February 2009
Volume 1 Issue 4

 

 

 

 


International Programs, Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive, Midland, Michigan, 48640-2398 USA
Ph: 989·837·4327 | FAX: 989·837·4247
www.northwood.edu/international/

 

From the Dean

Our International Program Centers are more than just locations on a map or institutions listed on our website. Each center has a group of people that we work closely with to deliver quality education to our students. A good working relationship is essential.

Even with email and other technology, "face time" is still very important. Every time we travel overseas or host our partners here in Michigan, the purpose is not just to discuss issues and perform oversight, but also to continue building relationships.

Our university leaders are deeply committed to these relationships. NU President Keith Pretty and Executive Vice President John Jasinski have visited several partners already, and will continue to do so, as their schedules allow. Those of us in International Programs will continue to visit our partners to resolve issues, perform audits, and attend graduation ceremonies. Faculty members will continue to travel to teach courses or do guest lectures.

We all appreciate the warm hospitality each of us receives whenever we visit our overseas partners. In turn, we are always happy to host our partners from overseas, and return that hospitality. So far this academic year, colleagues from Switzerland, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have already visited our campus.

These visits, just like the ones we make overseas, are a chance both to resolve issues and build stronger relationships for the benefit of our students. I know these relationships will only grow stronger.

Best regards,

Lance B. Lewis, Ph.D

Lance B. Lewis, Ph.D.
Dean of International Programs

P.S. You may have noticed that the launch of Blackboard for our international sites has been delayed. We had not received all the information we needed from our partners to launch Blackboard. I'm happy to report that we now have the basic information we need and are working to get Blackboard launched as soon as possible. I apologize for the delay!

NU Outcomes and Assessment:

What should a graduate of Northwood University have learned by the time he or she finishes a BBA or MBA degree? Northwood University is guided by 12 outcomes which define what a graduate of Northwood University should know.
Our graduates:

  1. Understand the tradition of freedom.
  2. Have a broad practical understanding of their chosen field.
  3. Are familiar with the ideas driving enterprise leaders.
  4. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.
  5. Understand complex global issues.
  6. Have a constant attraction to new ideas.
  7. Can explain their personal values.
  8. Understand the aesthetic, creative and spiritual elements of life.
  9. Are effective self evaluators.
  10. Are action oriented.
  11. Are skilled at detecting and solving problems.
  12. Seek lifelong education.

How do these outcomes figure into assessment? They form the basic goals for student learning at Northwood University, so these outcomes are the very foundation of assessment. Across all activities of the institution, we must gather evidence about how well students are meeting these goals. This can be done in two ways:

As instructors and administrators, we also need to ask ourselves how well we model these outcomes - do we demonstrate and communicate a passion for lifelong education? Do we understand complex global issues? Do we communicate effectively in speech and writing? All of us intuitively know how powerful our examples can be for students, particularly in modeling these outcomes in our professional and personal lives. Every one of us can recall an instructor who was a powerful influence in our lives, and how that instructor mentored us or taught us "life lessons".

The finishing touches are being put on an assessment instrument that will be given across all of our IPCs this spring - it will include questions about how well students feel they are achieving the 12 Northwood University outcomes. The results can help us in continuously improving our programs.

Spotlight On... Hotel Institute Montreux, Switzerland

Faculty and staff at the Hotel Institute Montreux

Faculty and staff of HIM and NU “show the flag” while enjoying a beautiful sunny day in the courtyard of the Miramonte building housing the NU BBA and MBA programs.

Students playing basketball

Montreux is a charming city with classical architecture and beautiful views toward the mountains and Lake Geneva.

The IPC at Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM) is a partnership between Northwood University and Hotel Institute Montreux, a school of hospitality management in Switzerland. HIM is part of the Swiss Education Group, which operates several hospitality schools in Switzerland. Students earn the 3 year Higher Diploma in Hospitality Management from HIM and then transfer to the final year for the NU BBA.
The partnership with HIM started in 2002 and offers the following BBA degrees:

Montreux is a picturesque city of some 23,000 nestled on the shores of the eastern end of Lake Geneva.  Situated between the Swiss Alps on one side and the French Alps on the opposite side of the lake, it is home to the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival, and is part of what is called the "Swiss Riviera", an area known for its breathtaking natural beauty.

As with all IPCs, coursework is taught by local faculty and NU faculty who travel to Switzerland. Two groups of BBA students enroll each year, with about 85 - 95 students in each group. Courses are taught in modules over two terms for each BBA intake. Students come from all over the world to attend HIM and so the student body is very diverse.

Northwood University also offers the MBA in Montreux, with the first class graduating in 2008. The second class of MBA students will graduate in June 2009. The MBA coursework is taught by faculty from the DeVos Graduate School at Northwood University.

HIM is led by Academic Director Ronan Fitzgerald, BBA Program Manager John Daly and MBA Program Manager Ken Wichert. Faculty members include academic professionals from Europe and the United States.

We'll continue to feature our IPCs over the course of Volume I of this newsletter.

Update... on Strategic Themes

We continue to work on our strategic themes for this year, which include progress toward the following:

Quick Reminders:

Make sure that we have accurate and up to date mailing and contact information for each IPC location. This helps keep down the cost of mailings and courier shipments. If your address, phone, email information changes, please let us know.

Please contribute!

We welcome ideas and articles and photos from faculty and staff at all of our IPC sites. Submit any ideas to:

Linda Dick
International Programs Coordinator
dickl@northwood.edu