Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC)

A thought-provoking and inspirational virtual exchange is happening this semester between students in Global Leadership classes at Texas Southern University (with Prof. Johnnie Williams) and students at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (with Prof. Anwar Ibrahim). The aim is to provide students with insights into the leadership process, vision building, followership formation, and motivation. Beyond this, students are also refining their own leadership skills and learning about each other’s customs and culture while working in teams. #VirtualExchange #GlobalLeaders #BuildingBridges #CulturalCompetencies #WorldClassConnection The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute The Aspen Institute U.S. Department of State

Officially, Texas’s favorite pie is pecan, although anyone who’s been at a Thanksgiving gathering around here would know that definitely isn’t undisputed. :-) Besides the wonderful food and time with loved ones, we are also incredibly thankful to our many friends and partners around the world as they strive tirelessly for greater internationalization and seamless, cooperative problem-solving through education. No matter where you are today, we hope you are safe, cozy, and spending time with those you cherish. Happy Thanksgiving! #TexasBasedGloballyEngaged

This week, we are thankful for our TIEC team, past and present. We are a small (but mighty!) staff, so each colleague makes a lasting impact and we are grateful for the passion they put into building stronger higher ed partnerships worldwide. Take a moment with us to celebrate the work of Heather Farmakis, Ph.D., our former Chief Operations Officer, whose contributions will continue to benefit our team for years to come: https://loom.ly/rW_8Vjw #highereducation #texasbasedgloballyengaged #TIEC40

Dr. William Smith, TIEC's Senior Director of Global Partnerships, recently presented "A New Approach to Internationalization: Global Consciousness" at the 2024 San Antonio International Education Forum (SAIE). This year's theme – Forging Forward in International Education – provided a platform for transformative discussions focused on advancing student success and fostering global awareness. The Alamo Colleges District Global Engagement team orchestrated such an enriching experience! A special thank you to Dr. Mike Flores, Chancellor of Alamo Colleges District, whose inspiring keynote highlighted impactful global engagement initiatives that promote equity and experiential learning in internationalization. Dr. Smith is grateful for the chance to connect with many dedicated professionals committed to advancing international education and global consciousness – together, they’re creating pathways for students to thrive in an interconnected world. #SAIE #GlobalEngagement #AlamoColleges #EducationInnovation

Study abroad is a powerful tool to prepare students for a global workforce, but more and more, studies show it’s also a way to improve student retention and success. Congratulations to both The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University for being among the top 5 higher education institutions in the United States for study abroad! https://opendoorsdata.org/ #opendoors #IEW2024

Dr. Alejandra Barahona’s recent visit to Texas was filled with collaboration and inspiration that will undoubtedly lead to new opportunities for students and programs at Universidad LCI Veritas and LCI Barcelona – and it was an absolute pleasure to host her! In addition to generative meetings with TIEC team members, Dr. Barahona also visited the University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Lone Star College, and Houston Community College. The fruitful discussion topics included new student programs and international partnerships, synergies for faculty-led programs, joint programs for environmental sciences students and faculty, and study abroad options in Costa Rica and Barcelona, just for a start! We're thrilled about the possibilities that have opened for deeper collaboration. Thank you, Dr. Barahona, for your enthusiasm about engaging with Texas higher ed institutions and for highlighting the impact of TIEC's affiliate membership. Alejandra Barahona (She/Her/Hers) #GlobalEducation #StudyAbroad #InternationalCollaboration #HigherEd #IEW24

TIEC has been honored by Alamo Colleges District's Office of International Programs with the 2024 Community Award! This recognition celebrates our shared commitment to advancing global engagement in higher education across Texas, and it was presented at a special event on November 18th, kicking off International Education Week. Together with the Alamo Colleges District, a key TIEC partner, we have developed impactful workforce and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen students' global competencies. We're so appreciative of this award as a meaningful tribute to our ongoing mission of building global connections, and in turn we honor the dedication of all our community champions. ?? #InternationalEducationWeek #IEW2024 #TIEC40 #globaleducation

?? Exciting Opportunity for Education Abroad Professionals! Participate in The Forum on Education Abroad's Regional Seminar: "Strategies to Enhance Access, Support Well-Being, and Address New Challenges in Education Abroad" in Austin on Friday, December 13, 2024, hosted in collaboration with The University of Texas at Austin, EF Study Abroad, and The Forum on Education Abroad. This day-long seminar is designed for early and mid-career professionals to explore actionable strategies for creating inclusive, impactful programming that supports all students and promotes professional resilience. What’s on the agenda? ? Tools to break down barriers for underserved students ? Mental health support strategies for both students and staff ? Practical insights to foster belonging and broaden engagement ? Networking opportunities with peers and experts in the field When: Friday, December 13, 2024, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CST (lunch included) Where: EF Education First, Austin, TX After a full day of learning, join us for a reception hosted by EF Study Abroad to continue building relationships and fostering collaboration. Register at https://lnkd.in/g8CAFm84

“Costa Rica’s proximity to the U.S. has always been highly beneficial in terms of our internationalization processes. Historically, students have been drawn to our country for the Spanish language, health specialties, green business, and Latin American studies, making Costa Rica a top destination for study abroad.” – Dr. Alejandra Barahona, founder of globalEdu Costa Rica, Executive Director of LCI Education Study Abroad at Universidad LCI Veritas / LCI Barcelona, and TIEC Operating Council member. Last month, in our Texas-Costa Rica Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) virtual networking event, Dr. Barahona shared her insights on Costa Rica’s dynamic higher education system and its internationalization efforts. As the first TIEC affiliate member in Latin America, Universidad Veritas exemplifies the power of cross-border collaboration. ?? Who was there? Breakout rooms facilitated introductions and conversations between representatives from Texas and Costa Rican HEIs, including Universidad Fidélitas, Universidad Hispanoamerica, Universidad de San José, Universidad LCI Veritas, Universidad Internacional San Isidro Labrador, Universidad Iberoamericana, and Universidad de Ciencias Médicas. ?? Did you know? Costa Rica ranks #8 among destinations for U.S. students studying abroad, with 6,558 students choosing this vibrant, biodiverse country. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g5QqNX4m A huge thank you to everyone who joined and to Dr. Barahona for her invaluable insights into Costa Rica’s education landscape. We’d also like to express our gratitude to Ms. Elizabeth Rodriquez, President of GlobalEdu Costa Rica. This session set the stage for an exciting boost of Texas-Costa Rica higher ed collaboration! #InternationalEducationWeek #IEW24 #InternationalEducation #GlobalEngagement

In Vision 2030, Egypt identified their critical requirements in water management and irrigation. ELSEWEDY UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY - POLYTECHNIC OF EGYPT (SUT) aims to answer that workforce need by offering new degree programs in this field – and the new partnership between SUT and TIEC will deliver the Texas expertise to make this happen. Faculty from Texas A&M University will work with SUT to develop the comprehensive curriculum for this program, together with plans for resource procurement and training. TAMU’s extensive expertise makes them the perfect fit for this undertaking, setting the degree program up for a successful launch next fall. As SUT stated, “This new partnership reflects [SUT’s] commitment to broadening its academic offerings and preparing students to meet the challenges of an evolving global landscape.” TIEC is eager to be involved with this endeavor, as it brings Texas ingenuity to do good in the world! We’re grateful to help SUT be part of the solution in developing Egypt’s workforce to future-proof their food security. #TexasBasedGloballyEngaged #GlobalEducation