College Awarded '100,000 Strong in the Americas' Grant

Madison, Wis. (June 5, 2014) – The U.S. Department of State, Partners of the Americas and NAFSA: Association of International Educators recently announced nine new winners of 100,000 Strong in the Americas innovation grants; Edgewood College is among them.

President Obama’s goal for 100,000 Strong in the Americas is to reach at least 100,000 U.S. students studying, training, or researching abroad in the countries of the Western Hemisphere each year by 2020. An equal number of students from other countries in the hemisphere is likewise expected to learn and train in the United States. The initiative is aimed at enhancing hemispheric competitiveness, at increasing prosperity, and at better preparing a globally aware workforce.

According to Steve Vetter, President and CEO of Partners of the Americas, “The citizens of the Western Hemisphere share much in common-and therefore it makes a lot of sense that we tackle our common challenges together as well. By addressing the needs of our students, colleges and universities, and businesses in new and creative ways, we can build a brighter future for all. That is exactly what 100,000 Strong is designed to do.”

Edgewood College is awarded $25,000 to expand the service-learning and sustainable development program in Arequipa, Peru and make it a model for enhancing other exchange programs in the Americas. The program is built on the overarching framework of sustainability, as modeled by the philosophy and organizing principles of the College’s Sustainability Leadership Graduate Certificate Program. It brings together concepts and models of sustainable development, ecological sustainability, and social innovation to address real-world issues and create positive change at local and global levels.

“We are honored to be named a recipient of this award,” said Sara Friar, Co-Director of the Center for Global Education at Edgewood College. “This grant will be instrumental to increasing participation in the Peru program and deepening our university and community partnerships in Peru. These partnerships are at the heart of the collaborative and innovative projects and exchanges our students engage in while abroad.” Ms. Friar attended the first of two ‘capacity building’ workshops in San Diego, Calif., where the awards were announced. Professor Andrea Byrum, also Co-Director of the Center for Global Education, will serve as project director for the grant.

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