Dillard Office of International Students and Study Abroad Programs (OISSAP) traveled to Beijing, China in October 2011 to reestablish a memorandum of understanding with Communications University of China (CUC). During the Dillard presidency of Dr. Marvalene Hughes, the universities formed a relationship and facilitated a student exchange agreement. However, in 2010 CUC experienced a change in administration. Consequently, OISSAP Director Dr. Kimya Dawson-Smith took responsibility for renewing the ties that had been formed between the schools.
Dr. Phyllis Dawkins, Dillard’s provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer, vice president of student success, Dr. Hong Dai, mathematics professor and native Chinese speaker, and Dr. Dorothy Smith, dean of general education, all accompanied Dr. Dawson-Smith on the trip. As a result of their efforts, the new administration of CUC agreed to reestablish the institutional memorandum of understanding.
The Dillard administrators also traveled to Guangzhou and Shanghai, China to recruit students, examine global studies practices, and study student engagement practices.
OISSAP is currently working on a memorandum of understanding with CUC. They hope to have an exchange program in place – wherein students majoring in mass communications will have the opportunity to travel to China – by summer or fall of 2012.
