Objective #3

Increase the Cross-Cultural Competence of IWU Faculty

IWU Faculty attended a series of workshops on how to introduce global perspectives and intercultural competence in their courses, as well as had an opportunity to apply for small grants and integrate this knowledge into pre-professional courses. These workshops focused on building sustainable short-term, faculty-led study abroad experiences and increased the cross-cultural competence of faculty.

Workshop Series: "Building & Leading Faculty-Led, Short-Term, Study Abroad Courses"

Presenters: Carmela Ferradáns (Professor of Spanish, IWU); Given Harper (Chair & Professor of Biology, IWU); William Munro (Professor of Political Science, IWU); Rachael Ulrich [Assistant Director, College Relations, IES (Study Abroad Provider]; Amy Coles (Dean of Curriculuar & Faculty Development, IWU); & Sarah Van Alebeek (Director of the International Office, IWU)

When: 2023-2026

Where: Vinyard Room, Memorial Center, IWU

Description: Presenters hosted a series of workshops over the years to help Faculty to build and lead their travel courses effectively. Faculty interested in developing new or revised short-term study abroad experiences attended this workshop to: (1) get acquainted with the parameters of the UISFL grant; (2) explore different models of short-term study abroad experiences supported by the UISFL grant; (3) pair up with other faculty interested in developing study abroad opportunities for our students; (4) discuss global engagement as an experiential learning practice; (5) learn tips on how to write effective student learning goals and outcomes for your travel courses and modules; & (6) discuss opportunities and questions for related curriculum development grants.

Individual Workshops:

Rationale & Strategies for Incorporating Intercultural Competence into Language Courses

Presenter: Gabriel (Gabi) Guillén, PhD, Associate Professor of Language Studies at Middlebury Institute of International Studies

When: November 16, 2023

Where: Hansen Student Center, IWU

Workshop Description: The field of language teaching is at a pivotal moment, dealing with declining enrollments and misconceptions about how artificial intellegence could reshape the profession. In response, this talk advocated for the genuine integration of Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) into the language classroom. Drawing from current research, the presentation offered examples of courses and activities to reignite student engagement.

Organization for Community Health Outreach (OCHO) in Honduras

Presenter: Dr. Sáenz de Tejada

When: September 23, 2024

Where: SFH 102, IWU

Description: Dr. Sáenz de Tejada gave a presentation on the collaborative healthcare outreach efforts in Honduras. Sáenz de Tejada has been traveling to Honduras for over 20 years with the Organization for Community Health Outreach (OCHO). Visitors heard about Sáenz de Tejada’s successes and challenges in the field, and how OCHO is working to build collaborative, culturally inclusive and sustainable healthcare partnerships in rural communities of Honduras.

Lesser-Taught Language & Culture Series: The Linguistic Landscape of Aotearoa | New Zealand & Māori Language

Presenter: Dr. Leona Harris

When: February 19, 2025

Where: ART 215, IWU

Description: Students and Faculty joined Dr. Leona Harris for an interactive session exploring the linguistic landscape of Aotearoa (New Zealand), focusing on te reo Māori (Māori language) and its cultural and historical significance. As a 6th-generation Pākehā (European New Zealander), Leona acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua (people of the land) and te reo Māori as the indigenous language.

This session highlighted Māori-led efforts to revitalise and normalise te reo Māori, encouraging its everyday use and appreciation. It explored Aotearoa’s history, including Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi), its ongoing significance, and its impact on Māori language and culture.
Participants engaged with the Māori worldview through the creation story, practice te reo Māori pronunciation, and developed their own pepeha (personal introduction). They also were invited to reflect on their own linguistic landscapes, consider how connecting with their histories and environment can inform the present, and explore ways language and culture can guide us toward a more inclusive, diverse, and shared future.