By Angelia McGowan

Five faculty and staff members make up the first Metro State delegation traveling to Ethiopia under the $272,425 U.S. Department of State grant awarded to Metro State last summer.

The Building Sustainable Study Abroad Capacity grant, from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, will help grow the College’s partnership with Aksum University (AkU), formalized in March 2009. Since that time, Metro State has spearheaded a book drive, hosted the mayor of Axum, and facilitated a one-year teaching assignment for Computer Information Systems Professor Stuart Monroe to teach business courses for the 2010-2011 academic year at AkU.

The delegation leaves on May 31, and remains for a one-month planning visit where members will consult with Aksum University (AkU) faculty and administrators regarding curriculum, logistical details and arrangements for next summer when more than a dozen Metro State students will study at AkU, according to Executive Director of the International Studies Program Ali Thobhani.

In addition to Thobhani, the May 31 delegation includes:

• Associate Professor of African and African American Studies Jacqueline McLeod
• Assistant Professor of Anthropology Julie Reyes
• Chair of Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Reading and Educational Technology Cynthia Lindquist
• International Studies Program Administrative Assistant Kelly Huang

“The team will also explore field trip sites and service-learning opportunities” for the Metro State students who will study at the university for two months in summer 2012, Thobani says.

Also under the grant, Metro State President Stephen Jordan will lead a second delegation to Ethiopia later this summer. During this visit, Jordan will deliver the keynote address at AkU’s commencement on July 30.