OIA hosts ‘Global Challenges, Local Solutions: Explore the Diplomacy Lab’ webinar

Gallaudet University’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) is excited to share the link to a webinar recording about the Diplomacy Lab, a new global learning opportunity from the Department of State’s (DoS) Office of Global Partnerships that will help University faculty enrich classroom learning and encourage students to build on their global citizenship. As an additional benefit, this expands their professional network within the public service sector, especially in global affairs. 

Alexander Nelson, partnership officer for DoS’ Office of Global Partnerships, presented information at the December 9, 2024, webinar about the Diplomacy Lab, which, according to its website, offers “course-source research and innovation related to foreign policy by harnessing the efforts of students and faculty at universities across the country.”

Once Gallaudet has formally joined the Diplomacy Lab, faculty and their student teams can bid to research and contribute to foreign policy discussions to address a number of pressing global issues (e.g., global warming) related to their expertise. This means students will gain the knowledge and skills to work with diverse groups of people to enhance their intercultural humility/competence, engage with people of all cultures and develop the ability to reflect on their own experiences and beliefs while learning from others. Finally, it prepares them to work with others to problem-solve complex issues that transcend borders affecting the quality of deaf people’s (and others) lives.

OIA is committed to fostering a Global Gallaudet. In 2024, OIA pivoted to lead the international marketing strategy to bring international students and scholars to Gallaudet and to work closely with the faculty to integrate global learning opportunities into their curriculum. This helps students build on their global citizenship skills – one of the University’s eight student learning outcomes – to prepare them for their lives as responsible, ethical citizens of the world during their time at Gallaudet and after graduation. 

OIA has also developed Virtual Exchange-Collaborative Online International Learning (VE-COIL) opportunities for students. VE-COIL infuses awareness, learning, and shared action as part of global citizenship by linking Gallaudet students and faculty to peers from institutions in other countries (e.g., Philippines, Peru, Norway, and Japan). In addition, OIA has developed courses/degree programs at Gallaudet that have a global focus, including study abroad options (e.g., Peru, Japan, and Spain).

For questions, please contact Rue Winiarczyk, manager of operations in OIA, at rowena.winiarczyk@gallaudet.edu. Winiarczyk asks that faculty keep an eye out for opportunities to share what they know about global learning for all to find out how OIA can help them enrich classroom learning to help students build their global citizenship skills.