The Center for the Study of Global Change (CGC) is excited to announce the appointment of Celina Jaffe as the new Associate Director. As one of the administrative centers for many Title VI grants and Indiana University’s hub of global engagement resources, the Center welcomes Jaffe as a key piece of their continuing mission to bring global education to students and educators across Indiana. Jaffe’s journey, from her roots in Bloomington to her extensive global adventures, reflects a deep commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. With a passion for outreach and dedication to promoting global awareness, Jaffe is excited to join the CGC into a new era of engagement and exploration.
Jaffe’s background is rich with experiences that have shaped her global perspective. Originally from Bloomington, her initial exploration of the world began with an IU study abroad program to Aix-Marseille Université in France. This sparked a deeper passion for international engagement, leading her to various roles, including recently running the Teaching Assistant Program in France at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. After six years abroad as an artist and program coordinator, her goal was to return to Indiana and share her global insights.
“My dream has always been to bring internationalization back to Indiana,” she says.
As the CGC prepares for the year ahead, it has a wide array of events lined up for IU and communities across the state of Indiana. The Institute for Curriculum and Campus Internationalization (ICCI), held from May 19-22, was a notable highlight. This annual event is a platform for educators and University staff to enhance their curricula and campuses with global perspectives, with this year’s program welcoming instructors from 20 different of institutions across the US, including attendees from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador.
Scenes from this year’s ICCI
In the first week of June the Global Employability Project focused on equipping Indiana educators with the tools needed to prepare students for success in a globalized workforce. This project included two workshops in northern Indiana, which were particularly timely given the region’s growing global industry presence. For example, the Institute for Korean Studies at IU Bloomington is playing a key role in facilitating cultural integration as StarPlus Energy invests $2.5 billion in an EV battery plant in Kokomo, bringing significant economic growth and job opportunities. Jaffe notes, “As we heard at HLS’s recent conference, America’s Role in the World, having a global mindset is crucial as we see increased investment from foreign companies in our state.”
This initiative, a collaboration with Digital Promise, aims to prepare educators to integrate global perspectives into career and technical education, ensuring students are well-prepared for the global job market. Moreover, the Center’s Global Deliberations Collaboration at the end of June will revamp an older program designed to empower educators and their students with the skills and knowledge for critical deliberation, collaborative learning, and understanding diverse global perspectives, including marginalized voices. The updated program incorporates new elements like media literacy to make it more relevant for today’s educators.
Later in the summer the CGC’s focus shifts to empowering educators with global perspectives. One of their new initiatives is a partnership with two other National Resource Centers at IU (REEI and IAUNRC) and the nonprofit Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO), which provided scholarships for a cohort of teachers who will travel across Central Europe to enrich their understanding of global cultures and bring these insights back to their classrooms across the US. “These experiences have long-term impacts,” Jaffe explains. “One trip abroad can provide perspectives that last a lifetime and significantly enhance teaching practices.”
Eli Konwest, the director of the CGC, highlights the importance of collaboration in achieving the Center’s goals. “We guide this small but mighty team to be a hub for internationalization, helping faculty, students, and folks around the state meet their goals through an international lens,” she says. As Konwest points out, increasing student success, transforming research and igniting creativity within and beyond Indiana are all core parts of everything the CGC does as it empowers educators, administrators, and students to incorporate new perspectives.
The CGC actively collaborates with various departments and organizations to broaden its reach and impact. An advisory board that spans multiple departments ensures a multidisciplinary approach to global issues. “IU is so huge, and one of our goals is to get people connected under the same umbrella to make important changes happen,” Jaffe remarks. This collaborative spirit extends beyond IU’s borders, with the Center aiming to serve as a nationwide resource for globalization and internationalization.
Looking ahead, the CGC is committed to increasing regional engagement and expanding its national presence. “We are serious about supporting different regions with their unique needs,” Konwest emphasizes. This includes addressing the distinct concerns and opportunities present in various parts of Indiana, from the industrial growth in the north to the diverse communities across the state.
Konwest and Jaffe acknowledge the challenges of maintaining a physical presence statewide but remain optimistic about the potential for growth and impact. They are also focused on growing partnerships with institutions across the USA and working with other Title VI resource centers to support communities in meeting their internationalization goals.
As the CGC embarks on this exciting journey, it invites the IU community to join in its mission of promoting global understanding and collaboration by staying informed and engaged with the latest news and events. The Center’s diverse range of initiatives ranging from curriculum internationalization to global employability workshops and outreach events for children in local communities, underscores its commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and interconnectedness. Together, CGC and its partners are poised to inspire individuals to become active participants in shaping a more inclusive and interconnected world.
Very impressive. Thrilled to learn that Indiana is opening its doors with a vision for broadening perspectives.