Provost's Study Abroad Travel Grants Awarded for Summer 2012

In May 2012, 38 students were awarded Provost’s Study Abroad Travel Grants.  Eleven of these students are members of the University Honors Program.  These travel grants were established to enhance students’ opportunities to participate in NIU study abroad programs.  Upon returning from their study abroad program students will complete three hours of volunteer service related to promoting study abroad and give a video testimonial about their study abroad experience.  

 (Front L-R) Dr. Christopher Jones, Associate Vice Provost for the University Honors Program, Sarah Stuebing, Edona Ajvazi, Jennifer Puetz, and Dr. Deborah Pierce, Associate Provost for the Division of International Programs.

 (Back L-R)  Christopher Michels, Dalisa Barnes, Kasey Twine.

Students who received the travel grant for the summer session traveled to a wide variety of countries including Brazil, China, England, France, Malaysia, Peru, Russia, Sicily, Spain, and Thailand.  Recipients came from various majors and their study abroad programs focused on a variety of topics including Anthropology, Biological Sciences, Business, Communication, English, History, Language, Law, Political Science, Theater Arts and more.

The NIU Study Abroad Office offers semester, winter break, spring break and summer programs in over 80 different countries.  NIU's study abroad programs offer opportunities to students from any major.  One of the primary goals of the NIU Study Abroad Office is to help students integrate into the academic, social, and cultural context of another country or countries during their college career.

For additional information regarding study abroad opportunities at NIU or the Provost’s Study Abroad Travel Grants, please contact the Study Abroad Office at (815) 753-0700, niuabroad@niu.edu or www.niu.edu/studyabroad.

Chinese Delegation Visits NIU/ELS Center

On Monday, June 4, 2012, Northern Illinois University partnered with the ELS Language Center to host more than 60 university officials from China to build international partnerships.  The group was honored to meet NIU President John Peters who hopes to make even more connections and establish projects with China.  Wendi Raulie, ELS Language Center/NIU Directory said that 32 universities from various provinces in China were represented on Monday.    

NIU Board of Trustee Bob Boey poses with a visitor and President Peters.

Delegates from the China Education Association for International Exchange spent the last day of their weeklong stay in the US at NIU.  The program for the day included presentations from distinguished guests including President Peters, Associate Provost for International Programs  Deb Pierce, and DeKalb Mayor Kris Polvsen.  Following a welcome reception in the auditorium of Altgeld hall, the 60+ delegates had the opportunity to tour the College of Engineering and the College of Business and met with various faculty followed by a luncheon.  

Associate Provost Deborah Pierce chats with two visitors.

 

Please see the below link to an excellent article and video in NIU Today:

http://www.niutoday.info/2012/06/06/niu-els-partner-to-host-chinese-delegates/

ELS at NIU

International Pathways at Northern Illinois University

Over the past 50 years, ELS has helped more than 1,000,000 students from over 140 nations learn English at ELS Language Centers on University campuses and exciting cities in 11 countries and 87 different locations.   ELS Language Centers provide students with a wide variety of options ranging from intensive English programs and university placement assistance to executive business programs and vacation learning options using an exclusive curriculum developed by ELS including 12 levels of intensive English.  ELS educators are recognized throughout the world for their active participation in the global learning community.  ELS ensures student success through a personalized approach and commitment to student achievement.  ELS is also the leading provider worldwide of English programs offered on University campuses—including Northern Illinois University! 

The ELS Language Center at NIU opened in September of 2010 with a small first enrollment of about 12 eager international students.  Since the opening of the ELS Language Center at NIU, enrollment has increased to 90 international students studying English with top instructors 5 days per week on campus.   

The ELS certificate is respected by more than 650 colleges and universities around the world as fulfilling their English proficiency requirement for admission.  Since the Fall of 2011, almost 20 ELS students have begun their studies at Northern Illinois University in both undergraduate and graduate programs.  

Since the ELS Language Center in DeKalb opened, ELS students have participated in a number of exciting events including the 2010 and 2011 Parade of Flags, International Education Week 2011, and the 2011 Annual Christmas Party at Altgeld Hall bringing cultures from Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Chile, France, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, China, Turkey, Korea, and Gabon to the campus. 

Are you interested in getting involved?  Our ELS Center in DeKalb is always seeking both graduate and undergraduate students interested in becoming conversation partners for our international students, helping them to get involved in university life and practice their English skills.  We are open to collaboration on activities, events, and tutoring sessions. 

For more information about ELS/DeKalb, visit our website: www.els.edu/dekalb or stop by the ELS Language Center on campus. 

ELS Language Center DeKalb

NIU Health Services Building, 3^rd Floor

(815) 753-4600

ewright@els.edu

Dr. Pierce honored with NIU Presidential SPS Award

Congratulations, Dr. Deb Pierce! 

Dr. Deborah Pierce was honored with one of four 2012 Presidential Awards for Excellence given to Supportive Professional Staff at NIU. 

Dr. Pierce is the associate provost for International Programs (in case you didn’t already know!).

Dr. Pierce was honored with this award for her outstanding effort to engage NIU internationally. Her global perspective has been incredibly valuable to the faculty and staff of NIU, and her hard work is not without its rewards. NIU’s international students contributed more than 16 million dollars to the Illinois economy during the last recorded period (2009-10).  

International engagement at NIU gives local and international students the unique opportunity to collaborate and cooperate with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enriching their learning experiences with a global perspective.

The other recipients of the award were Todd Latham, assistant to the chair in the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations; Michelle Pickett, director of the Academic Advising Center; and Jason F. Rhode, assistant director of the Faculty Development and Instructional Design Center.

We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Pierce for her tireless dedication to advancing the goals of GlobalNIU and pleased to see her receive recognition from NIU President John Peters.  

 Keep up the amazing work!

NIU's Zeta Gamma Chapter Brings Home National Awards from Annual Phi Beta Delta Conference

The Zeta Gamma chapter of Phi Beta Delta was honored at the international society’s annual conference earlier this month with two awards. The Yvonne Captain Faculty Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education was given to J.D Bowers, associate professor of History, Coordinator of University Teacher Certification, and president-elect of Zeta Gamma Chapter.

 

L to R: Richard Deming, International President of Phi Beta Delta; J.D. Bowers associate professor of History, Coordinator of University Teacher Certification, and president-elect of Zeta Gamma Chapter; and Yvonne Captain, former Executive Director of Phi Beta Delta and the person for whom the award is named.

Congratulations Dr. Bowers, and thank you for your outstanding contribution to Global NIU!

 NIU’s Zeta Gamma chapter was also honored with the Eileen Evans Overall Outstanding Chapter Award. This award signifies the strongest contributions to international education by a Phi Beta Delta Chapter over the preceding year. According to Dr. Deb Pierce, Chapter Coordinator, “Zeta Gamma Chapter and Phi Beta Delta play a significant role in the comprehensive internationalization process at NIU, because through the Society we are able to recognize and thank those faculty, staff and students who make Global NIU a reality. It's wonderful to see these efforts gaining national and international notice.”

Congratulations Zeta Gamma chapter and especially to Christopher M. Jones, who was president of our chapter for the period of time acknowledged by this outstanding award!

L to R: J.D. Bowers, president-elect of Zeta Gamma Chapter; Christopher M. Jones, Associate Vice Provost for University Honors and Past President of Zeta Gamma Chapter; International President Richard Deming; Deborah Pierce, Associate Provost for the NIU Division of International Programs and Zeta Gamma Chapter Coordinator

2nd Annual Spring Lecture Series Presents George A. Lopez

Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, the Division of International Programs, and the University Honors Program proudly sponsored their 2nd Annual Spring Lecture Series by bringing George A. Lopez, the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., Professor of Peace Studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame to NIU to speak about "Liberating Libya, Strangling Syria: Intervening for Human Rights and Protection"  on Thursday, March 29, 2012.

Dr. Lopez visted our campus to discuss the current situation in Syria as it relates to the international issues of state sovereignty and the what role global institutions are expected to play if, as some analysts and diplomats believe, the era of state sovereignty is coming to an end. He was met by a large and captive audience for his lecture.  His experience in the realm of international relations and diplomacy was evident to all in attendance as he discussed difficult issues such as the international rights and responsibilities to protect innocent people in times of violent conflict while still respecting the values of national sovereignty. In these situations, Dr. Lopez said “cheats, scoundrels and genociders often win,” but it is the goal of international bodies to ensure that there are consequences to their actions.



Pictured:  Deborah Pierce, Associate Provost, International Programs and Chapter Coordinator, Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Delta; Guest Lecturer, George A. Lopez; Christopher M. Jones, Director, University Honors Program and Past President, Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Delta; and J.D. Bowers, University Coordinator of Teacher Certification and President-Elect, Zeta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Delta



Professor Lopez has been featured by numerous national news sources, such as CNN, the New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune. Here are some links to his previous appearances:

 

George A. Lopez on CNN (via Skype interview) on the crisis in Syria and sanctions.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2012/02/01/bs-lopez-syria-violence.cnn

George A. Lopez, quoted by UNBureau Chief Neil MacFarquar, in the NYT: Russia Stands in the Way of UN Call for Assad to Step Down

And in the Chicago Tribune Senators weigh further measures on Iran sanctions

And quoted in Reuters: "Analysis: Oil report may offer Obama an out on Iran." http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/31/us-iran-eia-idUSTRE80U24120120131