President Amit Schejter of Oranim College of Education in Tivon, Israel visited Ohio State in March to further understand trends in diversity, equity, and inclusion at the university and explore global education opportunities. While on campus, he met with Executive Vice President & Provost Melissa Gilliam, Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs Gil Latz, and Dean Donald Pope-Davis of the College of Education and Human Ecology. He was accompanied by Mark Raider of the University of Cincinnati.
President Schejter learned more about the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and its initiatives, both in the community and abroad, during a meeting with Louise Yahiaoui. Jeannie Simmons, Global Education, and Joanna Kukielka-Blaser, Fulbright Scholar and Fulbright-Hays programs, offered the delegation an overview of overseas opportunities available to Ohio State students.
As a host institution for the faculty-led College of Education and Human Ecology global education program, Teaching & Learning Globally in Israel, Oranim is a key partner in the region. Dean Pope-Davis hosted a review of the college's long-standing relationship with Oranim that included Senior Associate Dean Noelle Arnold, Senior Director of Partnerships and Engagement Carlotta Penn, and education abroad program Resident Director Laurie Katz. The group discussed numerous avenues for continued collaboration and began to outline next steps to make them a reality.
A session with Naomi Brenner, Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, and Ori Yehudai, History, explored regional and programming opportunities.
Schejter also discussed the internationalization efforts of the university with Vice Provost Latz, Associate Vice Provost Fernando Unzueta, and Melinda McClimans, Middle East Studies Center, over a lunch meeting.