Kelly agrees. For her, the Peru trip expanded upon the lessons she’s learned in the program.
“I've since found that with every class, I bring back new ideas to my company, strengthening every department and making us a better company. I've learned to be a more compassionate leader. I now experience the world in a more enlightened, inclusive, and educated way and want to create a meaningful and lasting impact.”
Prioritizing a global experience doesn’t mean the faculty abandoned their commitment to access, though.
“If students can’t travel for work, family obligations or other reasons, we didn’t want them to miss out on having a global experience,” says Associate Dean Aimmee Terosky, EdD.
For those students, the program offers a unique alternative — an online course taught by international educator Aaron W. Jones, EdD, entitled, “Global Perspective in Educational Leadership.”
“I try to bring the world into the class,” says Jones, who last year taught his course from Qatar. Each year, he invites leaders and educators from around the globe to speak to his students.
“We’ve heard from Dr. Alban Ferrieu, a former school counselor and lecturer at Université Catholique de l'Ouest in France — his work centers on the lived experiences in international schools. We’ve learned from Dr. Catherine deVries, dean of International Affairs at Bocconi University in Milan. She talked to us about DEI work and some of the differences present in a European context,” says Jones, providing just a few examples.
“In the class, we try to confront what it means to be American, and what is an American education or American corporation. We try to get specific. Name it intentionally. We also ask each other what it means to teach or lead in those environments, what are the seen and unseen forces that guide our thinking, behaviors and systems?” says Jones. “Sometimes it's easier to understand one's identity by learning about others. By bringing in leaders and their experiences from around the world, students can dream beyond their borders, interpolate best practices from around the world, and empower in their sense of self … so they can contribute anywhere in the world.”
“It makes the world feel smaller and more connected,” says Kelly of the added global experiences. “There are people around the world trying to solve the same issues as we are and, if we work collaboratively together, we can share knowledge and ideas.”
Learn more about Saint Joseph’s IDPEL program.