North Park University has received a $35,000 grant from the federal government’s Increase and Diversify Education for U.S. Students (IDEAS) initiative, which will be used to fund virtual and in-person study abroad opportunities for underserved students.
As part of the grant, North Park faculty and staff will partner with Nepal-based The Green Program (TGP) to develop custom study-abroad programs that tie climate, energy, and environmental-related subject matter to relevant topics in their disciplines.
“I’m excited by the opportunities afforded by the IDEAS grant and what we’ll be able to achieve through partnership with TGP,” said Tessa Zanoni, North Park’s Director of the Office of International Affairs.
“As a small university with limited study abroad funding and staffing, this grant will make it possible for us to increase resources and programs for our faculty and students,” Zanoni said. “I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to achieve our ultimate goal of expanding access to study abroad programs for all North Park students.”
As a recently designated Hispanic Serving Institution and majority commuter campus, North Park is actively working to expand study abroad opportunities for underrepresented students. The long-term goal of North Park’s partnership with TGP is to increase student participation in study abroad programs, as well as increasing student understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The IDEAS Grants are administered by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This year, ECA awarded the grant to 44 US colleges and universities to create, expand, and diversify their study abroad programs.
The Green Program provides hands-on courses on topics such as renewable energy innovation and sustainability. Students who participate in the 8–10-day programs receive a Smart Certificate. This year’s course takes place in Iceland in cooperation with Reykjavik University.