Hbcudigest.com September 60, 2011 Bennett Named to National Higher Ed Diversity Council<http://www.hbcudigest.com/bennett-named-to/> Along with seven other institutions named to the project, Bennett College will explore connections between on-campus international and diversity efforts that will better prepare students for the impacts of globalization and improve cultural communication skills among students, faculty and staff. Institutional team leaders, Dr. Gwendolyn Bookman, Director, Global Studies & External Partnerships and Rev. Dr. Natalie McLean, College Chaplain, will meet with ACE staff and team leaders from the other selected institutions to share experiences and discover best practices. In acknowledging Bennett's participation in the initiative, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President of Bennett College said, "As a United Methodist Church-related institution, Bennett College is committed to the many ways we can help the human spirit soar. One of these is to be firm in our own religious foundation, but also to be open to religious diversity. We are excited about the opportunity to allow our global citizens to embrace more ways to be at home in the world." Excited about this opportunity, team leader Dr. Bookman also added, "An important aspect of being an educated person at this point in our history is being "at home" in the world. At Bennett, we are educating our students and transforming them into 21st century leaders and global thinkers. As we prepare them for experiences abroad, we must capitalize on the diversity in our local communities and better use these opportunities to teach and learn the value of diversity. Our goal is to help our students develop the competencies that are necessary to be successful in our global economy. Our project on religious diversity offers us a wonderful opportunity to achieve this goal." "The interface between multicultural and international efforts on campus is a critical place to engage students, who will face an increasingly diverse and global workplace over the course of their careers," said Patti McGill Peterson, presidential advisor for global initiatives at ACE. "Competition for this project was quite intense and shows a great desire among applicants to effectively address this important relationship. We anticipate great strides from this learning community." Bennett College was one of eight colleges and universities named to the effort. The other institutions are: Alliant International University-San Diego Scripps Ranch, Arcadia University (PA), Grossmont- Cuyamaca Community College District (CA), Mercy College (NY), North Carolina State University, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Washington State University. They were chosen out of 54 applicants SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street 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.