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Academic Year: 2010-2011
State: Nebraska
Representative: Yoko Iwasaki-Zink
Representative’s Contact Information:
PART I: Briefly list and describe events (including dates) that took place in the state
during the past academic year. Include events such as conferences, workshops,
meetings, or other noteworthy events related to international education.
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Nebraska International Educator’s (NIE) Fall meeting was held on December 3,
2010 at University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Gina Johanningsmeier of UNO
presented “Bridging Gaps between International and American Students” and
NIE discussed the International Student Support system.
Barbara Velazquez from Metro Community College (MCC) reported about the
NAFSA Bi-Regional conference in November 2010. During the break out
sessions, “Study Abroad Visa Application” was presented by Inger Bull of
Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) as a Study Abroad session. As the ISSS
side of sessions, Kathy Singh from University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)
updated immigration regulation. NIE brought up the issue of the Nebraska
nursing license renewal of international students in Nebraska to Dani Eveloff
from University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and to Diana Baker from
the Nebraska Center for Nursing and discussed about the issue.
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Fall state meeting is planned to be held in December 2011 at University of
Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
PART II: List and briefly describe on-going activities of the state related to membership
services, advocacy, governance, outreach, or any other effort related to the
strengthening of international education and exchange.
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By leading as proponents by Senator Kathy Campbell, Judy Muyskens from
NWU, Louise LaFramboise from UNMC and Linda Stones from Nebraska Nurse
Association, the change provisions relating to issuance of credentials under the
Uniform Credentialing Act was introduced to the Legislature on January 10, 2011
and the Governor of Nebraska approved it on March 10, 2011.
Summary of purpose and/or changes:
LB 225 removes, under the Uniform Credentialing Act, the restriction that
credentials for non-immigrants are issued only to non-immigrants whose visa for
entry, or application for visa for entry, is related to employment in the United
States. The bill allows a credential to be issued to a United States citizen, an
alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or a non-immigrant lawfully
present in the United States who is eligible for credentials under the Uniform
Credentialing Act.
(http://www.legislature.ne.gov/FloorDocs/Current/PDF/CS/LB225.pdf)
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Todd Betts from Bellevue University has been selected as the next NAFSA
Nebraska State Representative for 2012-2014.
PART III: Provide any other news that highlights individual or institutional
accomplishments or issues in the state, i.e., travel grants, other awards, retirements,
mention in media, contributions to the Region II or NAFSA, etc.
Contribution to the Region II and NAFSA:
Highlights individual or institutional accomplishments:
Bellevue University
Bellevue University is one of approximately 200 colleges and universities nationwide
invited to participate in the President’s Interfaith & Community Service Campus
Challenge. This initiative encourages institutions of higher learning to foster interfaith
cooperation through service. Our international students have responded very positively
and energetically to this initiative and have already organized and participated in such
activities as the Interfaith Dialogue Dinner held on August 29, 2011 at Bellevue
University. Our international students plan to organize more such events with other
faiths represented at our university over the coming year.
Creighton University
2010-11 Study Abroad-Creighton
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Study Abroad Fair--Sept. 30, 2010
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Passport Processing Center at Creighton (Omaha Post Office)—Sept. 30, 2010
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Presentation at Region II NAFSA, “Internships, Service-Learning and
Volunteerism Abroad”—Nov. 15th, 2010
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ISEP Representatives Visit Creighton--Nov. 17, 2010
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University of Limerick (Ireland) Representative Visits Creighton—Nov. 17, 2010
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University of Glasgow (Scotland) Representative Visits Creighton—Feb. 22, 2011
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The Creightonian (Student Newspaper), published articles throughout the year,
sent in by current study abroad students from their host countries. The section of
the paper is called “Scene International.”
·
Mention in Omaha World Herald Article—August 9, 2011,
World Herald Article, The Wider World. “…In Omaha, Creighton University’s Office of
International Programs deserves praise for it’s longtime efforts in organizing travel for
Creighton students. Creighton organizes the material in a helpful form for students.
What programs are available, for example, for a health studies major, an environmental
sciences major, or a social work major? Creighton provides information specific to each
area of study…” (this article also mentions UNL).
Doane College
Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, held a faculty workshop on experiential learning
abroad on Thursday, September 29, 2011.
On Monday, November 14, Study Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation kicks off the
International Education Week (IEW) activities at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska.
Other IEW activities include an evening presentation by Doane Fulbright alumni, a
presentation by a Peace Corps Alumnus, and an International Film night. In addition,
international cuisine representing the destinations of Doane's 2011 fall study abroad
participants will be featured in the Doane College cafeteria.
In June and July, 2011, Doane College in Crete welcomed 100 Japanese and 89
American students for the 7th annual Summer Adventure Zone program. The program
provides U.S. and Japanese students with opportunities for cross-cultural awareness
and combines hands-on learning opportunities with visits to Nebraska sights including
the Nebraska State Capitol, Museum of Nebraska History, Henry Doorly Zoo, Stuhr
Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, and visit to a small family farm.
Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU)
In February 2011, NWU hosted a visiting scholar from Estonia, Mr. Kalle Tenno, the
special representative of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Estonian Republic
in Washington during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Mr. Tenno spoke on the
transformation in Eastern Europe from 1989 to 1992.
Inger Bull, Director of International Education moved to Colorado College in Colorado
Springs, CO. in April 2011, and a new Director of Global Engagement, Sarah Barr, has
been hired since June 30, 2011.
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
UNMC's International Health and Medical Education and Student Alliance for Global
Health hosted the 4th Midwestern Global Health Conference in Omaha at the
Downtown Embassy Suites, September 9-11, 2011. Keynote speakers included Dr.
Geoffrey Tabin, co-founder of the Himalayan Cataract Project; Dr. Nicholas Comninellis,
president of the Institute for International Medicine; and Randy Strash from World
Vision.
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)
- The Annual Global Studies Conference, held in conjunction with UNO's European
Studies Conference (Oct. 6-8), brought scholars, artists, and diplomats to UNO to
discuss the latest international issues. This year’s plenary session featured two USAID
experts on the current famine in the Horn of Africa. This year’s keynote speaker, Beau
Beausoleil, recounted his artistic endeavor to honor the victims of the 2007 Al
Mutanabbi Street bombing in Baghdad, Iraq.
- UNO has continued to create new partnerships with universities abroad and enhance
student services and academic programs here in Omaha.
- Continuing its reputation as a top Fulbright-producing university, UNO has sent five
Fulbright students and six Fulbright scholars abroad in the past five years. Fulbright
scholars for academic year 2011-2012 are:
Chris W Allen, Journalism, Oman
Patrick McNamara, International Studies, India
The Fulbright student for 2011-2012 is:
Huben, Neil, Medical Sciences, Greece