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Issue: # 2
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March/April 2009 |
Director's Message
 Every year, I leave our annual undergraduate research
conference with something interesting I didn't know before. This year, I
learned about the structure and meaning of salsa music...international governance
and environmental initiatives....and the role of oxytocin on maternal bonding....
thought-provoking research by our undergraduates that show the breadth and
depth of the work going on daily at our 12 institutions.
It's a great opportunity for our students and faculty to
learn from each other in a collegial setting - the best of what Alliance programs can be.
And I'm happy to report that the spirit of collaboration is
alive and well in other areas, as well. As you'll see in this newsletter, our
groups have been busy this winter and spring, exploring where collaboration
makes sense, sharing their knowledge with each other, and building structures
that make working together possible.
I'm just back from a visit to Georgia
State University
in Atlanta,
where I met with the Dean's Council, and am headed out over the next year to
visit each of our members. My goal is to build relationships more deeply within
institutions by spending several days working from the provost's office and
getting to know people across campus.
I look forward to seeing you soon on your home campus!
Best,
Dr.
Mary Frances Forcier
Director, Colonial Academic
Alliance
mforcier@gmu.edu
703.993.4797
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CAA Undergraduates Present their Findings at
2009 Undergraduate Research Conference
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The 7th annual Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Conference was held on April 4-5, 2009 at Towson University in Towson, MD. The conference was a great success, bringing together over 80 undergraduates from ten CAA institutions to present their scholarly and research endeavors to their peers.  Student researchers represented an array of disciplines, from the traditional sciences to the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and professional schools. Students presented their findings through oral presentations and poster sessions. Speakers included Daniel Keplinger, renowned artist and Towson alumnus, and Dr. Don Forester, Professor of Biological Sciences at Towson, who provided the keynote address.  The CAA Undergraduate Research Conference was hosted for the first time
by George Mason University in 2003, the University of Delaware in 2004,
Hofstra University in 2005, James Madison University in 2006, the
University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2007, and Northeastern
University in 2008.  The Alliance would like to thank Dr. Larry Wimmers from Towson University for providing leadership in coordinating this year's conference.
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Student Affairs Shadowing Program
Applications Available
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Student affairs staff members - Are you interested in learning about best practices in your area? Are you seeking new ideas to implement on your campus? Would you like to build a network of colleagues on other campuses?
The CAA Student Affairs Shadowing Program provides an opportunity for professionals to learn from each other in a focused, intensive shadowing program. Participants will normally spend two to three days on another institution's campus, meeting with staff members in their area of interest. Previous areas have included international programs, academic support, multicultural affairs, career services, and student activities, but other areas are also possible.
 Our most recent participant was Michelle M. Hall, Assistant Director in the Office of Multicultural & International Student Programs at Hofstra University. Last month, Michelle visited George Mason University's Office of International Programs & Services, gaining knowledge and professional contacts to benefit her and her work at Hofstra.
Michelle M. Hall
Hofstra University
Fall 2009 participants should be mid- to senior-level professionals (5+ years of experience); Spring 2010 participants should be entry- to mid-level professionals (<5 years of experience). For more information and the application form, please see the CAA website.
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"Shifting Identities and Globalization in Contemporary India" Conference Held
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To inaugurate its efforts focusing on South Asia, the Alliance co-sponsored a highly successful conference, "Shifting Identities and Globalization in Contemporary India," on February 26, 2009 at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
The conference, which was organized by the Globalization and Society in India Working Group at George Mason
University, was developed to foster critical analysis of the
globalization discourse in India and develop a network of academics
interested in this topic. Georgetown University's Dr. J.P. Singh,
distinguished scholar of international trade, development and culture,
provided the keynote address.
 The
conference attracted nearly 70 scholars of contemporary
India, including representatives of seven CAA institutions. To see photos from the conference, click here.
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VCU Student Wins Undergraduate Paper Award
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Kanwar Anand, an Honors
College student at Virginia Commonwealth University,
has been awarded the first Undergraduate Paper Award in
conjunction with the CAA "Globalization and Society in Modern India" conference.
His paper was titled "Medical Tourism: A Perfect Example of How Globalization Has Impacted Indian Economy."  Anand (second from the left) is pictured here with Dr. McKenna Brown, Executive Director of the Office of International Education; Dr. Stephen Gottfredson, Provost; and Dr. Jacqueline Smith-Mason, Assistant Dean & Director of Undergraduate Research, The Honors College. |
South Asian Studies Network Formed
Group to focus on information sharing,
collaboration & study abroad
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In conjunction with our conference on globalization and India, the Colonial Academic Alliance has formed a new South Asian Studies Network. The group will be composed of interested members of the academic community from all 12 CAA schools and will be headed by a coordinating committee.
One of the group's primary goals is to establish collaborative study abroad programs in India and elsewhere in South Asia. As part of our inaugural effort, the following institutions are opening study abroad programs in South Asia to all students within the CAA:
University of Delaware
James Madison University
University of North Carolina Wilmington
The College of William & Mary
For more information, please click here. We also have a new South Asian Studies listserv, which will be used for discussion, information sharing and collaboration. All scholars, researchers, and study abroad professionals interested in South Asia are encouraged to join. To join the listserv, please e-mail Carlin Anderson at candersv@gmu.edu and she will add you. |
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"Helping Non-Native Speakers Succeed"
Conference Held in February
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 To help our campuses best serve the English language needs of our
international students, scholars, and employees, the Alliance sponsored a one-day conference on Saturday, February 28 at George Mason
University in Fairfax, VA.
The conference was open to CAA faculty and staff who work with non-native speakers on their campuses, and was attended by representatives of six CAA institutions.
 The conference was designed to help participants establish relationships with colleagues from other CAA universities, learn how other universities meet the language needs of internationals and establish at least one area of collaboration between their institution and another.
Terry O'Donnell, Executive Director of the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, provided the keynote address.
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The Colonial Academic Alliance develops, promotes and facilitates collaborative programs and resource sharing to enhance academic quality and institutional effectiveness throughout our member institutions. | |
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