Globalization Implementation Plan
Shareka R. Brown & Nicole Johnson Britt
Mission & Philosophy
Mission
Bennett College is a small private, historically Black liberal arts college for women. The College offers women an education conducive to excellence in scholarly pursuits; preparation for leadership roles in the workplace, society, and the world; and lifelong learning in a technologically advanced, complex global society.
Philosophy
Bennett College’s undergirding philosophy is that a high quality college experience should provide its women students with strong academic and co-curricular programs that encourage their personal development, endorse lifelong learning, and prepare them to meet the needs of an ever-changing society.
Academic Themes & Concepts of Globalization
The Center for Global Studies
The center oversees all aspects of international education for the college and is designed to promote a global perspective throughout the college community. Although the college has had a long history of international engagement, the current structure of the center represents a reenergizing of the commitment to internationalize the campus, including a greater centralization of international programs.
Study Abroad
Bennett students are offered an opportunity to study abroad in a wide range of locations through a variety of program providers. Bennett students have traveled to Austria, China, Costa Rica, Greece, Ghana, England, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, and Turkey. New opportunities for study and travel abroad are presented to the college regularly.
Africana Studies Program
The mission of Africana Women’s Studies at Bennett College for Women is to support the institutional goals of scholarly excellence, leadership preparation, and life-long learning through the development of an academic program based on the self-study of women locally and worldwide, with particular emphasis given to understanding the experiences, socio-cultural conditions, and histories of Africana women. Students will acquire research skills informed by feminist and Africana/Black feminist methodologies; develop critical reading and writing skills through learning communities; and further their understanding of feminist praxis through service learning. AWS helps fulfill the following aspects of the Strategic Plan of Bennett College for Women:
Goals
- Goal #3: To improve the academic standards and competitiveness of the College.
- Objective 3: Provide quality programs that prepare students for the world of work and post baccalaureate studies.
- Objective 4: Improve and maintain an intellectually stimulating environment for all members of the College Community.
- Goal #5: To enhance and support the social, cultural, and spiritual development of students.
- Objective 1: Expand and enhance student activities to create an enriching and exciting campus atmosphere.
- Goal #10: To build stronger relationships with local, regional, national, and international communities.
- Objective 1: Build partnerships/collaborations with other educational institutions, social, non-profit, and for-profit agencies.
- Objective 2: Cultivate an environment that fosters local, regional, national, and international awareness and involvement.
Africana Women’s Studies also supports Bennett College's Quality Enhancement Plan Topic "Enhancing Communication Skills Through the General Education Curriculum" through academic activities.
Target Audience: Faculty, Staff, and the Greensboro Community
Bennett College plays a crucial role in educating their students to succeed in an increasingly globalized world. Bennett College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall, "believes that global education is top priority academic areas at Bennett College." She believes that establishing innovative programs in study abroad and speaking new languages will enhance opportunities for all Bennett students to become global citizens. Proficiency in critical languages can definitely help to prepare them for the global economy. Providing such opportunities through The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has helped with developing globalization programs for faculty, staff, and the Greensboro community.
Bennett College Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) outlines the new curriculum, strategic planning and global education efforts for the college.
http://www.bennett.edu/news%5CnewsletterNEWS0214.pdf
Email: vajohnson@bennett.edu
Website: http://www.bennett.edu/aws.html
Location: 900 East Washington Street, Greensboro, NC, United States
Phone: 336-577-2259
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWSBennett
Outcomes & Recommendations to Enhance Globalization
1. Continue to develop additional strategies and resources for recruiting international students.
2. Develop Faculty Focus Groups Training
Goal: to determine how significant increase in international students will impact the classroom.
3. Develop & Implement Cross-Cultural Service Initiative
Goal: pair international students with students to conduct services together.
4. Expand Partnership Model for Study Abroad
Goal: to provide research and policy related to study aboard.
5. Continue Support of Diaspora & Community program initiatives
Goal: provide FREE opportunities to enhance community involvement.
6. Develop short term Study Abroad (3 months or less)
Goal: one faculty member from every academic program led study aboard interest opportunities.