PRINCESS ANNE, MD – (May 31, 2019) – Dr. Lombuso Khoza was recently awarded the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad Seal of Excellence award due to the UMES Center for International Education’s success with study abroad.
The Institute of International Education held an awards ceremony recognizing the study abroad efforts of ten collegiate institutions, with UMES being the only HBCU that was recognized in 2019. Since Khoza took on the role as director of the Center of International Education in Fall 2015, the number of students who have participated in international education programs has increased significantly.
“When I began my tenure in this role, UMES only had one student enrolled in a study abroad program,” stated Khoza. “Within a two-year time span, our study abroad program grew to 25 students.”
UMES has a number of opportunities for students to participate in international education programs. The School of Pharmacy promotes mission led endeavors to support medical needs in countries such as Haiti and Vietnam. International service learning activities have been presented in on-campus international showcases. There are also other programs on campus that allow students to earn college credits towards their majors.
“Our students have been to a number of countries, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Italy, Estonia, Spain, China, South Korea and Kenya,” declared Khoza. “Some students participate in week long programs, while others may opt to stay for a full semester.” Recent programs that occurred in 2019 include a service learning opportunity in the Dominican Republic, as well as a faculty-led tour to Volterra that occurred this past spring.
UMES has continued to make strides in exposing its students to the world beyond the U.S. borders. The university’s initial complimentary partnership with the Council on International Education Exchange resulted in the execution of a successful passport caravan. According to Open Doors (2018), under 6% of African American students have studied abroad. The passport caravan, in conjunction with the local post office, yielded 62 qualifying students complimentary passports, giving them access to international travel, resulting in two students traveling to the Dominican Republic and Estonia.
For more information about the Center for International Education, contact Khoza at 410-651-8385.
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Tanesha Hankerson, Agricultural Communications and Media Associate, School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences AgCom Office, 410-651-6196, tmhankerson@umes.edu.
