As part of an Argentina-based program on American Studies,
AASCU partnered with the United States Embassy in Argentina and La
Universidad Católica de Santa Fe to host the webinar “Delivering Higher
Education in the Time of COVID-19: A Conversation With AASCU and Member
University Leaders.” The webinar drew more than 70 higher education leaders,
including rectors and senior international officers from Argentine and AASCU
institutions. View
the webinar recording.
Speakers included Terry Brown, AASCU’s vice president for
Academic Innovation and Transformation; Daniel Wubah, president of Millersville
University (Pa.); and Patriece Campbell, director of international programs at
Millersville. They addressed the need for institutions to assess and reimagine
international education programs and for comprehensive internationalization
activities during the pandemic.
Brown acknowledged the challenges AASCU institutions, their
communities, and regions are facing. However, she reminded the Argentine higher
education community that “despite the challenges, each institution is committed
to ensuring that every student is able to succeed in this new environment
through rethinking teaching and learning and recreating campus environments to
ensure safety.”
Campbell stated it is important to be mindful, especially
during this time, that though study abroad has been the focus of campuses’
international efforts, it cannot continue to be the sole focus. The numbers of
students studying abroad is steadily declining, and there needs to be more
proactive efforts to identify other ways to expand the relationships with
current partners while also identifying new partners to ensure robust and
sustainable partnerships.
Wubah discussed that while it is not practical to expect a
major uptick in students studying abroad until there is a vaccine, students’
desire and attitudes toward study abroad have not changed. Students are simply
in a “wait and see” mode.
Higher education institutions have all been affected by
COVID-19, and the pandemic has created a moment for campuses to rethink
opportunities and experiences for students. Within this landscape, AASCU
maintains its commitment to ensure the success of its students and scholars.