VTRIP Project Director April Burriss spoke briefly at the September
2002 VTC Board of Directors Meeting and presented recommendations from
the VTRIP institutions' collaborative efforts. The Board adopted the
resolution to support the
Statement of Rededication to International Education,
and also voted to support on their campuses the spirit of the other
recommendations and goals as listed. All of the VTRIP members are
sincerely enthused and gratified by the strong support of our
institutional leaders.
Press Release: US Secretary
of Education Rod Paige recently announced the award of $16.8 million
for 77 new grants to colleges, universities, and organizations
nationwide. “These grants”, said Paige, “allow colleges to share
research and successful best practices that can provide innovative
ways to address issues common throughout higher education”.
The awards were made through the Comprehensive Grant Program,
administered by the Education Department’s Fund for the Improvement
in Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). Hampton University has received a
$236,710 grant to support the Virginia Tidewater Regional
International Project (VTRIP). According to the Project Director,
April P. Burriss, a foreign language professor at HU, “This is one
of the most competitive grant programs in the nation as fewer than 4%
of the proposed projects were funded.”
Larry Dotolo, President of the Virginia Tidewater Consortium of Higher
Education (VTC) said, “Faculty and administrative expertise will be
enhanced with minimal investment by utilizing shared regional
resources.” VTRIP introduces cost-effective and innovative ways of
increasing student participation in study abroad activities through
the development of curriculum-based study abroad programs. VTRIP will
also develop strategies that increase the number and diversity of
students participating in study abroad
One of VTRIP’s kick-off activities recently took place on December
7, 2001 at WHRO in Norfolk, Va. More than 50 VTC faculty members from
Old Dominion University, Hampton University, Tidewater Community
College, Thomas Nelson Community College, Virginia Wesleyan College
and Christopher Newport University participated in a Study Abroad
Workshop. Steve Johnson, Study Abroad Director at ODU, conducted a
session on the Nuts and Bolts of Study Abroad, Ann Moore, of
Studyabroad.com, presented faculty with information on how to take
advantage of existing study abroad resources. The workshop consultants
also worked with faculty on issues related to effective planning of
study abroad programs including financial aid, sharing resources, and
preparing contingency plans.
The catastrophic events of September 11 provided an urgency and a
heightened awareness of the importance of developing programs that
enhance American students’ global and cross-cultural knowledge and
sensitivity. Faculty worked together with a rededication to meeting
the challenge to make an intellectual contribution to effective global
leadership that is necessary for the constructive competitiveness, and
security of the United States. Faculty took part in discussions and
work sessions. They formed Inter-institutional networking groups to
develop initiatives in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
The VTRIP project in partnership with the VTC will develop new
curriculum-based study abroad programs, increase the number of study
abroad faculty advisors, expand the diversity of students
participating in study abroad, decrease the costs for international
study within the region, and support more seamless administrative
support.
VTRIP POST 9-11
STATEMENT OF REDEDICATION TO INTERNATIONALIZATION
These are most difficult times for our nation. We are operating under
challenging conditions that only strengthen our commitment to
international education. As leaders in higher education we renew with
vigor our pledge to learning and scholarship that support our
responsibility to make an intellectual contribution to effective
global leadership and mutual respect. This is exhibited by our
rededication to the goals of developing global and cross-cultural
knowledge and respect necessary for the constructive leadership,
competitiveness, and security of the United States.
VTRIP Grant Award – Press Release Statement
One of the most competitive education grant programs in the country,
the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) recently
awarded $237,596 for the Virginia Tidewater Regional International
Project (VTRIP). According to HU Spanish Professor April P. Burriss
who is the VTRIP Project Director:
"the major project goal is to establish a
sustainable regional network of faculty study abroad
facilitators and shared study abroad programs for member
institutions of the Virginia Tidewater Consortium. In addition, a
secondary focus of VTRIP is to increase the number of
underrepresented students participating in these programs."
The most significant aspect of VTRIP is its emphasis
on a regional consortium working together on internationalization of
the curriculum in order to strengthen the capacity of each institution
to achieve their goals through utilization of shared resources. The
grant project is conducted in collaboration with the Virginia
Tidewater Consortium (VTC) and includes Old Dominion University,
Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College, Virginia
Weslyean University, Christopher Newport University, Thomas Nelson
Community College and Hampton University.
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