Welcome to the OSU School of International Studies

The School of International Studies is Oklahoma State University's academic framework for integrating the resources of all eight OSU colleges to expand international opportunities in instruction, research, and outreach for individuals and organizations seeking a greater understanding and involvement in world trade and international affairs. The School of International Studies is housed in the state-of-the-art Wes Watkins Center, which serves as a focal point for international activities at OSU. Operating as part of International Education and Outreach, the School helps carry out the University's outreach missions of providing educational programs and services beyond traditional campus boundaries. School components include the Graduate Programs, the International Outreach Program, the English Language Institute, the Study Abroad Program, a Peace Corps recruiting office, a Fulbright Information Center, and the OSU Chapter of Phi Beta Delta.

Headlines

Inaugural Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader Award Winner Announced

Dr Steve Harrist of the College of Education was awarded the first Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader Award during the Campus Life Sponsored President’s Leadership Recognition Ceremony April 16^th. Dr. Harrist has led numerous study abroad programs abroad. In 2006, he and co-sponsors took 17 students to the United Nations headquarters in New York, Paris and Geneva. In 2007, he took 24 students TO Ireland and England to study leadership and ethics with special emphasis on Winston Churchill. This May, 46 students from several colleges within the university are enrolled in International Perspectives in Ethics and Leadership and will travel to Athens and Rome. Currently, Dr Harrist is developing a proposal for a multi-dimensional partnership with the Belizean community and a Belizean Higher Education Partner, multiple academic units at OSU, and non-profit groups and corporate partners. The unifying theme for this initiative is “growing the field of sustainable eco-tourism.” In addition to his international work, Dr Harrist has also contributed significantly to OSU. Starting in 2003, in partnership with the Office of Leadership Development and the College of Education Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, he developed the OSU Undergraduate Leadership Certificate Program. In the spring of 2007, the state regents approved the program as the OSU Leadership Minor. Dr Harrist has set a great standard for future recipients of the Outstanding Faculty Study Abroad Leader Award. For more information about OSU’s Study Abroad programs: visit either www.studyabroad.okstate.edu or www.itravel.okstate.edu.

SIS Hosts a Global Briefing with Oklahoma’s Secretary of State

The School of International Studies held its fourth Global Briefing of the year April 3^rd. The featured speaker was Oklahoma’s Secretary of State, Susan Savage. Secretary Savage spoke to the packed room about her experiences since her office was designated as the one responsible for the state’s international relations and protocol last year. One of the big challenges she has right now is making sense of the new legislation that has been introduced in Oklahoma to designate English as its official language. Just prior to coming to speak, she had the opportunity to read through the entire legislation. One point of concern is whether or not it will be illegal for her to use state funds to translate state documents for visiting dignitaries to read. With this instance and others, Secretary Savage gave a relevant view of a government official’s role in today’s ever-changing global society.

SIS in Conjunction with OSU’s College of Education Holds a Global Briefing

The School of International Studies, with OSU’s College of Education, held its third Global Briefing of the year on March 27^th. The featured speaker was Dr Lloyd Lewan. Dr Lewan is an alumnus of the College of Education and served for many years as Dean then as Chairman of the Board for the Institute for Shipboard Education. The Institute is the governing body for the Semester at Sea program where students study for a semester traveling all over the world. Dr Lewan shared with the crowd of about 175 students, faculty and OSU administration some his experiences aboard the ship and spoke about the role of proper leadership in today’s global society. Dr Lloyd has written a book addressing this very issue – “To be a Leader: Leadership Beyond Management.” To end his talk, Dr Lewan encouraged the attendees to include studying or traveling abroad as part of their learning experience. He said that we owe it to our children to be knowledgeable citizens of the world. For more information about Dr Lewan or to suggest someone who could be a potential speaker for SIS’s Global Briefing Series, contact SIS’s Coordinator of International Outreach Brett Wood at 405.744.5662 or brett.wood@okstate.edu.

SIS Students Attend the 16^th Annual International Student Awareness Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol

Several SIS students were among those welcomed to the Oklahoma State Capitol by legislators for the 16^th Annual International Student Awareness Day on March 24^th. International high school and college students are invited each year by the state’s legislators to thank the students for choosing Oklahoma to further their education. The event is sponsored by the Joint Legislative Committee on International Development in conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office and the Governor’s International Team (of which SIS’s Interim Associate Director Dr Steve Miller is a member). Students sit in the House chamber in the State Representatives seats and in the gallery and are welcomed by the Joint Committee’s Co-Chair and MC Shane Jett with their country’s typical greeting. This year, approximately 75 countries were represented in the enthusiastic crowd. After the welcoming ceremony, students gathered for a large group photo on the capitol’s interior grand staircase (they will each receive a copy of the picture in the coming weeks). Finally, they were treated to a buffet of local restaurants’ food that was donated for the event and were entertained with various singers and dancers in the capitol’s rotunda. Click here for pictures of the event.

Students and staff from the School of International Studies Attend Dubai’s 3^rd Women as Global Leaders Conference

SIS students Latasha Wilson and Janet Herren and ELI Director Kay Keys attended the 3^rd Women as Global Leaders Conference in Dubai March 10^th-12^th. The conference continued it’s commitment to leadership education and women's leadership with the theme "Learning Leadership". Among this year’s conference speakers were Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson; Founder & Chairwoman of the Arab International Women’s Forum, Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani; Actress Jane Fonda and Journalist Helen Thomas. The conference is held in conjunction with Zayed University every other year. OSU helped develop and works with Zayed’s Executive MBA Program and has sent several university officials, including IEO Director Dr James Hromas and OSU Spears School of Business Dean Sara Freedman, to speak at the University’s graduation ceremonies.