Formation of the Global Faculty Advisory Committee
From Dr. Jean Morrison, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Boston University has built a reputation – through substantial outreach, growth, and engagement – as a research institution of global impact. Our study abroad programs are among the nation’s strongest, and we consistently attract significant numbers of international students and scholars to our campuses. Many of our faculty and students are likewise engaged in international research and service learning activities across multiple continents, an area where we see potential for considerable progress and continued success in the years to come. This is why, during the development of BU’s new Strategic Plan, Global Engagement was identified as one of five priorities that will guide BU’s actions through 2030.
As we move ahead with implementation of the strategic plan, I am writing to announce the formation of a Global Faculty Advisory Committee, chaired by Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs Willis Wang. This standing committee, whose membership is listed below, comprises distinguished colleagues from across our campuses who will advise Willis as he leads BU’s global operations under the plan’s Global Engagement pillar.
The committee will consider a range of opportunities for continued growth of BU’s global activities, from our ability to offer all students a truly international education experience, to growing the University’s support for internationally-focused research, and the development of new and expanded programs at our international locations. One concept we expect the committee to examine will be the idea of developing a small number of multipurpose “global hubs” – locations around the world where we can co-locate services and engagement opportunities for students, faculty, alumni, and prospective students. A hub could host a number of activities – study abroad classes, meetings between research faculty and local partners, alumni networking events, experiential learning opportunities, various support services, and prospective student information sessions – advancing our global engagement in exciting ways while supporting our core missions of teaching and research.
I am excited to see where these conversations lead and want to thank Willis and the members of the Global Faculty Advisory Committee for committing their time and energy to this important effort on behalf of BU. As our world grows increasingly interconnected, BU’s continued growth and global competitiveness will depend on expanding the opportunities we offer our community for learning and engagement in Boston and abroad. We look forward to sharing highlights with you as this process unfolds and to a bright and active future for Boston University on the global stage.
Global Faculty Advisory Committee
Chair:
Willis G. Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs
Members:
Nahid Bhadelia, Associate Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine; Founding Director, BU Center for Emerging Infections Diseases Policy and Research; Associate Director, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories
Peter Buston, Associate Professor of Biology; Director, BU Marine Program, College of Arts & Sciences
Christos Cassandras, Distinguished Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Systems Engineering and Head of Systems Engineering, College of Engineering
David Henderson, Professor and Chair of Psychiatry, School of Medicine
Patricia Hibberd, Professor and Chair of Global Health, School of Public Health; Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, School of Medicine
Traci Hong, Associate Professor of Media Science, College of Communication
Carrie Preston, Professor of English and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, College of Arts & Sciences; Arvind and Chandan Nandlal Kilachand Professor and Director, Kilachand Honors College
Michael Woldemariam, Associate Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies; Director, BU African Studies Center
Catherine Yeh, Professor of Chinese & Comparative Literature and Chair of World Languages & Literatures, College of Arts & Sciences
Muhammad Zaman, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering, College of Engineering