Faculty, staff members receive grants for partnership delegation

Five faculty and staff members received grants to travel to Japan with the Padnos International Center partnership delegation.

In June, the delegation will travel to three partner institutions: International Christian University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University and Japan Center for Michigan Universities. Co-leaders of the delegation are Rebecca Hambleton, director of study abroad and international partnerships, and Naoki Kanaboshi, assistant professor of criminal justice.

This is the eighth year PIC has led an interdisciplinary group of faculty and staff members to a partner institution. Hambleton said these annual trips have multiple goals centered around building a globalized campus and being an ambassador for Grand Valley.

"We build these unique, interdisciplinary teams that allow colleagues to collaborate on a similar goal, to learn more about a culture and a history of that country," she said.

Other delegates are Luanne Brown, director of payroll services; Tracey James-Heer, associate director of admissions; Felix Ngassa, associate professor of chemistry; Melissa Selby-Theut, coordinator of outreach and peer education for the University Counseling Center; and Lin Tian, affiliate professor of communications.

They will visit the partner institutions, the U.S. Embassy and Education USA, an outreach of the Department of State that advises international students about study abroad opportunities in the U.S. In addition to cultural excursions, Hambleton said the delegation will meet with Grand Valley students studying in Japan.

Brown said she had considered applying to be a delegate for a while, and added that the trip will aid her work with international students and faculty members. "I wanted an experience that will push me beyond my comfort level," she said. "I think I will be able to relate to international faculty and students better after putting myself in their position of being a minority in a country."

Ngassa said he looks forward to networking with chemistry colleagues at the partner institutions. "This trip will help prepare me to be a better advisor when helping students make a decision about study abroad opportunities because my advising will be validated by personal experience through travel and knowledge of another culture," he said.