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October 28, 2008

ILEP Visitors Coming!

The College of Education and Human Development (www.cehd.umn.edu), in collaboration with the University of Minnesota's International Student and Scholar Services, will this year participate in the International Leadership in Education Project (http://www.irex.org/programs/iep/index.asp). The ILEP project will bring 16 secondary school teachers from 10 different countries to the University of Minnesota for short-term programs. This program, part of the emerging "Minnesota Experience" offerings in our College, will provide participants with customized courses in education, technology, and English, as well as allow participants to audit University courses.

Programs like these represent our commitment to both reaching out to the world and benefiting from an internationalized campus. It is clear that the ILEP fellows who will join us in January will bring new perspectives and fresh energy to our College. We are anxiously awaiting their visit!

October 24, 2008

Thai visitors October 23

On October 23, a delegation of 15 visitors from St. John's University visited with faculty and staff from CEHD. The delegation consisted of one faculty member, one Director of a private schools organization, 13 graduate students, and a Buddhist Monk. Professor Gerry Fry (http://cehd.umn.edu/EdPA/People/Fry.html) provided an overview of the Educational Policy and Administration department, the field of study of the graduate students.

After a terrific lunch at the Campus Club, we began to discuss the role of student support at universities. We made an impromptu stop in Appleby Hall, where Diane Wartchow explained how CEHD students were supported. The day concluded with the delegation attending Professor Fry's class on leadership.

The results of this meeting pointed out a need for us to expand what we are beginning to call "The Minnesota Experience." Although our one-day campus visit was engaging, the delegation expressed a desire to spend more time - perhaps two weeks - both learning at our university and visiting sites around the greater Twin Cities area (e.g., schools, businesses, etc.). As we move forward in our internationalization efforts, the "Minnesota experience" seems to be a way forward.

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