BOONE—A partnership between Appalachian State University, Novgorod State University in Russia and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology in Pakistan is focused on increasing students’, teachers’ and others’ foundations of cultural awareness and communication.

A special topics course co-taught by Associate Professor Barbara Howard from Appalachian’s Reich College of Education, Professor Arshad Bashir from COMSATS University in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Professor Natalia Ilyashenko of Novgorod State University, Veliky Novgorod Russia, will be offered this fall to graduate students at each partnering universities. The post-graduate level course will be open to any graduate student at Appalachian in the areas of leadership or to non-degree seeking students who apply to the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies.

The objectives are to develop a deeper understanding of the intricacies of culture on communication among those who wish to collaborate internationally. “Often, global connections break down simply due to lack of communication caused by misunderstandings,” Howard said. “Students will have the opportunity to work together in a variety of online settings, both synchronously and asynchronously, to develop specific projects related to real world issues in leadership.”

Organizers hope the course will lead to a 12-hour, multidisciplinary graduate certificate in international leadership for those who have a master’s degree or higher in business or school administration, an educational doctorate degree or an educational specialist degree.

“We want to develop a model that brings together international students and faculty to gain an understanding and appreciation of cultures that intertwine to educate and transform leadership,” Howard said. “We don’t want to just transform our students,” Howard said. “We want to bring leaders from business and education into these courses and who in turn will be able to affect change in the environments in which they work.”

For more information about the course, contact Barbara Howard ([email protected]) or John Tashner ([email protected])

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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