Susan O'Rourke | December 8, 2022
I currently chair our Global Diversity Committee which oversees our Scholar of Global Distinction Program and I also coordinate our partnerships with colleges in Brazil and Denmark. These international partnerships resulted in bringing almost 300 students from Brazil and 175 Danish students to our campus for short terms programs, and a few CCC&TI delegations visits to Brazil. These partnerships bring some much-needed exposure to different cultures and perspectives, as well as dialogue between our students, faculty and staff, and our communities.
This December, UNC World View is excited to feature Jimmie Griffith of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. CCC&TI notes that its “central location provides something for everyone,” and that “the Caldwell Campus is accessible to [residents both in] Lenoir….and Hickory.” The Watauga Campus offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the “unparalleled beauty” of the Blue Ridge Mountains as they study and prepare for the next step in their academic and career journeys.
Jimmie is invested in developing globally minded students and professionals. He serves as both the chair of CCC&TI’s Global Diversity Committee, which oversees our Scholar of Global Distinction Program, and instructor in the Workforce Development program. Jimmie shares that he “was fortunate to be involved with UNC World View in the early stages of development and implementation of the Scholar of Global Distinction Program.” He has remained an engaged member of the UNC World View community, as he has attended several World View seminars, symposia, and virtual events, through which he shares he “always [learns] so much and [returns] very inspired and energized.”
Jimmie’s expertise, energy, and leadership have contributed to the success of cross-cultural events that deepen students’ knowledge of and appreciation for Brazilian and Danish cultures. These programs provide students with the opportunity both to learn from and alongside students from Brazil and Denmark and to share local NC culture with their international peers. Jimmie explains that he:
[coordinates] partnerships with colleges in Brazil and Denmark. These international partnerships resulted in bringing almost 300 students from Brazil and 175 Danish students to our campus for short terms programs, and a few CCC&TI delegations visits to Brazil. These partnerships bring some much-needed exposure to different cultures and perspectives, as well as dialogue between our students, faculty and staff, and our communities.
We appreciate that Jimmie emphasizes the far-ranging impact of these exchanges outside of peer-to-peer interactions. Jimmie shows that cultural exchanges enrich the academic, administrative, and local communities!
Jimmie’s own cross-cultural experiences further shaped his passion for and commitment to globally rich programming. Jimmie shares:
Globally focused teaching has always been an interest of mine. First and foremost, I was born and raised in Brazil, and I am a product of multicultural parents (U.S. and Brazil) and multiracial family living extensively both in the U.S. and in Brazil. When I moved [out] on my own to attend Appalachian State University, I experienced the educational system from an international student’s perspective….[T]his gave me some unique insights and experiences that helps me guide others as a globally focused educator.
….And as a musician and composer under the name “MaisCéu”, I showcase music from Brazil along with its geographical, cultural, and historical context. I like to say that music is a great tool to break down cultural and language barriers since it has the power to bypass the brain (logical self) and go straight into the heart (emotional self). This is how I learn about many other cultures, including the beautiful and rich culture of western NC.
Jimmie encourages fellow educators and administrators that communal support is key to developing engaging programs that are rich with global learning! He explains:
My advice for both educators globalizing their courses and to administrators who want to bring more global awareness and perspectives to their campus is to not do it alone. UNC World View has so many resources and knowledge at your disposal to help you develop a roadmap that works for your course/institution (and always with a smile!)
My favorite part of UNC World View is the networking opportunities. It is so refreshing meeting peers from big and small institutions that are just as passionate as you are, having meaningful conversations, asking the important questions, and seeking creative ways to help our students and community to develop global competency.
We are so grateful for Jimmie’s leadership and collaborative spirit in supporting global education in western NC and beyond through his partnership with UNC World View! We look forward to hearing about the continued successes of the Scholar of Global Distinction program at CCC&TI!