College Connection: TVCC committed to global awareness
By Dr. Jim Sorensen
Monday, March 9, 2009 10:56 AM PDT
If you’ve had a chance to see our Web site, you’ll notice that our vision statement may seem a little bold for a rural community college. Our statement reads: “TVCC will be an excellence driven institution with a global perspective that continues to offer quality programs as an evolving model rural comprehensive college.”
How do we insure a global perspective when we’re located in a rural Oregon? And why is that important?
A global perspective is much more than an understanding of worldwide business and international career opportunities.
Developing a global perspective involves taking a broader, more critical view of experience, knowledge and learning and includes seeking to understand the links between our own lives and those of people throughout the world.
To adopt a global perspective, we need to enhance our understanding of the social, political and environmental forces that shape our existence. We believe this is critical to learning and to a well-rounded college education.
One of the ways we are doing this is by increasing the diversity of courses we offer at TVCC and by supporting continuing education opportunities for our students and our faculty.
In January, we funded a small part of the costs needed for one of our faculty members, Dr. Marie Strunk, to travel to the Galapagos Islands to study the habitat and species that live in that part of the world. Recently, Dr. Strunk gave a presentation to more than 100 students about her trip, and I have no doubt that her experiences will enrich her teaching long after this one presentation. These are the kinds of learning opportunities that bring real-world experience and global awareness to your local community college.
In February, TVCC organized a second trip to the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles for Oregon community college faculty, staff and college presidents. More than 30 participants attended this training on cultural diversity and tolerance, and we are proud to have secured the statewide funds for the grant that funded this important training.
Another way we provide global perspective is by providing opportunities for our students and faculty to travel and study abroad. Last year, TVCC students traveled to China to learn about international business. This spring another group of students, led by TVCC business faculty member Kent Banner, will travel to Europe to learn about finances and global economies. I want to thank all of the businesses and sponsors who have helped this group of students fund-raise for this trip, especially the local Lions Club for its generous donation. This investment will pay dividends as we help students learn to consider their roles in global economy and a worldwide community.
Equally as important as providing opportunities for students and faculty, TVCC is committed to helping our community to take part in global awareness. Phi Theta Kappa, our honors student organization, and TVCC’s Nursing Department are hosting one event we’re especially proud of on Saturday. From 10 a.m. to noon, representatives from charitable organizations will present information about how you can get involved in humanitarian efforts throughout the world.
Panel participants include:
— Dr. Jan Dahlin, retired local orthopedist who has worked in Niger, Liberia and Guatemala, with Medical Teams International, formerly Northwest Medical Teams;
— Julie Krause, a nurse who has made several medical trips to Mali, Africa, and is establishing a non-profit organization, Mali HEART;
— Michelle Miles, a physician’s assistant who has worked in Kenya on six different occasions and teaches at Idaho State University;
— Jody Stark, a nurse practitioner in Ontario who has done clinic work with her husband and daughter in Central America.
After the inspirational panel discussion, participants will have the opportunity to assemble medical care kits, for some hands-on community service experience. Community members are encouraged to attend. If your youth or service group is looking for a way to connect with worldwide organizations, you won’t want to miss this event. For more information, see our Web page at www.tvcc.cc.
Dr. Jim Sorensen is the president of Treasure Valley Community College. For information about TVCC, visit its Web site at www.tvcc.cc, or call (541) 881-8822
