Heartland Community College awarded U.S. Department of State IDEAS Grant

 

[August 13, 2022] 

Heartland Community College has been selected to receive funding support from the U.S. Department of State’s Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) Program.

Heartland Community College (HCC) is one of 44 colleges and universities across the United States that will use the IDEAS grants to create, expand, and/or diversify American student mobility overseas in support of U.S. foreign policy goals. This U.S. Government program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and supported in its implementation by World Learning.

“This grant will help fund three new programs designed for under-served student populations including those in shorter-term, work ready programs who often don’t have the time to study abroad for a full semester and those students who do not have the financial ability to study abroad easily,” said Amy Pawlik, HCC Associate Vice President of Enrollment & Student Services. “We are looking to develop some 1-2 week study abroad experiences and also enhance our international cultural events for students on campus. Being able to design and implement these programs will benefit not just the students who participate, but also the larger College community as it supports our ability to enrich the global experience across the College.”

Heartland will use the $35.3K grant to support expansion of international programs to bolster the experience of students studying agriculture, health sciences, and career and technical education.

Students will have opportunities to learn about the impact of climate change on agriculture with a study abroad program in South Africa. HCC will build upon existing programs for health sciences students and staff to collaborate with professionals in Tanzania. Also supported by the grant is a student exchange program with Finland that focuses on renewable energy and industrial technology.

“The U.S. Department of State is committed to supporting U.S. colleges and universities as they continue to rebuild study abroad capacity impacted by the global pandemic. Our IDEAS grant recipients reflect the full diversity of the U.S. higher education system – including community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), rural institutions, and more – and we are committed to working with them to build study abroad programs that are accessible for Americans of all backgrounds and that provide more opportunities for American students to engage with people in more diverse destinations around the world.” said Heidi Manley, USA Study Abroad Chief, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Since 2016, the IDEAS Program has awarded 145 grants to 139 institutions in 48 states and territories to create, expand, and diversify their U.S. study abroad programs in 71 countries across all world regions. In addition to the IDEAS grant competition, the program also offers opportunities for faculty, staff, and administrators at U.S. colleges and universities to participate in a series of free virtual and in-person study abroad capacity building activities.

For further information about other study abroad resources and other exchange programs offered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs visit https://studyabroad.state.gov/.

[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College]