Cheyney University News March 19, 2014 Cheyney University President Leads Discussion Group in the United Kingdom Cheyney University President Dr. Michelle R. Howard-Vital is in England leading a discussion group in the Women's Round Table held at Oxford University's Oriel College. Her trip to the United Kingdom comes during Women's History month and following the publication of several articles that she's written on women in higher education. It also comes on the heels of Dr. Vital presenting her work on a panel of the American Council on Education's Women's Network in San Diego, CA. "Also, for ACE, I am participating in the Spectrum program and mentoring two persons interested in the college presidency," Vital says. "These scholarly activities broaden my perspectives and enrich my world views helping me to better help others." When asked to lead the discussion on women's issues, President Vital cleared her schedule which wasn't difficult since this is Cheyney University's spring break week. "I am not the first Cheyney University woman scholar to participate in the Women's Roundtable," she explains. "Other faculty have participated, including Professor Emeritus Dr. Beatrice Johnson. I remember her speaking of her Oxford experience fondly. It is important for us all to continue to expand our horizons to present, publish, and engage in scholarly discourse that will not only broaden our own world views, but will also serve as examples to Cheyney University students and others. As a I sit here looking out on the old and renown City of Oxford, I know that this trip will help me to encourage other students and faculty to contribute internationally. We are already planning to work with Brazilian students, and we have just signed an agreement with the Rwandan government that could result in an international online program." Each year, Oxford holds several Round Table Discussions. This year's conference, "Women and Education: An interdisciplinary perspective," which started on Sunday, focuses on a myriad of topics including how women can lead in a man's world, how women can develop a successful game plan, and the legacy of African American women in education. At 9 am in the morning in Oxford, Vital says, "the city is bustling with students, tourists, bicyclists, joggers, and others walking some of the narrow and cobblestone streets that others have walked for centuries. Cars and double decker buses are driving on the other side of the street, immediately causing you to change your perspective when you cross the street--already expanding your worldview." As the President interacts with women across the pond, she hopes "to understand different global perspectives, and to possibly publish a paper on some of those views. I also hope to broaden my worldview by getting to know Oxford. I have visited London and seen the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, but this is a different experience. Hopefully, it will add another dimension I can share with students to encourage them to expand their world views and explore a bit deeper internally and externally." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2014meeting-form.html for the October 26-28, 2014 HBCU Library Alliance 6th Membership Meeting in Atlanta GA!