Office of International Affairs staff members receive Distinguished Staff Awards

Each year Texas Tech University recognizes outstanding employee efforts through the Distinguished Staff Awards program. Nominated by their colleagues, these staff members are chosen for their tireless efforts to contribute to the success of Texas Tech University. With five divisions serving the international needs of the campus, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) has many dedicated and hardworking employees. This year, two of them will be recognized for their efforts during the Distinguished Staff Awards.

Rachel Massey
 

Rachel Massey

The OIA congratulates Rachel Massey, Assistant Director for Study Abroad, in winning the President’s Award for Excellence recognizing her strong leadership skills and service to students, faculty, and the campus community.

Priya Taluchuri
 

Priya Taluchuri

The OIA would also like to congratulate Priya Taluchuri, Programmer Analyst. Priya works with the OIA and Honors College to provide outstanding IT services. She received the Matador Award for her innovative efforts to streamline scholarship processes for the Honors College using the SharePoint system.

 
SAB Fair

Travel, Learn, Discover with Study Abroad!

One of five divisions within the OIA, Study Abroad provides opportunities for TTU students to have international learning experiences that are academically challenging, professionally relevant, and personally engaging. Since 2012, the program has seen a dramatic increase in the number of faculty-led programs and students studying abroad. “Expanding Study Abroad has been a TTU priority for years with the College of Engineering now requiring an international experience for graduation and other colleges, such as, the College of Architecture also considering adding this requirement, “ stated Elizabeth McDaniel, Senior Director of International Education and Enrollment Management for OIA.

During fall semester, the OIA hosts a week long Study Abroad Fair in the Student Union. This event gives students a chance to learn about possible internships, service learning and research opportunities, as well as interesting destinations for programs. More than 1,200 students participated in this year’s fair with over 60 campus/provider partners spending the day promoting programs and answering students’ questions. Additionally, 40 Academic Advisors participated in a breakfast workshop to learn how they can support students who are interested in studying abroad, and 46 returned study abroad students volunteered their time to help execute the event.

The experience and knowledge gained from studying abroad can be life changing. Scholarships totaling more than $350,000 are available to support study abroad and students are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit the Study Abroad website.

 
 
Culture Fest

OIA hosts CultureFest

CultureFest is an outdoor festival celebrating the diverse cultural heritages of the international community of Texas Tech University and Lubbock. More than two-hundred faculty, staff, students, and community members participated in this year’s inaugural event.

“We have written several grants to help fund the festival and hope to make this an annual event. It is a great way to feature the international community here at the University, but it also gives our international students an opportunity to interact with local and national traditions as well," said Kelley Coleman, Director of International Operations and Outreach for OIA. The festival included international food, children’s activities, internationally themed language, music, and dance performances. Sixteen international student and campus organizations participated with nine countries represented.

A special performance featured Anu Naimpally, a Bharata Natyam dance soloist, collaborator and educator. Anu is the creative director of Austin Dance India. Partners included the Museum of TTU, Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, International Student Life, International Student Council, the Center for Global Communication, the J.T. and Margaret Talkington School of Performing Arts, and TTU School of Music. The festival was sponsored in part by a grant from The CH Foundation and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

 
 
Habsburg

Habsburg lectures on EU Challenges to Survive Brexit

The Office of International Affairs welcomed His Imperial and Royal Highness Archduke von Habsburg-Lothringen of Austria and Hungary to Texas Tech University in October. A prominent global figure with expertise in politics and business, Habsburg-Lothringen serves as ambassador-at-large in the office of the President of Hungary and from 2006-2012, served as president of the Hungarian Red Cross. He is the grandson of Emperor and King Karl, the last monarch of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his late father, Otto von Habsburg, was the last Crown Prince of the Austrian Empire and one of the founders of the European Union.

During his visit, Habsburg-Lothringen met with several student and faculty groups and delivered a public lecture at the International Cultural Center discussing the EU’s challenges to survive Brexit.

 
 
UnderSun

Russian Documentary "Under the Sun– Life in North Korea"

The Office of International Affairs hosted a viewing of Vitaly Mansky’s documentary “Under the Sun- Life in North Korea" on October 25th. Mansky received permission to make a documentary film about the life of a young girl in North Korea. North Korean authorities attempted to control the filming, but Mansky and his crew were able to take footage that was not subject to censorship. The film offered a unique glimpse at life in North Korea, as well as the authorities' attempts to control the way the country is portrayed.

Sponsors: Russian Cultural Center “Our Texas”, TTU Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Literatures, Office of International Affairs, The CH Foundation, TTU Department of History, TTU Institute for Peace and Conflict, and the Tech Russian Club.

 
 
SAB Immersions

Study Abroad Immersion to be shared during Southwest Educational Research Association conference in February 2018

Congratulations to Red Raiders- Charity Embley, Justin Jackson, Rachel Graham, and Rebecca Crowder. These four Texas Tech doctoral students from the College of Education will present their symposium proposal to educators during the Southwest Educational Research Association conference in New Orleans next February. The symposium will detail their study abroad immersion experiences at a school in Spain. “It is so rewarding for our staff and faculty to see the unique ways study abroad inspires students to remain engaged at the global level”, said Rachel Massey, Assistant Director of Study Abroad for the Office of International Affairs.

Session title:
Igniting Collaborative Ideas for Teacher Professional Development: Four U.S. Teachers’ Immersion in Spanish Classrooms

Conference:
41st Annual meeting of the Southwest Educational Research Association

Location:
New Orleans, LA

Symposium Chair:
Charity Embley - Doctoral Candidate, College of Education

Panelist:
Justin Jackson - Doctoral Student, College of Education

Panelist:
Rachel Graham - Doctoral Student, College of Education

Panelist:
Rebecca Crowder - Doctoral Candidate, College of Education

Successful Cooperative Grouping for Special Education Students: Experiences and Explanation for Further Research

Justin Jackson

Project Based Learning - 21st Century Learning

Rachel Graham

From Missouri to Spain: A Reflection on Race and Second Language Learning

Rebecca Crowder

A Reflection on International Collaboration: Bringing Spain Closer to Texas

Charity Embley

 
 

OIA Study Abroad awards Clinton Colgin Scholarship

Clinton Colgin grew up in Fort Worth. He was a business major and graduated from Texas Tech University. He was an avid Red Raider fan and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and spent the spring of 2003 studying at The TTU Center in Sevilla, Spain.

Upon graduation, he began work in commercial real estate for Armstrong Development. He died as result of a hunting accident in the fall of 2010 doing what he loved best—enjoying the great outdoors and the magnificence of God's creation.


The scholarship is made possible by the generous donations of family, friends and colleagues.

The scholarship was designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. The goal of the scholarship is to enable a student who wants to share in the life changing experience of studying abroad as did Mr. Colgin.

Sarah Grace
Sarah-Grace Crocco

Encouragement and inspiration from my many professors in both the history and foreign language departments have helped usher me towards my final semester at this university, which will be spent in Seville, Spain. When my time in Seville comes to an end, I plan to attend a JD/MSW program in either Houston or Chicago. I have spent the last year working with women who primarily speak Spanish. As a caseworker at Voice of Hope, formerly Lubbock Rape Crisis, I worked on the Human Trafficking team with very limited resources, the one in particular—bilingualism. Becoming a proficient Spanish speaker is not only personally meaningful, but will help me continue the broken work I care deeply about upon returning to the U.S.


Alexis Gangeme
Alexis Gangeme

I am a mechanical engineering major with a minor in Spanish. I have always loved the sciences and I chose to study mechanical engineering so that I could explore my love for science in a hand on manner. The TTU Center in Seville is the perfect location for me to grow as a student in my field and as an individual. While here I hope to improve my Spanish immensely and learn to become more independent and self-reliant. I believe that this experience will be a defining moment in my life where I will learn many of the skills needed to be a successful engineer, such as good communication skills, and the ability to problem solve in unfamiliar situations.

 
 
fapesp 2017

FAPESP Meeting enhances collaborations between Texas Tech and Brazilian institutions

“Let our thinking be in world-wide terms,” said Paul Whitfield Horn, the first President of Texas Tech University. That ideal underlies the ongoing push to internationalize all aspects of the university, embodied by the recent establishment of the Center for Global Communication as part of the University's Quality Enhancement Plan and by the ongoing activities of the Office of International Affairs.

International collaboration on scholarship is a cornerstone of that strategy. Brazil, and especially the state of São Paulo and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) are an important component. For the past three years, Texas Tech and FAPESP have collaborated on an innovative program to provide joint funding for binational teams studying a broad range of topics. Five projects were funded after rigorous screening in each of the two initial cycles, with two more supported in 2016. Winners of past cycles, as well as possible participants in future funding rounds, spent two days together to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities for work in Chemistry, Environment and Sustainability, Genomics, Human Health, Physics, Sustainable Energy, and more. In addition to the talks, pictures and a video helped illustrate the activities of FAPESP. Completed projects have resulted in publication of peer-reviewed papers and a book, dozens of presentations in eight countries, and additional financial support from several sources.

The meeting was jointly organized by Texas Tech University and FAPESP, with support from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC. On behalf of Texas Tech, the conference was opened by Ambassador Tibor Nagy and Provost Michael Galyean. Over the course of two days, researchers from across our campus and several Brazilian universities presented their ongoing work on topics such as smart grids, water resource management under a changing climate, drug delivery, and obesity and diabetes. Economic factors, including innovation and collaboration with industry groups, were an important component discussed by both Dr. Carlos Brito Cruz, Science Director of FAPESP, and Ms. Kimberley Gramm, Managing Director of the TTU Innovation Hub. In his closing remarks, President Lawrence Schovanec emphasized the importance of international collaboration. “Research universities that aspire to address global and grand challenges in research and education,” he said, “should focus on international collaborations.” Two talks offering priorities, funding ideas, and summaries of past funding activities are archives on the web page of the International Research and development Division.

Both Texas Tech University and FAPESP emphasize research that directly addresses societal needs and seek to engage private industry in mutually-beneficial collaborations that enhance job creation and regional wellbeing. This has long been one of the roles of universities, which have repeatedly been shown to not only educate the public and innovate across the academic spectrum but also serve as engines for regional economic growth. The meeting helped emphasize the importance of international collaborations in such work, enhanced the scholarship conducted at Texas Tech, and raised the University's global profile through coverage in the local, national, and international press.

 
 
dia de los muertos

Día de los Muertos Procesión & Art Exhibit

Last Friday over 300 people celebrated the traditions of the Day of the Dead at the International Cultural Center. It was the first stop on the 18th annual Diá de los Muertos Procession. The event featured an exhibit showcasing the artwork of nine local artists, Hutchinson Middle School students and ofrenda photos from the Houston organization MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts). Attendees also participated in family friendly activities such as decorating sugar skulls, face painting and making flores de papel. Dr. Lauryn Salazar gave a talk on the history of mariachi music and visitors were treated to the songs of the Texas Tech mariachi band, Los Matadores. Other stops on the procession included the Texas Tech School of Art, the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts and the Buddy Holly Center.

Diá de los Muertos is a holiday that originated in Mexico. It is traditionally celebrated between October 31 and November 2. Family members build alters, or ofrendas, to honor their loved ones in their homes. Vigils are held in cemeteries where family members celebrate the lives of those who have passed with gifts, food, flowers, and trinkets.

 
 
Tamaulipas Delegation

TTU hosts delegation from Mexico

Texas Tech University recently hosted a delegation from the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Just across the border from Laredo, the State of Tamaulipas is known for its manufacturing, agriculture, and trade industries. Currently, the state is one of the largest producers of wind energy in Mexico and will soon feature the largest wind park in Latin America. During their visit to TTU, the delegation toured TTU’s National Wind Institute research facility, the College of Engineering, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the Quaker Agricultural Farm, and the International Cultural Center (Office of International Affairs). The intent of the visit was to cultivate a collaboration between TTU and the State of Tamaulipas to offer degree programs. The Secretary of Education, Dr. Hector Salazar signed a letter of intent during his visit with TTU President Schovanec.

 
upcoming events
OIA Candlelight
 

Weihnachtsfest

The OIA invites you to a pre-Candlelight celebration on Friday, December 8 from 5:00 PM-7:00 PM at the International Cultural Center located at 601 Indiana Avenue. Weihnachtsfest will feature German Christmas traditions including a band, crafts, gingerbread cookies, and sausage. The event is free and open to the public.

Learn More »

Scottish Robert Burns Supper
 

Scottish Robert Burns Supper

January 27, 2018
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Join us for the fifth Annual Robert Burns Supper, to be held on Saturday, January 27th from 6:00 PM-10:00 PM. This traditional celebration of Scottish heritage and culture will take place at the International Cultural Center highlighting the life and legacy of Poet Laureate, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Burns Suppers are most common in Scotland and Northern Ireland; however, there has been a surge in Burns' Night celebrations in the United States. Approximately 3% of Lubbock's population is of Scottish heritage creating an enthusiastic community of people who enjoy participating in this unique cultural event. The popularity of this annual event continues to grow each year drawing visitors from Dallas, Houston, Abilene, Midland, Amarillo, and surrounding regions. Excelling as traditional and folk musicians, the music of Piper Jones Band centers around the Highland bagpipes accompanied by the percussive chords of the bouzouki and drum. This year's performance will include authentic traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, and Appalachia as well as a traditional dance performance. Other traditional Scottish activities will include Storytelling and performance from Ed Miller, Piping in the Haggis, Poetry & Immortal Memory to Robert Burns, Traditional Scottish dinner, Scotch, Scottish country dancing, and other elements of Scottish culture and heritage. Traditional Scottish attire is encouraged. Purchase tickets through Select-A-Seat. Seating for this event is limited.

Learn More »

 
 
think global


TTU OIA

Office of International Affairs, 601 Indiana Ave. Lubbock, Texas 79409
 
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Feb 9, 2022