League Reaffirmation - Johnson County Community College

International Education
“As I look at my colleagues
who have participated in
international programs, there
is clearly a passion in them
that spurs their professional
development – a development
that makes them better
teachers (or counselors, or
librarians, or administrators).
Such experiences are
transformative, and our
worlds are literally and
figuratively expanded.
Overseas experiences can
rejuvenate, revitalize and
redirect academic interests
for students and faculty alike.
My academic career has been
affected profoundly by my
participation in international
programs.”
– Bob Perry,
professor, sociology
The International Education program at Johnson County Community
College works collaboratively with departments across the campus
to increase faculty expertise on international and intercultural issues,
to give students opportunities to experience cultures and languages,
to enhance the curriculum and to provide linkages to colleges and
scholars throughout the world.
Programs for students include well­developed study abroad
opportunities that feature short­term, faculty­led programs as
well as semester­ and year­long opportunities in 30 countries,
an award­winning international service­learning program in Mexico
that sends 60 faculty, staff and students on a health and development
project each year, and an intercultural semester program that allows
students to “go global” in the local community through service to the
immigrant community, interaction with international students and
targeted course work.
A faculty international grants program sends 30 faculty members
to international conferences and exchanges each year, and
curriculum development projects encourage and assist with faculty
initiatives. In the last few years these initiatives have included an
NEH exemplary grant for Japanese studies, a Title VI­A grant to
increase attention to Islamic cultures, and a Fulbright Visiting
Scholar grant.
JCCC is a regional center for the Asian Studies Development
program at the East­West Center and the University of Hawaii
and has institutional partnerships with colleges and universities
in China, Russia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Japan.
Representatives participate each year in the Dutch­USA Exchange
program, and faculty exchanges in this program have led to new
student opportunities in the health care area.
New initiatives underway include projects to increase opportunities
for online students to interact with students from other countries
in various classes, including Intercultural Communications,
British Literature, Composition and International Business.
The development of a full two­year curriculum in international
business is underway, and the expansion of partnerships to
South America, Thailand and Morocco are planned. In addition,
the International Education program will increase attention to
international development opportunities for faculty and students
in science, math, health care and technology for global issues
such as environmental challenges, HIV/AIDS, world health,
global technology and conflict resolution. This new initiative will
be accomplished through grants, visiting scholars and workshops.
30