For the second consecutive summer, the International Studies and Programs, or ISP, joined forces with both Visiting International Professional Program, and Global Studies in Arts and Humanities to deliver enriching intercultural competence and Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion workshops and courses. These initiatives have provided valuable opportunities for hundreds of global Spartans visiting Michigan State University during summer 2023.
One notable collaboration involved Dr. Salah Hassan, director of Global Studies in Arts and Humanities who led the Mandela Washington Fellowship Program at MSU and Dr. Anjam Chaudhary, DEI coordinator for ISP. Together, they organized a series of training sessions for the Mandela Washington fellows, focusing on team building and intercultural communication. Over 20 dedicated MSU professionals generously volunteered their time to coach the fellows, providing them with guidance throughout this unique experience.
In addition, the SUSI (Study of the United States Institute) fellows from various European countries started a program centered on immersion into cross-cultural communication within a global context. SUSI acquired strategies to navigate different cultural environments and build meaningful relationships with their international peers. Similarly, German Fulbright fellows participated in a one-week course on intercultural communication and leadership in a global context. They explored their own value systems, uncovered biases, and developed skills such as offering compassionate and culturally aware feedback, as well as strategies for active listening.
These cross-campus collaborations and training programs for international visitors illustrate a vision to integrate Global DEI principles across MSU programs. This vision was developed by both Dr. Ashley Green, director of DEI at ISP and Chaudhary. These efforts highlight a dedication to fostering intercultural understanding and collaboration among Spartans from around the world.