Greetings!

Global Communities is a key piece of the campus vision for providing more opportunities for students to participate in globally-oriented programs. We seek to prepare them for the challenges of a borderless world. The University has committed significant resources to the program, and I am excited to be given the opportunity to shape Global Communities as its Faculty Director.

The complexity of the issues this generation of students will inherit is daunting. They live in a world that is grappling with the nature and impact of globalization—the widening, deepening, and speeding up of interconnections on a worldwide basis. We can see the effects in our daily lives, in something so mundane as the food we eat, which may come from the other side of the globe; or in larger concerns, such as the fall-out from a global recession precipitated by financial interconnectedness. Today we can regularly communicate with distant friends through online social media or meet new friends from distant places living just next door.

The Global Communities program brings diverse students together in one residence hall and in a series of classes they take together. They participate in activities outside the classroom that deepen their understanding of international and intercultural affairs. All of this is designed to expand their understanding of the problems and opportunities the interconnected world brings.

We make the concept of globalization “real” in the courses and outside activities by spending part of our time exploring a theme that appeals to everyone—food! The globalization of food is a topic in the news today, and one that allows us to consider a wide range of perspectives—from the food practices of particular cultures to larger debates over agricultural sustainability and food security. Highlights of the program include a specially designed online simulation about food issues, and an international dinner featuring food from around the globe.

As Director, I teach the two required courses in the program. These are broad-ranging examinations of the nature and impact of globalization, and include group projects, online simulations, and guest lecturers. I look forward to the opportunity to get to know students both in and out of the classroom, especially on our field trips in the Washington DC area. I have an office in the residence hall, and my door is always open.

When students join Global Communities, they find a supportive group that provides the mentorship and friendship that will ease the transition to college. We celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our students, and seek to create a tolerant and open environment for everyone.

Welcome!

Dr. Virginia Haufler
Director