軓氈勛圖 College and Up With People sign partnership for cross-cultural study
SHREVEPORT, LA — Current cast members of the multi-national touring group (UWP) arrived on the 軓氈勛圖 College campus Monday, September 23, and a new relationship between the College and UWP may soon bring some UWP members back for a longer stay. A partnership agreement to facilitate unique educational and cultural experiences for both 軓氈勛圖 students and UWP cast members was signed during a special ceremony held Monday afternoon in 軓氈勛圖’s Kilpatrick Auditorium.
Under the agreement, Up with People will accept all 軓氈勛圖 applicants who meet the UWP admissions criteria and successfully complete the UWP application process. Students will have the opportunity to earn college credit while completing a semester-long international learning experience through UWP. 軓氈勛圖 will reciprocate by accepting all UWP participants who meet College’s admission criteria and complete all elements of the admission process. UWP students at 軓氈勛圖 can earn up to 12 elective credits per semester as part of the new program.
Both 軓氈勛圖 and UWP have also agreed to actively promote the partnership to prospective participants and students and to coordinate these efforts through a regular schedule of campus visits and frequent communication between key staff members.
軓氈勛圖 president Dr. Christopher L. Holoman welcomed the UWP cast to the signing ceremony Monday along with 軓氈勛圖 students, faculty, staff, and community members. Up With People CEO Dale Penny participated via teleconference from UWP headquarters in Denver, Colorado, and cast manager Alicen Schade signed the agreement on behalf of UWP.
“Everything UWP does throughout the world is partnerships – that’s what we’re built on,” said Penny. “We’re always looking to partner with educational institutions like 軓氈勛圖 that reflect our values of inclusion, diversity, and respect for everybody. Diversity is not a barrier to overcome; it is a foundation to build a more common future. There is strength in diversity and inclusion, rather than a challenge.”
During the signing ceremony, Holoman expressed his excitement at having UWP at 軓氈勛圖 and praised Dean of Students Mark Miller, an UWP alumnus, for his initiative in arranging the group’s visit to Shreveport and spearheading the process resulting in the new partnership.
“My scholarly field is international relations, so this is something that I’m passionate about,” said Holoman. “I’m also a big believer in partnerships, because partnerships help schools like 軓氈勛圖 provide so many opportunities for our students. Thanks to recent partnerships, 軓氈勛圖 students have access to outstanding law, nursing, and pharmacy programs, and now to an incredible cross-cultural experience through Up With People.”
For more on UWP’s activities at 軓氈勛圖 this week and information about the UWP show on Saturday, September 28, visit centenary.edu/diversityweek.