Written by Matthew Simitile, University communications and marketing
USF St. Petersburg Region Chancellor Christian Hardigley has been selected to participate in the Fulbright International Education Administrator (IEA) Program to be held in France this fall. Professor Hardigley will participate in a two-week intensive seminar with higher education leaders from across the United States from October 5 to 17, 2024, to learn more about the French university and college system.
The Fulbright IEA program aims to strengthen the capacity of international education programs, enhance cross-cultural perspectives, and initiate collaboration between U.S. and French universities. Successes from the IEA program to date include establishing research initiatives, hosting international scholars, hosting conferences, and participating in student exchange opportunities.
“It is an absolute honor and privilege to be selected, and I look forward to representing USF and increasing our organization's brand awareness during my time here,” said Hardigley. “I hope to learn and bring back effective information about their approach to higher education that we can consider, evaluate and potentially implement here.”
Mr. Hardigley has served as regional president of USF St. Petersburg since May 2022. In this role, she oversees campus-wide operations and excellence and provides leadership in the planning and execution of key strategic initiatives, from student success to strengthening the campus' internationalization efforts. . .
Over the course of two weeks, this cohort will visit a wide range of universities across France. They will learn about best practices in education and student success across the country and interact with faculty, administrators, and government officials from public and private educational institutions. The group also tours historical and cultural sites.
“Engaging with diverse experiences, ideas and approaches to how other countries and institutions do things a certain way will help us re-evaluate our systems and create greater potential for growth and success.” It helps,” Hardigley said.
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program, designed to create lasting connections between people in the United States and other countries. Since its founding, the Fulbright Program has inspired more than 400,000 students, scholars, teachers, leaders, and professionals from all backgrounds and disciplines to learn, teach, research, exchange ideas, and solve common international concerns. It has given me an opportunity to contribute to finding solutions.
USF has a long history of academic collaboration with France at the institutional, faculty, and student levels.
USF has three international agreements with French universities. The university's longest-running study abroad program also takes students to Paris to explore the country's art and art history through visits to museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. This is one of many faculty-led study abroad experiences in this country.
