A welcoming ceremony was held for 15 Russian college administrators who came to Cal State Fullerton to learn about higher education in the U.S. The Oct. 19 ceremony was attended by Melody Johnston, associate dean of University Extended Education, and, from left; Tatyana Tsyrlina-Spady, vice president of the Regional Open Social Institute in Russia; Vladimir Petrov, president of the Regional Open Social Institute; Edgar Trotter, associate vice president for undergraduate programs; Karen Ivers, acting associate dean of the College of Education; and Dawn Person, professor of educational leadership. Photo by Mimi Ko Cruz

Building Relations

Russian College Leaders Learn About U.S. Higher Education

October 27, 2009

By Debra Cano Ramos

Russian college educators are visiting Cal State Fullerton through Oct. 30 to learn about higher education in the United States.

The College of Education’s Educational Leadership Department is hosting the two-week Russian Higher Education Leadership Institute, which is focusing on educational leadership practices, as well as challenges and issues facing higher education in this country, said Dawn Person, professor of educational leadership, who is leading the institute.

“They are indeed an impressive group of educational leaders and we look forward to engaging in dialogue and opportunities for learning for our faculty and students,” Person said.

The institute, held in collaboration with University Extended Education, consists of professional development sessions with lectures and presentations by Cal State Fullerton and local higher education experts, Person said.

Sessions are being held at Cal State Fullerton and local colleges and universities.

“During their visit to campus, our Russian colleagues will have the opportunity to understand more deeply about higher education leadership in the U.S.,” Person said. “They’ll be exposed to areas such as marketing, fundraising, student affairs, student support programs and services and alumni outreach.”

Claire C. Cavallaro, dean of the College of Education, added that the visit also provides an opportunity for the college’s faculty to interact with a distinguished group of Russian colleagues.

“We are delighted to host this visit, and we hope that it is the beginning of a lasting partnership that will support a more global perspective in all of our programs,” Cavallaro said.

A welcoming ceremony was held Oct. 19 for the 15-member delegation of Russian college administrators and faculty members representing non-government, private higher education institutions across Russia.

“You’ll be exposed to an American view of higher education simply by being here,” Edgar Trotter, associate vice president for undergraduate programs, told the Russian educators. “You’ll not only learn about educational leadership, but you’ll learn about the American people. We look forward to a long-term relationship with you.”

Vladimir Petrov, president of the Regional Open Social Institute in Kursk, Russia, which organized the visit, said through a translator that he and his colleagues were eager to learn as much as they could about how American universities function — from learning management approaches, to using technology and developing relationships with students.

“We will learn from you and you will learn from us, as well,” Petrov said.

“We’re open to get as much information as possible, and then apply this experience in our country. We’re very excited and honored to have this exchange.”

Petrov added that the Russian college administrators also would share their knowledge and experience on common interests and issues for a mutually beneficial educational exchange.

“Through this exchange, we will be able to better understand each other, and our world will be more peaceful and friendly,” he said.

Petrov noted that Russian higher education institutions currently have international exchanges with other countries, such as with Belgium and England, and through this visit, they hope to forge an academic partnership with Cal State Fullerton.

“We hope to continue this exchange and to have a long-term relationship with the university.”

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