Worcester State University’s fledgling Global Studies program is poised to expand, as more and more students recognize the importance—even the urgency—of including a global vision in their education, no matter what fields of study they undertake.
Last year, the first two students graduated with a concentration in Global Studies. This year, five graduating seniors completed the program. On Monday, May 13th, four Global Studies concentrators received certificates in a small ceremony, followed by lunch with members of the Global Studies Advisory Board. (The fifth student had graduated early and so was unable to attend.) The 2013 cohort of concentrators comprises a spectrum of different disciplines, four majors, and two minors. They studied abroad, engaged in service learning both at home and abroad, and have plans for graduate study in a range of global fields.
In addition to concentrating in Global Studies, Derek Derderian majored in criminal justice and minored in health education. He also studied abroad in Australia.
Concentrator Rose Mathieu majored in history, minored in Spanish, and engaged in a service-learning project in Nicaragua. She plans to enroll in a master’s program in international sustainable development. Rose writes, “Being a history major helps me think critically outside the box. Global Studies ties nicely into the work that I want to do. I’m very grateful for the courses I was able to take here. They have shaped who I’ve become.” While she prepares to apply to graduate programs, Rose has accepted a position for the next academic year as the VISTA volunteer for WSU’s own Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement.
“As a geography major,” writes Kyla Palubinskas, “I have learned about different aspects of the world—from economic to social, to environmental. This concentration helped me to look at different areas related to geography in more depth. I would recommend that students interested in learning about the world and how it is becoming increasingly globalized enroll in the Global Studies program.” Kyla has many different plans she would like to carry out, but first she will be taking the summer to travel around Europe. After that, she is considering teaching English abroad.
Katelyn Rozenas is also a geography major. After graduation, she plans to do a year of volunteer service in AmeriCorps and then pursuing graduate studies in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Justice. She writes, “Global Studies has opened my eyes to the different global processes that operate worldwide . . .[and] has helped me to learn more about social and political processes. I got to take courses interesting professors’ classes and meet interesting people.”
Kerry Wagner majored in community health. She is planning to go to graduate school in public health, with a concentration in epidemiology, since she has a strong desire to be an epidemiologist. She writes, “The Global Studies concentration has expanded my interest and shown me future possibilities around the world. I truly enjoyed my course in global environmental change because it showed me how I can get involved in my community to make a difference worldwide. It has given me the courage to dive into very overwhelming world problems like climate change. I also learned how powerful my voice can be and how important it is to be heard.”
Congratulations to our graduates and all the best for the future! We know that you will be part of the solution as you move into your various areas of work.
Submitted by Josna Rege, director of the Global Studies Program and professor of English