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International

Apr 20
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Dr. A.H.M. Ali Reza (left to right) will be leading a group of Delta State students on a cultural exchange trip to Poland at John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. Others attending include Scottie Willis, Katherine Jackson, Maria Clara Belisário, Paxton Stratton and university photographer/writer Rory Doyle.

Students to visit Poland for cultural exchange

By | Faculty/Staff, International, President, Students | No Comments

A select group of Delta State students are gearing up for an exciting cultural exchange with one of the university’s international partners, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) in Lublin, Poland.

Leaving May 9, the group will travel for two weeks under the direction KUL faculty. The trip, coordinated by DSU International Student Services, will mark the first opportunity for Delta State students to visit KUL’s campus, observe classes, learn about college life in Poland, and gain hands-on knowledge of Polish culture.

Delta State President William N. LaForge continues to strengthen the university’s ties with international institutions, an effort he has made a priority since taking office in 2013.

In 2014, LaForge returned to KUL for the fourth time as a visiting professor, each time focusing on various aspects of law and public policy advocacy in America. KUL’s law school is well known for its quality programming.

“Delta State’s exchange partnership with KUL is a wonderful opportunity for our students to become acquainted with another educational system, with programs at another university and with the people of Poland,” said LaForge. “International partnerships like this afford our students an opportunity to broaden their horizons, see the world, and be better prepared for the global economy, which will greet them upon graduation.”

President LaForge discusses Poland with students.

President LaForge discusses Poland with students.

KUL is one of several universities abroad with which Delta State has signed a memorandum of understanding to further develop international exchanges. Delta State hosted a group of KUL faculty and students in October 2015.

Students attending the trip include: Scottie Willis, a senior from Byram, Mississippi; Katherine Jackson, a junior from Cleveland, Mississippi; Maria Clara Belisário, a junior from Belo Horizonte, Brazil; and Paxton Stratton, a freshman from Fort Worth, Texas. The students recently had the opportunity to meet with President LaForge to discuss expectations for the exchange.

Willis is looking forward to his first experience abroad — a trip he knows will be full of opportunities.

“I’m entering my last semester at DSU this fall, and as President LaForge put it to me recently, ‘You’ve had a good run here.’ But my run isn’t quite over yet,” said Willis. “I plan to go into education after graduation, and I know that going to Europe will definitely give me a ‘real life’ perspective when teaching about it. I hope that my participation in this cultural exchange will encourage current and future students to see that there are life-changing opportunities here at Delta State, and they just have to take advantage of them.”

Belisário, an international student at Delta State, is also looking forward to experiencing Polish education and culture.

“I will be in contact with different students and teachers who are in the same area as me, and I’ll be expanding my knowledge and vision,” said Belisário. “I will be able to interact and learn in some of their classes, and see perspectives and ideas about different issues that can help me in my major. I will use and share all of that when I return to DSU. Contact with another part of the world is one of the best opportunities as an international business major. I am really proud to have this opportunity.”

Dr. A.H.M. Ali Reza, assistant professor of biology at Delta State, will lead the group as the university’s international partnership liaison.

“I’m thrilled that we are bringing such a strong group of students to KUL,” said Reza. “This will be a great opportunity for us to get an understanding of Polish culture and KUL’s university environment. KUL faculty members have gone above and beyond to help us plan this trip.”

Dr. Christy Riddle, executive director of International Student Services and the Student Success Center at Delta State, added that the university will continue to strengthen ties with its partner schools.

“We are very excited to offer the Poland trip,” said Riddle. “These international partnerships offer the opportunity for our Delta State faculty and students and their faculty and students to travel, teach and study abroad through various exchange programs. It’s is a win-win for Delta State because the students traveling abroad gain a greater understanding of global issues, and it also exposes our on-campus students to other cultures.”

Along with KUL, Delta State has been developing exchange programs with Perm State University in Perm, Russia and The University of National World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria, both schools at which LaForge has taught. Delta State is also in the process of developing partnerships with two additional international universities.

Follow all trip updates at www.deltastate.edu.

Apr 13
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Dominique Rashad Warren, a Delta State biology graduate in 2013, is serving in the Peace Corps in The Gambia.

Delta State grad serving in Peace Corps

By | Alumni, College of Arts and Sciences, Faculty/Staff, International, Students | No Comments

Dominique Rashad Warren, a Delta State University biology graduate in 2013, is making his mark in the world by serving in the Peace Corps. Warren has been with the organization since October of 2015.

Despite being based in a rural area of The Gambia, a small West African country, Delta State Communications and Marketing was able to communicate with the distinguished alumnus via email.

Warren will serve for 27 months as a health extension volunteer, which will allow him to provide malaria, malnutrition and sanitation education, as well as work hands-on and with the people of the country.

“I had no previous connection with The Gambia before applying, but I was interested in the health positions they had available in this country, and the culture looked very interesting,” said Warren. “I’m really glad I chose The Gambia as my first choice because this place has lots of history. Being here makes me want to know more about my family history. I feel a deep connection with this place.”

The Cleveland native first considered applying to the Peace Corps when his passion to make a global impact grew.

Dominique Rashad Warren '13.

Dominique Rashad Warren ’13

“I always wanted to travel the world, see new places and meet new people, but I couldn’t think of a way to do it,” he said. “I was very glad I stumbled across the Peace Corps website because it gave me the opportunity to combine my passions. I would be able to help people in need and explore the world at the same time, for free. I don’t think you could ever get a better deal than that.”

He has already experienced numerous life-changing moments, but his favorite thus far occurred during training in the village of Jalambere.

“My host family there was amazing,” said Warren. “Every day after language class I would walk home. As soon as the children saw me they would run full speed to the end of the road to meet me. Sometimes I would have as many as 10 kids holding each of my fingers and singing my name as we walked home. This is easily one of the best experiences of my life.”

Warren said the area is quite reminiscent of the Mississippi Delta, but pressing issues plague the region such as education, health care, infrastructure, poor water quality, and lack of electricity and air conditioning.

While at Delta State, he was known for being an active student who made an impact. He was inducted into Delta State University’s Hall of Fame in 2013, and was elected Mr. Delta State University the same year. Additionally, he served on the SGA, was a tenor in Delta Singers, was a founder of the Delta Sigma chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and worked as a RA and hall director.

Dr. Ellen Green, department chair and associate professor of biology at Delta State, got to know Warren as his teacher.

“The first time I met Rashad in class, we were discussing prospecting for biofuels in various countries,” said Green. “In our very first conversation, he told me that he wanted to see the world. Rashad is a natural for the Peace Corps because he is curious, has great work ethic and amazing people skills. Coupled with his biology degree, he is well equipped to tackle the medical mission that he volunteered for as his Peace Corps service.

“Rashad was voted Mr. DSU in his senior year, in large part I think, because of his personality. He became friends with everybody. I expect him to be voted Mr. The Gambia any day now.”

Dr. Christy Riddle, executive director of the Student Success Center and International Student Services, said Warren would be a strong representative for Delta State while volunteering.

“While serving with the Peace Corps, Rashad is also a cultural ambassador for DSU,” said Riddle. “People say that DSU is the best kept secret in education, and we continuously search for ways to spread the word abroad about the benefits of attending DSU.”

While Internet access is extremely hard for Warren to come by, on the rare occasion he gets online, he is blogging about his experiences. Follow Warren’s journey at https://rashadinthegambia.wordpress.com.

To stay updated with Delta State news and events, visit www.deltastate.edu.

 

 

Feb 08
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Delta State to complete cultural exchange with Polish university

By | Faculty/Staff, International, President, Students, Uncategorized | No Comments

When President William N. LaForge took office at Delta State University in 2013, he promised to develop the university’s relationships with international institutions and provide more exchange opportunities.

These efforts continue with an upcoming cultural exchange trip available to Delta States students to visit John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (KUL) in Poland, an institution where LaForge has been a visiting professor four times in recent years. The trip is being coordinated by DSU International Student Services.

Delta State hosted a group of KUL faculty and students in October 2015, and the upcoming trip will mark the first opportunity for Delta State students to visit KUL’s campus. KUL is one of several universities abroad with which Delta State has signed a memorandum of understanding to further develop international exchanges.

LaForge said this trip would also serve as a way to build on future exchanges between both institutions.

While the exact itinerary for the two-week exchange has not been finalized, tentative plans are to visit KUL in early May following Delta State’s spring commencement ceremonies.

Students attending the trip will be selected through a competitive application process. All academic majors are eligible to apply, but preference will be given to fulltime undergraduate students interested in pursuing various aspects of law beyond graduation, such as law school, business law, international business, environmental law, etc. KUL’s law school specializes in the study of these aspects of law.

To apply, visit www.deltastate.edu/poland. More requirements and trip details are explained on the application webpage.

Dr. A.H.M. Ali Reza, assistant professor of biology at Delta State, will lead the group as the university’s international partnership liaison.

LaForge continues to stress the importance of partnering with institutions abroad.

“I’m thrilled that we’re sending our first delegation to KUL,” said LaForge. “This will be a great opportunity for our students to see a very different part of Europe. Our students will get a flavor for the Polish culture and KUL’s university environment.

“International travel really helps broaden an individual’s outlook and experiences not available through just a textbook or travelogue,” he added. “The international exchange experience provides a terrific opportunity for our students. Secondly — in a very practical sense — international travel, study abroad and exchange programs help set students apart in the market competition for jobs and graduate programs. It helps a potential employer or graduate school say, ‘This student is engaged and interested in the world around them.’”

That’s the highest and best use of the international exchange experience. Secondly — in a very practical sense — international travel, study abroad and exchange programs help set students apart in the market competition for jobs and graduate programs. It helps a potential employer or graduate school say, ‘This student is engaged and interested in the world around them.’”

Dr. Christy Riddle, executive director of International Student Services and the Student Success Center at Delta State, added that the university will continue to strengthen ties with its partner schools.

“We are very excited to offer the Poland trip,” said Riddle. “These international partnerships offer the opportunity for our Delta State faculty and students and their faculty and students to travel, teach and study abroad through various exchange programs. It’s is a win-win for Delta State because the students traveling abroad gain a greater understanding of global issues, and it also exposes our on-campus students to other cultures.”

Along with KUL, Delta State has been developing exchange programs with Perm State University in Perm, Russia and The University of National World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria, both schools at which LaForge has taught. Delta State is also in the process of developing partnerships with two additional international universities. Follow all news at www.deltastate.edu as advancements continue with these schools.

For more information on the KUL trip, visit www.deltastate.edu/poland, or contact Dr. Reza at areza@deltastate.edu.

Feb 01
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President William N. LaForge speaks to representatives of Perm State University at a dinner held in their honor during their weeklong visit to campus.

Perm State returns for international visit

By | Academics, International, President | No Comments

A delegation from Perm State University in Perm, Russia — an international partner university — will be visiting Delta State for the first week of February. The visit marks the third time Perm State has been hosted on campus to develop exchange opportunities.

The group of Perm State faculty and students will spend the week meeting with a variety of department heads to advance international exchange programs between both universities. Visiting students will also attend and observe Delta State classes.

“I’m very pleased that we’re continuing our relationship with Perm State,” said Delta State President William N. LaForge. “It’s a university near and dear to my heart. We’re looking forward to hosting the PSU delegation, substantively in terms of coursework and programs on campus, but also socially and culturally.

“Their faculty will meet with our counterparts on campus to explore possibilities for future exchange programs that will be beneficial for both their students and ours,” he added. “This is a great next step in our growing relationship with Perm State University.”

LaForge has a long history with Perm State, dating back to 2008 as a visiting professor in their Center for International Legal Studies program. He also returned in 2011 and 2015 as a Fulbright Fellow.

In a groundbreaking international trip for Delta State last spring, a group of Delta Music Institute students and faculty visited Perm State and took part in “Rivers of Music — Rivers of Culture,” a two-week exchange project that was part of the U.S.-Russia Peer-to-Peer Dialogue Program supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State.

Learn more about “Rivers of Music — Rivers of Culture” and explore the trip blog at www.deltastate.edu/russia.

Perm State faculty member Svetlana Polyakova, also the “Rivers of Music — Rivers of Culture” program coordinator from Perm State, will once again be leading her group of colleagues and students.

Joining Polyakova will be four Perm State graduate students and seven faculty members from four different departments.

“The main purpose of the visit is to take our partnership to the next level and develop further collaboration between the departments at Perm State University and Delta State University,” said Polyakova. “We hope to gain new cross-cultural knowledge and experience, understanding of the Mississippi Delta, and establish solid academic contacts for our colleagues from other departments.”

The Perm State delegation will also provide lectures to Delta State students and faculty to discuss the possibilities of mutual research projects in psychology, biology, linguistics, sociology, arts and economics. Grant opportunities for academic exchanges for both students and faculty will also be an area of focus.

“We are very much looking forward to seeing our great DSU friends and meeting new ones,” added Polyakova. “We hope to have a look at GRAMMY Museum Mississippi that will open in March.”

Dr. A.H.M. Ali Reza, assistant professor of biology at Delta State, will help guide the group on campus as the university’s international partnership liaison.

“Delta State and the Mississippi Delta in general are very localized, so hosting the Perm State group will bring us a lot of diversity in terms of cultural and academic exchange,” said Reza. “We, especially our students and teachers, will gain a lot of new ideas — as well as local community members.”

Follow all news at www.deltastate.edu as developments continue with international partner universities.

Oct 26
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DMI students to present on Russia exchange

By | Academics, College of Arts and Sciences, Delta Music Institute, International | No Comments

Join the Delta Music Institute and Quality Enhancement Plan for a public event Wednesday night with a discussion about the DMI’s groundbreaking international exchange in Russia last May and June.

The event, “You Can Get There From Here,” is free and open to the public Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in DMI Studio A on the campus of Delta State.

DMI students, and participating faculty and staff, will share stories, music and photography from their exchange trip to Perm State University and Moscow.

The trip, “Rivers of Music — Rivers of Culture” utilized music as a universal language to explore the cultures, histories and heritages of the Mississippi Delta and Perm Krai regions, both situated along historic rivers.

The program was backed by the U.S. Department of State and allowed students and faculty from Perm State to visit Delta State in 2014.

“Most of our students are from small towns in a largely rural state,” said Tricia Walker, DMI director. “Traveling to another country and interacting with the culture there offered a unique way for our students to broaden their perspective on the world outside of Delta State and Mississippi.”

Walker added that the event would shed light on international exchange opportunities available at Delta State.

“I hope our students will come to the presentation to see what is possible for them through international travel opportunities,” she said. “They can ‘get there from here.’ In addition, the students and community will be treated to some music created by Delta State and Perm State students, as well as some stunning photography of the Perm Krai region by university photographer Rory Doyle.”

Learn more about the group’s trip to Russia at http://www.deltastate.edu/russia.

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