How Durham Tech Is Meeting The Global Challenge

How Durham Tech is Meeting the Global Challenge

Presented byGwen Barclay-Toy

María J. Fraser-MolinaMargaret Newhouse

(With the special assistance of Karin Abell)

April 13, 2005Teaching and Learning Center

Durham Technical Community College

Why Global Education?

Strategic location

Economic and workforce development

Competitiveness

International students on campus

Philosophical Reasons

Mission and vision

Vision for a Learning College

The ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing in a manner that is respectful, sensitive to the culture of others, and understood by those receiving the communication.

The ability to recognize cultural differences among peoples, to develop tolerance for differences, and to act appropriately with individuals of varying cultures.

To ensure the survival and well-being of our communities, it is imperative that community colleges develop a globally and multiculturally competent citizenry.

(American Council on International Intercultural Education)

Global Connections- International Student Standing

Committee Through all of its programs and activities,

DTCC promotes education, understanding, and acceptance of the diversity of global cultures. The college endeavors to support its students, faculty, staff, and the community at large in acquiring the skills necessary to succeed in today’s multicultural and interdependent world.

Global Education Program Areas

International Student ServicesFaculty/Staff DevelopmentStudy AbroadInternationalizing Curriculum/CampusEconomic Development

International Students at Durham Tech

Definition of an international student in curriculum

90 countries644 studentsKenya, Nigeria, India are the largest groupsInternational students make up 10% of the AtD cohorts

Most Popular Programs of Study

University TransferADNLPNSpecial Students

(Developmental students classified in prospective program group)

Immigration Status

Permanent residents (the majority)F-1 visa students (next largest group)Asylees and refugeesNaturalized citizensOther types of visas

ESL Students

65 countries1188 studentsMexico most heavily representedFollowed by Honduras, Korea, Japan, and El Salvador

Curriculum Admissions Information

Current policy: We do NOT accept students who are abroadUndocumented students acceptedPay out-of-state tuition feeSome visas do not permit study towards degree. Student must apply for F-1 student visaTakes several months for approval

Legal Requirements for F-1 Students

Enroll full-time (12 or more credits)Summer semester not required (except new students – 9 credits)Make normal progress toward degree objectiveReport any change of program, address, other information

When is “Reduced Course Load” allowed?

Academic reasons (one term only)Advisor’s recommendation requiredLast term before graduation (one term only)Documented medical condition (maximum 12 months)

Employment of F-1 Students

On-campus up to 20 hours per weekOff-campus requires application to USCISUpon graduation eligible for OPT for one year

Problems Encountered by F-1 Students

Class availability to meet full-time requirementWaiting list students must take courses outside programDelayed arrival of funds from abroad

Problems (continued)

Cannot obtain driver’s license without Social Security numberCannot get SS number without job offer(DTCC assigns ID number 270)Spouse’s activity restricted (no credit courses, no SS number)Need to improve English skills

International Students Club

Mission is to be a gathering place for exchange of cultural information Monthly meetings focus on one countryCampus activities (Nigerian Independence Day, International Coffee Connection, Taste of International Food)

International Students Club

International Education Week (fashion show and entertainment)Help host visiting international groupsUpcoming plans for Year of Languages

Adult Basic Skills ESL vs EFL

Fed/State fundedNo cost to studentSurvival EnglishMulti-skill classesWaiting list commonCon Ed offeringsGED and NA in Spanish

Tuition charged5 credits/courseAcademic EnglishSingle skill classesListening/speaking, Reading, Grammar, WritingDevelopmental prefix

NC Community College EFL

Currently offered only at Central Piedmont (Charlotte) and Wake TechDurham Tech offered a few classes but none currently

Obstacles to EFL at DTCC

Difficult to schedule 5 cr class if not 5 days/wk.Lack of available classroomsHow to count these classes: developmental? Foreign language? Continuing Education?

Alternatives to EFL

Workplace-related ESL classes at company sitesIncreased Con Ed offeringsESP English for Specific Purposes classes-Collaboration with Duke School of NursingEFL tutoring in CLCSummer English Language Institute

Additional Challenges

Appropriate advising for walk-in/phone inquiries from non-native speakers looking to improve English language skillsDetermining where to house EFL if DTCC decides to offer it again

Internationalizing Curriculum/Campus

Foreign Language offeringsYear of LanguagesAA concentrations and corollariesPrograms/courses global in natureInfused courses

Guest lecturersInternational VisitorsScience SeminarsViva/Vive the ArtsLatin American Film FestivalField trips abroad

Study Abroad

2003: Ecuador and Peru

2004: Ecuador with Galapagos

2005: Chile

Faculty/Staff Development

Study Abroad coordinatorsConferences abroadScholarships-Summer 2005Lunch and Learn presentationsTLC presentationsWorkshop for CC librarians (UNC-CH/Worldview)

At the System Level

Hispanic/Latino Initiative Advisory Committee (H/LI)

Global Education Consortium

What next?