2008 Heiskell Award Honorable Mention: Internationalizing the Campus

Nomination submitted by: E. Mitchell House Jr., International Program Director

Program Overview
Florence Darlington Technical College (FDTC) seeks to link domestic and international two-year schools together to form a global village. To provide an international experience in the short time that two-year programs allow, they created an innovative campus approach, which draws upon video conference technology and internships. “The synergies that we expect to realize will benefit not only our own two-year college but will include other two-year colleges throughout the United States and abroad, says Charles T. Muse, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Using a combination of Internet course deliver technology (WebCT) and live sessions, Florence Darlington students and international students at partner organizations work together to identify actual products and services that translate into business opportunities. International students identify potential business niches in South Carolina and vice versa and both sides serve as consultants to one another. In addition, FDTC’s partnership with the South Carolina World Trade Center provides students with opportunities to engage in case study discussions with business people and students from various nations and, in some cases, with access to internships in the trade services department. This innovative platform provides FDTC students with tangible and practical interactions in the business sector, giving them the opportunity to develop a global perspective as more as more companies engage in international trade.

Program Implementation
Read the winning nomination, including details on how the program achieves its objectives