May 3, 2013
For advocating globalization, continuing education dean named first recipient of International Leadership Award
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Sue Maes, dean of the Division of Continuing Education at Kansas State University, has received national recognition for her efforts toward increasing globalization for the university and advocating for international collaboration. Maes is the first recipient of the International Leadership Award from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association.
The award recognizes innovative leadership in educational programs and services, administrative practices, research, and collaborations and partnerships. Maes accepted the award at the association's annual conference from April 3-5 in Boston.
"Kansas State University's international collaborations and programs are the result of the many individuals who work to increase globalization and diversity on campus," Maes said. "Through their tremendous efforts, we can provide rich academic and cultural experiences for international students."
During her time as dean, Maes and a team of university staff have visited and forged Kansas State University partnerships and programs with institutions in countries including Ecuador and India. She has supported the development of two new international educational programs at Kansas State University: the Go Teacher program with Ecuador and the Engineering Summer Institute with Gujarat Technological University in India.
The Go Teacher program is a scholarship program developed to enhance the English proficiency of teachers in Ecuador and provide them with instruction to improve effectiveness in teaching English as a second language methodologies. Collaboration with Kansas State University's College of Education, Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy and office of international programs brought nearly 90 Ecuadorian students to campus during the first cycle of the program. Nearly 60 students are completing the second cycle this month and 106 students comprise the third cohort of the program, which began in January.
In collaboration with Ecuador's Ministry of Education, Kansas State University is overseeing the expansion of the Go Teacher program at three more institutions nationwide. The Go Teacher program received the 2012 University Professional and Continuing Education Association's Central Region Innovative Noncredit Program Award.
The Engineering Summer Institute is a partnership with Gujarat Technological University in India where students travel to the Kansas State University campus for eight-week courses in electrical engineering, taught by university engineering faculty. The program launched in summer 2012 through collaborations with Kansas State University's College of Engineering and the state of Gujarat in India. Maes and other program representatives returned to India in fall 2012 to continue discussions of collaborative opportunities for larger groups of students to attend future sessions of the program.
Maes has also received regional and national recognition from continuing education organizations for her leadership and accomplishments. In 2000, she was elected to the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame and served on the board of directors in 2002 and as president from 2006 to 2007.
Maes' award presentation video can be viewed at online.