FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2017

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

(l-r) Ken Lang, Kandas Queen, and Dr. Megan Gibbons in London

Glenville, WV – In early October, three Glenville State College faculty members traveled to London, England, and Dublin, Ireland to discuss study abroad opportunities for students at GSC. The trip was a continuation of site visits made by GSC professors over the summer as a part of GSC’s participation in a Study Abroad Capacity Building Grant. Those professors traveled to Thailand and Australia.

The faculty members included Associate Professor of Spanish and Director of International Programs Dr. Megan Gibbons, Assistant Professor of Business Kandas Queen, and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Kenneth Lang.

The first day of their trip consisted of sight-seeing in London at Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abby, Big Ben, Parliament, New Scotland Yard, and a host of other sites as they walked through the city. The next day, they traveled to London South Bank University to meet with staff and faculty there. The meeting allowed the professors an opportunity to learn more about how to explain the expectations and benefits of study abroad to students.

The third day, they traveled to Dublin to meet with the faculty and staff of Griffith College. Lang went on to say, “From this meeting, I was better able to grasp how the Dublin criminal justice system works and we were able to formulate an option for students to study in Dublin. From my perspective as the Department of Criminal Justice chair, this was the biggest success of the trip.” On the fourth day, they toured the city of Dublin with the Dublin Knowledge Exchange Institute (KEI) Onsite Coordinator.

(l-r) Joy Wanderi from Wright State University with Lang, Gibbons, and Queen at the entrance to St. Stephen's Green in Dublin

Queen said, “I found it interesting learning more about how other students felt about the European educational system and how the curriculum was delivered, along with the expectations faculty set for students. I felt this information would be relevant when advising students interested in the program to help make sure they would be prepared for study abroad. From a teaching standpoint, it reinforced some of my ideas regarding student learning through research projects and getting students to see the world as something bigger than just our own borders.”

“I applaud Dr. Gibbons for all of the work that has gone into preparing for these visits, the main objective of which has been to educate our faculty. The professors in each department who have participated in a site visit will now be better prepared to advise their students who wish to study abroad. Additionally, they can also share this knowledge with their fellow faculty members. Global learning is important for all students, regardless of their major, and Glenville State is blazing a trail for them to do so,” said Dr. Gary Morris, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

For more information about study abroad opportunities for GSC students, visit GSC's International Programs website or contact Gibbons at (304) 462-6321.