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Cathy Day will serve as Peace Corps Prep faculty coordinator for the 2018-2019 academic year. The Peace Corps Prep program at Stetson University prepares students for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service.

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As coordinator, Dr. Day will work with Stetson’s Peace Corps Prep Leadership Team to facilitate academic engagements that include faculty course-approvers and academic administration.

Dr. Cathy Day is a visiting assistant professor of environmental science and studies at Stetson University. She earned a Ph.D. in geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During her doctoral studies, she served as adjunct lecturer at both UW-Madison and New Mexico State University, where she taught a course on the geography of sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Day has conducted fieldwork in New Mexico as well as Niger, West Africa. Her research examines the relationships between climate change and rural livelihoods.

Dr. Day has  experience as a certified middle and high school science teacher as well as service as a Peace Corps Volunteer. She was an agricultural volunteer in Niger for three and a half years (2004-2007) and lived in the same village where she subsequently conducted research for her second master’s degree in geography. In rural Niger, she helped villagers organize to build agricultural wells, initiate dry season gardening projects, create a grain bank, establish a school for the village, and carry out a variety of literacy and health education activities. For village projects, Day raised funds through Peace Corps Partnership to further extend the quality and quantity of projects that villagers could create on their own.

In a later role as regional leader, she collaborated with a local staff person on establishing new Peace Corps posts. That role also included the management of a regional budget, administration of local staff, outreach and cooperation with local and regional government agents, support of volunteers in their village work, and the funding and organization of regional training projects in the region’s central Peace Corps post. Day also organized the establishment of the first-ever, nation-wide volunteer advisory council to assist in better communication between volunteers and the country-level Peace Corps staff who were based in Niamey, the capital.

With experiences living abroad in France, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Niger, Cathy speaks French, Spanish, Hausa, and a smattering of Arabic. Dr. Day is excited about her contributions to managing a program that trains potential future Peace Corps Volunteers.

To learn more about Peace Corps Prep, visit stetson.edu/other/peace-corps-prep.

Do you desire to internationalize courses you are offering in the summer or fall but are not sure how to do that?  Does it feel like the courses you teach are just not a good fit for including cultural competencies or global perspectives? Then come and learn from your colleagues about how they embed global learning in their courses and its impact on student learning and performance.  Come prepared for lively discussion and bring your ideas to share with others.

World Lunch and Learn featuring Dr. Rachel Core
Thursday April 12, 2018
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
WORLD @ 635 Bert Fish Road

All Faculty/Staff Welcome
RSVP via the Outlook Invitation
Lunch available at 11:30 am

https://blog.stetson.edu/faculty-engagement/2018/03/march-14-world-class-lunch-learn-internationalizing-the-curriculum-resources-for-faculty/

Relations between the U.S. and Cuba have changed dramatically in recent years. Former President Obama re-established ties with Cuba, easing restrictions on travel and trade, but the Trump administration has suggested a tightening of restrictions and this week the United States voted against a U.N. resolution condemning America’s economic embargo against Cuba. While the future of relations remains uncertain, Stetson University is preparing to host its second Cuba Forum, featuring an engaging debate on the “Prospects for Democracy in Cuba.”

The Forum is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. in the Marshall & Vera Lea Rinker Welcome Center, 529 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, Florida, 32723. The event is free and open to the public. Expert panelists will include Richard Feinberg, Ph.D., professor of International Political Economy in the School of Global Policy & Strategy at the University of California, San Diego; Angel de Fana, a former Cuban political prisoner; and a special guest from Cuba to be announced at a later date.

Last year, Stetson’s Cuba Forum focused on economic issues. This year, the event will focus on the political aspects of Cuba’s transformation, according to William Nylen, Ph.D., professor of political science and director of the International Studies Program at Stetson University, who organized this event along with David Hill, Ph.D., professor of political science at Stetson.

“While Cuba is not a democracy, or engaging in a recognizable process of democratization, a loosening of economic restrictions typically brings an influx of foreign influence in the form of tourists, investors and entrepreneurs with new ideas,” said Nylen. “During the evening we will explore the potential impact of these changes. Each panelist will be asked to express their opinions on the prospects for democracy to emerge in Cuba and for greater personal freedoms of the Cuban People.”

The panel will be moderated by Eugene Huskey, Ph.D., professor of Political Science, Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at Stetson University. Since 1999, he has held the William R. Kenan, Jr. Chair at Stetson. Stetson’s Cuba Forum has been co-sponsored by Leopoldo Fernandez, a Cuban exile, Stetson Alumnus and international business leader, alongside Stetson’s President Wendy B. Libby, Ph.D., and Stetson’s Latin American Studies Program.

Richard Feinberg

Richard Feinberg is Professor of International Political Economy in the School of Global Policy & Strategy at the University of California, San Diego. He is a Nonresident Senior Fellow – Foreign Policy, Latin America Initiative – at Brookings Institution, based in Washington, D.C., and authored three reports assessing Cuba’s economic reforms on foreign investment, the country’s private enterprise and the emergence of its middle class. He is the author of the 2016 book, “Open for Business: Building the New Cuban Economy.” on foreign investment.

He has enjoyed a distinguished career as diplomat, policy advisor, corporate consultant, university professor and author of over 200 books and articles on international relations. His four decades of engagement with United States foreign policy spans government services — in the White House, Department of State and Department of the Treasury — numerous Washington-based public policy institutes, the Peace Corps in Chile and, now, academia.

Angel de Fana

Angel de Fana is a leading figure among anti-communist Cuban exiles in the United States. Imprisoned in 1963 by the Castro regime for counter-revolutionary activities, he spent 20 years behind bars in Cuba. Released in 1983, he moved to Venezuela for a year before coming to the United States in 1984. Mr. de Fana is one of several former political prisoners from Cuba who direct the Miami-based organization, Plantados Hasta la Libertad y la Democracia en Cuba.

Article from Stetson Today, October 28, 2017

Pavel Ovchinnikov’s Enamel on Gold Bowl, Gold over Silver with polychromed filigree enamel, 1910. On loan from the Gary R. Libby Charitable Trust.

Stetson University’s Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center is exhibiting “Tradition and Innovation in Russian Art” through Oct. 14.

As 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, the focus of the exhibit will be the impact of the revolution on modern art.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience history through the interpretation of pre-revolution icons, photographs and Fabergé pieces, as well as post revolution sculpture and lectures by experts in Russian art and culture. Several scheduled events surrounding this special exhibit will be held at the Hand Art Center. All are free and open to the public, and include:

Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.: Andrew Murray Howe V of Atlantic Beach, FL, will lecture on “Empire and Empathy: Russian Photographs by Murray Howe,” a rare look at Pre-Revolution Russia.

A 1909 snapshot on a Sunday morning in the famous Thieves Market, Moscow. “I was mobbed by this crowd after taking this picture and had to be rescued by the Soldier-Police.” – Murray Howe. Photo courtesy of Andrew Murray Howe

The talk will feature photos snapped in 1909 by noted horse racing journalist Murray Howe, great-grandfather of the lecturer. Using a handheld Graflex camera, a state-of-the-art device allowing a user to shoot without a tripod, Howe took hundreds of photographs of everyday life in Russia, everything from pedestrians to street vendors and aristocrats. The talk will be held in the Hand Art Center, Seminar Room.

Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.: Book Discussion with Mayhill Fowler, Ph.D.

Assistant History Professor Mayhill Fowler, Ph.D., will discuss her new book, “Beau Monde at Empire’s Edge: State and Stage in Soviet Ukraine.” Fowler will also moderate a discussion with Daniil Zavlunov, Ph.D., a musicologist specializing in nineteenth-century music, and Katya Kudryavtseva, Ph.D., assistant professor of Art History at Stetson. This presentation will also be held in the Hand Art Center, Seminar Room.

Stetson Assistant Professor of History Mayhill Fowler has written a book examining the overlap between the arts and the state in the early Soviet Union.

Adapted from Stetson Today, September 19, 2017

Lou Paris stood before 24 students in his International Business class at Stetson University, sprinkling real-life experiences with textbook theories.

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Stetson Professor Lou Paris talks to students in class.

Stetson Visiting Lecturer Lou Paris talks to students in his class in the Stetson School of Business Administration.

“It’s hard these days to distinguish between business and international business,” he said, drawing on his many years of living abroad, first as a child in his native Venezuela and later in Canada, the United States and Europe.

But while large businesses and corporations are becoming more inclusionary, he pointed out that distinct cultural differences still exist between countries that are reflected in the dress, food, music, attitudes and lifestyles of the people.

“Every country is ethnocentric to some degree. You hold your culture to be superior, no matter how large or small the country is,” he told a class that included students from China, Sweden and Germany, although most were Americans. “I challenge you to go outside your comfort zone.”

Paris, now a U.S. citizen, has practiced what he preaches as an entrepreneur and visiting lecturer in Stetson’s School of Business Administration, where he graduated in 2001 and received an M.B.A. in 2007.

In recent years, he developed a website, called Konkeros.com, that places international students in jobs with U.S. companies (Stetson University was the first implementer of this technology). He also heads an International Students Club at Stetson that usually meets once or twice a month to discuss all aspects of living and working in America. Business leaders often are invited to speak to the group.

Now, Stetson has developed a plan to build on his efforts and provide more help for international students to start careers in a competitive global market.

head-and-shoulders image of Dr. Rosalie Richards
Rosalie Richards, Ph.D., associate provost for Faculty Development at Stetson. BOLD

“Lou identified a demand by our international students and unselfishly volunteered his time and talent to this important work,” said Rosalie Richards, Ph.D., associate provost for Faculty Development. “As a result, he has inspired the University to formalize his efforts. We have developed a comprehensive plan to boost international student engagement, talent development, and career success and thus, provide an excellent return on investment for these students and their families.”
When Stetson’s plan is fully funded, she said, it will provide a full-time advocate who will continue to develop relationships with potential employers.

“The program will include internship support and the continued use of Konkeros.com will be a strong component. We also anticipate sharing what we learn because at Stetson, what’s good for international students is good for all students,” Richards added.

STUDENTS FROM 55 COUNTRIES
Last year, 185 undergraduate students at Stetson came from outside the United States, making up 6 percent of the student body. They were from 55 countries, according to Stetson’s Office of Institutional Research.
Paris said many of them major in International Business.
“They all know I was an international student,” he said. “Their questions can range from, ‘What do I do with a speeding ticket to I need a job to stay in the U.S.?’ ”
And that one question led to the idea of developing the website listing “tens of thousands” of employers, so foreign students could connect with companies that hire graduates with diverse cultural backgrounds.
“I asked the students what they needed to (find) a job. Their most common wish was to know what companies were hiring international students. So I didn’t waste time. I built a database,” he said. “I created something that no one else does by ranking companies by the best to least likely to hire students in the fields they majored in.”
Traditional job fairs were intimidating for some students, he said. One Venezuelan student broke down crying in Paris’ office, after she was unable to make even the most basic connection.
“I was very upset. She was so bright, but got no chance. I thought there was a need to help navigate the madness,” Paris said. “That was the catalyst for the site.”

SAVING STUDENTS TIME
Lucas Diniz, 24, graduated from Stetson last May with a degree in finance. Thanks to the Konkeros website and Paris, he quickly found a job at Product Quest Manufacturing in Daytona Beach. He’s a market research analyst working mainly on over-the-counter generic brands for stores like CVS.
“It saved time by narrowing down the companies that actually hire international students. When you just look for a job on your own, there can be a lot of wasted energy, where you go out on interviews only to hear they don’t hire international students,” Diniz said. “Lou (Paris) and Konkeros helped me select jobs where there was the most probability of getting hired.”

Paris said international students often feel like underdogs with no family or friends in the area to lean on for support. But on the flip side, that often builds character.
“They are tested more at a younger age in the ways of the world. They are more mature. They want to stay for the opportunities, or because their country is in shambles like in Venezuela, or they simply like the American way of life,” said Paris, whose father had owned a construction company in Venezuela when he was growing up.
Paris said he expects other colleges throughout the state and country in the near future to offer Konkeros as word spreads of its success.

“My goal is to get this in the hands of all international students in the United States. That would be incredible,” he said. “It’s the foundation for colleges to build upon. It can help them with admissions, attracting more international students by showing them that they can achieve their goals, and stay and work in the U.S.”
– Ray Weiss

Posted originally at Stetson Today
https://www.stetson.edu/today/2017/03/website-helps-international-students-find-jobs/

My name is Elené Okruashvili and I’m a junior international student from the country of Georgia. I came to Stetson to study classical piano performance with Professor Kennard. Since the day one of being here, I have felt huge support from the WORLD office. Through WORLD I’ve been adapted to the community at Stetson and gained many great connections. I have gained many resources through Roxanne Lewis, International Student and Scholar Services Coordinator, that helped me greatly throughout my time here at Stetson. I got opportunities to be involved on campus and gained some success within my major and also extracurricular activities: I am a 3^rd year resident assistant, member of the School of Music Student Advisory Council, as well as representing the student body on the new Dean Search Committee for the music school, I am one of 2 winners of the annual Concerto Competition as well as selected as one of the performers at the annual Stetson Showcase. Roxanne and the international students have supported and celebrated my musical achievements as well as given me emotional support.

As an independent student receiving no financial help from my family back in Georgia, it’s been tough to get through the Covid-19 pandemic alone in the United States. I was very fortunate to have received an anonymous donation to help me cover some costs for the Spring 2021 Semester and helped me stay in school. I had been very worried about saving money for this semester as I was having less and less work opportunities due to the pandemic over the year. I reached out to Roxanne at the WORLD office and thanks to them I received a donation that helped me stay in school. I hope WORLD continues to help and inspire students like me in the future!

Written by Elené Okruashvili, Piano Performance ’22