Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber Selected for Prestigious Research Seminar in Senegal

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber has been selected to join a two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal, from January 3-21, 2024. The prestigious CAORC-WARC Faculty Development Seminar focuses on West Africa’s history, culture, and its diaspora, empowering faculty to foster global perspectives in higher education. Participants will execute projects post-seminar to enhance cultural understanding on their campuses.

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber, Ph.D., serves as the director of the Division of Humanities and Criminology at UDC’s Community College and has been selected to participate in a prestigious two-week research seminar in Dakar, Senegal from January 3-21, 2024. This distinguished opportunity is part of the CAORC-WARC 2024 Faculty Development Seminar, which is administered by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC) in conjunction with the West African Research Center (WARC).

The seminar is recognized for its competitive selection process and aims to provide fully funded overseas educational experiences for faculty and administrators, particularly at U.S. community colleges and minority-serving institutions. The overarching goal is to enhance the educational framework of these institutions by offering a global perspective that enriches students’ cultural understanding while fostering essential skills such as critical thinking and leadership.

The theme of this year’s seminar, “West Africa and the Diaspora: Continuities and Transformations,” encompasses a comprehensive curriculum that includes lectures, site visits, panel discussions, and film screenings. These activities will cover various facets of Senegalese history, culture, arts, economy, and political life, emphasizing the connections between West Africa and its diaspora.

In particular, the seminar will explore Senegal’s spiritual diversity, its religious tolerance, and the growing influence of transnational movements on regional society, particularly concerning youth engagement. Participants in the seminar will be tasked with developing and implementing a project aimed at enhancing globalization and international perspectives on their campuses within one year post-seminar.

Furthermore, attendees are required to produce a project report along with curriculum materials to be made available on CAORC’s Open Educational Resources site. They will also contribute a concise article for the CAORC blog, Field Notes, which must be submitted within three months following the seminar’s conclusion.

Dr. Sandra Jowers-Barber’s participation in the CAORC-WARC 2024 Faculty Development Seminar represents a significant opportunity to enhance educational practices at UDC’s Community College. The seminar aims to provide faculty with a broader understanding of West African culture, fostering a global perspective that is crucial for student development. Participants are also expected to implement their learning through impactful projects on their respective campuses.

Original Source: www.udc.edu