Chancellor Syverud speaks at the opening of the University’s new center in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

The opening of a new ���ϲ����� center in Washington, D.C., was celebrated by members of the University community at a special event Sept. 24.

“This city is a place our students want to be. It’s a place they want to live. And it’s a place they want to build their futures and careers after they graduate,” said Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Our students studying away here benefit from ���ϲ�����’s academic strength and deep connections in policy, government, media and law.”

The center, located at 1333 New Hampshire Ave. in the Dupont Circle area of Washington, will serve students, faculty, staff and alumni. Building on an already thriving presence in the nation’s capital, the center will enhance the University’s global influence and impact.

Mike Tirico ’88, host and play-by-play commentator with NBC Sports, hosted the event. Speakers included Chancellor Syverud, Interim Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Lois Agnew, and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation J. Michael Haynie.

The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion examining the changing landscape of collegiate sports and public policy. Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the ���ϲ����� Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, moderated the discussion. Panelists were James Phillips, commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Felisha Legette-Jack ’89, ���ϲ����� women’s basketball coach, and Tirico.

From left: Mike Tirico, Felisha Legette-Jack, James Phillips and Margaret Talev participate in a panel discussion on the changing landscape of collegiate sports and public policy on Sept. 24. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

Expanded Opportunities

The Washington, D.C., center houses the and serves as a home base for study away programs offered by the , and , through which hundreds of students live, learn and work in the city every year. Washington is home to more than 15,000 alumni, many of whom connect with students as teachers, mentors and internship supervisors.

The center will support the continued growth of study away programming across the University’s schools and colleges, as envisioned in the academic strategic plan, “.”

“We now begin a new chapter in that already successful story,” Provost Agnew said. “This space is more than just a building. It is ���ϲ�����’s academic home in one of the most important cities in the world. It will serve as a hub for students, faculty and staff, positioning them as change makers and thought leaders on some of the most important issues of our time.”

Students joined alumnus broadcaster Mike Tirico (sixth from left, front) and Newhouse School Director of Washington Programs Beverly Kirk (fourth from right) to celebrate the opening of 1333 New Hampshire Ave., the University’s new dedicated space in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Shannon Finney)

The center will also enhance the work of the (IVMF), which has a satellite office in the building. Haynie noted that IVMF has contributed more than 1,750 research publications, engagements and products for public benefit, with much of that work focused on the federal level.

“I am confident that with a permanent presence in Washington, the institute’s impact will grow considerably and accrue to the benefit of those who have worn the nation’s cloth and their families,” he said.

The center includes classrooms, student lounges, conference and interview rooms and a multipurpose space, as well as satellite offices for the and the Division of Advancement and External Affairs. It features the Greenberg Welcome Center, named for alumnus and Life Trustee Paul Greenberg ’65, whose philanthropy supported the 1990 opening of Greenberg House, the University’s first outpost in Washington.

Nomar Diaz ��’25 combined a months-long internship as a systems analyst for ML Systems Integrator Pte Ltd. in Singapore with ���ϲ����� Abroad’s 18-day program. In addition to his time in Singapore, he visited tech innovation firms in seven countries and business and cultural centers in 10 cities.

Diaz, who is pursuing concurrent master’s degree programs in information systems and applied data science at the , is open to a career in another country. He’d like to do sales engineering or be a solutions engineer at a computing solutions or information consulting firm in the United Kingdom, Singapore or Spain. As a former global ambassador for ���ϲ����� Abroad, Diaz tells students not to second-guess their interest in studying abroad. “If you feel the hunch, just go for it,” he says. “You won’t regret it.”

While studying abroad, Nomar Diaz (front left, in the black shirt) and a group of fellow graduate students visited a landmark on the waterfront at Palau Uben, a small island in Singapore. (Photo courtesy of Nomar Diaz)

Bennie Guzman ��’25 is a master’s student studying art therapy in the , and he works full-time at La Casita Cultural Center. His goal is to be a licensed creative arts therapist. “My dream would be to connect what I’m doing here with international places that do similar work and expand our outreach beyond ���ϲ�����,” Guzman says.

Guzman says the short-term Mexico’s History, Culture and Security program was exactly the right program for him. “Mexico is the place for Latin American art and indigenous studies. I wanted to see how international communities think about art, culture and community health and tie those things together,” says Guzman, whose experience helped him formulate his thesis on how Latino/Latin American communities use art and culture for community well-being.

M.B.A. student Jude Azai ��’25 used a summer abroad program to fine-tune his leadership capabilities in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. That interest developed during his bachelor’s degree program in pharmacy at the University of Jos in Nigeria and has continued throughout his work in business and healthcare.

The Business in East Asia program, which is offered by the Whitman School of Management, helped Azai with valuable insights into healthcare and broader leadership structure in countries such as Singapore. He wanted to understand how such nations become global powerhouses and learn how innovation and effective governance can drive economic growth. He also discovered that leadership is not overly complex. “Leadership is about creating the right vision, following through with openness and honesty and bringing people along. When leaders do this, miracles in nation-building can happen,” Azai says.

Whitman School of Management Students, including Jude Azai (far left), pose at the waterfall garden at Changi Airport in Singapore. (Photo courtesy of Jude Azai)

Krister Samuelson ��’25 is pursuing a master’s degree in information systems in the iSchool and sees a future as an analyst or security engineer in information security. His EuroTech experience provided quality time with like-minded people, he says. He attended the short-term program along with recent iSchool graduate Emmy Naw G’24. She says the program allowed her to engage with professionals in the field while seeing firsthand how business operations integrate technology. “I learned in real-world settings, broadened my understanding of global business strategies and enhanced my ability to think critically about how to apply technological solutions to complex business challenges,” Naw says.

This group of students, which includes graduate students Krister Samuelson and Emmy Naw, began the three-credit EuroTech course in Norway. They visited a number of tech companies located in 10 cities across seven countries in the two-and-a-half-week tour. (Photo at the Royal Palace in Oslo courtesy of Krister Samuelson)

public administration graduate student Troy Patrick ��’25 interned with the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and participated in the Religion, Law and Human Rights in a Comparative Perspective program. He has studied peacebuilding and human rights and wants to work in the humanitarian field, perhaps one day at the United Nations secretariat, he says.

Patrick used the summer term to maximize his work experience. For his Council of Europe internship in the Department of Political Affairs and External Relations, he was assigned high-level tasks such as running meetings with international leaders and creating talking points for leader visits. The work provided real-world training and helped him better understand how religion, religiously affiliated states and religious groups impact how advocacy actions are formulated to deal with human rights and legal issues.

Learn More

Students can learn more about the University’s wide range of study abroad programs during ���ϲ����� Abroad Week, which started Monday and runs through Sept. 20. They can also visit the ���ϲ����� Abroad website at suabroad.syr.edu.

“���ϲ����� is so fortunate to count outstanding teachers, scholars and administrators like Julie and Elisa among its faculty members, and I am truly grateful for their willingness to serve in these important roles,” Agnew says. “Their past leadership experiences and fresh perspectives position them to make a positive impact not only on the Academic Affairs team, but also across the University and in the local community.”

Julie Hasenwinkel

Julie Hasenwinkel

As associate provost for academic programs, Hasenwinkel will support teaching, learning and student success. Her portfolio will include oversight of a wide range of University offices and programs in these areas, including the , the and . She assumes the role from Agnew, who was named interim vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer July 1.

, a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence, is currently chair of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the (ECS). She is also a faculty affiliate of the . She has served as ECS associate dean for academic and student affairs and senior associate dean.

Her professional and scholarly areas of expertise include faculty development in teaching and learning; engineering education and active learning pedagogies; student success initiatives; orthopedic biomaterials; and biomaterials for nerve regeneration. She holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Northwestern University, an M.S. in bioengineering from Clemson University and a B.S.E. in biomedical engineering from Duke University.

“I’m very excited to take on this role and to have the opportunity to work with colleagues across the University and the leadership team in Academic Affairs to enhance our academic programs, student success, experiential inquiry and teaching and learning excellence,” Hasenwinkel says. “I look forward to implementing the goals of the academic strategic plan and exploring innovative ways that we can meet the current and future needs of our students so they can thrive at ���ϲ����� and beyond.”

Elisa Dekaney

Elisa Dekaney

In the role of associate provost for strategic initiatives, Dekaney will work to strengthen the academic experience through strong connections with campus and community-based programs, particularly in the arts and humanities. In this role, she will oversee University-based cultural organizations like the , and , among others. Dekaney will also have oversight of the University’s study abroad and study away initiatives. She assumes the role from Marcelle Haddix, who was recently named dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

, now the associate dean for research and global engagement and a professor of music education in the , is also a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence.

Her scholarly research focuses on aesthetic response to music, world music and cultures, International Phonetic Alphabet, Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian culture and clinical simulation applied to music education. She holds a Ph.D. in choral music education from Florida State University, a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas, a bachelor’s degree in sacred music (piano) from the Seminário Teológico Batista do Sul do Brasil and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the Universidade Federal Fluminense.

“I am honored to join Interim Provost Lois Agnew and the entire Academic Affairs team. This role presents an incredible opportunity to collaborate with ���ϲ����� faculty, staff and students in driving innovative projects and fostering a culture of excellence in an environment welcoming to all,” Dekaney says. “I am committed to advancing our strategic goals with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. By ensuring that our initiatives reflect these core values, we can create a transformative educational experience that benefits all members of our community.”

Meetings were conducted with representatives of the University of Seoul, Ewha Women’s University, Korea University and Sungkyunkwan University. The discussions were part of an exploration to consider locating a ���ϲ����� center in South Korea, according to Pamela Young, director of academic strategic plan implementation in the Office of Academic Affairs.

University delegates participated in discussions with Korea University officials about potential faculty research collaborations and study abroad opportunities.

Young says a center there could provide ���ϲ����� and Korean universities with new opportunities for collaborative research, including projects focused on the semiconductor industry and gravitational wave research. It could also facilitate joint faculty and student participation in seminars and workshops, faculty and graduate student exchanges and the development of new partners that support study abroad for ���ϲ����� students in Korea.

The expansion of collaborative efforts in East Asia is an important part of the University’s strategic vision, says Young.��“There is great interest among many ���ϲ����� schools and colleges in partnering with Korean universities to enhance creative activities and the research enterprise, including through faculty and graduate student exchanges. There is also significant space to expand opportunities for ���ϲ����� students to study abroad and engage in experiential learning outside of Western Europe. Each year many students come from Korea to study and earn degrees at ���ϲ�����. Our strong Korean alumni base has many business and industry connections that can provide students with opportunities for experiential learning, too,” she says.

The Korea Center Initiative group visited with officials at Ehwa Women’s University, one of several universities they visited in South Korea.

During the trip, the delegation enjoyed dinner with several members of ���ϲ�����’s Korean Alumni Association. It also caught up with two School of Architecture students who are studying at Ewha Women’s University and a group of ���ϲ����� students who were in Seoul as part of a new Maymester design course led by Seyeon Lee, associate professor in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Among highlights of the trip was a dinner gathering for ���ϲ����� students studying abroad at Ewha Woman’s University along with a group of students participating in a Maymester program focused on South Korean design and culture led by College of Visual and Performing Arts Associate Professor Seyeon Lee.

At Sunkyunkwan University, the delegation heard a presentation from Youngseek Kim G’08, G’13, an associate professor who earned master’s and doctoral degrees at the School of Information Studies. In addition, the trip allowed Architecture Dean Michael Speaks and Daekwon Park, undergraduate program chair, to meet with high school students and their parents regarding program opportunities.

The ���ϲ����� delegation was also welcomed to Sunkyunkwan University. Among the presenters was alumnus Youngseek Kim G’08, G’13, who is now an associate professor there.

College of Arts and Sciences Dean says he appreciates the opportunity to pursue new partnerships in Korea and strengthen alumni ties.

“I am confident in the potential of these connections and I am eager to work with my fellow deans at the University to develop new opportunities for student exchange, internships and university and industry partnerships in Korea,” he says.

“We all look forward to continuing our efforts to develop new opportunities for student exchange, internships and industry collaborations in Korea with the goal of establishing in Seoul a new Asia center for the University,” says Speaks.

���ϲ����� is a national leader in international education, with a highly ranked study abroad program. The University’s Academic Strategic Plan, “Leading With Distinction,” calls for the expansion of study abroad and study away venues and programs and the removal of barriers to make it possible for every undergraduate to participate. In addition to Mortazavi, Speaks, Young and Park, the delegation included Andrew Sears, then-dean of the School of Information Studies; Nicole Collins, director of strategic partnerships and outreach for ���ϲ����� Abroad; and Brian Kim L’19, international engagement specialist, who served as liaison between ���ϲ����� and the Korean Alumni Association.

Those were among many lessons packed into CRS 360, Communication Strategies in Sports. The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) offered the new, three-credit Maymester course for the first time this year to provide a study-away opportunity for student-athletes whose academic year schedules are defined by little flexibility due to training and game commitments.

Emmy-award-winning entertainment executive Kip Konweiser ’85 (center), provided insights about communicating in sports and sports-events production during a classroom session. (Photo by Anna Proulx)

,�� professor and chair of communication and rhetorical studies (CRS), and , visual and performing arts program director for the University’s Dick Clark Los Angeles Program, worked with G’20, assistant provost for student-athlete academic development in the Department of Athletics, to devise the experience program.

Classes, activities mix

The students experienced class days split between coursework, business site tours, discussions with top sports and broadcasting executives and the creation of presentations. They were taught by , renowned award-winning book author, documentary creator and film producer. Students were housed in a Hollywood Hills apartment complex near the . They enjoyed a weekend Dodgers game and a hike to the iconic Hollywood sign, and got to meet with many members of the LA Regional Alumni Council for a roundtable discussion. Another highlight of the course was the tour of Fox Sports, where students visited the set used for several Fox Sports shows organized by alumni Bernie Kim ’01 and Cayden Feifer ’12. Students were able to meet “Speak” show hosts LeSean McCoy, Emmanuel Acho, Joy Taylor and Skip Bayless.

Many ���ϲ����� LA Regional Alumni Council members who are prominent in their fields met with the students for a roundtable discussion, including Jordan Pynes ’98, Frank McFarland ’94, Phil Netz ’98, Sean Carey ’89, JaNeika James ’05 and Amelia Goldstein ’19, pictured with the student group. (Photo by Anna Proulx)

“This was an incredible opportunity to explore a course in a short amount of time, get a sense of Los Angeles, go on many site visits and meet alumni who are excited to impart their wisdom, who really care about these students’ success and who now are contacts for continued communication,” Proulx says.

Life after athletics

She believes the course’s career-development focus offers a sense of what life could be like after athletics and after ���ϲ�����. “Many of our former players who moved beyond football have gone into careers in entrepreneurship, sales management, investments, NASCAR, athletic design and sports broadcasting. These alumni showed the students that the skills they already have from football are transferable to many different future careers.”

Student LeQuint Allen Jr. ’26, a running back on the ���ϲ����� football team and a sociology major in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, says it was “unbelievable” how many people he met during the two weeks he spent in Los Angeles. He says he identified with alumnus Lou Alexander, “whose story is like mine,” and he wants to model the demeanor of alumnus Roland Williams. “I was getting a lot of tips from him, seeing how he handled himself and learning from him, and I felt like I can mirror that.”

Roland Williams ’97, center, a former Superbowl champion, was one of many alumni who spoke with the group of Maymester CRS 360 students. (Photo by Anna Proulx)

A good balance

Kyle McCord, a CRS major, will graduate this December. The quarterback plans to play football professionally after graduation then envisions a career in either coaching or sports broadcasting. He was impressed by the way the course maximized the Maymester timeframe. “It was a really good balance between school and being able to explore LA. Given how busy our schedules are, carving out two weeks and having a very productive trip, I couldn’t ask for anything more. I’ll 100% be able to put what I learned to use right away.”

Marlowe Wax Jr. ’24, G’26, earned a psychology degree in May and is now enrolled in the project management master’s program in the College of Professional Studies.

The linebacker says the course allowed him to learn a lot about public speaking and how to control a stage. “I want to go into professional football, and after that, I’d love to do anything in sports. I really appreciate the number of people I met and I love that I have these people to connect to.”

Students David Clement and Yazeed Haynes practiced pitching their origin stories with instructors Rob Carpenter and guest speaker Lou Alexander at the Dick Clark Los Angeles Program. (Photo by Anna Proulx)

Powell says the course offered a transformative learning experience. “Our student-athletes gained unparalleled exposure to dynamic instruction and industry leaders, that enriched their academics and broadened their perspectives,” he says. “Few student-athletes have the opportunity to benefit from study abroad or away opportunities. This class aligned with the University’s academic strategic plan and our commitment to prepare students not just in their sport but as global citizens poised to lead in an interconnected world.”

More information about VPA’s Los Angeles Semester is available on the school’s .

Students pose at Nakchunsa, a temple on Jeju Island. The structure is one of the tallest Buddhist temples in Asia. In Jeju, Dolharubang statues are positioned at entrances to residences and cities because they are thought to be protectors.

A group of students recently explored the city of Seoul, South Korea, to learn about the country’s historical and contemporary sites and to see how its unique culture and traditions have affected its natural and built environments.

The two-week excursion was led by , associate professor of environmental and interior design and George Miller quasi-endowed professor in the . Nine undergraduate students from a variety of majors accompanied Lee for the new Maymester study abroad course to learn how social issues and various design practices have shaped the country’s landscapes, cities and structures.

The workshop at Yonsei University focused on creating designs that are diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible. (Photo by Seyeon Lee)

The course emphasized the concept of how every space is shaped by its environment and community, apart from design and architectural considerations. Students explored a number of major historic and modern sites in a timeline that followed significant chronological events, from Chosun Dynasty structures to futuristic buildings incorporating high-tech communication and travel modes. They explored Seodaemun Prison Hall from the Japanese colonial era and visited the Demilitarized Zone at the border between North and South Korea to understand how political issues and historical events affect society. A side trip to Jeju, a remote island, offered a perspective of the land as a within the county’s unique rural environment. A global geopark uses geological heritage and other aspects of an area’s natural and cultural heritage to increase understanding of key social issues.

The group joined 32 other students from Ball State University in Indiana and in Seoul for a workshop on the importance of building campus environments that are diverse, equitable and inclusive. In addition to Lee, who also serves as the VPA’s associate dean for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, students worked with three other faculty members. They were Yongsei’s Suk-Kyung Kim, dean of the College of Human Ecology; and Ball State’s Sanglim Yoo, associate professor of urban planning and Juntae Jake Son, assistant professor of interior design.

Seoul City Hall Seoul City Hall was built as a sustainable and high-efficiency structure having the largest green wall in the world, as well as geothermal and photovoltaic systems, a rooftop garden and many more amenities for citizens to enjoy, including this futuristic-design escalator. (Photo by Seyeon Lee)

The course is an exploratory one, Lee says, and it was designed in keeping with the University’s goal that all students have opportunities to enjoy a study away or study abroad experience, even one of short duration.

“The goal of this Maymester course, apart from instructing on design content, is to immerse students in the local culture and allow them to experience the intricacies of daily life and the traditions of South Korea. We feel this program enriches student’s overall academic experience and fosters a deeper understanding of the global contexts of their educational journey,” Lee says.

“For instance, when the students visited Seodaemun Prison Hall, they learned how the building represents the Japanese Colonial era and how the Korean people fought for their independence then. The building is a museum now and its exhibitions represent a similar historic presence in Korea the way the Auschwitz concentration camp site does in Germany,” Lee says. “Rather than focusing only on design concepts or elements of the buildings or sites visited, Lee says the group concentrated on cultural and historic aspects of the places they visited and how those components shaped the spaces over time.”

Students who toured the country for the two-week Maymester course were enthusiastic about the experience.

Adam Drafts-Johnson ’25, a design studies major, says the two-week format provided a study abroad alternative that allowed him to complete his major on time. “Korea offered a place that was unfamiliar and where I wouldn’t be in the majority. This class helped me understand the vastness of world cultures and appreciate lifestyles having values not common where I am from. The daily journaling allowed me to focus on my sketching and storytelling skills.”

Leondra Tyler ’24, who will graduate in December with dual degrees in neuroscience and psychology, was previously an exchange student at Yonsei University, so the class allowed her to engage with Korean culture again. “I love learning about social behavior and culture, and this class granted me a unique way to explore that,” she says. “As a STEM major, I felt like this class was inclusive to all majors. I learned a lot about how culture and conflict shape the design of buildings and art.”

This picturesque scenic is located at a cape on the east end of Jeju Island. The ring with a swing is a tourist attraction designed to be a popular photo-taking spot. (Photo by Seyeon Lee)

Holly Ishiro Randall ‘26, an environmental and interior design major, had never studied abroad before, so the course gave her an opportunity to be immersed in a new culture and country. “My experiences navigating through South Korea and interacting with the people there were incredibly valuable. They expanded my depth and exposure to different design styles and aesthetics. This course has definitely introduced new ideas and inspiration for my future studies and projects.”

Keira Bowers ’27, a biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences, says she enjoyed seeing how a different culture incorporates science and technology into daily life. “It was so insightful to see all the eco-friendly practices and energy-saving devices South Korea has put in place and how they’ve been designed into building plans. And after a year of core curriculum courses, it was nice to take a class of my choosing that invites creative freedom in our coursework.”

The group enjoyed a public lecture presented by ���ϲ����� Artist in Residence at the University’s Villa Rossa facility in Florence. Weems was in Italy for the “” conference, which was co-sponsored by the University as part of the in Venice. She participated in the panel discussion, “Black Realities Through Digital Media.”

University Artist in Residence Carrie Mae Weems presented a public lecture titled “Resistance As an Act of Love” while in Florence. (Photo by Francesco Guazzelli)

Jonathan Nelson, a faculty member with the Florence program and a specialist in late 15th- and 16th-century��Italian painting and sculpture, also participated in the conference as part of the “Radical Curricula” panel.

In Florence, Weems, an internationally known and widely acclaimed artist, spoke to the students in their studio and exhibit space and conducted individual critiques of their artwork.

Eight VPA students also traveled to Venice to take in the international cultural and artistic exhibition at 2024. Attending the event allowed them to view art and other forms of creative expression made by people from all over the world.

Artist in Residence Carrie Mae Weems spoke to students studying at the University’s Florence, Italy Center. (Photo by Francesco Guazzelli)

They included Anastasia Cardona (studio art), Mark Casadevall (computer art and animation), Sidney Hanson (studio arts/art history), Madeleine Herberger (illustration), Sarah Mednick (illustration), Rumini Nguyen (studio art), Sarah Skalsk (illustration) and Alissar Youssef (illustration). Accompanying the group were Marcelle Haddix, associate provost for strategic initiatives, and Miranda Traudt, assistant provost for arts and community programming.

Another three ���ϲ����� students studying in Florence participated in the critique with Weems: Paige Esposito (social work), Oskar Kraft (studio art) and Zohra Mekki (illustration).

“It was wonderful for students to learn from our artist in residence in a close-up, informal atmosphere, then see her present on the world stage about a topic that is prominent across America and the world now. Students’ exposure to world-renowned artists, emerging creatives and global thought leaders provided them with experiential learning that brought enjoyment in the moment and lasting experiences that are likely to impact them for their lifetimes,” Traudt says.

Analytics is the sport industry’s most popular tool as it’s transforming every aspect of the game, from player performance and team strategy to fan engagement and business models.

Over spring break, 20 sport analytics majors from the enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Italy and witness first-hand the impact of analytics on the highest level of soccer. The eight-day trip to Milan, Bologna, Florence and Rome was part of Professor sport analytics course which explores how data is revolutionizing soccer.

“The international experience, in general, is extremely important for our students, but it also gives them a perspective of how analytics are used in different sports at different levels internationally,” says Paul, director of the program in Falk College. “The students were not merely observers, they actively wrote and presented sport analytics research to the clubs we visited.”

From left to right, students Nick Rovelli, Jack Taliano, Aidan Corr, Theo Schmidt, and Ben Jennings present to Bologna FC Club officials Luca Saputo, Director of Business Optimization, and Yuri Dell’Atti, Chief Data Analyst.

The students met with analytics staff members and other team officials from elite soccer clubs across Italy while also exploring the culture, history and food of the ancient European country that’s surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. As one of the trip’s many highlights, the students attended an Italian Serie A league game between AC Milan and Empoli before more than 70,000 fans at Milan’s San Siro Stadium ().

The students were accompanied on the trip by Paul, Sport Analytics Program Coordinator G’10, and co-faculty member Ed Lippie, who worked with AS Roma of the Italian Serie league from 2013-20 as a senior performance consultant and head performance coach.

“With our connections we had the privilege of behind-the-scenes access, demonstrating to the students the variety of positions their skill sets match and the opportunities that exist internationally,” Dorchester says. “The value is building on ���ϲ�����’s Academic Strategic Plan by allowing the students to participate in a study abroad or study away setting, with considerations to their academic goals and financial circumstances.”

Students Jake Graff ’24 and Zachary Silverstein ’26 say it was fascinating to learn how Italian soccer clubs utilize data compared to sports teams in the United States.

“Clubs with all levels of financial resources and historical success are embracing analytics and finding ways to utilize them in areas that are best for them,” says Graff, a sport analytics major with an information management and technology minor. “Everyone collects and uses data differently, so being able to see numerous perspectives from a league like Serie A was eye-opening.”

Adam Goodman ’25, a sport analytics major with an economics minor, admits he’s not the biggest soccer fan but says it was valuable for his career goals to understand how soccer teams at the highest level approach their analytics.

“I think the main takeaway in terms of my career was the change in the way I think,” Goodman says. “The program allowed me to immerse myself in all aspects of soccer analytics, which, going forward, will change the way I approach future research.”

For the full story and a video about the trip to Italy, please visit the .

While in Italy, sport analytics students enjoyed visits to cultural landmarks such as the Colosseum in Rome.

Weems, an internationally renowned artist, will travel to Florence to deliver a public lecture, “Resistance as an Act of Love,” April 17. While there, she will review the work of students in the studio arts program.

Carrie Mae Weems (Photo by Jerry Klineberg)

The students will also attend the conference in Venice April 20 and 21. Weems and Florence faculty member will participate in the conference, which is co-sponsored by ���ϲ�����. Weems will be a panelist for the discussion “Black Realities through Digital Media,” and Nelson will serve on the “Radical Curricula” panel.

Students traveling to the conference include studio arts majors Anastasia Cardona, Sidney Hanson (a dual art history major in the College of Arts and Sciences) and Rumini Nguyen; computer art and animation major Mark Casadevall; and illustration majors Madeleine Herberger, Sarah Mednick, Sarah Skalski and Alissar Youssef.

Black Portraitures, now in its 14^th year, is organized in concert with the . This year’s theme “Shifting Paradigms,” brings together thought leaders in the arts from Africa and the African Diaspora. Founder Deborah Willis says the convening “will explore and expand narratives on memoir and memory studies; migration stories through family and politics; and reimagine ideas about art practices and the exhibition experience, all while considering new research practices.”

“The Abroad center directors are coming to campus at a very exciting time as the University is beginning to implement the core commitments in “,” the University’s academic strategic plan,” says Erika Wilkens, assistant provost and executive director for ���ϲ����� Abroad.��“As leaders within one of the highest ranked study abroad programs in the U.S., the center directors are uniquely positioned to help implement key goals of the plan: ensuring that every undergraduate will be encouraged and enabled to participate in a study abroad or away experience before they graduate; leveraging our robust international assets; and further elevating ���ϲ�����’s position as a premier globally engaged academic institution.”��

From left to right: Sasha Perugini (Florence), Mauricio Paredes (Santiago), Juliet Golden (Central Europe), Troy Gordon (London), Dieter Kuehl (Madrid) and John Goodman (Strasbourg). (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

���ϲ����� Abroad Center Directors Week: March 25-29��

Join ���ϲ����� Abroad staff and center directors to learn about program tracks, exciting new initiatives and updates from our campuses abroad. ��

All students, staff and faculty are invited to join ���ϲ����� Abroad for the following with select Center Directors. This will be an opportunity to get the inside scoop on ���ϲ����� Abroad centers directly from the source. Program alumni will also be sharing their stories about their semesters abroad.��

��

• Monday, March 25 | 10:15 – 11:15 a.m.��
• ���ϲ�����Abroad@Bird, Bird Library, Room 002��

• Wednesday, March 27 | 1:45 – 2:45 p.m.��
• Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library, Room 114��

• Thursday, March 28 | 9:45 – 10:45 a.m.��
• ���ϲ�����Abroad@Bird, Bird Library, Room 002��

• Thursday, March 28 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.��
• Hall of Languages, Room 500��

Meet the Abroad Directors��

Each ���ϲ����� Abroad Center is managed by a director and multicultural staff, who deliver unparalleled academic programs and support services to students studying abroad. Our program directors, who oversee operations at the centers and often teach a number of courses, are experts in their fields and have extensive experience in the countries where they live, work and teach. Our directors include:

• Sasha Perugini, Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello ���ϲ����� Program in Florence��
• Troy Gordon, ���ϲ����� London��
• Dieter Kuehl, ���ϲ����� Madrid��
• Mauricio Paredes, ���ϲ����� Santiago��
• John Goodman, ���ϲ����� Strasbourg��
• Juliet Golden, Exploring Central Europe��

Learn more about each of the ���ϲ����� Abroad .��

Ann Covitz, right, with her daughter Jill

A Queens, New York, native, she always wanted to be a teacher, and friendly influences and a strong School of Education led her to ���ϲ�����. “My best friend Susan wanted to go to ���ϲ�����, and it got to be a whole clique of people in the neighborhood who went,” she recalls. “It was too big a school for me, really. But I loved the area all around campus.”

One weekend she met David Covitz, a Cornell University student in the same fraternity as her brother. After Ann graduated from ���ϲ�����, the couple married and settled near Cornell. They later moved to Long Island, where their daughter, Jill, was born. But Ann ran the household as David was frequently attending to his veterinary practice, and the marriage fell apart when Jill was 2 years old. Ann adapted as best she could, focusing on her teaching career and raising her little girl.

For 35 years Ann split her time between teaching and family therapy. She always loved children and became a Montessori School directress. She also organized parenting classes. Ann applied the lessons she learned as a single parent to help build up other families and guide schoolchildren in the same way she nurtured her daughter.

“She was such a happy kid—the girl whose perpetual, dimpled smile would light up the room,” Ann recalls. “I remember her receiving the ‘Friendliest Camper Award’ as a young child. They used to call her ‘bubbly’; she was very outgoing and made friends everywhere she went.”

A Love of Travel

Jill Covitz ’92 loved music throughout her childhood, especially bands. And while Ann admits ���ϲ����� wasn’t the ideal choice for her, it was perfect for Jill, who joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority and majored in electronic media production at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She loved the entertainment aspect of the music industry and aspired to work in events production.

Ann and Jill Covitz at Commencement

Of all her ���ϲ����� experiences, a semester abroad set the tone for the rest of Jill’s life. “Jill studied abroad in London and traveled all over Europe. She loved being in a group and exploring, especially being an only child,” Ann says. “She always had the travel bug, but ���ϲ����� was the place that gave her the inspiration to live internationally.”

Jill graduated cum laude and spent over a decade in New York City, working for Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment. But she still wished to live in another part of the world and was drawn to Australia for its people and its beauty.

“Australians are very happy people—boundless. They have a light about them similar to Jill’s personality, and she loved the camaraderie,” Ann recalls. “She said, ‘Mom, one day I want to go to Australia. It’s just the place I want to be.’”

In 2005, Jill moved across the world and joined Fox Studios Australia. Six years later she went into business for herself, starting The Corporate Method (known as TCM Events), an event management company responsible for a full range of launches, premieres, galas and corporate, live and public events. In 2016 she kicked off a new start-up called FUNLOCKA, a tech platform connecting businesses with fans in meaningful ways. Jill applied all her entertainment experience into being a freelancer and consultant, living her dream. Life was perfect…except for the distance from her mother.

“I’m very different from Jill—I’m an introvert, and we have opposite personalities. But we had a strong bond,” Ann says. “We were just always apart because Jill wanted to travel, while I was afraid of planes and wanted to stay close to home.”

Jill Covitz with her dog, Paris

In the fall of 2021, Ann got the courage to fly across the U.S. and the Pacific to live out her retirement in Australia with Jill nearby. It was a beautiful plan: mother and daughter together again, exactly where they wanted to live. But only months after Ann’s arrival, tragedy struck.

For one so outgoing and working in the bustling entertainment business, Jill enjoyed private moments too. Every morning she took her dog, Paris, for a walk, and most days included a quiet swim.

On the morning of Jan. 25, 2022, Jill went swimming alone on Peregian Beach, a small coastal town in Queensland, where she was caught in a rip current and drowned. The news of her sudden passing devastated everyone who knew her, but no one more deeply than her mother Ann, left to ponder the impossible question: “Why?”

“She was amazing, always. The friendliest, warmest, nicest and strongest young woman. She had a magic about her, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s still so hard for me,” Ann says. “Jill was described as ‘the bright flame that all good things and people gravitated towards. Her open and beautiful smile will be eternal to all who knew her.’”

Celebrating Jill’s Life

Two years since that tragic day, Ann has tried to channel her grief in a manner that celebrates her daughter’s life. After all, it’s what Jill would have wanted.

“‘It is what it is, Mom,’—that’s what she would say whenever we faced any kind of loss or hardship,” Ann recalls, knowing Jill wouldn’t want to dwell on things one couldn’t change. “It reflected her whole attitude and zest for life. Jill wasn’t going to waste a moment of life.”

For the first anniversary of her daughter’s passing, Ann and friends raised over $5,000 to plant trees in Jill’s honor across various Australian national parks, to build landscape resilience after recent fires and flooding. “Jill had been heartbroken about the devastation from these natural events and the impact of the habitat loss on koalas and other animals,” she says. “It seemed fitting to celebrate her by supporting our community.”

Closer to Jill’s home, a park bench bearing her name sits along Jill’s favorite route by the water, where she walked each morning with Paris (Jill’s beloved pet died just two months after her passing).

The trees and bench were beautiful ways to honor Jill and her love for Australia. But as Ann, in her 80s, contemplated her own legacy, she sought an avenue to ensure her daughter’s memory would never be forgotten.

Jill Covitz

Everything Ann had saved was intended for her daughter, so she wanted her estate to pay tribute to all that was special about Jill—the zest for life, the pursuit of adventure, the appreciation for learning about new cultures and perspectives, and the joy of bringing people together.

Inspired by those qualities, Ann created the Jill Rebecca Covitz ’92 Memorial Scholarship through her estate to provide financial assistance to students participating in a ���ϲ����� Abroad program, with preference to students enrolled in the Newhouse School. She hopes the scholarship will enable students to explore the world and gain a new perspective, as Jill experienced. Anyone wishing to support the scholarship in Jill’s memory can make a gift at .

“There are no words of comfort to soften Ann’s grief, and it is with deeply grateful but heavy hearts that we accept her incredible generosity,” says David Whitmore, vice president for advancement, academic affairs. “We can’t ease the pain of Ann’s loss, but we can honor Jill with the promise that every student who receives her scholarship will know her story and keep her memory alive.”

Today, Ann feels some peace knowing her gift will bring students together in the spirit of learning, to make lasting memories and view the world differently, reflecting Jill’s attitude toward life.

“Living abroad is like living more than one life at a time—you go there alone and isolated, but you come back with lifelong friends. I think that’s why Jill liked it so much,” Ann says. “She just took the most she could from life and ran with it, and anyone who wanted to run alongside was welcome. And I thought that was a wonderful way to live.”

Student-athletes will be able to take a new Maymester course in Los Angeles.

A new study away opportunity for student-athletes will be offered this year as a Maymester course in Los Angeles.

The course, Networking and the Art of the Pitch, was developed by , chair of communication and rhetorical studies (CRS) in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), and , director of VPA’s Los Angeles program, working with , assistant provost for student-athlete academic development in the Department of Athletics.

The course was designed to help break down a common barrier faced by student-athletes who are interested in studying off campus.

“Student-athletes are often constrained by their training and game schedules, which means they do not have many opportunities for study abroad and study away,” Dubrofsky says. “Tommy mentioned that student-athletes would love an opportunity to study away, and that a perfect time for it is Maymester, when they don’t have any games or practices.”

Dubrofsky adds that CRS enrolls many student-athletes, making it the logical program to house the new initiative.

The two-week course will introduce students to the principles of persuasive communication and networking in the sports broadcasting industry. Students will visit studios and other companies and attend games and cultural events. ���ϲ����� alumni who were student-athletes and pursued a variety of career paths will serve as guest lecturers.

The course is open to all CRS student-athletes; those in other majors can take it as an elective. For more information, contact Proulx at 818.314.6722 or asproulx@syr.edu.

Among the delegation visiting campus from the University of Seoul were Yongkul Won, president; Jung Hyeun Kim, dean of the College of Engineering; Kang Su Kim, dean of the College of Urban Science; Ji Hee Song, vice president of international affairs; Nohjeong Park, chief secretary to the president; and Eunhwa Shin, head of international partnerships.

Leaders from the University of Seoul met with ���ϲ����� leaders Jan. 8 to advance and expand academic and cultural collaboration and exchange between the two institutions. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

They met with Chancellor Kent Syverud; Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter; and several other University leaders. The group also toured campus. A group from ���ϲ�����, including Chancellor Syverud, Provost Ritter and Dr. Ruth Chen, professor of practice in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, visited the University of Seoul last March.

University of Seoul President Yongkul Won, left, and Chancellor Kent Syverud sign the memorandum of understanding. (Photo by Jeremy Brinn)

Among the possible outcomes of the burgeoning relationship between the two institutions are the establishment of a University center in Korea as well as the development of new University of Seoul programs that leverage ���ϲ�����’s study abroad and study away facilities. Other potential activities and programs include the exchange of faculty members; joint research activities, including semiconductor research; and participation in joint seminars and workshops.

The ongoing relationship between the two institutions includes an MOU between the University of Seoul and ���ϲ�����’s that was signed last year.

“As we seek to deepen ���ϲ�����’s relationships with partners in Korea, we were pleased to welcome leadership from the University of Seoul to our campus,” Ritter says. “We are interested in collaborating across many disciplines with our Korean counterparts, and I am very excited to explore these possibilities.”

Sam Clark (center) poses with Robin Howard (left) and Anna Proulx at the LA semester wrap event. (Photo courtesy of Sam Clark)

Sam Clark ’24 has known since he was 9 years old that he wanted to be a film director when he grew up. After a family trip to Egypt where his dad took hours and hours of video, Clark found himself enthralled by the footage and the ability to tell stories through film.

When it was time for him to choose a college, Clark was interested in ���ϲ����� because not only did it boast one of the top-ranked film schools in the country but also because of its , offered through the Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education in the School of Education. InclusiveU, celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, offers one of the premier opportunities in the country for students of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college life in a fully inclusive setting.

The decision to attend ���ϲ����� was one of the best he ever made, Clark says. He’s spent the last four years studying the craft of filmmaking through his coursework, primarily in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

For the past two semesters, Clark has taken advantage of the , getting a flavor of life on the West Coast and “in the industry,” as he would say.

“LA has been incredible,” Clark says. “Every morning I go to my internship and then at night, I take awesome classes with professors who have been in the industry and who know the ins and outs of working in the media and entertainment fields.”

Clark and Doug Robinson (left) of Doug Robinson Productions at an LA-area event (Photo courtesy of Sam Clark)

In spring 2023, Clark participated in the and interned with Doug Robinson Productions (founded by fellow Orange alumnus Doug Robinson ’85) on the Sony Pictures Entertainment lot, where his duties included reviewing and evaluating scripts, shadowing production assistants on set and listening to pitches for future projects.

“He [Doug] took me on the set of an ’80s flashback show called ‘The Goldbergs’ and I learned about the art of production, editing and sound mixing,” Clark says. At night, he studied acting, writing and production through his Newhouse coursework.

Notably, he also found professional and industry mentorship under , director of Newhouse LA. “Robin has been awesome about giving me many opportunities in LA, from going to industry premieres to teaching me about pitching and helping me to attend PA [production assistant] bootcamp, which was hugely valuable,” says Clark.

“Sam is truly a shining light, a fantastic young man!” says Howard. “Everyone here has been deeply touched and inspired by his journey with us. It is a gift to know him.”

When faculty and staff affiliated with the saw how enthusiastically Clark was embracing the Newhouse program and all he was learning, they encouraged him to remain in Los Angeles for the fall semester through their immersion program. Clark got another internship, this time as a development intern with The Gotham Group, a talent management company, where his duties include listening to and evaluating clients’ pitches and their potential to become a movie or TV production. “I can’t say too much about the types of projects I’ve been working on, because it’s kind of classified,” Clark says with a grin.

His fall 2023 coursework encompassed a filmmaking senior project, a scriptwriting class focused on episodic dramas and a networking class, which he says has been his favorite class of the semester. “SULA has been helping me out with the alumni community in Los Angeles and making connections with people who may be able to help me in my future career, hopefully with getting a job in the industry,” Clark says. “I have especially appreciated [VPA program director for SULA] and the many opportunities she has given me as an InclusiveU student, including facilitating my attendance at several film festivals.”

Clark (center) hits the red carpet with film directors Alejandra Vasquez (left) and Sam Osborn at AFI Fest, organized by the American Film Institute. (Photo courtesy of Sam Clark)

“Sam embodies the spirit of SULA—a positive attitude, a willingness to try new experiences, an openness to network and introduce himself, and a strong work ethic,” says Proulx. “He has touched this program in so many positive ways, and we are honored to be a small part of his learning journey.”

Clark’s senior film project draws inspiration from the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes—the plot involves artificial intelligence taking over an actor’s career. He says he has learned a lot about pitching his own projects through his internship at The Gotham Group, and he hopes to get a job as a production assistant after he graduates in May. Ultimately, he aspires to achieve his dream of becoming a filmmaker, and while Clark is not sure if he’ll remain in Los Angeles or return to his hometown of Philadelphia, he knows his time spent at SULA has set him up for future success.

“Sam is the epitome of what you want to see in a college student,” says Sam Roux, academic coordinator with InclusiveU in the School of Education and Clark’s academic advisor. “He is acutely aware of college’s transient nature and hustles every day to get the most out of this experience. The guy is a total rockstar.”

Rockstar, yes—and hopefully someday a big-time movie director too.

It is not every day that ���ϲ����� partners with an international organization representing more than 700 million people.

The and the University have announced a new agreement that strengthens and expands an existing relationship by providing internships for students studying abroad in Strasbourg, France, as well as research opportunities for students and faculty.

The agreement provides for up to 12 student internships at the council each year, widens the number of departments and divisions that ���ϲ����� students can engage with, and broadens opportunities for research collaboration for ���ϲ����� students and faculty.

Founded after World War II, the Council of Europe is Europe’s leading human rights organization, composed of 46 member-states, such as Ukraine, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Italy. Separate from the European Union, it is akin to a “United Nations of Europe” and strives to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The agreement was signed by Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs Dean David M. Van Slyke and Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe Bjørn Berge on Dec. 8 in Washington, D.C.

“While the United States is not a member of the Council of Europe, it has close links as an observer state, and your presence here today, Mr. Deputy Secretary General, is a sign that the United States and Council of Europe are indeed partners,” said Van Slyke at the signing event. “���ϲ����� and the Maxwell School are proud to be part of the council’s relationship with the United States and to play our modest part in fostering understanding between our two societies and in furthering a partnership so vital to the well-being of the world.”

Maxwell School Dean David M. Van Slyke, left, shakes hands with Miroslav Papa, director of political affairs and external relations with the Council of Europe, next to Bjørn Berge, deputy secretary general of the council, at an event in Washington, D.C., to celebrate a new agreement between the council and ���ϲ�����.

The relationship between the Council of Europe and ���ϲ����� began in the early 1990s, growing out of ���ϲ����� Strasbourg’s strong historical reputation and network of partnerships in the region. Through the years, an estimated 300 ���ϲ����� students studying abroad in Strasbourg have benefited from council internships, adding to the wide array of programs affiliated with the ���ϲ����� Center in Strasbourg.

Berge asked those in attendance at the signing event to consider the diverse array of former program participants now working in public service on both sides of the Atlantic. He described the relationship as a “win-win” for the Council of Europe and the University.

“There could also be no better moment to reinforce this relationship and demonstrate our shared determination to shape a better world,” Berge said. “The memorandum of understanding that we sign today with ���ϲ����� is one step in that direction. It represents an important trans-Atlantic link with a prestigious university.”

Berge was joined at the signing celebration by Miroslav Papa, director of political affairs and external relations at the Council of Europe.

In addition to Van Slyke, ���ϲ����� representatives at the event included Steve Bennett, senior vice president for international programs and academic operations, and Margaret Talev, Kramer Director of the Washington, D.C., based Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship (IDJC).

Bennett shared that in the past year, ���ϲ����� students have served as interns in numerous council departments and divisions, from the directorate general of human rights and the rule of law to the Pompidou Group, which focuses on international drug policy.

“For ���ϲ�����, these are precisely the types of experiential learning opportunities that our students’ treasure and that are a cornerstone of what makes a ���ϲ����� education exceptional,” he said.

The Pompidou Group has long enjoyed a special relationship with the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. Beginning in 2010, Falk College engaged with the Pompidou Group, leading to the 2019 creation of the International Drug Policy Academy. The academy’s courses are developed with Falk faculty and provide an opportunity for ���ϲ����� students to engage with cutting-edge issues in drug policy with international stakeholders from across the world.

The relationship with the Council of Europe has also been a draw for Maxwell School students from across disciplines. Senior Riona Sheik interned with the Council in the spring of 2023. “This was a very rewarding internship because I was able to gain firsthand experience with social welfare and insight into how different European social rights are from the United States,” said Sheik, who is majoring in political science and international relations at the Maxwell School and finance at the Whitman School of Management.

���ϲ����� students participated in the World Forum on Democracy at the Council of Europe in November. Shown, from left to right, are Nathaniel Hasanaj, Iraklis Kapanidis, William Johnson and Grace “Gray” Reed.

An opportunity to intern with the Council was a draw for Carina Sarracino, who is majoring in political science and international relations. While studying abroad from January to April of 2023, she gained an up-close view of the council’s vital work while interning under the mentorship of its director of political affairs and external relations. Among the many meaningful opportunities was the chance to witness the adoption of a resolution that addressed the issue of sexual violence during wartime.

“Having an opportunity to see such an important resolution adopted, and to see firsthand how these processes work, was unparalleled,” said Sarracino.

Van Slyke said the agreement’s timing aligns with two milestones—50 years of ���ϲ����� Abroad in Strasbourg and the Maxwell School’s 100th anniversary in 2024. Further, it is well-timed with the recent launch of the IDJC, a joint initiative of the Maxwell School and the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications.

“A broad range of ���ϲ����� and Maxwell faculty and students are focused on issues related to polarization, misinformation and disinformation, access to information, and democracy,” Van Slyke said. “The new Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, led by Margaret Talev, offers another potential resource, partner and source of collaboration. As Margaret has said, ‘Current and emerging challenges to democracy are everyone’s problem and can’t be fixed alone.’”

Established in 1974, offers fall and spring semester and summer programs for students across the University’s 13 schools and colleges. Approximately 150 students participate annually, taking classes and harnessing internships and other experiential learning opportunities at the Council of Europe and other organizations and institutions. Fluency in French is not a prerequisite for many programs, including the Council of Europe internship, which seeks both French and English speakers as the two official languages of council business.

“For students interested in international affairs, human rights, democracy, political science and related topics, Strasbourg is a great place to study internationally,” said ���ϲ����� Strasbourg Director John Goodman, who is a former diplomat for humanitarian organizations. He played an instrumental role in cultivating the University’s deepened relationship with the Council.

“Thanks to ���ϲ�����’s 50-year presence in the city, students have direct access to working practitioners in major international bodies. It is extremely rare and valuable to have the chance to work inside some of the world’s preeminent inter-governmental institutions,” he added. “���ϲ�����’s relationship with the Council of Europe is a gem of an opportunity for ���ϲ����� students.”

Story by Jessica Youngman and Cort Ruddy

While the is an accelerated immersive experience—two placements in the fall semester, lasting six to seven weeks each—former students say their time putting inclusive teaching theory into practice allows them to see themselves transforming into a teacher.

Elena Perez ’24 teaches a fifth grade class at PS 212, Midtown West in Manhattan.

“Bridge to the City is a great opportunity for our students to really find their teacher voice,” says G’01, G’07, G’08, professor of inclusive special education and disability studies and director of the , who is completing research on student experiences in the program.

Selling Point

Ashby, who was a graduate student in the School of Education when Bridge to the City launched in 2003, has taught students in the program over the last decade and has witnessed its growth. “This opportunity to student-teach in New York City is really unusual amongst our peer institutions,” she says. “It’s become a real selling point for the school.”

Thanks to its two-decades-long commitment to providing an inclusive education placement experience through guided mentorship, the program of the University’s study away offerings in New York City.

It also has transformed the lives and careers of generations of educators. “We have this genealogy of students that have graduated from our program, gone down to New York City, and stayed,” Ashby says.

Ashby’s research on student experiences from the program is aided by Emilee Baker, an SOE doctoral candidate. The pair spent a year and a half interviewing alumni of the program for a forthcoming paper. Respondents all noted significant personal and professional growth.

Drew Yakawiak ’03 was among the first cohort of Bridge to the City student-teachers in 2003.

“The next section of the research will go deeper into the alumni network of Bridge to the City,” Baker says. It will examine teacher retention rates, asking “Does Bridge to the City equate that you’re going to be more successful as a teacher long term?”

Something New

“A Bridge to The City” was the title of a program development proposal put forward by Professor Emeritus Gerald Mager, who taught courses on inclusive classrooms. Receiving a 2001 gave Mager three years of funding to support his idea. The proposal called for development of a two-way partnership between the University and New York City schools to provide SOE students a semester of guided student teaching in an urban setting.

In the late 1990s, Mager played a pivotal role in developing an , a groundbreaking approach for general education classrooms where students with and without learning differences learn together. This experience prompted him to extend this model to New York City, a place in need of qualified inclusive educators. “Although they have many teacher preparation programs in New York City, none were overly inclusive at that time,” Mager says. “This was going to be something a little bit new for city public schools.”

“My proposal was to build out connections and launch the program based on my background and my commitment to teacher preparation,” Mager says. He spent the first year establishing partnerships; the second year connecting SU faculty to schools and staff in New York City, as well as bringing administrators from city schools to SU. By the third year, the first group of SU students was exploring inclusive teaching practices in schools across the metropolis.

The Meredith Professorship and Mager’s efforts set the stage to develop a network of support to grow both the program and cultivate a pool of future educators. That network remains to this day. “If I hadn’t had that Meredith project,” he says, “it just wouldn’t have happened because there were no resources for it.”

The initial proposal gained momentum with support from Professor Corinne Roth Smith, who served as SOE interim dean from 2000 to 2002. Having leadership and other faculty behind the initiative, Mager says, led to backing from University administration, which propelled the program forward.

Mager says his vision for the project was never for it to be under his direction, but for it to become an established and supported offering for SOE students and partner schools: “If it was my project only, it wasn’t going to be any good. It could only work and be sustained if other people began to be involved in it and to own it.”

Support Network

Bridge to the City students from left, Elena Perez, Sadie Ikeda, Amanda Feliz and Ni “Katherine” Chen enjoy some down time at a game at Yankee Stadium in September 2023.

Bridge to the City students teach full time—with mentored guidance from professors and seasoned teachers—honing skills in both general and special education. Additionally, they participate in seminars reflecting the work they are doing in the field.

“Faculty both teach and supervise,” Ashby says. “Thus, students get the freedom and independence of experiencing teaching in a new city, but with the safety net of their school colleagues and their faculty supporting them.”

One participant from the 2003 pilot class, Sarah Stumpf ’00, G’03, says the program solidified her commitment to teaching and shaped her understanding of the broader role educators play in students’ lives.

“It was an amazing experience,” says Stumpf, who remembers she was one of six students participating that fall. The program starts the day after Labor Day, launching with a session on professional development, and then wraps up around Thanksgiving. Students live in the city with their peers, helping to establish a dedicated support network.

“As a cohort, we made sure we ate together at least once a week,” she says. “My roommate and I would proofread each other’s lesson plans. We really made sure that we kept an eye on one another. We made sure everyone was safe, eating and being supported—not just by Professor Mager but by one another.”

Stumpf’s journey is emblematic of the program’s broader goals, to instill a sense of responsibility as well as a commitment to inclusion and social justice in future educators.

Intentionally Diverse

New York City is a unique microcosm of education, doctoral candidate Emilee Baker explains, not only in its diversity of students but also because so many different school networks are operating.

“The schools we place our students in are not random,” Ashby says. “These are schools that are intentionally diverse.” This deliberate choice, she says, exposes students to various models of instruction and ensures that they learn to navigate the reality of inclusive education in action.

The program’s success is not only measured by the impact on students but also by its contribution to equity and justice in the broader educational landscape.

“I think what really surprised me during Bridge to the City were the number of children who really relied on us to be a secondary parent figure,” Stumpf says. “There were quite a few days where teaching was secondary. Making sure that my students were fed, bathed, had clean clothing or they had things to write with came first.”

“Critical reflection is part of what we do,” says Tom Bull, assistant teaching professor and director of field relations for the program. “We have students reflect on what they’ve learned and experienced, and it is pretty consistent in terms of theme.”

In his near decade leading the program, Bull says he has watched students arrive anxious about leading a class and navigating a new city, but in the end the growth they achieve consistently exceeds expectation. “The program provides a scaffolded, progressive structure,” something that Bull says is one of its greatest strengths, setting up students for success.

As Bridge to the City celebrates its 20th anniversary, the program’s ability to evolve, adapt and consistently produce educators equipped to navigate the complex landscape of urban education speaks volumes about its significance.

And as the program looks toward the future, there is a collective hope that it will continue to shape educators for years to come. “I’m thrilled it’s been going for 20 years,” Ashby says. “I hope it’s going for 20 more.”

Learn more about the or contact Professor .

Story by Ashley Kang ’04, G’11 (a proud alumna of the M.S. in higher education program)

Dick Clark

One of ���ϲ�����’s most famous graduates, Dick Clark ’51 started his broadcast career in Central New York and grew to prominence in Philadelphia as host of “American Bandstand.” But it was Los Angeles that offered the greatest opportunity for the visionary who would become legendary for building an entertainment empire that launched countless careers.

“LA remains the center of the broadcast industry, and Dick always wanted to support young people hoping for a career in entertainment,” says his wife Kari, explaining the reasoning behind the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation’s Forever Orange Campaign gift to significantly expand the University’s presence and impact in the entertainment field. Soon to be named the ���ϲ����� Dick Clark Los Angeles Program, the expansion of the includes new space for offices, classrooms, studios, additional academic programs, faculty and internships. The expansion aligns with one of the strategic priorities of “Leading with Distinction,” the University’s new academic strategic plan which seeks to make study away and study abroad opportunities more accessible to all undergraduate students.

“When Dad moved his company to LA, it flourished,” says Clark’s daughter Cindy, who graduated from the in 1986 and built her own successful career in television and film production in LA. “The expansion of the is a continuation of my father’s commitment to fostering new talent in the entertainment business. Seeing how the sausage really gets made—it’s just an invaluable experience.”

“Dad was always of the mind that nothing beats a practical hands-on experience in this business,” says Clark’s son RAC, who has produced thousands of hours of live event and entertainment programming and created Lion’s Heart Entertainment in LA. “You get to be in the belly of the beast.”

Chancellor Kent Syverud and family members of the late Dick Clark ’51 gathered Sunday in California to celebrate a gift from the Kari and Dick Clark Foundation to expand the University’s presence in Los Angeles. From left are Eve Adair ’86, Chancellor Syverud, Kari Clark and Clark’s son RAC P’27.

That’s why, about 40 years ago, Dick Clark met with University administrators and laid the foundation for SULA. He helped initiate the idea of a “Hollywood benchmark trip,” which started with fewer than a dozen students coming from ���ϲ����� to meet with him in LA and visit production studios. Clark’s legacy of helping generations of students will endure as new students benefit from the incredible mark he left on the entertainment industry and through the family’s generosity.

“The entertainment business offers vast opportunities for students interested in careers in performance, production, drama, music, engineering, design, marketing, public relations, media, technology, business development and more,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Dick’s legacy spans so many aspects of the entertainment world, which is captured in here on campus. Now, with this new gift, we will offer students unrivaled academic and experiential opportunities to explore interests in this evolving industry.”

All the Clarks take pride in the connection with ���ϲ�����. The Dick Clark Studios opened in the Newhouse School in 2014, with generous funding from the family. It provided cutting-edge facilities to train students interested in broadcast, television and film production. “My first time on campus was for the dedication of the studios,” says RAC. “I was just so proud to be his son.” When RAC’s daughter enrolled in the , he told her: “You are carrying a legacy that goes back generations.” Her mother, Eve Adair ’86, graduated with a degree in communications and is a successful director of live entertainment programming.

Though the world knows Dick Clark through his on-camera work, and watched him for four decades counting down the seconds to midnight as host of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” Clark’s undergraduate degree was from the Whitman School of Management. It was his business sense, his work ethic and his commitment to innovation and excellence for which he is most remembered by those who knew him best.

“Dad was a ‘famous face’ but that was tangential to his work,” says RAC. “It was the means by which he started his production company. Everyone knew him as a host, but it was the business side that drove him.”

Soon to be named the ���ϲ����� Dick Clark Los Angeles Program (rendering of program name at new location pictured), the expansion of the SULA Semester includes new space for offices, classrooms, studios, additional academic programs, faculty and internships.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that Dick was a pioneer, boldly going into the uncharted waters of radio and television,” says Kari, who worked with him for more than 40 years. She remembers how he described going door-to-door in Philadelphia asking people if they would be willing to pay to watch football games in their homes, long before the advent of cable. “He was thinking that far ahead,” she says.

RAC recalls his father talking about how entertainment “would be piped into your home in a box. He predicted the beginning of streaming.”

Dick Clark was excited to share knowledge with ���ϲ����� students who came to LA to study or experience the industry, and with those who came to work for Dick Clark Productions. “He loved imparting advice,” says Kari. She says the many young professionals he helped train would say they went to Dick Clark University (DCU).

“There wasn’t a better run production company,” says Cindy. “The company was so buttoned up. Everyone learned how to do production right and do it well. It was all about preparation. It was the DC way.”

“Looks good, sounds good, on time, on budget,” says RAC. “That was the adage that permeated the staff and all the freelancers who worked there.”

For Dick Clark, that was an important part of everything he did to help others move ahead and find their own success. “Dick was always happy for people who worked on his shows to learn and then advance in their careers as graduates of DCU,” says Kari. “Now, there will be a real university program in LA that carries the Dick Clark name.”

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is a private research university that advances knowledge across disciplines to drive breakthrough discoveries and breakout leadership. Our collection of 13 schools and colleges with over 200 customizable majors closes the gap between education and action, so students can take on the world. In and beyond the classroom, we connect people, perspectives and practices to solve interconnected challenges with interdisciplinary approaches. Together, we’re a powerful community that moves ideas, individuals and impact beyond what’s possible.

About Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ�����

Orange isn’t just our color. It’s our promise to leave the world better than we found it. Forever Orange: The Campaign for ���ϲ����� is poised to do just that. Fueled by more than 150 years of fearless firsts, together we can enhance academic excellence, transform the student experience and expand unique opportunities for learning and growth. Forever Orange endeavors to raise $1.5 billion in philanthropic support, inspire 125,000 individual donors to participate in the campaign, and actively engage one in five alumni in the life of the University. Now is the time to show the world what Orange can do. Visit����to learn more.

Sophie Creager-Roberts ’24 is a senior double major in and in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with a minor in in the School of Education. During the Fall 2021 semester, she studied abroad in Poland through ���ϲ�����’s program. Last summer, she interned in Belgium.

Creager-Roberts will discuss her time abroad at the Sept. 26. ���ϲ����� sat down with her to get her thoughts on the ways an expanded worldview elevates the undergraduate experience.

It’s her first time studying abroad, but she’s adjusted to campus life with ease. On the weekends, she explores South Korea, while weekdays are reserved for studying sociology, psychology and Korean literature and language.

Leondra Tyler, a HEOP student, is capitalizing on a study abroad experience in South Korea to enjoy new research perspectives.

Tyler, a student of the University’s part-time is the first part-time HEOP student to receive the .

Back home, Tyler is a part-time neuroscience and psychology student in the at ���ϲ�����. Scholarships like the OTHC scholarship have allowed Tyler to push the limits of post-traditional learning and take part in studying abroad.

“What drew me into the OTHC scholarship program was that I really wanted an academically focused program for Black and brown students. This has given me a great opportunity to connect with Black and brown alumni and hear about their experiences and their post-academic lives,” Tyler says. “Although I just got the scholarship this semester, it’s been really nice knowing that I have a support system, not only at ���ϲ����� but also here at Yonsei.”

A Diverse Learning Experience

Scholarships have not only offered Tyler access to an abundance of networking opportunities, but they have also opened doors that diversify her learning portfolio.

When Tyler wraps up classes for the day, she heads across campus to a PC café, a popular hangout spot for people to eat while they play computer games. While she waits for a game to download, Tyler orders lunch and reviews notes from her class about the history of Korean cinema.

For Tyler, studying abroad has allowed her access to an array of engaging academic experiences and even expanded her viewpoint.

Leondra Tyler.

“We’re learning Korean history through film,” Tyler says. “I took the course because I wanted to learn more analytic skills, because that can translate into my research. But also, I wanted to learn more about Korea outside of pop culture.”

However, South Korea’s pop culture has also given Tyler a chance to analyze sociology and psychology from a new perspective. As the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas make their way into American media, Tyler uses K-pop artists like SHINee and 2PM in the course “Understanding K-pop” to examine global trends and parasocial relationships.

“Studying abroad has given me more opportunities to be creative with different projects,” Tyler says. “Sociology courses I’ve taken in the past have been about Western culture, so it’s been nice to learn about it through the lens of Korean society.”

Embracing Communities and Cultures

From attending K-pop concerts to taking part in traditional Korean practices, Tyler has also learned the value of community and the importance of embracing different cultures.��Students from 53 different countries gathered at Yonsei University to participate in the study abroad program, giving Tyler the chance to learn about a myriad of cultures.

“I’m not just experiencing Korean culture but also culture from my friends that I met here that are from Australia, New Zealand, and Germany,” Tyler says.

On the weekends, Tyler and her friends take public transportation across South Korea and learn about the history of the country through its landscape. From visiting the coastal city of Busan to exploring the assortment of districts throughout Seoul, Tyler documents it all on her instant film camera and soaks up the unforgettable moments.

While studying on the other side of the world has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, friendship has made Tyler’s study abroad trip an even richer experience.

“Even though we’re all from different parts of the world, I’m going to stay connected with the people I’ve met here for years to come,” Tyler says. “That’s what makes this experience so special.”