1. Fulbright GPAs A Medium for Transformational Change and Professional Engagement Dr. Joanna Sabo Professor of Political Science - Monroe County Community College Member - Midwest Institute for International and Intercultural Education

2. “I was forever transformed.” Add photos here: Add photos here: With the children in BotswanaWith the children in Botswana At UNIZUL teachingAt UNIZUL teaching Handout original email received from Theo Handout original email received from Theo Photo of sticker Photo of sticker

3. A Rare Opportunity Fulbright Group Programs Abroad (GPA) are one of the few opportunities for community college faculty to participate in a Fulbright experience. Fulbright Group Programs Abroad (GPA) are one of the few opportunities for community college faculty to participate in a Fulbright experience. Community College faculty face obstacles when applying for Fulbright opportunities. Community College faculty face obstacles when applying for Fulbright opportunities. Most require Ph.D. or graduate student status. Most require Ph.D. or graduate student status. Two avenues: Apply to participate with a four-year college/university GPA program; or apply through an institute like MIIIE. Two avenues: Apply to participate with a four-year college/university GPA program; or apply through an institute like MIIIE.

4. Why Community College Professors Need Fulbright Experiences Abroad Curriculum Development – Modules and new courses Curriculum Development – Modules and new courses Enriched Teaching – Through shared experiences, observed facts, and storytelling. Enriched Teaching – Through shared experiences, observed facts, and storytelling. Classroom Materials – Reports, print material, photographs and videos from the host countries Classroom Materials – Reports, print material, photographs and videos from the host countries Enthusiasm - for international studies for students upon return from a Fulbright GPA Enthusiasm - for international studies for students upon return from a Fulbright GPA

5. Lessons from Fulbright GPAs – Curriculum and Extra-Curricula Modules: Modules: Voter turnout and elections in AfricaVoter turnout and elections in Africa HIV/AIDS problem and solutionsHIV/AIDS problem and solutions New Courses: New Courses: Comparative PoliticsComparative Politics ? ? Extra-Curricula: Extra-Curricula: 2006 – MCCC formed International Studies Club2006 – MCCC formed International Studies Club 2008 – Michigan community colleges formed College Consortium for Socio-Cultural Awareness.2008 – Michigan community colleges formed College Consortium for Socio-Cultural Awareness.

6. Enriched Teaching Shared experiences Shared experiences Story telling Story telling Observed Facts Observed Facts ADD PHOTOS HERE6 ADD PHOTOS HERE6

7. Classroom Materials Books Books Newspapers Newspapers Cultural Items Cultural Items Videos Videos Slide shows of your own photographs Slide shows of your own photographs

8. Enthusiasm A GPA often translates into leadership for student travel. A GPA often translates into leadership for student travel. Who else would be crazy enough to take 15-30 students half-way around the globe. Who else would be crazy enough to take 15-30 students half-way around the globe. 2003: My Fulbright GPA to southern Africa. 2003: My Fulbright GPA to southern Africa. 2005: Sabbatical - observed study abroad in Peru. 2005: Sabbatical - observed study abroad in Peru. 2007: First MCCC study abroad to Europe. 2007: First MCCC study abroad to Europe. 2009: Second MCCC study abroad to Southeast Asia – inspired by 2002 MIIIE Fulbright GPA to Vietnam. 2009: Second MCCC study abroad to Southeast Asia – inspired by 2002 MIIIE Fulbright GPA to Vietnam.

9. Future Directions Continue and expand opportunities for community college professors and non- Ph.D.s to have a Fulbright experience abroad. Continue and expand opportunities for community college professors and non- Ph.D.s to have a Fulbright experience abroad. Continue to fund consortium applications like MIIIE.Continue to fund consortium applications like MIIIE. Develop formal processes for community college professors to participate with 4 year school Fulbright programs.Develop formal processes for community college professors to participate with 4 year school Fulbright programs. Community colleges are becoming more and more the colleges of choice for new high school grads and displaced workers. Community colleges are becoming more and more the colleges of choice for new high school grads and displaced workers.