In September, Peabody Global Initiatives welcomed visitors from institutions in Ukraine, Morocco, and China to deepen connections and explore opportunities for future collaborations. Peabody Global Initiatives is a new initiative of Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development to support faculty to pursue international research and disseminate knowledge, as well as to develop impactful partnerships and networks through a culturally and contextually responsive, collaborative, and data-driven approach.
Ukrainian Delegation on the War’s Impact on Education
On September 10, Peabody College hosted the first Peabody Global Roundtable of the academic year, focused on the resilience of Ukraine’s education sector amidst the ongoing war. Khrystyna Voitovych, head of the Department of International Relations at Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, and Olha Leshko, a Ph.D. student at the university, spoke about the devastating impact of the invasion on educational institutions and the remarkable determination of educators. Hanna Terletska, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Middle Tennessee State University, introduced the STEM with Ukraine initiative, showcasing international collaborations supporting Ukrainian science. Please contact Nancy Dickson if you have any questions or would like to connect with STEM with Ukraine.
While at Vanderbilt, the delegation also toured the campus, visited the Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach, and met with Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development, and Ellen Goldring, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Educational Leadership and vice dean of Peabody College.
International University of Rabat in Morocco to be Key Global Partner
Vanderbilt intends to sign a memorandum of understanding with the International University of Rabat in Morocco, making IUR a key global partner. On September 24th, an IUR delegation visited Peabody College to explore innovative and impactful work in education that can inspire future collaborations. The delegation included Mohammed Boulmalf, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture and of the School of Computer Science and Digital Engineering; Mehdi Alioua, dean of the School of Political Science; and Meryem El Alaoui, head of International Relations and Partnerships.
The delegation toured the Susan Gray School, Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach, and Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth. Following the tour, they engaged with Peabody faculty members Andrea Capizzi, associate professor of the practice and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Special Education; Emily Phillips Galloway, assistant professor of literacy education; Jason Grissom, Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy and Education and faculty director of the Tennessee Education Research Alliance; Erin Henrick, associate professor of the practice of leadership, policy, and organizations and co-director of the Nashville Partnership for Educational Equity Research; Heather Johnson, professor of the practice of science education and program director for secondary education and for K-12 world languages; Catherine Loss, associate professor of the practice of leadership, policy, and organizations and senior associate dean of academic affairs and professional education; and Alyssa Wise, professor of technology and education and director of the LIVE Learning Innovation Incubator.
Beijing Foreign Studies University and Peabody Explore Collaborative Opportunities
On September 27th, Peabody College hosted a delegation from Beijing Foreign Studies University, including Wang Dinghua, the chairman of the university council and renowned scholar of comparative education. The delegation met with Dean Benbow and Vice Dean Goldring as well as Peabody faculty members, Xiu Cravens, professor of the practice of leadership, policy, and organizations; Rebecca Peterson, lecturer of teaching and learning; Huili Hong, professor of the practice of teaching and learning; and Brian Heuser, associate professor of the practice of leadership, policy, and organizations. They discussed Peabody’s influential work in education and explored opportunities for academic exchange, research collaborations, and future partnerships.
Additional members of the delegation included He Jing, director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office; Xie Tao, dean of the School of International Relations; Chang Fuliang, dean of the School of Spanish and Portuguese; Yue Yang, liaison for the chairman of the university council; Yuan Dayong, deputy dean of the Graduate School of Education; and Mo Xu, senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Education.