The College of Charleston’s emphasis on global learning is underscored by the high achievement of 50 graduates who were recently recognized for earning the Global Scholars designation. The recipients were honored with commemorative medals that they also wore at spring commencement on May 15, 2015. The honorees represented 11 different academic disciplines, including 14 graduates from the international business program.
The Global Scholars Program, co-founded in 2007 with the support of a Title Via grant, is co-directed by Rene Dentiste-Mueller, professor of marketing and director of the Global Business Resource Center, and Joseph R. Weyers, professor of Spanish. It is a university-wide program designed to increase the capacity of students and faculty to contribute as global citizens. The program aims to meet the changing demands brought about by globalization and recognize students and faculty members who structure their learning and work around developing a diverse worldview.
The first Global Scholars cohort graduated in 2010. Today, 198 alumni have earned the Global Scholars designation, and 41 faculty members have also earned the distinction, marking the university’s rising national recognition for global learning experiences. In 2014, the Business Research Guide website ranked the College’s School of Business at #15 among its 30 Great U.S. Colleges for Studying Business Abroad.
Among this year’s Global Scholars class was Krystyna Rastorguieva ‘15, who was also recognized by the School of Business with the Most Outstanding International Business Student Award. A Ukrainian native, Rastorguieva to the U.S. when she was 18 and endured culture shock for several years until the Global Scholars program and Dentiste-Mueller helped her to realize her potential. She is now working as an intern at C.H. Robinson, a leading global logistics company with 11,000 employees worldwide, where she is applying her international experience.
“Through the academic rigor, I discovered the interconnectedness of people and countries, and appreciation for real cultural differences and that we cannot escape in our personal lives or in business. It’s through our differences that we find better solutions to global challenges, especially in import and export businesses,” says Rastorguieva. “I’m grateful for the global learning journey as it motivated me to make the most of my academic experiences including lectures and events outside the classroom that proved to grab the attention of employers.”
The requirements for earning the student designation are a minimum 3.0 GPA , 18 hours of global-themed coursework in at least three disciplines, foreign language oral proficiency on the TOEFL standardized test, a related global learning experience, attendance at six or more campus or community global-themed events, and advising sessions with a Global Scholars mentor.
“One very notable accomplishment of our scholars is that the 198 who have taken professional proficiency exams over recent years have scored at least at the Intermediate level for Western languages. It is a hallmark of achievement and very impressive,” says Weyers.
The five College of Charleston faculty and staff members who have achieved recognition are Daniel Huerta-Sanchez and James Malm, both assistant professors of finance; Ya You, assistant professor of marketing; Carmen Grace, assistant professor of Hispanic Studies; and Laura Moses, staff associate in the School of Languages, Cultures and World Affairs.
Faculty are required to produce peer-reviewed scholarly activities with an international or global thesis, conduct professional work abroad, demonstrate foreign language oral proficiency, attend international events and serve as a mentor to a student scholar.
