Department Faculty Support Global Initiatives
In recent years, historians at Minnesota State Mankato have taken strides in initiating and fostering academic partnerships with institutions of higher education across the world. Department historians have offered study abroad and study away courses to Mexico, France, and Alabama, and a new course, currently in the works from Dr. Loayza and Dr. McCutchen, will offer students the experience to study in Cuba during the 2020 Spring Break.
Our historians are also working on developing relationships with other universities around the globe. During the summer of 2018, for example, Dr. Agnes Odinga, Dr. Kyle Ward, and Dr. Justin Biel travelled to identify and work with universities toward the goal of establishing academic partnerships. Dr. Odinga, visited the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia, while Dr. Ward and Dr. Biel together visited The University of Southeast Norway. In September, a group of faculty from the Norwegian institution made their second visit to Mankato.
During Dr. Odinga’s visit, the specialist in modern African history visited fourteen universities, four of which are among the oldest universities established in the region. Her trip was supported by the Dean of Global Education, Dr. Anne Dahlman. Dr. Odinga reported that all fourteen of the Universities expressed interest in establishing collaborative partnerships with MSU, Mankato. Dr. Ward and Dr. Biel’s visit, which was supported by a grant through the Norwegian department of education, took them to southeastern Norway where they visited the campus of The University of Southeast Norway in the city of Bø. The University of Southeast Norway has eight campuses across Southeast Norway. During the visit, Dr. Ward was able to work with the University of Southeast Norway to develop a collaborative class teaching Norwegian immigration to America and Dr. Biel worked towards establishing a Viking Age history course between the two universities.
Establishing partnerships with international institutions provides Minnesota State Mankato students with opportunities to expand their cultural horizons while earning their degree. These potential partnerships will allow students to participate in new study abroad opportunities. Students interested in African studies would be able to study in some of the continent’s oldest universities, while students interested in studying in Norway would get to experience a newly- accredited university system. In August 2018, for example, three Social Studies students had the opportunity to complete a student teaching experience in Norway. In spring 2019, two classes, held simultaneously in Norway and in Mankato, will learn about the history of Norwegian immigration to America. Both groups will make transatlantic trips, where they will learn first-hand from faculty and staff at their partner institutions.
Global partnerships also present opportunities for professors at both institutions. Through faculty exchange programs, professors can teach at partner institutions for a few weeks, a semester, or even an entire year.
