global engagement

See our extended episode notes at https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/crossing-borders-at-home/.

In this episode, we visit with Amanda Sturgill, Associate Professor of Journalism at Elon University, who co-edited Mind the Gap: Global Learning at Home and Abroad. She shares strategies for facilitating global engagement closer to campus and highlights research from the edited collection.

This episode is co-hosted by Jessie L. Moore, Director of Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning, and Nolan Schultheis, a first-year student at Elon University, studying Psychology with an interest in law. Jessie L. Moore also edited the episode. Making College “Worth It” is produced by Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning.

This weeks episode delves into a series of thought-provoking questions that touch upon various aspects of faith and life. Topics include the personal nature of belief and faith in God, the challenges of wrestling with doubt despite a desire for spiritual connection, the essential needs of the modern church, the pursuit of hearing the voice of God and dealing with doubts after a period of spiritual distance, the struggle of leading a family when communication turns abusive, sharing faith in a mission-oriented workplace, navigating fear of expressing Christian beliefs in a cancel culture society, and the potential consequences of church affiliation with larger organizations. The episode also explores the church's mission and vision in reaching the unreached and offers insights on how to serve beyond the confines of a church's physical walls. Join us as we journey through these deep and impactful questions of faith and life.

Dr. Gurung has been an exceptional contributor to the University’s global engagement and education for nearly 15 years, creating programs and opportunities for students to travel abroad and to learn from and serve the people of her home country of Nepal. As an associate professor of sociology and women & gender studies, Shobha integrates innovative pedagogies that span multiculturalism and global engagement and aims to help her students develop empathy with people from a wide range of life experiences and conditions while becoming conscientious and responsible global citizens. She mentors and advises student clubs with multicultural and international relevance and strives to help international students find their place at the University. Dr. Gurung holds degrees from Tribhuvan University of Nepal and Boston’s Northeastern University.

A proud, first-generation college graduate born in Lima, Peru, and raised in Santa Ana, California, Associate Professor of Spanish Iliana Portaro is committed to reducing barriers to undergraduate completion by incorporating high impact practices such as writing, group work, research, and experiential education into her courses. With degrees in her field from UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis, Dr. Portaro helps students to experience the Spanish language within her classroom and in other contexts that foster their growth as language learners and students of Latin culture. Iliana approaches teaching languages as an ongoing process and aims to provide her students with the tools to be lifelong learners. Admirably, Dr. Portaro continually adapts her teaching strategies to keep her classes relevant and engaging.

These comments made as part of the podcast reflect the views of the episode participants only and should not be construed as official university statements.