Ashley Gregory will graduate from Ohio University in two weeks. But before she gets her diploma, this senior studying psychology will receive a certificate from OU's Global Leadership Center.
In her two years as a member of the center, commonly referred to as the GLC, Gregory traveled to Thailand and met people from all over the world.
I was looking for a community of people who thought the same way I did
and it's definitely been two years where you really get to know people and do international studies she said.
The GLC will celebrate its 10-year anniversary tomorrow during its graduation ceremony. Alumni of the program from around the country will attend the event.
The GLC is a two-year undergraduate certificate program that helps students become more globally aware, said Greg Emery, director of the program. Students enrolled in the program complete a series of six projects that improve their leadership and cultural communication skills, Emery said.
Although the GLC began in 1998, the idea for program emerged about 13 years ago, Emery said.
This was (a time) when the Internet and e-mail were really new; it was a time of accelerated globalization Emery said. The idea was this program would deal with rapid globalization and make it accessible to students.
Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl, former President Robert Glidden and former Dean of the College of Business Glenn Corlett were all influential in turning this idea into reality, Emery said.
The original intent of the program was for students to live together, eat together and practice foreign languages, Corlett said. Members of the GLC lived together in Bromley Hall and ate at the same tables in the dining halls.
But after a few years, the program was changed to give students the freedom to live where they wanted, Corlett said.
After the changes, the GLC office remained on the ninth floor of Bromley, squeezed into a triple, said Gayle McKerrow, assistant to the GLC director. The office was later moved to Bromley's mezzanine.
Three weeks ago the office moved again to room 307 in the Research and Technology Center, McKerrow said. The new space has more room to accommodate the center's 72 students, she said.
Students must work in groups to create a project with international focus each quarter and are also required to take a language to the 213 level and have at least two international experiences.
A 2003 GLC graduate, Bethany George, was able to travel to Thailand, Hong Kong and Guadalajara. Her time spent in the GLC helped prepare her for her current job as a business consultant at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, she said.
Project-based learning is the best way to prepare you for the real world
George said. I learned to deal with ambiguity
which is something I'm very appreciative of.
Gregory said she is not only excited to graduate from GLC, but excited to see all the alumni.
It'll be fun
she said. It's going to be great for research and networking.
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Culture
Anna Sudar
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