JFDP Orientation at the University of Kansas Kicks Off 2009-2010 Fellowship

January 4, 2010 marked the beginning of the 2009-2010 Junior Faculty Development Program (JFDP), with the start of an orientation at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas. The JFDP Orientation was hosted for a fourth year by KU’s Office of International Programs, and served as the first opportunity to gather 68 JFDP Fellows from 15 countries across Eurasia and Southeastern Europe: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Orientation commenced with a warm welcome from KU representatives: Vice Provost, Dr. Danny Anderson; International Programs Associate Vice Provost, Dr. Susan Gronbeck-Tedesco; and International Programs Assistant Vice Provost, Dr. Hodgie Bricke. Dr. Karene Grad, JFDP Program Officer at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, then gave official remarks to welcome the group on behalf of ECA. American Councils for International Education President, Dr. Dan E. Davidson, delivered the keynote address that focused on the value of research, teaching, and learning within different academic cultures. The opening remarks and Dr. Davidson’s lecture set a positive tone for the entire event. 

Over the three-day period, Fellows had the opportunity to network with colleagues, meet University of Kansas professors, and explore current issues and trends in U.S. higher education. Session topics addressing contemporary issues in U.S. higher education included: “The Graduate School in the Overall Structure of an American University,” “Creating Significant Learning Experiences,” “Curriculum and Instruction – Rubrics, Assessment, and Course Outlines,” as well as a question-and-answer session with a panel of KU professors in different stages of the tenure process and their careers. The panel brought the theme of higher education to life by offering the Fellows insight into academic life at U.S. universities. The Fellows also got a taste of American civics with the session, “The Age of Obama: One Year Later,” presented by Dr. Diana Carlin, KU Professor of Communication Studies. 

Additionally, American Councils staff members conducted sessions covering critical adjustment and administrative issues which Fellows face as they move to their host university communities, including their new role as both a scholar and a cultural ambassador. The final day of orientation provided Fellows a welcome opportunity to break out of country groups to discuss higher education issues and make brief presentations to the entire group of Fellows. This program component, introduced at pre-departure orientations in their respective countries, allowed the Fellows to identify and examine critical issues facing higher education in their home countries. During the orientation, Fellows were asked to choose a particular issue to explore while in the U.S. Topics included: University Governance, Financing, Global Markets, Higher Education Policy, Transparency, Education Standards, Accreditation, Faculty Preparation, Teaching and Learning, Methodology, Accessibility, and the Role of Technology. Fellows then worked in these theme-based groups to compare and contrast goals related to their chosen issue, and identified the most pressing goals for all countries involved in the discussion. The day’s activities culminated with a presentation of action plans by each educational topic group, detailing the ways the groups intend to utilize the JFDP Fellowship to further their understanding of their higher education topic, identify educational models that might further inform educational policy discussions at home, and develop strategies for implementing these new ideas within their education communities. The Higher Education Development Projects will continue throughout the semester with more assignments on the topics.

The orientation, however, was not without opportunities to network and make friends. On the first night, Fellows were invited to relax and get acquainted over pizza, salad, brownies, and soft drinks at the KU bowling alley. In true Midwest spirit, Fellows and staff celebrated a successful completion of the orientation with an old-fashioned barn dance. A traditional folk music ensemble played live along with an instructional square-dancing “caller,” yielding an entertaining evening filled with dancing, good cheer, and a slice of Americana.

JFDP Fellows departed for their host universities on January 10, 2010 to begin their semester-long fellowships. KU also issued a news release about the conference, which can be accessed at the link below.

University of Kansas News Item

View Photo Gallery: JFDP Orientation 2010