SPCC recognized for producing Fulbright Scholars

POLKTON — South Piedmont Community College was recently recognized as a top producing institution of Fulbright Scholars with the selection of Dr. Makena Stewart as a 2021 Fulbright Scholar.

Stewart was selected as Fulbright Scholar as part of the International Education Administrators grant program and was slated to travel to Germany in 2021 for an intensive 2-week culture and experience sharing program.

While the trip was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, she believes the grant award is an immense honor and advances the college’s international education goals.

“I am grateful for the recognition as it increases access to various ways to engage our students in global conversations,” Stewart said. “The possibilities of future shared learning experiences like collaborative online international learning (COILs) and other intercultural exchanges could begin to help our students bridge the global divide as they prepare to enter the workforce.”

Stewart is the Associate Vice President for Student Success and directly oversees South Piedmont’s international education area. She brings 17 years of post-secondary education experience in supporting student success and achievement.

“International education became one of my passions when I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Spain while in high school,” Stewart said. “It showed me how important international experiences truly are during the educational process. The ability to experience and directly interact with other cultures is so important for student development.”

South Piedmont is committed to providing diverse international educational experiences through programs that take place globally as well as on campus. The Office of International Education offers traditional and virtual study abroad and on-campus experiences that help provide exposure to the global world for Union and Anson County students.

“Not all students can travel the world, so we are bringing the world to them,” Carl Bishop, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Chief Academic Officer, said. “Our Office of International Education had to shift temporarily during COVID, but it has allowed us to expand our virtual offerings and give more opportunities to South Piedmont students.”

One such program is the Global Scholars of Distinction program which gives students at South Piedmont access to webinars, classes, and other digital educational experiences that enhance their understanding of the world and its people.

The Office of International Education has recently expanded its opportunities for virtual travel abroad and VR travel experiences led by Dr. Kira Ferris, Director of International Education.

“Virtual Study Abroad and VR experiences allow our students to explore cultures, global landmarks and international cities all from the comfort of their own homes or our classrooms,” Ferris said. “These tools, coupled with our traditional study abroad programs, empower our students to expand their horizons and experience places beyond Union and Anson counties.”

The Fulbright Program was established over 75 years ago to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright is the world’s largest and most diverse international educational exchange program. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright Program is an annual appropriation made by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Since its inception in 1946, over 400,000 people from all backgrounds—recent university graduates, teachers, scientists and researchers, artists, and more—have participated in the Fulbright Program and returned to their home countries with an expanded worldview, a deep appreciation for their host country and its people, and a new network of colleagues and friends.

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 40 heads of state or government, 61 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 76 MacArthur Fellows, and countless leaders and changemakers who carry forward the Fulbright mission of enhancing mutual understanding.

Fulbright is active in more than 160 countries worldwide and partners with participating governments, host institutions, corporations, and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States. Many of these organizations also provide direct and indirect support. ECA sponsors the Fulbright program, and several non-profit, cooperative partners implement and support the program on the Bureau’s behalf. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.

South Piedmont Community College was founded in 1999 and operates in Union and Anson Counties. It serves approximately 10,000 students per year and offers residents opportunities to achieve their educational goals, from high school to career advancement. Learn more about SPCC at www.spcc.edu.