Being Brave: Empowering Program Directors to Engage in Courageous Conversations

Faculty Development Series

Course Description:

This e-learning short course equips program directors with the frameworks, strategies, and tools for engaging in critical self-reflection and for leading programs abroad that are carefully structured to explore social group identities, changing identities while abroad, engaged learning abroad, social justice and global equity. Program directors will learn how to lead safe, authentic and effective dialogues or ‘courageous conversations’ abroad while uncovering personal and institutional biases preventing them and their students from reaching the fullest potential.

The goal is for Program Directors to feel empowered to explore new and sometimes uncomfortable truths about the experiences of underrepresented students abroad. The end goal of preparing program directors is to engage them in courageous conversations to strengthen their capacity to support students inclusively and holistically throughout the education abroad experience, before, during, and after the on-site experience.

The intended learning outcomes for this course include:

Revisit the “4 F’s” - Faculty, Finances, Family, and Fear
Understand the value of and how to create brave spaces for education abroad
Explore how social identities influence and shape education abroad experiences
Demonstrate how program directors can create brave space and engage in courageous conversations throughout the education abroad program lifecycle

Please note that all Diversity Abroad Short Courses are available for 7 days after purchase. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

About the instructor

Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at International Studies Abroad (ISA)

Malaika Marable Serrano

Malaika Marable Serrano is an Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships at International Studies Abroad (ISA). Prior to joining ISA, she served as Executive Director for Academic and Field Programs with Semester at Sea; Associate Director for Global Communities Living-Learning Program at the University of Maryland, College Park; Outreach and Alumni Officer for the U.S. Department of State's Critical Language Program; Associate Director for Education Abroad and International Enrollment Management at NAFSA: Association of International Educators; and Study Abroad Coordinator at the University of Tennessee. Malaika received a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Southern California and a M.A. in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland. Significant international experiences include a semester abroad in Australia, J-term study in Brazil, a year teaching English in Venezuela, leading study abroad programs to the Dominican Republic, and teaching Global Leadership in Colombia.