Faculty and Staff!
Congratulations to Tom Martinek, Jr. and Norma Velazquez!
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Tom Martinek, Jr. & Nell Pynes |
Please join IPC in congratulating both Tom Martinek, Jr. (Assistant Director, Study Abroad & Exchanges) and Norma Velazquez (Assistant Director, International Student & Scholar Services) for receiving their Masters Degrees in Conflict & Peace Studies (CPS) at UNCG. Norma graduated in December of 2011 and Tom received his degree in May 2012. Through her capstone practicum experience Norma examined issues surrounding off-campus housing for international students. Based on the results of her research she created resources for landlords and international students designed to aid in successful rental experiences. Tom’s capstone practicum experience centered on developing new programming and initiatives for study abroad students. The goal of these initiatives is to help students develop intercultural skills that will enhance their likelihood of becoming globally engaged students.
Penelope Pynes delivered the graduation speech to the assembled CPS students on May 5 in the Stone Building.
IPC became involved in a new community initiative that started this year, a statewide project called Painting 4 Diversity. Through Denise Bellamy’s connections with Greensboro City Arts, Study Abroad and Exchanges (SAE) was invited to participate and support this initiative. Painting 4 Diversity invites children from several communities of North Carolina to create original paintings that are inspired by their own definition of diversity. There are local community contests and one final state contest at the end of the year. SAE presented to the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Board and organized dates for our students to present to the after school groups in several local recreation centers. Our international exchange students and study abroad returnees presented on their home country, culture and study abroad experience to help the students learn more about the world and diversity. Our students visited and gave presentations to 6 after school groups at the local recreation centers. http://www.edwingil.com/site/painting-4-diversity/
See also our Student Highlights section for perspectives from international student participants.
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Students from the Greensboro area during one of the IPC’s Painting 4 Diversity events. |