Herbert English, dean of Counseling and Specially Funded Programs at Riverside City College, showcased an innovative approach to enhancing equity in study abroad programs at the American Association of Community Colleges annual conference. The conference is renowned as a premier professional development event for leaders in community colleges and the two-year college sector.

 

English's session, titled Increasing Participation of Black Students in Study Abroad, introduced a comprehensive model aimed at boosting African American students' involvement in international education experiences. Drawing from research findings, English emphasized the benefits of study abroad programs, particularly for African American students.

 

Key points highlighted in English's presentation included the advantages of studying abroad in Africa for African American students, such as fostering pride in discovering ancestral roots, facilitating personal growth, nurturing intercultural competence, and encouraging spiritual development. English also reinforced the concept of "Sankofa," a term from the Akan Tribe of Ghana, which emphasizes learning from the past to inform the future and reclaiming identity.