Hazael Andrew | November 13, 2024
UNC World View recently welcomed community college educators from 30 North Carolina counties to its highly anticipated annual symposium, Thriving Globally: What’s Next for Community College Students. The symposium kicked off with opening remarks from Charlé LaMonica, Director of UNC World View, and Jeff Cox, President of the North Carolina Community College System. Both emphasized the pivotal role that North Carolina’s community colleges play in equipping students for success in the global workforce.
The morning sessions featured a lineup of engaging speakers from UNC Chapel Hill, who shared valuable resources and explored global themes impacting diverse academic disciplines, including business, health, and education. Vice Provost for Global Affairs Ambassador Barbara Stephenson’s presentation, titled America’s Place in the World, offered practical insights into global trends, including inflation, poverty, and trade. These discussions set the stage for an interactive and informative day ahead.
After the morning sessions, Charlé LaMonica announced that Kelly Hinson, Chair of Information Technology at Gaston College, was the recipient of 2024 James L. Peacock Award. The Peacock Award is presented to an educator who has attended UNC World View programming in the past two years and has made significant contributions to global education in their communities.
The afternoon segment of the community college symposium included dynamic breakout sessions. These breakout sessions offered practical strategies for enhancing campus engagement through global initiatives, such as working with librarians to globalize curricula and implementing professional development models to foster global education among community college educators. Attendees also learned about career opportunities at the U.S. Department of State and gained insights into the critical role of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) in attracting international investments to the state.
The day concluded with a thought-provoking presentation from UNC professor Tori Ekstrand, who shared her research on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Europe versus the United States. Her session also served as a preview for the upcoming Scholar of Global Distinction Student and Educator Program, set for February 7, 2025
UNC World View is proud to have collaborated with so many dedicated partners to deliver a meaningful and impactful symposium for community college educators. We look forward to continuing this important work together to support the global readiness of community college students.