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A key element of a �ֲ���ý��� education is opening the world to students and introducing them to ideas, experiences, cultures, and opportunities from which they can draw inspiration and insight as they explore their own interests and discover new passions.

The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) at �ֲ���ý��� exists for just this reason — to create opportunities for students and faculty to develop their knowledge of the world and to foster global learning through critical inquiry, intercultural exchange, and community engagement. 

With sponsorship from the IGE, and funded and funded in part by the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program, 13 �ֲ���ý��� faculty and staff members recently participated in a five-day workshop in Chiapas, Mexico. The trip was part of the College’s ongoing effort to deepen and expand offerings in course-embedded travel and the Global Learning Program for courses across all disciplines.

�ֲ���ý��� partnered with La Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas (UNACH), where faculty members participated in workshops, classroom-based learning sessions, and collaborative discussions about teaching and learning with their counterparts in the master's program in Cultural Studies. Topics included interculturality, inclusive education, and community based learning, providing faculty with fresh perspectives on how to incorporate global themes into their courses.

“We wanted to focus on Latin America to inspire faculty and students to consider the varied opportunities there,” said Ashley Laux, associate director of Faculty-led Learning Across the Globe. “Engaging faculty in course-embedded travel first allows faculty to develop new knowledge and practices to incorporate into global teaching and learning experiences with students.”
 

Hands-on Learning 

As part of the trip, faculty members visited the Maya community of Zinacantán, where they met with master weaver María Emiliana Hernández Pérez who shared her cultural traditions and art with the group. Faculty also took part in activities in two distinct geographical and cultural regions in Chiapas to learn from the cultural and environmental contrasts of the region. The  metropolitan city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez contrasted with the Indigenous highlands town of San Cristóbal de las Casas. “These distinct settings allowed us to think about what it means to teach in regions that are geographically and culturally close yet quite different,” said Laux.

For many participants, the trip deepened their understanding of the region, highlighted the importance of experiential learning, and shaped plans for future courses. “The opportunity to experience firsthand the pedagogy we might use in future faculty-led programs was invaluable,” said Paul Hutchinson, professor and department chair of Education. “It gave me insight into how such trips might unfold, and also helped me build stronger relationships with colleagues at �ֲ���ý��� and UNACH.”

Leah Allen, associate professor of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, emphasized the lasting impact of the trip on her academic plans and for increased opportunities for students. “The connections I made with faculty in Chiapas will certainly inform my future course proposals, and I’m excited to see how this collaboration will unfold,” she said. “I’m also looking forward to creating more opportunities for �ֲ���ý��� students to experience the region.”
 

Future Global Learning Programs

The success of this workshop reflects �ֲ���ý���’s ongoing commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and supporting the development of globally minded students. By engaging faculty in this collaborative, site-based learning experience, the College is laying the foundation for an increase in Latin American off-campus study opportunities and enhancing �ֲ���ý���’s role in providing high-impact global education experiences.

“It’s clear that faculty members who participated in this workshop are now more prepared and motivated to create global faculty-led programs that are meaningful, sustainable, and connected to their scholarly work,” Laux said. “The goal is to encourage more faculty to lead travel programs to Latin America, and ultimately give �ֲ���ý��� students more chances to engage with the world in ways that expand their perspectives and scholarship.”

Brigittine French, assistant vice president for Global Education, who co-led the workshop, echoed the sentiment: “This was an invaluable opportunity to advance �ֲ���ý���’s strategic efforts in internationalization and global learning. The partnerships we are building with institutions like UNACH will enhance international experience for faculty, staff, and students.”

“The workshop was an enriching experience in so many ways,” adds Hutchinson. “It not only gave us the tools to develop courses with embedded travel but also allowed us to rethink our approach to teaching and learning on a global scale.”