesday night Zumba classes. They engaged more. One day, Xinhua News published an article about police brutality in America, and after class, one of the ladies approached me with the article in hand. She asked if I would join her and her family for dinner the following week. I gladly accepted. While at dinner, her older sister began to pose questions about police brutality in America and about black lives. I was not sure if I should open that can of worms at dinner, but I thought, when else would a black woman like me ever have the chance to discuss black lives with Chinese people? I went ahead and continued with the discussion. We talked for hours about Chinese traditions, I introduced them
to the greatness that is Beyoncé and we ended with an emotional conversation about the unfortunate treatment of black people in their country. These individuals were the sincerest people I met in China. During my time abroad, because of my skin color, I was faced with many challenges. Often I was ready to just pack up my bags and go back to a place with which I was familiar — a space where I felt accepted. These people at dinner, however, reminded me what humanity looked like. Studying in China, you are exposed to good food, bad air and questionable looks. But most importantly, you get an opportunity to change perspectives and even alter your own preconceived notions. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that everything is fluid — minds, thoughts and actions — but engagement is solid. I had the unique opportunity to represent not only my university and my country, but myself, as a black woman. c
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Department of International and Area Studies
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he Department of International and Area Studies (IAS) enjoyed a successful academic year of global affairs teaching, programming and faculty research. IAS completed a comprehensive, 18-month-long undergraduate curriculum review during fall 2016, designed to give its majors and minors even broader choices, including new majors in Global Environment, Energy and Resources and International Development. The department has enriched writing, research and analytical components across all majors, and this past spring also completed a process of revising the MA program in International Studies with an emphasis on deepening student skills in teamwork, policy analysis and global problem solving. The Department of International and Area Studies sponsored a total of 93 extracurricular events for the fall and spring semesters, with just over 5,000 members of the campus community and the public attending. The varied events reached across the globe and across a wide range of timely themes, including a discussion of writing in Portuguese from Brazil; a presentation on the conflict in Yemen; a roundtable discussion on making development aid more effective in Africa; a film screening and discussion of Amreeka, sponsored by the Student Advisory Council; and a faculty panel on the
European refugee crisis. In spring 2017, IAS hosted the 31st Annual Symposium on Arabic Linguistics, and our annual symposium focused on “Food and Water Activism in Global Asia.” The Max and Heidi Berry Chair Lecture addressed the rise of radical right populist political parties in Europe. Russian and East European Studies hosted speakers on women in revolutionary Russia and on contemporary Ukraine. The Iranian Studies program presented talks on US-Iranian relations and on Cyrus the Great, and the European Union Center organized a conversation with
IAS welcomed a new faculty member in Arabic linguistics and US-Arab cultural politics in fall 2016. Faculty members in Brazilian Studies, Political Development and African Politics, as well as Persian Language and Literature, joined IAS in fall 2017. These additions to the faculty enable the department to provide students with a global perspective spanning language, culture, history, politics and economics. c
Department of International and Area Studies staff: Katie Watkins, Eric Heinze, Stephanie Sager, Malin Collins, Rhonda Hill and Mitchell Smith.
The 2017 IAS symposium, “Food and Water Activism in Global Asia.”
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France’s Consul General to the United States on the French presidential election.
2016-2017 IAS Courses
Europe’s Path to Peace | Global France Community Action and Art Activism, Art & Leadership Journey to Italy | Mediterranean Tragedy Perspectives on Italian Food Ways Field Studies in Italy | Fascism & Neo-Fascism Race & Immigration in Europe Roman Empire: Images of Power European Union | Italy through Film Politics of the European Union European/American: Transatlantic History Italy 2.0 & Travel Writing
Journey to China Field Studies in China Intro to Asian Philosophy Rural Life in Modern China Chinese Philosophy State & Society in Pakistan Early Chinese Philosophy Political Economy of China Energy, Environment & Climate Change in China Chinese Foreign Policy
Journey to Africa Field Studies in Africa Africa in Context
Middle East through Film International Relations in the Middle East Middle East Since World War I Modern Iran: 1500-Present Nationalism & the Middle East Arab-Israeli Conflict US-Arab Cultural Encounters Youth Culture in Contemporary Iran Iranian Society through Cinema Modern Turkey Women & Gender in the Middle East Middle East Since World War I
International Law | Global Economic Turbulence Global Social Turbulence | Model UN Understanding the Global Community Governments Around the World Energy, Climate & Security | Diplomacy Lab Small Wars/Low Intensity Conflict Global Security | Politics of Global Governance International Activism | Religions & Globalization Political Economy of Development Ethics and International Affairs Global Political Economy | Global Affairs Practicum Global Political Turbulence | Resource Security Global History | Nations & Nationalism Field Seminar in International Studies Global Security | Military, State & Society Violence & Culture in the Developing World Global Economic Relations | World Happiness National Security Policy | Practice of Diplomacy Is Fascism Foreign? | International Terrorism Theory and Practice of International Politics Culture, Power, Global Environment
Olympic Legacy – Winners/Losers Mexican Cuisine & Culture Journey to Latin America Field Studies in Latin America People & Cultures of Brazil Lessons from Brazil Latin American International Relations Inequality & Activism Latin America in the Age of the Cuban Revolution International Relations of Latin America Modern Brazil Intellectuals and Artists in Modern Latin America Cuban Culture & Politics
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IAS Students New Majors
International Development Global Environment, Energy, and Resources
New Minors
International Development Iranian Studies Global Environment, Energy, and Resources
New Courses
IAS 3383 UN & World Politics IAS 3393 Iranian Society through Cinema IAS 3783 US-Arab Cultural Encounters
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491
17
14
2
51
816
MAIS
BA/MA
JD/MAIS
MAGA
MAIR
BA
Undergraduate Majors and Minors
Number of IAS Students
IAS Faculty Spotlight
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he Department of International and Area Studies welcomes four new faculty additions for fall 2017: Drs. Alexander Jabbari, Natalie Letsa, Fabio De Sa e Silva and Michelle Morais De Sa e Silva.
in 2009 and her doctoral degree in Government from Cornell University in 2017.
Jabbari is the Farzaneh Family Assistant Professor of Persian Language and Literature. His research addresses historical interaction between Persian and other literatures, as well as literary history and modernity in Persian. Currently, he is working on a monograph about the emergence of modern literary historiography in Persian and Urdu. He earned his doctorate in Comparative Literature with a designated emphasis in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Irvine, and his Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Prior to joining OU, Jabbari taught at the Université Paris Nanterre, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of California, Irvine and the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Fabio de Sa e Silva is the Wick Cary Professor of Brazilian Studies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of São Paulo, a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Brasilia and a doctoral degree in Law, Policy and Society from Northeastern University. He studies the social organization and the political impact of law and justice in Brazil and the world. De Sa e Silva has over 15 years of experience in research and policy making on law and justice issues in Brazil. He also served at the Ministry of Justice and the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA) and has consulted for international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI).
Letsa is the Wick Cary Assistant Professor of Political Economy. Her work focuses on public opinion and political behavior in authoritarian regimes, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. She also is interested in macro-issues of regime stability and legitimization in non-democratic and transitioning regimes, and her classes focus on the political economy of development, African politics and authoritarianism. Her current book project, The Autocratic Voter: Understanding Partisanship and Electoral Behavior under Authoritarianism, investigates why people choose to vote in noncompetitive elections. In preparation for this, she spent 2014-2015 in Cameroon conducting an original national public opinion survey exploring how and why people choose to engage in elections that never result in electoral turnover. Letsa received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Reed College
Michelle Morais de Sa e Silva also joined the department as a Lecturer. Prior to coming to OU, she was the Head of Graduate Programs and Professor at Brazil’s National School of Public Administration (ENAP). Also from 2011-2014, she was the Coordinator General for International Cooperation at Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights (2011-2014), and before that she was a UNESCO staff member. Along with Brazil, she has worked in Angola, Colombia, Mozambique and Russia. Dr. Morais holds a doctorate from Columbia University and a Master of Arts in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, The Netherlands. In 2015, she did a year of post-doctoral research at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Her research has been mostly focused on issues of international cooperation for development, policy diffusion and international comparative education. c
Alexander Jabbari
Natalie Letsa
Fabio De Sa e Silva
Michelle Morais De Sa e Silva
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Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy
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or the seventh consecutive year, the study abroad program at the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy (MCEE) sent 30 students to Spain, Bolivia and Romania. Twelve Petroleum Engineering students traveled to Spain May 15-31 to participate in a partnership with the Polytechnic University of Madrid. The faculty leading the course was Dr. Deepak Devegowda, OU MCEE Associate Professor and Graduate Liaison, who taught a course entitled Shale Oil and Gas Reservoir Engineering. During the first week, students visited the main sites in Madrid and some of the surrounding cities, such as Toledo, Segovia, Avila and Alcala de Henares, to learn about local culture, food and art. This course also welcomed 23 local students from the Polytechnic University in Madrid, plus seven professionals from Refinería de Petróleo Sociedad Limitada and Compañía Española de
Petróleos Sociedad Anónima. The Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy provided a $1,000 scholarship
to each Petroleum Engineering student who studied abroad in 20162017. c
Petroleum Engineering students at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain.
Michael F. Price College of Business
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he Price College of Business Marketing and Supply Chain Management department offered a new semester abroad program in Arezzo, Italy, during spring 2017. The primary objective was to offer marketing and supply chain students the experience of living, studying and
working in a foreign country. Professor Ronal Davidson taught the first half of the semester and Professor Krish Muralidhar taught the second half. Ten students were enrolled — seven marketing majors and three supply chain majors.
College of Business group visit to the Rome Colosseum.
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The department offered a full course load of 15 credit hours that marketing and supply chain majors normally take during the second semester of their junior year, including an upperdivision class in Italian culture. Another requirement was participation in an internship with an Italian company in Arezzo, and students were assigned to work 10 hours per week at one of five different companies based on their personal preferences. Three credit hours were awarded for satisfactory completion. Everyone successfully completed the requirements, while also embarking on visits to Rome, Florence, Poppi and the Ferrari Factory and Museum in Modena and Maranello, among many others. Just as Italy left a lasting impression on these young scholars, they left a positive impression with the internship organizations. As they say in Italy, tutti vincono — everybody wins! c
Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts
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ixteen students from the University of Oklahoma’s School of the Visual Arts spent July 2017 taking classes in both Art and Design in Italy at the OUA campus. The month included visits to Rome, Florence, Siena and Stia. As part of their studies, each student produced a photographic series focusing on a unique visual or cultural experience they had while in Arezzo. They also explored the Italian experience through a variety of drawing exercises.
Drama students and Professor Shaughnessy in Venice.
Shakespeare in Italy was the focus for the School of Drama in late spring, a course developed by Professor Susan Shaughnessy. The course explored Italian culture and society using selected Shakespearean plays set in Italy. Incorporating Italo Calvino’s Six Memos for the Next Millennium, students investigated themes, traditions and symbols in the plays through reading, class discussion and travel. The group traveled to six major cities, visiting the Vatican and the Colosseum in Rome; the Castle in Poppi; the Accademia, the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence; the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza and San Marco; and the Scrovegni Chapel and La Fenice Opera House in Venice. Students also were treated to a pasta-making class and a visit to a local vineyard. Immersed in Italian culture and society, students broadened their knowledge of Shakespearean text in the Italian context. Their understanding was greatly enriched in the physical and visual presence of the extraordinary treasure that is Italy. c
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“A Venetian Moment,” by Giovanni Tolentino. Venice, Italy.
Getting Lost Revealed Clear Pathway
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thirst for knowledge. A strong interest in international relations. An inner drive to make a difference in the world. These are just a few ways to describe this woman on a mission. With three degrees already in hand — bachelor’s degrees in International Security Studies, Chinese AND History — 2016 OU graduate Kiersten Strachan thought to herself, why not add a Master of Public Administration degree with an emphasis in International Security Policy from Columbia University? A Charles B. Rangel Fellow with the United States Department of State, she previously served as a Foreign Affairs Fellow for the US House of Representatives and a Foreign Service Intern with the US Department of State’s Office of Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of East Asia and the Pacific. In her second year of grad school, Kiersten’s sights are set on her dream job of working as a diplomat. Every move she makes is vigilantly calculated, drawing her closer to the finish line. We spoke with Strachan about her undergraduate experience at OU and life at Columbia, and she filled us in on all the details — plus provided great insight to current OU students who might want to follow in her footsteps.
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1. Tell us about why you chose International and Area Studies as your undergrad major. International and Area Studies was always a subject I had a lot of difficulty with, to be honest. Whereas the study of history (my original major) always came very naturally, understanding what motivated actors and the theories governing state interaction was not easy for me to understand. However, when it became clear I wanted to work in government affairs, I knew I needed more training and decided to add International Security Studies as an extra degree. Paired with my Chinese and History degrees, I felt confident I would have the analytical tools to succeed in my desired line of work and be able to face the job market confidently. 2. What interested you most about getting involved with the Department of State? My desire to work for the State Department was the product of a specific experience during an OU Journey to China, when I actually got lost. I had not started studying Chinese and ended up in the back of a market in the middle of China’s fifth-largest city. I rushed to an elderly woman and attempted to calmly ask for help. Instead, I franticly blurted out that I was lost and essentially started
to cry. She smiled and took my hand. Within seconds, a dozen people had stopped their activities to assist me and take me back to the center of the market. Looking back, I feel so grateful for the unwarranted kindness of these people that I decided I wanted to do the same professionally for as long as possible. Foreign Service Officers (the diplomats who staff embassies and carry out the President’s foreign policy agenda) are sometimes the first and only Americans that a foreigner will meet. I know that I will always have a special place in my heart for Chinese people because of what happened in that market. As a diplomat I will always advocate for cooperation between the United States and China, and reflect the same warmth and kindness I was shown to the foreign nationals I meet in my profession. 3. You earned many great internships and fellowships with the Department of State. How have they helped your journey to grad school?
5. What are your plans for your future and what is the job you are working toward? Right now I am very happy to have the job I do. Very often I remark to people that I have my dream job, and they say, ‘Really?’ And my answer is ‘Yes! Really!’ Once I finish my master’s degree I will be placed in language training or, if it is a Chinese-speaking post, I will go directly abroad. I owe the State Department at least five years of service for the money they have spent on my education. Hopefully, I will spend a long time with them! 6. What advice can you give other students interested in International Studies, and more specifically diplomacy? Go visit OU’s Diplomat in Residence! This person can help put students on the right track, assist with applications and be a continuous source of support and encouragement. They are a wonderful source of advice and inspiration.
I was fortunate enough to be part of two programs with the State Department — the US Foreign Service Internship Program (USFSIP) and the Rangel Fellowship. Both are paid programs that attempt to diversify the foreign service by attracting unique applicants to the State Department.
If you want to be a Foreign Service Officer, it will happen! You may have to take the FSO test three, four or 17 times — but if you want it, be persistent!
The USFSIP was a two-summer-long program that entailed a first summer at the State Department in Washington, DC, followed by an internship at a US embassy abroad. The first summer, I served in the Office of Public Diplomacy in the Bureau of East Asia and the Pacific, and it was amazing. Public Diplomacy is essentially a public relations office, so I got to help organize conferences and work on programs that attempted to bolster America’s image abroad with our Southeast Asian partners. I would have completed the second portion of this program, but I was fortunate enough to receive another fellowship that took precedence because it gave me a job.
In this job market I think it is important to emphasize the message of persistence. People will tell you that you are not good enough or not qualified enough, but that should have no impact on whether or not you attempt to pursue what you want. After I was told I received the Rangel Fellowship, I thought [it was over] because I actually had not applied to any graduate schools and did not think I was good enough to get the fellowship! I started calling graduate schools, asking would they mind if I applied — two months after the deadline. The Director of Administration at Georgetown literally said to me, ‘I do not care who you are or what fellowship you have, any school willing to accept you now is not worth going to.’
The Rangel Fellowship is a job contract with the State Department in which you become a Foreign Service Officer (a diplomat) over the course of completing a master’s degree. The master’s degree is paid for by the State Department, but you choose what school you want to attend. For the first summer of this program (2016) I worked in Congress as a Congressional Affairs liaison. Summer of 2017 I was in Burma for three months working at the US Embassy in Yangon. 4. Now at Columbia University, what exactly is involved with your master’s? I am studying conflict resolution! Officially, I am getting a Master of Public Administration concentrating in International Security Policy, specializing in Conflict Resolution. Basically this means I am addicted to the news and read a lot of UN reports.
7. Any additional info you would like to share?
The next day I was almost embarrassed to call Columbia, but they asked me to submit my application as quickly as possible. Thanks to an amazing and supportive set of Professors at OU — who scrambled to turn in recommendation letters for me — I now attend Columbia on a full ride. c The US Department of State assigns Senior Foreign Service Officers as Diplomats in Residence (DIR) at select colleges and universities throughout the United States. The DIR program helps recruit the best and brightest to represent America to the world. At the University of Oklahoma, the DIR is available to meet with students interested in working in the foreign service field. From test preparation each semester to finding the perfect internship, the Diplomat in Residence is a vital resource for students.
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“Choose Joy,” by Megan Spalten. Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy.
The College of International Studies thanks all members of its Board of Visitors for their continued assistance, generosity and counsel in support of the internationalization of the university. The Honorable M. Susan Savage Chair Max Berry Stephen Chazen Nadia Comaneci Bart Conner Rebecca Cooper Lee Cullum Steve Dolman Tricia Everest Jalal Farzaneh Mohammad Farzaneh D. Cole Frates Dr. Sam T. Hamra Rashid Iqbal Ambassador James R. Jones Lou Kerr Harold Newman R. Marc Nuttle Susan Peterson W. DeVier Pierson H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt Professor Rodger Randle Erielle Reshef John Richels Robert Ross Mary Sherman The Honorable Kathy Taylor Reggie Whitten
Young Alumni Board Nick Aguilera Lester Asamoah Matt Bebb Holly Berrigan Higuera Hunter Brunwald Alex Byron Rachele Clegg Andrew Crain Stephanie Eyocko Caleb Gayle Misheala Giddings Priscilla Gomes Kaitie Holland Blessing Ikpa Jeremy Isenberg Zekiel Johnson Tara Jordan
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Cara McGrath Allison Mee Dana Mohammad-Zadeh Daniel Moses Derek Nguyen Tyler Nunley Corie O’Rourke Anna Przebinda Robin Rainey Bryce Rowland Mackenzie Sammis Anna Searcey Anne Sutherland Symphonie Swift Alexis Taitel Elizabeth Vernon John Zubialde
“The Land of the Ice and Snow,” by David Mitchell. Reykjavik, Iceland.
“Infinity,” by Bianca Alvarenga Rambo Galletti. Grand Canyon.
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“Relaxing in Paradise,” by Chelsea Jackson. Capri, Italy.