November 15, 2016
College of Human Ecology recognized by the Office of International Programs
As part of International Education Week, the College of Human Ecology has been named the recipient of the 2016 Outstanding Support for International Initiatives award from K-State's Office of International Programs.
The college will receive the award at the International Education Awards Ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in Hale Library's Hemisphere Room.
The Outstanding Support for International Initiatives award honors a department, unit or organization within the university that has gone above and beyond to support the Office of International Programs' international initiatives or who serves our global student body in extraordinary ways.
The College of Human Ecology prioritizes international engagement as a tenant of experiential learning offered to students in the college. International experiences are part of the college's 2025 strategic plan and every department either has an international experience available to students or is in the midst of developing international travel opportunities.
"The college encourages these international trips because they are transformational educational experiences," said John Buckwalter, dean of the College of Human Ecology. "Special thanks goes to Assistant Dean Shawna Jordan, who works with faculty on international collaboration and partnership opportunities, setting up faculty-led programs, as well as acts as liaison for students in the college looking for international learning experiences."
In the last few years, conflict resolution students trekked Northern Ireland; apparel and textile students traveled to China and Guatemala; early childhood students explored Italy; hospitality students visited Costa Rica; interior design students built relationships with students at a university in South Korea and explored Italy and England; personal financial planning doctoral students visited Belgium, the Netherlands and South Korea; sensory students journeyed to India; and marriage and family therapy students studied in China and Malaysia, among others.
Human ecology's administration sees inherent value in developing relationships with people in other countries. The dean was accompanied by staff members to Paraguay this year to reinvigorate reciprocal research and student exchange. In addition to encouraging international travel and relationships, the college partners with the Office of International Programs on seminars and the Vernon Larson Lecture Series, and hosts visiting dignitaries and presenters.