Category Archives: Programs

Mroz Global Leadership Inaugural Convening

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The Mroz Global Leadership Institute held its Inaugural Convening in March 2022. More than 60 domestic and international guests came to the College of Charleston for two full days of talks and panel discussions on the topics of leadership, diplomacy, and international security. The Inaugural Convening was an opportunity to celebrate the world-wide impact of the EastWest Institute over its 40-year history and the launch of the Mroz Institute and its vision of preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s global leaders.

During two days of the Convening, we organized 2 keynote addresses, 2 featured talks, 5 breakout sessions, and 5 roundtable discussions. The Convening was a highlight of the spring semester attended by Mayor Tecklenburg, CofC President Hsu, Provost Austin, Hilton and Catherin Smith, LCWA board members, many faculty members, students, and members of the Charleston community. We hosted sixteen speakers, including five CofC faculty members, who shared their insight on migration, covid and climate change, global governance, the challenges of democratic governance and the threat of authoritarianism, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Convening was very impactful on campus, as each panel or talk was attended by 85-110 guests and one panel discussion had standing room only with about 190 in attendance. We offered an remote opportunity to attend panels to our guests, who connected from Armenia, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Serbia, and many US states.

We hosted the leaders of affiliate organizations– David Firestein from the Bush-China Foundation, Brian Finlay and Bruce McConnel from the Stimson Center, and Anneleen Roggeman for a panel discussion. These organizations, along with the Mroz Institute, continue the legacy of John Edwin Mroz and the EastWest Institute. Among the speakers were world renowned experts on leadership, executive coaches, leaders of non-profit organizations, think-tanks, and international organizations. The highlights of the convening were the keynote addresses by Marshall Goldsmith, best-selling author of books on leadership and mentorship and Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Secretary-General of NATO.

LCWA Summer Study Abroad Scholarship and Award Recipients

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We would like to thank everyone for encouraging our students to apply to the scholarships and awards that run through the LCWA Dean’s Office. The demand for study abroad is returning with a vengeance and thanks to your guidance LCWA was able to award $64,200 in scholarships and awards for summer international related travel just at the Dean’s level. This amount does not include the $95,000 for our International Scholars summer trips that are finally back after a two year pandemic induced hiatus. This is a total of $159,200 in philanthropic funds going directly to enrich our students experience. Of course, none of this could happen without the generous student focused philanthropy we have received from our donors. We are truly grateful that through this generosity we are able to support all the students below with their summer study abroad and internship experiences. Thanks to you all for developing and implementing the programs key to international success.

Eve Alexander
Mikaela Dougherty
Charlie Forstein
Reuben Goldstein
Grace Griffen
TaDora Isaacs
Bethany Kao
Riley Mazey
Lea Neufeld
Casey O’Brien
Savannah Ramer
Anthony Rovinski
JaVan Scott
Hailey Sorrell
Kerrigan-Tierney von Carlowitz
Darby Watford
Jack Watson

 

First Annual EXPO Award Recipients featured in the College TODAY

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Congratulations to all the students who participated in the first CofC EXPO.

On April 7, 2022, more than 230 students from disciplines across the College of Charleston campus shared their mentored research, scholarship, creative inquiry and community service projects during the inaugural EXPO, the College’s most comprehensive celebration of student achievement.

Check out the article in the College TODAY about the award winners!

 

 

Spanish as a Heritage Language Distinction program

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Looking forward to the fall 2022 semester, the Department of Hispanic Studies is very happy to be able to announce the launch of a brand-new initiative: Spanish as a Heritage Language Distinction program.

As noted on the programs website, “the Spanish as a Heritage Language Distinction (SHLD) Program is conceived as a manner of recognizing Hispanic/Latino students at the College of Charleston with a unique and valuable connection to Spanish as a heritage language and the varied cultures of the Hispanic world including the US.

 Through its requirements and related opportunities and activities, participants will increase their understanding of their own rich bilingual and bicultural heritage, as well as how this heritage fits into the overall mosaic of Hispanic/Latino cultures, while perfecting their advanced Spanish language skills for personal and professional enrichment.

 Besides being a reflection of Hispanic Studies’ focus on developing cultural intelligence, linguistic abilities, and world impact skills, the SHLD Program serves to advance the institution’s commitment to the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion which form an essential part of the College’s educational mission.”

For more information on this exciting new opportunity and participation requisites check out the program website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6th German-American Business Summit

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Don’t forget that next Tuesday, March 29th is the 6th annual German-American Business Summit!

Find all the details, sponsors, and events throughout the day on the 6th German American Business Summit website. 

 

 

9:30am
Welcome: Morgan Koerner, Chair of the German and Russian Studies program

Introduction: Knudt Flor, Senior Vice President for Innovation and Industry Engagement and Professor of the Practice at CofC.

9:45am
Panel Discussion: Soft Skills, Global Impacts: Communication and Intercultural Competence in German-American Industry. Moderator: Professor Stephen Della Lana, Senior Instructor of German and Director of the CofC Cultural Vistas Summer Internship in Germany Program

Panelists:
Jamila Anderson, Communications Specialist, Mercedes-Benz Vans
Bertina Brase, German-American Recruitment Specialist with Q-Works Group.
Daniel Schlegel, Vice President of Customer Service, KION North America
J. Kevin Smith, CFO at Eugen Wexler US Plastics Inc.

10:45am
Coffee and Networking Break

11:30am
Introduction: Dr. Sebastian van Delden, Dean, School of Sciences and Math

Keynote Address: “Resilience and Flexibility in the Supply Chain in a Volatile Market “given by Oliver Haase, Senior Vice President for Purchasing and Supplier Network Americas, BMW.

1:00pm-4:00pm
Job Fair in TD Arena

4:30pm
Networking Reception in the President’s Garden, 6 Glebe Street

Inaugural Convening/EWI Reunion

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TODAY starts the John Edwin Mroz Global Leadership Institute’s Inaugural Convening! Check out all the details on the Mroz Global Leadership Institute website.

Monday, March 21st

9:15am
“EWI Legacy Renewed: John Edwin Mroz Global Leadership Institute and the Future” is the first event of the Mroz Inaugural Convening.
Tim Johnson, dean School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs (LCWA), and Max Kovalov, Bennett Director of the Mroz Global Leadership Institute, will be discussing the John Edwin Mroz Global Leadership Institute and its future.

10:30am
Regenerative Leadership: How Leadership Must Change for a Sustainable Future

1:15pm
Breakout Sessions featuring guest speakers, College faculty and participants of student programs: Bonner Leaders, Global Ambassadors, International Scholars, Perlmutter Fellows, Schottland Scholars, Martin Scholars and Market Process Scholars.
Breakout 1: International Energy Perspective: A Regional Insight into the Middle East Randa Fahmy Jewish Studies Center, Room 233
Breakout 2: The Business of Non-Profit Stephen Heintz and Jonathan Fanton Jewish Studies Center, Room 237
Breakout 3: Mentoring Leaders Marshall Goldsmith and David Allen Jewish Studies Center, Room 333
2:30pm
Roundtable: Leadership through Difference and Change

6:00pm
Award Presentation

Tuesday, March 22nd

9:30am
EWI History Project: Of Archives, Memory and Oral Histories

11:00am
Democracy as Strategy in an Age of Authoritarian Resurgence

1:15pm
Breakout Sessions featuring guest speakers, College faculty and participants of student programs: Bonner Leaders, Global Ambassadors, International Scholars, Perlmutter Fellows, Schottland Scholars, Martin Scholars and Market Process Scholars

Breakout 1: COVID, Climate Change and Conflict: Who’s in Charge? Brian Finlay and Bruce McConnell Jewish Studies Center, Room 237
Breakout 2: Migration and the State: Securitization, Citizenship and Vulnerability Sarah Koellner, Amy Malek and Briana McGinnis Jewish Studies Center, Room 337

2:15pm
Ukraine and Russia: What’s Driving the Conflict?
Lecture by Damon Wilson, Max Kovalov and Frank Emerson in the Rita Hollings Science Center, Auditorium Room 101.

3:00pm
Around the World with Mroz Institute Affiliates
Lecture by David Firestein, Brian Finlay, Anneleen Roggeman and Bruce McConnell (host) in the Rita Hollings Science Center, Auditorium Room 101

5:00pm
Keynote Address: Bringing East and West Together: The Legacy of John Edwin Mroz

International Scholars “Student Spotlight”

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Grace Kern ’23
Majors: International Studies and Political Science
Concentration: Asia

Grace Kern is from Fort Mill, SC. She chose CofC because loves the city of Charleston, and was excited by the opportunity to join the Honors College here at CofC and to engage in exciting courses with small class sizes. She had this to say when asked why she chose the International Scholars program, “I already knew that I was interested in studying International Studies, and the International Scholars Program provided me with the opportunity to combine these studies with other interests of mine, all while gaining access to an amazing mentorship program. I was also excited to meet other internationally-minded students at the College; I have met some of my closest friends through the International Scholars Program!” And since being accepted into the program she has learned, “that there are many skills and traits that are important for a career in international affairs that extend beyond the things that you can learn in a classroom. Open-mindedness, flexibility, compassion, and strong communication skills can serve you just as well, if not better, than class content.” After graduation she plans to work for an international nonprofit that focuses on education and women/girls rights followed by joining the U.S. Foreign Service.

If you’re interested in learning more about the International Scholars program check out the website https://intlscholars.cofc.edu/ 

 

 

 

Mroz Institute Inaugural Convening “Leadership & Diplomacy”

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You’ve likely heard already, but we have a major LCWA event this month!

The Inaugural Convening for the John Edwin Mroz Global Leadership Institute will be held March 20-22, 2022.

  • Monday, March 21 will focus on leadership and we have four of the top CEO executive coaches as presenters (Marshall Goldsmith, John Izzo, David Allen, and Randa Fahmy). Also included are Stephen Heintz (CEO of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund) and Jonathan Fanton (past president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences).
  • Tuesday, March 22 will focus on international affairs and global challenges and close with a keynote address by Rose Gottemoeller, former deputy secretary of NATO and the lead negotiator of the nuclear arms control treaty with Russia (New START).

But it’s not just about the speakers. There will also be about 50-60 highly connected internationalists with interests covering all regions coming to campus.

There is no registration needed for in-person attendance and we encourage in-person participation. For those who won’t be able to attend events in person, we have a webinar option. Most events will be live-streamed. Breakout sessions that are not live-streamed will be recorded and made available for viewing shortly after the convening.

You can register for both days of live-streaming here: shorturl.at/ouLWX.

After registration, you will receive in your email the zoom link and the passcode, which will be valid for live-streaming of all events on both days. You just need to follow the program.

To see a full list of the events check out the website mrozinstitute.cofc.edu

 

International Scholars “Student Spotlight”

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Emilia Olson ‘22
Majors: International Studies and Public Health
Concentration: Latin America & the Caribbean

“I’m from Charleston, SC. I chose CofC because of the liberal art education and ample study abroad opportunities. I also was attracted to the International Scholars Program and the Charleston Fellows Program through the Honors College. I chose International Scholars because I am interested in global health and I wanted to have a diverse education about global issues and solutions. I have enjoyed the cohort experience, study abroad in Estonia, and mentorship opportunities. I have been able to study abroad in five countries across five continents, in part, because of the International Scholars Program. I’ve also been able to engage deeply with faculty and peers in the department.  After college I plan on completing a masters in Global Health at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden and then attend medical school. Ultimately, I would like to work as a physician in Humanitarian Aid.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the International Scholars program check out the website https://intlscholars.cofc.edu/ 

 

World Affairs Colloquium Series with Damon Wilson

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Join us for a talk on democracy and democratic renewal around the world. Our guest is Damon Wilson, President CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, will present his lecture, “Forging a Coalition in Favor of Freedom Around the World.” This talk is a co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Charleston (WACC) and the Mroz Global Leadership Institute.  It’s open to CofC faculty, staff, students and WACC members.

Damon Wilson is President CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy, a private, non-profit, non-partisan foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democracy throughout the world. It promotes political groups, free markets, trade unions and other independent institutions. Prior to joining the Endowment, he helped transform the Atlantic Council into a leading global think tank as its executive vice president. Previously, Wilson served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council helping to enlarge a Europe whole, free, and at peace; to secure freedom through NATO enlargement; to deter and counter Russian aggression; and to work with a united Europe as a leading US partner to support democracy in the world.

When: 6pm, Thursday, January 27, 2022
Where: Arnold Hall, Jewish Studies Center (96 Wentworth St, Charleston, SC 29424). This is a live in-person event and masks are required during the talk. Space is limited. RSVP to join the in-person event http://shorturl.at/bhyHZ. We will also stream the talk via zoom. Register for live-streaming at http://shorturl.at/hqAQ7.