The U.S Speaker Program
College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Participants
As part of the College of Arts and Sciences' internationalization initiative, the college has been exploring opportunities for faculty to engage international audiences. In 2010, the College contacted the U.S. State Department to explore international opportunities for faculty. We were encouraged to participate in
The U.S. Speaker Program organized through the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Information Programs. The Program sends American "experts" to different countries to engage foreign audiences on a variety of issues/topics.
CAS believes this is a great opportunity for SIUE/CAS faculty to share their expertise and knowledge with foreign audiences and also to create more awareness for the College nationally and internationally. Twelve CAS faculty members were accepted to participate in this program and have been placed on the State Departments' list of experts.
|
Dr. Olga Bezhanova is assistant professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature. Her interests and expertise are in the following areas: - nationalism and formation of national identities. Dr. Bezhanova has published and presented on this subject in both English and Spanish. She is fluent in Spanish, English and Russian. Contact information: Department of Foreign Languages and Literature
|
|
Dr. Isaac Blankson is associate professor and chair of the Department of Speech Communication. He is also a special assistant to the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on diversity and internationalization issues. His interests and expertise are in the following areas: - Media privatization in emerging democracies (Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, Middle East, etc)
Contact information: Department of Department of Speech Communication
|
|
Dr. Richard Brugam is professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. His interests and expertise are in the following areas: - Paleolimnology (the study of the history of lakes) - Broadly interested in freshwater ecology, environmental pollution, and the history of landscapes Dr. Brugam has international contacts with Canada. He speaks little Spanish and is fluent in German. Contact information: Department of Biological Sciences
|
|
Dr. T. R. Carr is professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis and senior research fellow at the Institute of Urban Development. His interests and expertise are in the following areas: -
Local government structure and administration
Dr. Carr's experience in local government provides him with some unique insights as both an academic and a practitioner of public policy. He served three terms as Mayor of Hazelwood, MO and was very active in both the State and County Municipal Leagues. In this capacity, he was heavily involved in the area of economic development, especially with public-private relationships. He continues to be active in that area today. Dr. Carr's academic area of specialization is the field of applied public administration and this has afforded him the opportunity to be actively engaged in the international arena over the past several years. Contact information: Public Administration and Policy Analysis
|
|
Dr. Denise DeGarmo is associate professor in the Department of Political Science. Her interests and expertise are in the following areas: -
International environmental security
Contact information: Department of Political Science
|
|
Dr. Mark Hildebrandt is associate professor in the Department of Geography. His interests and expertise are in the following areas: -
Mitigation and adaptation to global climate change
Contact information: Department of Geography
|
|
Dr. Elza Ibroscheva is associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Mass Communications. Her interests and expertise are in the following areas: - Eastern Europe and media in the post-socialist transition
Contact information: Department of Mass Communications
|
|
Dr. Samuel C. Pearson is emeritus dean of the Department of Historical Studies. His interests and expertise are in the following areas: -
History of religion in America
Dr. Pearson held two Fulbright senior lectureships in China. Contact information:
|
|
Dr. Carolina Rocha is associate professor and study abroad advisor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature. Her interests and expertise are in the following areas: -
Latin American film studies
Dr. Rocha's native language is Spanish and can also present in Portuguese. Contact information: Department of Foreign Languages and Literature
|
|
Dr. Aldemaro Romero is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He is also a professor of biology. His interests and expertise are in the following areas: -
Evolutionary biology
Contact information: College of Arts and Sciences
|
|
Dr. Chris Theodorakis is associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. His interests and expertise are in the following areas: -
Evolutionary toxicology
Contact information: Department of Biological Sciences/Environmental Science
|
Below are a few things to note about the Program:
Please send your information - name, area(s) of expertise and a CV as electronic attachment to the address below. We will forward all interests from SIUE to the State Department. Please contact me via e-mail if you have any questions about the Program.
Isaac Blankson, Ph.D
Chair & Associate Professor
Special Advisor to Dean - International & Diversity Initiatives
Dept. of Speech Communication
SIUE
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1772
618-650-3631
E-mail:
iblanks@siue.edu
