Howard Community College

Fall 2015 | Pathways 15 Integra ng Interna onal Themes into Core Curriculums Providing a global perspective for students and faculty has always been a priority for Howard Community College. Through globally-focused courses, diversity programs, study abroad, and international education, the college has offered students global learning opportunities for quite some time. However, until about five years ago, those who pursued these specialized courses and fields of study were graduating or transferring with transcripts that didn't necessarily reflect the diversity of their educational experience. At the request of students looking for this distinction, it was clear that a strategy to "globalize the curriculum" needed to be defined. In 2010, faculty from Howard Community College and the Community College of Baltimore County formed a faculty learning community to do just that. While the goal was to work together to infuse global issues into standard general education courses, the end result was the creation of an academic enrichment program, now known as Global Distinction. This unique program – a first in the nation – is open to everyone regardless of their major or grade point average, and offers a mix of globally intense courses, cultural events, and experiential learning opportunities, including study abroad and internship options. "Students really want to learn about and experience cultures that are different from their own," said Stacy Korbelak, associate professor of English. "Our Global Distinction program gives them that opportunity." The process of actually globalizing curriculums for students across all fields of study required some creativity. As examples, Korbelak and her colleagues had to think about how to weave an international theme into algebra, biology, business, and freshman composition classes. "For algebra, we reworked all of the word problems so that they centered around international stories or issues," Korbelak said. "For business courses, we worked with the instructors to make sure that what was being discussed in the classroom addressed global business issues, and specifically what is happening within corporations outside of the U.S." Today, students who integrate a global curriculum and world language into their course selections are recognized with an official "Global Distinction" designation on their transcript. "We know that students who earn the Global Distinction designation can use it to advance their educational and career opportunities once they move on from HCC," said Korbelak. "Each year, we see more and more students interested in the program, and that makes us very proud." Interested in Partnering With Us? Does your business have an international division, or do your daily operations require interaction with others who work outside of the U.S. market? If so, there may be an opportunity for us to create true win-win experiences for students! We are seeking internship and volunteer opportunities for students who are part of our Global Distinction program. To learn more, please contact Stacy Korbelak at skorbelak@howardcc.edu. ability to help students and professors in all disciplines make connections from the classroom to the world. Exploring issues of pollution, natural resources, conservation, and the impact of humans on the environment are key areas of focus for students studying environmental science. "I chose to volunteer at Patapsco Heritage Greenway because I knew that I would be able to work on projects that would better my own community," said Elizabeth Harden, who took environmental science in 2013 and later graduated with an associate degree. Harden and her classmates were asked to complete 12 hours of service time outside of the classroom with a local organization whose mission addresses environmental factors. "We spent our Saturday mornings planting trees and removing trash and debris from the stream. You often hear that every person can make a difference and this experience made me really feel like that is true. It was great to see the impact of my work each day that I volunteered." Other local organizations that partner with HCC and offer volunteer opportunities for environmental science students include the Howard County Conservancy, Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, Maryland Department of Resources, the Pearlstone Center, the Piney Run Nature Center, and the Robinson Nature Center, just to name a few. The service learning experience provides students with a new lens through which to view the world. It deepens their understanding of themselves and the role they play as citizens of the local and global communities. It also develops and strengthens students' sense of direction, confidence, and empowers them to become change agents and leaders.

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