By Kimberly Hall | November 5, 2019
I love what I do. The more students know, the more they will be able to compete in a global world.
World View would like to showcase the work Dr. Gaylyn Eddy is doing to increase global awareness at Robeson Community College. Dr. Eddy is the Program Director of Humanities and Social Sciences at Robeson Community College in Lumberton, NC. Over the last few years, Robeson County has been heavily impacted by hurricanes. Damages from these hurricanes have caused five school closures and a decrease in the number of faculty at Robeson Community College. Despite economic challenges in Robeson County, the community continues to come together to rebuild and move forward. “This is a great place to work. It’s a challenge, but you make do with what you got, and we can,” says Dr. Eddy.
Unfortunately, some students have never had the opportunity to travel outside their community. Dr. Eddy provides experiences in her classes that allow all her students to gain insight on different people and cultures from around the world. Dr. Eddy has globalized two classes. During lessons she tells her students “The world is already here. You need to know about it.”
In her religious studies class, she teaches about many different world religions. When discussing Christianity in class, Dr. Eddy wants her students to know that Christianity has many different forms and practices. Her classes have visited Islamic mosques and Hindu temples in the area, allowing students to observe and ask questions about different religious practices. Learning about the practices of different religions requires students to also be aware of geography and history while working on projects for class. Dr. Eddy hopes that with these opportunities her students will gain a new outlook on different cultures in this modern world.
In her philosophy class, Dr. Eddy is teaching students that “people all around the world are deep thinkers” and she encourages critical thinking and recognizing multiple perspectives in the classroom. She wants all her students to understand that “the broader perspective gives you more to work with.” She hopes that with the knowledge and experiences she provides, her students will become better citizens and better employees. “I love what I do. The more students know, the more they will be able to compete in a global world.”
In 2017, Dr. Eddy attended World View’s Global Education Leaders Program. Since then, she has sent several educators from Robeson Community College to attend some of World View’s other programs. Dr. Eddy also received two NC Global Distinction Grants through World View to globalize curriculum. Her modules for Introduction to Ethics (PHI240) and Philosophical Issues (PHI 215) are available on the World View website. As part of her plan going forward, she hopes to not only send more faculty to World View programs, but to also support faculty going overseas on study visits. “We have phenomenal faculty on campus. You ask them to do and they do.” Dr. Eddy hopes more faculty will become more enthusiastic about globalizing their courses after attending World View’s programs.