ESU Selected for Fulbright Scholar in Residence Program

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Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on April 3, 2020, No Comments

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has been selected by the Institute of International Education’s Council for International Exchange Scholars to host a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) for the 2020-2021 academic year.

The Fulbright S-I-R Program assists U.S. higher education institutions in expanding programs of academic exchange, by supporting non-U.S. scholars through grants for teaching at institutions that might not have strong international component and/or serve minority audiences. Both the U.S. institution and the scholar grantee benefit from this experience.

The S-I-R, based on his/her expertise in the field of travel and tourism management, will teach courses in Perspectives of International Tourism and Meeting and Convention Planning and Management at ESU. “Exposing our students to an international scholar will provide valuable insights to new perspectives and critical issues occurring in the international realm,” said Sylvester Williams, J.D., dean of the College of Business and Management at ESU. “Many businesses engaged in the tourism industry have clients and customers from all over the world. Our students will gain a global perspective, allowing them to understand cultural differences. The S-I-R will help to build a culture of international awareness for ESU students as it relates to tourism.”

The scholar will be invited to join numerous campus colloquia for discussions and presentations, and will begin the academic year with a formal lecture to the campus community on the topic of current international travel and tourism trend and development. The scholar will lead informal discussions with the ESU Honors Program, join the Hospitality Club in attending the annual Hotel Experience Trade Show in New York City, speak during the Eta Sigma Delta, International Hospitality Honor Society induction ceremony, and participate in ESU’s annual Global Week activities.

As tourism is the main economic force of the Pocono Mountains, the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau will provide the opportunity for the scholar to have a familiarization tour in the Pocono Mountain Region, many stops along this tour also serve as internship sites for ESU students. The scholar will serve as a guest speaker during internship meetings and speak during the annual ESU Alumni Networking events in Philadelphia and New York City.

Having a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence will help ESU fulfill a short-term goal to create a Global Living Learning Community in its residence halls to provide opportunities for ESU students to live with other students from diverse cultural backgrounds and countries. The scholar will act in capacity of a mentor for the Global Living Learning Community, which will help achieve a long-term goal of opening ESU to the wider global community.

The scholar will be available during the 2020-2021 academic year, August 15, 2020 – May 31, 2021.

For more information about the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program at ESU please contact Dr. Williams at 570-422-3589 or email swilliams@esu.edu.

UPDATE: After consulting with our University Administrators and Fulbright Scholar Leadership Team, given the impact of COVID 19 in the middle states region and metro area of NYC of which ESU is a apart and the unknown status of fall offerings in terms of course delivery and students in residence at this time, it is best to postpone arrival/start until Spring 2021 semester in late January 2021, and the postponement is the decision of the University. The intent is to ensure safety of both our Fulbright Scholar and the University during this Pandemic.