Spring 2008 Monterey Institute Welcomes Middlebury President Ron Liebowitz During her State of the Institute Address in February, Monterey Institute President Clara Yu introduced Middlebury President Ron Liebowitz and his wife, Jessica, who were visiting the Peninsula with their young family. In a dynamic show of interest and support, the Liebowitz family spent a month in Monterey this winter as they made time to become further acquainted with the Monterey Institute community. “From the start,” Liebowitz said to the campus audience Feb. 5, “we believed that affiliation, rather than immediate integration, would give us time to become acquainted and figure out how to build this partnership between two globally focused institutions of higher education. “During this time, Clara’s leadership has been remarkably effective, and I have a great amount of confidence and enthusiasm about your administration. Middlebury wants to be involved and wants Monterey to maintain autonomy while, at the same time, being consistent with Middlebury’s world view. “We see the benefits of a multi-faceted organization, formed of kindred spirits engaged in intellectual work. It is an exciting time to be involved, and we appreciate this wonderful opportunity to be a part of what’s going on here at the Monterey Institute.”
Photography: Jenny Manseau
In this Issue:
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CrossContinent Education One of the most exciting opportunities available through the Monterey-Middlebury affiliation is a sharing of resources; among them, the depth and breadth of faculty skill and experience on both campuses. This past January, the Monterey Institute offered several classes at Middlebury during its J-Term, one dealing with the challenges of nonproliferation, and the others providing an introduction to the professional field of translation and interpretation. The Institute community was thrilled to have the opportunity to provide these courses, introducing some of our strongest and highestquality academic programs to Middlebury students. Our faculty was impressed with the quality and dedication of the students, and the inspired setting offered by the Middlebury campus and facilities, which created a relaxed but conducive learning environment. “Equally important,” said Monterey Institute Provost and Academic Vice President Dr. Amy Sands, “was the contribution of these activities toward establishing closer ties between the Institute and the College. I see these as critical building blocks in our efforts to develop a sense of community across the continent, between the academic programs of our organizations. I am looking forward to more trans-institutional collaborations that augment educational opportunities for all our students in the field of international studies.”
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Jean du Preez
A team of seven faculty from the School of Translation and Interpretation divided their expertise to teach a course introducing the principles of translation and interpretation, plus languagespecific introductory courses in Spanish, French, and Chinese. Jean P. du Preez, senior lecturer and director of the International Organizations and Nonproliferation Program, was the first IPS faculty member to teach at Middlebury. He instructed a three-week course on Nuclear Weapons and Nonproliferation, which covered the history and technical, strategic, and political dimensions of nuclear nonproliferation. “During the course,” said du Preez, “I hosted four prominent guest speakers, all of whom presented very engaging talks, ranging from the technical aspects of nuclear weapons to the role of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in preventing further proliferation.” Du Preez also co-hosted, with the Middlebury College Rohatyn Center for International Affairs, a public event on the benefits and risks of nuclear energy. The course concluded with what du Preez considers a successful mini-simulation exercise in which the students
Sakaguchi Family Success & Support Mavis Matenge on Faith & Fortitude
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Russell Leng
staged a Security Council meeting on Iran’s nuclear program. Meanwhile, across the country, retired Middlebury professor Dr. Russell Leng came to the Monterey Institute campus to teach a course on “War.” Leng, Middlebury class of ’60, is not only Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Director of the Alumni College, but he also is a member of the Monterey Institute Board of Trustees. “I came out to teach the course,” said Leng, “partly because I wanted to spend January in California rather than in Vermont, and partly because, as a Board member, I wanted to learn more about the Monterey Institute. This truly was the best way to get to know the students and, through them, the Institute.” Leng’s course was attended by a diversity of students—six from countries outside the United States. Two were military officers, some had served in Iraq, and some had returned from the Peace Corps. “In all,” said Leng, “I had a wonderful mix for a seminar on war, students whose maturity reflected that they had already done something out in the world.”
Curricular Innovation Q The WIP Waseda University: An Arranged Marriage
Connecting with the World Alumna Roshi Pejhan
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hen it came to deciding among graduate schools, Roshi Pejhan, IPS ’06, likes to think the Monterey Institute chose her. A first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Iran, she grew up in an Iranian household yet within a decidedly liberal, westernized environment. Raised
Roshi Pejhan
in Southern California, she was an LA girl by circumstance but not at heart. A 2000 graduate of UC Davis in International Relations, she loved her experience at Davis but was never really sure what she should do with it. It’s no wonder she left it up to the grad school to help her identify her path. “My life didn’t begin to fall into place until I came to the Monterey Institute,” said Pejhan. “When I took Professor William Arrocha’s Intro to Trade class, something clicked for me. He’s a political economist, so those influences came through. I am interested in cause and effect, in economically driven behavior. Trade policy is so relevant; people don’t understand the international policies that affect the seemingly small things in their lives. I see the value in effecting policy.” Although Pejhan found her niche in trade policy, she couldn’t divorce it from conflict resolution, couldn’t ignore negotiation, couldn’t forget about the environ-
ment. At the Monterey Institute, she didn’t have to. “I am a holistic person,” she said. “I like to see how things connect, overlap, influence, and affect each other. I think I’m atypical of the conventional trade student. MIIS has so much to offer; you can explore your interests. But you also have to strike a balance. Once you graduate and head out to live your life, you have every opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in that balance of interests.” Pejhan took that complement of interests to The Women’s International Perspective in Monterey. Better known as The WIP, it is a comprehensive news web site, fed by women contributors from all over the world, that reports world news, opinion, and commentary. It’s not about women, necessarily; it’s by them. Established by Peninsula native Kate Daniels in March 2007, The WIP employs a global/ local approach to connect writers, readers, and advertisers, a strategy
that attracts local writers seeking a global audience and global readers interested in local stories. It also employs Pejhan. “When I first learned about The WIP,” said Pejhan, director of Community Development & Outreach, “I thought I would simply volunteer my time. But I quickly realized I had found something I could dive into passionately. International policy is my field, but writing is my passion; what an ideal opportunity. “More than 146 countries are represented by WIP writers and readership, and I connect with MIIS alumni and faculty all over the world. Especially university students, who are so world aware. They talk about issues we studied at MIIS. I think it’s an outlet for them to disseminate information and ideas to people around the world, who are not fortunate enough to come to MIIS.” For more information, visit www.thewip.net.
Donor Profile: Isao Sakaguchi International Peace and Understanding, a Family Passion hen Isao Sakaguchi speaks, his words are usually measured and soft-spoken. But mention international relations, and his eyes glitter, animated by heartfelt enthusiasm. Mr. Sakaguchi, who serves on the Monterey Institute’s Board of International Advisors, exudes warmth and light-heartedness, but he takes his responsibilities as a Japanese business leader very seriously. “Japan has become a very prosperous nation,” he said. “With such spectacular good fortune comes responsibility. It is important that we Japanese fulfill our global responsibilities by actively pursuing and supporting fruitful exchange and understanding in the world.” Mr. Sakaguchi first came to know the Monterey Institute through his daughter, Mayumi, MBA ’89, who had enrolled to gain confidence in management skills and English, to better help her family’s high-technology heating equipment company as it grew into international markets. Mr. Sakaguchi and his wife, Miyoko, one of the most prominent businesswomen in Japan, were very supportive of Mayumi’s efforts. Today, Mayumi applies her skills in the family company and their family foundation. Effective last month, she was appointed President of Sakaguchi EH VOC Corp, while her mother became Chairman of the Board and her father, Vice Chair. Mr. Sakaguchi became more familiar with the Institute in 1991, when he and Mayumi met Professor Tsuneo Akaha. They were immediately impressed by the depth of his knowledge, his eloquence in both Japanese and English, and his dedication to promoting harmonious international relations through advanced study and academic exchange.
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Professor Akaha’s vision for greater understanding and peace resonated deeply with Mr. Sakaguchi. He signed on as the major supporter to launch Professor Akaha’s Center for East Asian Studies, and has provided annual support since, enabling a number of research projects and regular publications on topics germane to improved multilateral relations, particularly in Northeast Asia. In fulfilling their global responsibilities, the Sakaguchis are of one voice. “Contributing to world peace and the happiness of all mankind through our business is Sakaguchi’s top priority since our founding in 1923.”
L to R: Tsuneo Akaha, Miyoko Sakaguchi, Clara Yu, Mayumi Hachiya, and Isao Sakaguchi
Starving Artists’ Public Art Space The Other Side hen you write about yourself and your work, impressive artist jargon is not necessary. In fact, it’s kind of annoying. So says the prospectus requesting that an artist’s statement accompany submissions to the selection committee for SAPAS, the Monterey Institute’s student-run art gallery at the Holland Center on campus. Better known as “Starving Artists’ Public Art Space,” the organization facilitates the display of art created by members of the Institute community, including students, faculty, and staff. The gallery hosts 3 to 4 exhibits throughout the school year, during which art sales yield a 15-percent commission to help SAPAS sustain itself. The gallery currently is directed by artist Christina Baldarelli, a graduate student in the TESOL Peace Corps Master’s International program, who will depart on her Peace Corps assignment later this month. “When I arrived at MIIS,” Baldarelli said, “I was still riding on a high from having had the opportunity to show my work at a similar gallery on the Chico State campus. I thought I could use that momentum to create the same kind of
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Ali Jaffe, Mason Roberts, Christina Baldarelli, & Jane Mazur
space for the MIIS community. Although I came to MIIS to pursue my interests in educational linguistics, I am still actively interested in the art community and what I can do to contribute to it. “I’m in a certificate program in the School of Languages and Educational Linguistics, called Language Program Administration. The SAPAS Gallery gives me experience working with students, in an administrative position, in an academic setting. These are all huge interests of mine, so it’s perfect.” The gallery’s most recent show, which began with an opening reception on March 21, is an ongoing multimedia exhibit by four student artists: Jane Mazur, photography; Alexandra Jaffe, etching/ceramics; Mason Roberts, photography; and Anya Ezhevskaya, oil painting/pencil drawing. “Although I’ve only been able to get a limited amount of funding, which ran out last semester,” said Baldarelli, “I’ve received an immense amount of positive input from students. The nature of MIIS lends itself to people who are creative and thoughtful, and I think this gallery has given a lot of people the chance to explore a new side of an otherwise very focused and academic environment.”
Institute Signs Landmark Agreement with Top-Tier Japanese University promoting East Asian intellectuals’ various contributions to the student Sean Keith recently became the first establishment of an “East Asian Community.” student exchanged between Tokyo-based He also will teach a graduate course on East Asian integration at Waseda University and the Monterey Institute. Waseda, and will organize summer institutes and special seminars for the A memorandum of understanding signed in benefit of academics and graduate students from across the region and the the closing days of 2006 between the top-tier United States. Akaha will return to the Monterey Institute each spring Waseda—dubbed “the Harvard of Japan”—and the Institute offers a semester to teach and continue his research projects. framework for a variety of cooperative activities, In an academic culture that reflects the intrithe first of which is an annual exchange of stucate traditional Japanese hierarchy of relations, this dents. Keith is spending this academic year at this arrangement is an arrangement is an extraordinary innovation that Waseda, taking courses in international policy, extraordinary innovation acknowledges the clout and prestige of Waseda, Asian Studies, and Japanese language. Waseda is and the integrity and excellence of the work of the in the process of selecting one of their students Monterey Institute’s Center for East Asian Studies, to study at the Institute. founded and directed by Professor Akaha. The landmark agreement between the two “I feel very honored,” said Akaha, “to be invited by my alma mater to schools was facilitated by longtime Institute professor Tsuneo Akaha contribute to its role in developing regional cooperation. I am delighted (an alumnus of Waseda), and signed by Institute President Clara Yu to serve as a bridge between the Monterey Institute, where I received and Waseda President Katsuhiko Hirai. the opportunity to realize the Center for East Asian Studies, and Waseda In addition to the student exchange, the Institute will “share” University, where I received the first inspirations in the discipline that Professor Akaha with Waseda, beginning this fall. Waseda invited would become my passion.” Akaha, who agreed to coordinate major government-funded research
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In Support of Curricular Innovation f it’s not working for you in the real world, you might consider getting a life, a Second Life®, that is; the 3-D virtual world created entirely by its Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown explosively, and today is inhabited by millions of Residents from around the globe. Meet Sarah “Intellagirl” Robbins, a cutting-edge educator who provided a full-day technoseminar at the Monterey Institute, which included an exploration of Second Life® as a tool for teaching and learning. Sarah is quick to confirm that her signature shock of pink hair preceded the birth of Intellagirl, her similarly coiffed avatar or virtual persona in Second Life®. As Institute students, faculty, and staff got to know Sarah and her alter ego, they adopted the recurring theme of the visit: pedagogy comes before technology. Intellagirl Robbins’ goal is to promote the idea that virtual environments invite teachers and learners to create their own uniquely appropriate spaces for learning. While you can always find recreations of conventional spaces, such as auditoriums enshrining traditional pedagogies, or teaching strategies, you also can wander through a “green” building, map suspected terrorist activities, or trade on a virtual stock market. Robbins’ seminar and many like it are hosted by the Institute’s new Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC). Established last summer, the
TLC was designed to support the engagement of faculty and students in the pursuit of academic excellence, promote faculty creativity and reflection, encourage pedagogical and technological innovation, and create opportunities for faculty interaction and collaboration with external colleagues who share relevant research and practices. “The collaborative nature of the TLC,” said Institute Associate Vice President Amy McGill, “enabled us to leverage other resources that, combined with a generous grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation, helped us drive a very successful campaign of curricular revitalization. We also obtained a grant from the Max Kade Foundation to acquire additional equipment for video-conferencing and digital media production at the TLC.” While the TLC is evolving as a network of support for teaching and Sarah Robbins learning that leverages the significant skills and knowledge already resident in the community, it also provides leadership for the integration of new resources and ideas. “We have used the Fletcher Jones Foundation funds to bring cuttingedge educators, such as Sarah Robbins, with a high degree of technological expertise to the campus,” said TLC Director Bob Cole, “where their presentations, discussions, and workshops have engaged faculty, staff, and students in thinking about teaching and learning in new ways.”
Looking To The Future: Bob Cole ou ought to try this: Go to www.futureme. org, and send an e-mail message to yourself in the future. What might you say? What would you like to tell the person who will be you one, two, 10 years from now? Bob Cole, MATESOL ‘96, did it with an ESL content class on the theme of “the future” he was teaching in GSLEL last spring, a course focused not on writing or speaking or grammar per se, but on communication, on using such skills to communicate. Bob Cole “It turned out to be one of our favorite activities,” said Cole who, at the time, was teaching and directing the Intensive English programs on campus. “We were working on resumé writing, a true exercise in looking at your future goals, in making plans for the future. My message to my future self expressed a hope to be doing more expansive, fulfilling work. After six years of language program administration, I was looking for change.” On March 28, Cole received his prophetic e-mail at his new office in the Teaching and Learning Collaborative (TLC) on campus, where he became director shortly after he sent his “future me” message.
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“I was interested in having this kind of role even before it existed,” he said. “Although I have used technology in the classroom quite a bit, I do not have a formal technology background. [Associate Vice President] Amy McGill wrote the job description, and although technology is not explicit in my title, it is an important part of my job in encouraging both pedagogical and technological innovation.” McGill calls him an “accidental technologist.” Cole’s fascination with the opportunities it presents in teaching and learning has inspired him to figure out what’s possible and innovate what isn’t. All of which is grounded in graduate training on how to teach, on building the capacity to reach students in different ways. “This sense that we need to be thinking about how we teach is exciting to me,” he said. “I have teacher training, I have an education background, and I am constantly thinking about how students learn. The academic transformation the Institute is undergoing makes pedagogy a talking point. What does academic excellence mean? “We need to expand our vision of the conventional classroom and our approaches to teaching. We live and work in media- and technologysaturated environments—how can we work with these and other emerging tools to create even richer and more meaningful learning environments? With the TLC, we are starting these conversations as we explore the potential for integrating podcasting, web conferencing, and other digital tools into our collective teaching repertoire: the Monterey Way. It is time to differentiate ourselves, and the way we teach is an important way to do that.”
On Faith Alumna Mavis Matenge
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he walked into Dr. Peter Grothe’s office the day she arrived in Monterey, about two weeks before her first semester began at the Monterey Institute. The two engaged in a lengthy conversation; he, explaining life at the Institute, and she, life in her native Botswana. “The longer we talked,” Dr. Grothe said, “the more I got the gut feeling that she didn’t have much more than the half scholarship that had brought her to Monterey to study international Mavis Matenge & Peter Grothe policy studies. I finally asked her, ‘How much do you have in the bank to pay for your studies?’ ” “I came to the Monterey bus station this morning with $1.50 in my purse,” she said. “I came on faith.” Two years later, Mavis Matenge, IPS ‘01, graduated from the Institute with a Master of Arts in International Policy Studies. She got there on a lot of hard work, additional scholarship support, a work-study program, and a whole lot of faith. “I had an enriching and rewarding journey at MIIS,” said Matenge. “The journey provided an invaluable opportunity to pursue an outstanding academic program that enabled me, through theory and practice, to address issues I was passionate about, which included, among others, human security, gender, and conflict resolution concerns. It presented paths for personal development and growth, as well as the opportunity to build friendships and be part of the MIIS global community.” Matenge’s experience at the Monterey Institute, she says, also equipped her for her professional journey, which has included working with refugee communities and democratic governance and peace-building issues in southern Africa. Today, Matenge, 31, is pursuing her PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the Arthur V. Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at the University of Manitoba, Canada. She came to Winnipeg via the Commonwealth Scholarship Plan, a program designed to enable highachieving students to continue studying in other countries. Upon completion of her degree, she will return to Botswana to make what the program calls “a distinctive contribution.” “We don’t live in isolation,” she told the Winnipeg Free Press. “We are interconnected. It is this connection of humanity that warrants that we all care about what happens in our global village—might it be in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, or South America. The connection or the unity of the human race is a powerful tool for change.” As Matenge looks back on what she calls her journey through the Monterey Institute, it was and continues to be, she says, a “life-long blessing.”
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Spring 2008
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Beyond the Classroom An International Forum of Ideas and Experiences A Reflection by Magister Christhian Rengifo Graduate Research Assistant, International Organizations and Nonproliferation Program, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, Monterey Institute of International Studies The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (JMCNS) at the
and gives students the opportunity to
tional regimes. The conference included
of the technical aspects involved in
deepen their knowledge in their areas
several panels that dealt with technical
the field of nuclear safeguards and
of interest.
issues involving nuclear safeguards.
verification.
“During my time at the Monterey
Conference participants work
Institute, my academic and work experi-
for the nuclear industry and the
ences at JMCNS have given me the
International Atomic Energy Agency and,
opportunity to further my knowledge of
therefore, discussed issues regarding
the policy and legal aspects involved
safeguards technologies and tech-
in nuclear safeguards and verification.
niques. This was a unique opportunity,
To complement my learning experience
not only to learn more about this key
at the Institute, I decided to attend the
area of nonproliferation, but also to
Monterey Institute of International
“8th International Conference on Facility
meet individuals who work in the safe-
Studies is the leading institution to
Operations–Safeguards Interface.”
guards field.
study the nonproliferation of weapons
“The goal of this Portland, Oregon
“This conference represented an
of mass destruction. JMCNS provides
conference was to promote a better
excellent opportunity to supplement
students with a solid knowledge of
understanding of the application of
my learning experience at the Monterey
several aspects of nonproliferation,
safeguards under national and interna-
Institute, and to enhance my knowledge
Christhian Rengifo
JMCNS Lunchtime Seminar Series Something to chew on
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he James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (JMCNS) hosts a lunchtime speaker series for the Monterey Institute community and general public, featuring leading experts on arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament. Seminars during the first quarter of 2008 included a former ambassador, a top UN official, a former Pakistani military officer, a leading nonproliferation blogger, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, speaking on topics ranging from North Korea to disarmament, nuclear stability in Pakistan, and China’s nuclear forces. “That JMCNS is able to attract such prominent individuals to participate in its seminar series,” said Kenley Butler, JMCNS executive officer and senior project manager, “is a testament to the role that the Monterey Institute community plays in nonproliferation and disarmament worldwide. Of course it doesn’t hurt that our little paradise offers sunny skies, beaches, and other attractions, but I’m convinced that the most enduring impressions taken away by our speakers are of stimulating dialogue and thoughtful exchange with the Institute’s students, staff, and faculty at the JMCNS lunchtime seminar series.” Speakers included: JANUARY s Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Rhodes: Arsenals of Folly: The Calamitous Illogic of Nuclear Arms Races. FEBRUARY Stanford’s Dean Wilkening: Biodefense s Institute alumnus Adam Dolnik: The 2004 Beslan Hostage Crisis in Russia s UNIDIR Director Patricia Lewis: The Once and Future Promise of the Conference on Disarmament s Neil Joeck of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and former Pakistani Army officer Brigadier General Feroz Khan: Nuclear Stability in Pakistan s
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Former Ambassador and Special Envoy to North Korea under George W. Bush, Charles E. Pritchard: North Korea and the Status of the Six-Party Talks
MARCH s Zachary Zwald of Ohio State University: Missile Defense s Jacques Hymans of Smith College: North Korean Nuclear Intentions s armscontrolwonk.com blogger Jeffrey Lewis: China’s Nuclear Forces s Middlebury’s Dr. Allison Stanger: Empire of the Willing: The Privatization of American Power s Dan Caldwell: The Domestic Legitimation of U.S. Foreign Policy: The Nixon-Kissinger Grand Design and Grand Strategy APRIL Tariq Khaitous: Arab Concerns Regarding Iran’s Nuclear Program s Dennis Gormley: Missile Contagion: Cruise Missile Proliferation and the Threat to International Security s Christopher Bluth: North Korea’s Nuclear Program and the Strategic Dilemma on the Korean Peninsula s
OF DISTINCTION This year, the Monterey Institute student body includes a record number of Fulbright Scholars—16—which is more than some of the larger universities in the country. Our Fulbright Scholars hail from: Afghanistan s Iraq s Laos s Morocco s Romania Russia s Sri Lanka s Saudi Arabia s Uganda
Testing the International Waters
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here is something to be said for classroom instruction. And there is much to be done in the field. Imagine earning 12 credits and six months’ relevant experience in a job during your master’s degree program. Through their “International Professional Service Semester” (IPSS), Monterey Institute students take a job with an international focus to train, not as an intern but as a junior staff member, in cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, and gender mainstreaming. Beginning in 2002 when three students were able to “learn by doing” through IPSS, the program recently released its seventh group of, this time, nearly 30 students into the field to gain valuable international experience. “By providing students with the opportunity to apply their education in their desired field,” said GSIPS External and Special Programs Coordinator Carolyn Taylor, “the program embodies the Institute’s move toward immersive learning. IPSS fellows select an organization where they would like to work for six months.”
tution, to change careers, or to boost leadership potential and skill-sets in a current career. The research that goes into planning the internship, plus the professional experience itself, provides graduating students with a solid understanding of their chosen field. “Sixty percent of last summer’s graduating IPSS class received job opportunities associated with his/her IPSS experience,” said Taylor. “IPSS also continues to be a great opportuSahara Saude working with nity for alumni and organizations to seaweed farmers in Bali connect with current students. We thank our alumni who have passed In addition to a professional mentor, the students along internship opportunities to work in groups of six or less with a Monterey our students or who have created MOUs with Institute faculty member to draft individual their employers and the IPSS program. Yet, we group papers. always like to stress that it is the student who “The process concludes in August during secures these job opportunities; we are just here the IPSS capstone seminar and conference,” to provide resources and connect students with said Taylor. “We hope to invite the regional opportunities.” academic community and local alumni to this New organizational relationships built this summer’s conference.” year by staff and students include contacts at the IPSS appeals to a diverse set of student backWorld Trade Organization, Jane’s Information grounds, whether they come to the Monterey Group, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Institute directly from their undergraduate insti-
Who We Are and What We Represent t was something relevant, something they wanted to know, which is an excellent way to begin a class project. Especially if you plan to make something of it. Last fall, IPS students Wrenn Yennie and Bree Bacon conducted a class project to evaluate cross-cultural interaction among more than 70 nationalities represented at the Monterey Institute. In a graduate institution whose students are multilingual, globally-focused, and committed to building greater cross-cultural awareness worldwide, their research base is sufficiently applicable and assorted. “Our student body is truly international,” said Yennie, “and everyone here has a deep desire to interact cross-culturally, both professionally and socially.” Because their research revealed a dearth of information relative to an international student body characteristic of the Monterey Institute, the colleagues conducted unique research on their own campus. They created an online survey, which garnered response from 16 percent of the student body. They also facilitated a focus group and conducted one-on-one interviews. Early this semester, Yennie and Bacon presented their findings at the 7th Annual International Graduate Student Conference in the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Their paper, titled, “The Social and Professional Integration of Asian Students at a U.S. Graduate Institute,” was chosen among 441 proposals submitted to the student-run conference and presented to 132 graduate students in attendance from all over the world. “We received a lot of support from our professors and the school to attend this conference,” said Bacon. “Now, we want to implement our recommendations to help build our school community so that U.S. and international students, who represent one-third of our enrollment, can take advantage of the diversity of our student body. We encourage every student to get involved.”
The three-day conference addressed and explored issues pertinent to the Asia Pacific region, such as education, sustainable development, media, and economic integration. “The audience at our panel was excited about our topic,” said Yennie, “because it is relevant to international students on any campus. They gave us great feedback and encouragement. The most rewarding part of the conference was meeting people from all over the world, who are interested in diverse issues in the Asia Pacific region.” Both 2009 IPS candidates, Yennie is specializing in Asian Studies, and Bacon is focused on Public Administration in International Management.
Wrenn Yennie & Bree Bacon
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MIISion New Orleans: Learning by Doing It was August 2007, and Quinn Smith, MBA ’08, was volunteering with Katrina Corps, a nonprofit organization endeavoring to rebuild New Orleans. In her opinion, they were way behind. Smith returned to Monterey with a promise to help New Orleans, and a plan to return with the knowledge, skill power, and intentions characteristic of the Monterey Institute. “Initially,” she said, “I didn’t have academia in mind, but rather a hands-on, rebuilding Quinn Smith initiative. Something where we could concretely see our efforts. I explained my idea to Dean Scalberg, who referred me to Dean Laurance.” Laurance, who had already spent considerable time and effort in New Orleans, called upon Justin Locke, MPA ‘08, and Jeff Swartz, MAIEP ’08, who, together with Smith, became the team leaders for “MIISion New Orleans,” a practicum “linking relief to development.” With the introduction of Bronx Community College and Middlebury College participation, the group was renamed “Team New Orleans.” “By January 2,” said Smith, “we had descended upon New Orleans. During the next few weeks, we accomplished everything from small business and accounting consulting to disaster preparedness training, to a major demographic and resident-opinion neighborhood survey.” Smith and her colleagues learned that things take time, planning is never foolproof, and it’s essential to get all expectations in writing. Mostly, they learned that there’s more to do, and they’re planning to return to New Orleans.
Fired Up: The Annual Fisher Fiesta
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he idea was to encourage communication, facilitate connection, and create a culture of student and alumni involvement. The result was FF4, the Fourth Annual Fisher Fiesta. Led this year by second-year student Miriam Karpilow, the event has become the Fisher School’s most celebrated alumni networking affair. Held on February 23rd, the Fiesta kicked off at 4 p.m. with a keynote speech in the Irvine Auditorium, by Emmy-award winning journalist and author Carmine Gallo. The “brand-name” communications coach delivered a dynamic presentation around the topics promoted in his most recent book, Fire Them Up! including “seven simple secrets to inspire colleagues, customers, and clients; to sell yourself, your vision, and your values; and to communicate with charisma and confidence.” “Mr. Gallo’s message,” said Karpilow, “focused on what [you could] accomplish if you could inspire, motivate, and positively influence everyone in your personal and professional life.” Following Gallo’s engaging address, guests received a special FF4 canvas tote bag before moving to the Irvine Atrium for a networking reception hosted by The Wine Spies, a specialty wine company
that poured excellent local wines, accompanied by a selection of appetizers. Business cards were exchanged, connections were made, and appetites were both stirred and satisfied. At 7 p.m., the Fiesta moved to Gilbert’s Seafood Grill on Fisherman’s Wharf. During dinner, party organizers raffled off a host of items and gift certificates acquired from local businesses, the Fisher School, and the Monterey Institute Alumni Association. “I was very pleased with the Fourth Annual Fisher Fiesta,” said Peder Hanson, MBA ‘07. The students were engaged, and the alumni were ready to network. I was extremely happy to see connections from years past had led to hirings and business partnerships. And, given the focus on networking and information exchange this year, I imagine this trend will continue to strengthen. Additionally, the variety of events and venues, as well as increased faculty attendance, made this the best of the three Fisher Fiestas I’ve attended.” In all, some 32 alumni, 11 faculty and staff, 77 students, and a number of guests attended the Fiesta. “This Fisher School tradition has become an important tool in facilitating communication among alumni and students,” said Karpilow. “The entire Fisher community is already looking forward to next year’s Fiesta.”
Caught in the CrossLoop
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“Having finished my engineering degree,” said icture it. You’re working away at your comDesai, “my goal was to get out of India. I didn’t know puter, and suddenly the thing freaks out. the Monterey Institute, but I saw in it the opportuThe text switches from English to Chinese, nity to get a scholarship and advance my education the formatting goes haywire, the piece you in America. Professor Kropp’s class on Creativity & just wrote disappears. The computer store is closed, Vision inspired my entrepreneurial urge and my realizayour techno-geek brother is out surfing, and your clever tion that it was critical to see things differently.” cousin in Wisconsin can’t understand the problem. “If Creativity, Desai says, is only,” she says, “I could see key in every aspect of life— your screen.” from personal growth to An account with employment to starting your CrossLoop could, if not solve own business. Without it, your problem, at least give everything tends to become a you a fighting chance. The commodity. free peer-to-peer application “Bob Dylan sings, ‘He enables your computer-savvy not busy being born is busy friends and family to operate dying.’ After graduation from like a remote self-help desk. the Monterey Institute,” said Simply download it to your Desai, “I asked myself how I desktop and, say, your cousNatanya, Mrinal, and Amelie Desai could keep being born, how in’s, and she can study your I could I use my skill set to screen, take over the function make the most of my waking time and my life, and how and, maybe even fix whatever went awry. I could keep learning.” Mrinal Desai, ’01 MBA, co-founded CrossLoop to According to Erick Schonfeld for TechCrunch, the “extend the boundaries of traditional screen sharing by enabling non-technical users to connect from anywhere start-up recently raised $3 million in an A-Round led by El Dorado Ventures. on the Internet in seconds, without changing firewall Desai and fellow Fisher alum Natanya Myers, MBA or router settings.” The start-up was an entrepreneurial ‘01, who works for the State of Oregon University dream inspired partly by his experiences at the System, were married by Professor Kropp in 2002. The Monterey Institute and partly by a much earlier vision couple has one daughter, Amelie. begun in India.
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