On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from noon–1 p.m. Central Time, the Spring 2022 International Seminar Series, ISU International Engagement, will be focused on faculty-led study abroad. The seminar will be led by Alex Ratcliff-Hanger, associate director for study abroad, as well as three faculty panelists. The presentation will begin with Ratcliff-Hanger providing a brief overview of the different types of faculty-led study abroad at Illinois State, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Joseph Goodman, Dr. Montserrat Mir, and Dr. Noha Shawki. This free zoom webinar is open to the public with advance registration.
Ratcliff-Hanger has extensive experience with study abroad. She spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy, while earning her B.A. from Miami University in American/United States studies and civilization. After spending a year teaching English in China, she joined the Illinois State University Office of International Studies and Programs as a study abroad advisor in 2011. In 2018, she completed a master’s degree in communication from Illinois State and was promoted to study abroad coordinator. In August 2019, she moved into her current role as associate director for study abroad.
Goodman is an associate professor of management and quantitative methods at Illinois State University and teaches courses in human resource analytics, compensation, and employee selection. He received his Ph.D. in human resource management and organizational behavior from the University of Mississippi (2006), a Master of Arts in industrial/organizational psychology from Louisiana Tech University, and a Bachelor of Science with honors from the University of Southern Mississippi. Prior to 2007, he did not possess a passport. In 2017, he renewed his sparsely stamped passport and has traveled to 17 countries. He inadvertently created a “bucket-list” goal to eat a McDonald’s Big Mac on every continent. Only two continents elude this goal. The more important goal is encouraging first-generation college students to study abroad.
Mir was born in Barcelona, Spain, and has a B.A. in English studies from the University of Barcelona. She earned two additional degrees at the University of Illinois: an M.A. in teaching English as a second language (TESOL) and a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis on second language acquisition and teacher education. Mir joined Illinois State in 1997 and currently holds the position of professor of Spanish and applied linguistics, as well as language coordinator in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Some of the courses taught by Mir include Spanish language and linguistics and foreign language pedagogy. Mir’s research interests include Spanish pragmatics, pragmatics instruction, and foreign language pedagogy.
Shawki is a professor in the Department of Politics and Government. Her teaching and research focus on transnational social movements, global governance, and international norms, with a substantive focus on human rights and sustainable development. She strongly believes in the value of experiential and immersive learning and in fostering global engagement and global citizenship among students. Shawki has led the Model United Nations program at Illinois State for many years and has traveled many times with students domestically and internationally. Shawki’s work at Illinois State has been recognized with several awards recognizing her excellence in teaching and research.
The International Seminar Series is presented by the Office of International Studies and Programs and features a theme each semester. The Spring 2022 series, ISU International Engagement, is focusing on the wide variety of international activities that connect the Illinois State University community to those around the world.
Anyone with questions or requiring accommodation to participate fully should contact InternationalSeminar@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-1651.
